Travel the world this summer with these Dubai restaurants
Thanks to ever-changing travel protocol and a drop in disposable income, many residents are choosing to stay put this summer. To appease that longing for a holiday, you may like to travel to your favourite destination through some of Dubai’s restaurants. I am not just referring to picking a cuisine, but those establishments, that from the moment you step in, manage to transport you back to a holiday, capturing the magic of that country with a sense of place. From on point décor, to native staff speaking the lingo – and the food of course, whether authentic or a modern twist – these restaurants celebrate the joy of travel.
So here we have a guide to 18 restaurants across nine countries in alphabetical order – all tried, tasted and rated highly by FooDiva. Where will you fly to for dinner? 😉
Huge shout-out for the story idea to Brandy Scott of Dubai Eye Business Breakfast and author of Not Bad People.
CHINA
Hakkasan: the restaurant that elevated Chinese dining to well-deserved Michelin level – in London. And one of the few imported concepts to successfully adapt for the Dubai market – now at Atlantis. From the timeless dark and sultry dining alcoves (perfect safe spacing design) to the Cantonese-style dishes that marry authenticity with creativity, the jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu beef ribs remains one of the world’s best dishes.
Hutong: the fiery Northern Chinese equivalent of Hakkasan. Another international name that opened just before the crisis in DIFC. A glorious tree centrepiece with Chinese lanterns to hang your own wish graces a striking dining room. Go here for the roasted Peking duck with pancakes served two ways.
FRANCE
Bistro des Arts: this locally developed concept on Dubai Marina Mall’s promenade transports you back in time to an intimate quintessential Parisian bistro offering a genuine taste of simple French classics. A compelling AED99 Frenchie breakfast-cum-brunch deal, as well as lunch and dinner menus on the chalkboard saving the need for those annoying QR-code menus. Parsley and garlic butter escargots. Steak tartare with frites. A cheese platter. Crêpes Suzette. Frenchman Julien is always front-of-house.
GREECE
Avli by Tashas: a cave-like temple to modern Athenian dining, Avli, which translates to ‘courtyard’, ticks the upscale restaurant box from the Grecian craze in Dubai. A test of any Greek kitchen is the execution of feta saganaki – and Avli’s, with its crisp filo and drizzled honey is the city’s best, rivalling any you will find in Greece. The owner, Natasha Sideris, kicks off a series of summer dining offers this week themed around Greek holiday magic – more info here.
Mythos Kouzina & Grill: a slice of Santorini in Dubai behind the Armada Bluebay’s carpark in JLT impresses with its no-frills simplicity and charm across both food and décor, despite the lack of a view. A husband and wife team Ilias and Eva run the kitchen and front-of-house respectively, just like in Greece. The crispy fried zucchini, tomato kefta, and the ‘gemista’ stuffed tomatoes and peppers are must-orders.
Opa: this Greek restaurant needs booking well in advance, even more so now with safe spacing seating – and the only one to offer plate smashing – even now 😉 A surprisingly intimate setting with its own dedicated entrance at the Fairmont Dubai. The menu may be mostly modern Greek, however, Turkish influences do creep through. Try the deconstructed ‘youvarlakia’ meatballs, and the prawn ‘kritharaki’ orzo. A Greek restaurant manager at the helm.
INDIA
Indya by Vineet: acclaimed chef Vineet Bhatia may as well be a Dubai resident given he seems to spend more time here, than in any of his other restaurant locations. He has created a menu of comfort Indian dishes inspired by his childhood. It’s one of those menus where you want to order every single dish, but don’t dare miss out on the tandoor-roasted cauliflower with tahini and pomegranates. Ridiculously affordable too.
Little Miss India: a hit on many levels, from delicious value-for-money soul food high on flavour sans overpowering spice levels, and slick, well-informed service – to the Fairmont Palm Jumeirah location, impressive truck art décor and a welcoming vibe. The lamb chops smoked in a jar are finger lickin’ delicious.
ITALY
Alici: the team behind Il Borro Tuscan Bistro has created an Amalfi-inspired seafood concept with picture-worthy views and a striking coastal décor to match. The deep-fried anchovies, ‘alici’ in Italian, are a must-eat – as is the sea urchin spaghetti. And the Sorrento lemon cheesecake.
