Which Dubai restaurant will you visit first?
“Which Dubai restaurant will you visit first once you’re comfortable venturing out?” To help inspire you, I asked some of this emirate’s top restaurateurs, chefs and F&B operators to name their number one restaurant choice (other than their own concepts!), and to explain why. I have compiled as a bucket list guide to give you plenty of options.
[DUBAI MUNICIPALITY DIRECTIVES – UPDATED 28/5]: Restaurants can operate until 11pm with safe distancing of two metres – or with divider screens. Regular crockery, cutlery and glassware are permitted for food and alcoholic/ soft beverages, provided mechanical dishwashers are in place. Customers can remain in restaurants for a maximum of three hours. Children aged 3 and above, plus adults over 60 are allowed in standalone F&B outlets and hotel restaurants. Kids aged 3-12 and over 60s are not permitted in mall-based outlets. Advance reservations are advisable. Bars remain closed.
Likely you wanna know my choice. In my mind, I always envisaged a Chinese restaurant first, followed by an Italian, in solidarity of the two countries that were initially worst hit – but the entire restaurant industry, irrespective of cuisine is crumbling. I have been craving somewhere with memories of home sweet home. And given I can’t fly back to Cyprus just yet, the next best thing is Mythos for its Greek taverna-style comfort food. The buzzing vibe. And Ilias and Eva who make me feel like am back home. I popped in for a wonderful leisurely lunch when it re-opened. And have been continuing to dine out regularly in support of our local restaurant community.
So here is a guide to 21 restaurants from 25 well-respected restaurateurs and chefs (some establishments were recommended a couple of times!) – divided into licensed serving booze, and unlicensed – and then alphabetically. Many have re-opened their doors. Where will you head to first? Or where have you already tried?
LICENSED
Babel: This licensed Lebanese restaurant at La Mer is where I typically go for six-hour lunches. I am going on Monday to spend time with my brother whom I haven’t seen for three months due to the lockdown. I love the shrimp tabouleh, baked aubergine, beetroot moutabel and fish tajine – Ziad Rahy, co-owner, Tomo, Al Mandaloun & Entrecote Café de Paris.
BB Social Dining: This restaurant gets two votes!
- I love BB’s food, ambience and the neighbourhood vibe. But firstly, Shab and Alex are old friends, and you need to help your mates out in times like these – Chef Colin Clague, Ruya.
- Hands down my favourite spot in Dubai. I love BB because it’s casual and cosy, the team is exceptional, the Negroni is the best in town, and I’m a huge fan of Alex’s food, especially the bao – Chef Liz Stevenson, The Tasting Class.
Bistro Des Arts: For my escargots fix, mopping up all of the garlic butter with a crusty baguette, along with a glass of red – Chef Nick Alvis, Folly.
Folly: Thanks to all of their homecooking content I am salivating at the thought of a trip to Folly for sundowners (weather permitting), followed by a leisurely meal for two with a delicious wine pairing – Niki Walsh, head of marketing & communications, Sarood Hospitality & Dubai Retail.
Hakkasan: another restaurant with two votes 🙂
- Peking duck at Hakkasan for when I can afford to eat out again, as its survival mode for now! – Greg Malouf, modern Middle Eastern master chef.
- Certain restaurants were already pioneering new ways to deliver an a la carte for brunch, and one of those that myself and my wife regularly looked forward to was Hakkasan. I can honestly say the whole experience was always enriching, amazing customer engagement and some of the best dumplings in the region. So it may not be brunch we go to first, but an evening at Hakkasan will be top of the list for a first night out – Duncan Fraser-Smith, founder, Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency.
Indochine: For the beef noodles and bone marrow – Ben NG, owner, Royal China Group.
Mythos: For Eva and Ilias and their wonderful team, for the food, for the concise and beautiful wine list, for the relaxed vibe, and the value for money – Omar Shihab, GM, Boca.
