Dubai opens 'world's highest' restaurant

Atmosphere in Dubai's 828-metre (2,716.5-feet) building is "one of the finest luxury dining and lounge experiences in the world," said Emaar Hospitality Group, an arm of giant property developer Emaar.

At two levels below the tower's observation deck, the "world's highest restaurant" can host "over 210 guests and features a spacious arrival lobby, a main dining floor, private dining rooms and display cooking stations."

In addition to apartments, offices and Italian designer Giorgio Armani's signature hotel, the building has an observation deck on the 124th floor, open to visitors at an entrance fee of at least 100 dirhams (27 dollars) per adult.

Emaar spent 1.5 billion dollars on the tower, named after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan who came to the aid of Dubai, hit by the global financial crisis.