Il Faro: a lighthouse (Italian translation of ‘faro’) jutting out at sea with 360-degree views – see Instagram pic below. Another concept reminiscent of the Amalfi coast (or a Greek island!) But let’s stick to Italy, given the superb freshly baked Roman-style pizzas with a crisp base and cornicione crust. Don’t bother ordering anything else.
JAPAN
Fujiya: I know I’ve discovered a good restaurant when the place is brimming with natives jovially tucking into their food – in this case Japanese – and I want to order every single dish. Independently operated and licensed with a dedicated entrance next to the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai’s ballroom, Fujiya is a no-frills Japanese izakaya aka pub. Feast on affordable Japanese comfort food whether kaki oyster fry, ramen or shabu-shabu.
Kohantei: a traditional Japanese restaurant at the Dubai Opera concourse, that embraces hospitality through a formal multi-course ‘kaiseki’ menu focused on high quality Wagyu beef from Japan. This particular experience is all about harmony and balance in cooking style, flavour and colour. Divided into a handful of private dining rooms, this restaurant would win the naturally socially distanced award. The décor is pretty non-descript and humble in classic Japanese style, with sliding shoji doors and tatami flooring, the only highlights.
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki: a compact Japanese street food eatery in Dar Wasl Mall from acclaimed Singaporean chef Reif Othman. Reif’s childhood comic, Astro Boy, takes centre stage on the entrance wall as a vibrant and interactive 3D panel. Drawers on every table open up to house the cutlery and menu; chair legs mimic chopsticks; and a glass window into the open kitchen is inspired by those on Japanese street food stalls. Reif is a creative soul, constantly adding new dishes to his tick-your-own-order menu. Must-eats include the kimchi melon, warm avocado with seaweed butter and Wagyu sando. The majority of his team has worked with him for years, since his early Zuma days.
LEBANON
Allo Beirut: retro Lebanese street food joint on Hessa street (and new location at City Walk) that is always buzzing. Order the lamb or falafel shawarma. And the pan-fried cauliflower. Even if you’re not veggie.
Ibn Al Bahr: this Lebanese seafood tavern at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah is run by fishermen. Choose your fish from the daily catch on display, along with the cooking style and a selection of meze sides from the a la carte menu. You’ll have to feast indoors for now, but, worry not, the nautical interior is kitsch yet on-point.
SPAIN
Bebemos: A tapas restaurant with a Catalan chef from Barcelona, Bebemos’ décor feels typically Spanish with colourful murals inspired by modernist artist Joan Miro, sitting alongside raw brick walls and cave-like arches. The menu is ‘chalked out’ on a mini hand-held blackboard, a quirky nod to the casual ‘tasca’ tapas bar concept – and embraces Spain’s 17 regions with tapas, starters, paella, mains and sides from North Spain’s seafood-focused cuisine to Central Spain’s roast meat specialities. Oh and the wine list is all-Spanish.
Boca’s La Taperia: Boca has pivoted its concept with La Taperia focusing on solely Spanish tapas dishes in two different portion sizes, some with a twist – and all much more wallet-friendly thanks to locally sourced produce. Definitely order the paella. Here is where you’ll find Dubai’s most prolific organic, biodynamic, natural and vegan wine list. If you’re after a completely social distanced affair, eat your meal in the working wine cellar.
USA
The Maine Land Brasserie: The youngest sibling to The Maine JBR and Studio City that opened during the pandemic at the new Me Opus hotel in Business Bay. One of Dubai’s most impressive restaurant interior design projects. Expect a New York grande dame brasserie in all its glory complete with giant crystal chandeliers, exposed ceilings and round table banquettes. Simple, well-executed classics. Oysters. Garlic-ky escargots. Buttery Wagyu steak. Triple-cooked fries. Charred Brussel sprouts. Tarte tatin.
Before I sign off, here are a few more crisis-specific dining guides you may have missed:
- Dining out after the Covid-19 lockdown with a few tips.
- Which Dubai restaurant will you visit first? Tips from Dubai’s top restaurateurs and chefs.
- A guide to licensed Dubai restaurants delivering.
- A new breed of online gourmet grocers in Dubai.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
#UAERestaurantsUnite
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