Nammos: It seems am one of the few that didn’t get around to visiting Nammos before the crisis. I’ve known the people behind the brand from when I was a teenager and I first visited the original Nammos in Mykonos on its second week of opening. I look forward to seeing the stunning design elements up close and enjoying fabulous dishes by the sea. All I’ve been dreaming of the last few weeks is being on a Greek beach, so hopefully Nammos will get me there – Fay Economides, co-owner, Mythos & Nola.
Opa: I would like to visit Opa because I haven’t managed to yet. I hear great reviews for its food and amazing vibe – Rizwan Kassim, owner, La Cantine du Faubourg & Ninive.
Roka: two votes here too.
- Having visited Roka in London a few times we are big fans, love the Charlotte Street and Mayfair vibe. If Roka Dubai has a fraction of this vibe, it is going to be a great hit. It really is so unfortunate that it has opened during these times so it is my must-try right now – Tyrone Reid, CEO, Alabbar Enterprises.
- It just had its soft opening before having to close due to the crisis. With my husband working there as beverage manager, I was lucky enough to try it. I want to return to eat my way through more of the menu – Burcu Eralp, head chef, Il Borro Tuscan Bistro.
Royal China: I am looking forward to heading to Royal China to gorge on Sichuan crispy duck – Ahsan Kahlon, co-owner, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki & Kushi by Reif.
Ruya: This restaurant which will re-open in a new location at Jumeirah Al Naseem in September gets two votes.
- Chef Colin’s cuisine has always been one of my favourites for his modern Turkish take with blasting flavours. His cheese pide with slow-cooked egg and the grilled octopus are my go-to dishes – Chef Alex Stumpf, BB Social Dining.
- I am really looking forward to taking my wife to Ruya for some food and a few drinks to celebrate the birth of our daughter – Chef Scott Price, Folly.
Shanghai Me: The food is amazing, simple, nothing fancy. Great tasty food and why, pre-crisis, I dined there twice a week – Chef Gilles Bosquet, La Cantine du Faubourg & Ninive.
CAFES AND EATERIES (unlicensed)
Al Reef Lebanese Bakery: One thing I have been craving in this isolation has been a really good, fresh, out-of-the-oven cheese and za’atar manaeesh from Al Reef because it’s nostalgic and has consistently tasted just as good as when I was young – Pastry Chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi, Burj Al Arab.
Arabian Tea House: With its Bastakiya quarter location, Arabian Tea House reminds me of a backyard in Greece and Cyprus. I love the fresh honest food and the amazing staff. The hot bread is exceptional…and it has the best grilled halloumi. I would then take a walk along the creek, weather permitting – Natasha Sideris, owner, The Tashas Group.
Cassette: Great vibe, relaxed and friendly service, mega acai bowl and the best sweet potato fries. After breakfast we would saunter down the Courtyard and treat ourselves to knick knacks in the artisan shops. Plus you can buy the best and most beautiful yoga mats there – Emma Banks, VP F&B strategy and development, Hilton, EMEA.
High Joint: For my favourite burger in town. Sitting on that counter takes me back to being in New York. Chatting with a chef about random stuff, while I pretend I’m just going to have one burger, when we both know a second one is almost definitely happening – Samer Hamadeh, founder, Aegis Hospitality that owns Akiba Dori.
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki: Not only is Reif’s Japanese food delicious, I love the casual vibe and the excitement of daily specials and new creative recipes. Reif can take an Italian tiramisu recipe and twist it into his own translation. Another thing that makes this restaurant unique is how frequently you see him at the pass. It’s rare to see chef owners in the kitchen, and that adds a lot of value – Sandy El Hayek, F&B manager, Nakheel Malls and Depachika Food Hall.
Wokyo: I am a noodle kind of person 😉 Wokyo for quality noodles, consistently good food and the homegrown concept in JLT – chef Reif Othman, co-owner, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki & Kushi by Reif.
Yo Sushi: my favourite for family outings – Rupesh Shetty, GM, Hakkasan Dubai.
3 Fils: The amazing funky Asian food, chilled music, casual atmosphere and peaceful views at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour is what I am craving and will be rushing back to, the minute this is all over – Peter Green, director of business operations, Jones The Grocer.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
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