Instagram/@jessicakahawaty
Dubai is a foodie’s ultimate haven. The city is home to a score of restaurants, cafés, bistros, and eateries from all around the world, and is constantly welcoming new culinary concepts into its ever-evolving gastronomic scene. 2019 is shaping up to be a great year for food enthusiasts, with a number of innovative restaurants coming down the line. British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is launching a theatric concept at the currently-under-construction Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, while Iranian–American chef Ariana Bundy will make her UAE debut with a Persian eatery come fall. While you anticipate those and more, read on for five, must-visit restaurants in Dubai to incorporate into your weekend plans.
Instagram/@mix_dubai
The newly opened restaurant-cum-nightspot spearheaded by one of the world’s most decorated chefs, Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse is situated at the new Emerald Palace Kempinski. Ducasse, who holds 21 Michelin stars, worked closely with architect Manuel Clavel to create the three-tiered space, which includes a rooftop Chef ’s Table and a private dining area. Similarly, he was deeply involved with the menu that comprises red tuna tataki marinated for 24 hours in a soy sauce and sesame mix, croque monsieur with black truffle shavings, and seared octopus. Drooling yet?
Emerald Palace Kempinski, The Palm Dubai
Cassette
Instagram/@cassettedxb
Those looking to escape the bustle of city life will find refuge at Cassette, a new music-inspired bistro housed at Dubai’s Al Quoz, and just adjacent to Alserkal Avenue. Situated amongst grungy warehouses and studios, and away from the city’s sprawling skyscrapers, the new venue serves as a cool sanctuary for lounging with a steaming cup of artisanal coffee. The trendy eatery also boasts a mouth-watering menu of breakfast favorites, including eggs Benedict, French toast, and waffles duck confit.
The Courtyard, Al Quoz
The Supper Club
Instagram/@theitalianwayuae
Not a restaurant, per se, The Supper Club is a week-long dining concept curated by #TheItalianWay, that foodies don’t want to miss. Following on the success of last year’s edition, which took place at Dubai’s popular seaside brasserie The Maine Oyster Bar, “The Supper Club: Menu39” invites guests to an exclusive, outdoor venue located at the heart of the city, to enjoy a delectable menu centered around 39 carefully-handpicked local and Italian ingredients. Expect dishes like dried and fried pasta with sweet paprika, peas patties with yoghurt, mint, and parsley, and saffron risotto with red bell pepper, lemon, and licorice. The week-long pop-up will take place from March 18-23 and each seat at the table is priced at 350AED. Buon appetito!
Lounge39, Dubai Downtown
Kizmet
Instagram/@kizmetdxb
A stone throws away from the Zaha Hadid-designed Dubai Opera, Kizmet is a trendy new eatery that opened its doors in January. The restaurant serves up, in its words, “modern soul food”, inspired by dishes that its staff grew up with. Each culinary creation boasts a creative name — see “My girlfriend is not hungry”, which is a serving of avocado fries with habanero mayo, and aims to transport nostalgic food lovers back to their childhood. Duck leg tagine served with couscous, harissa, and almonds, scallops with sunflower seed risotto, and crispy whole sea bass with green mango, sticky coconut rice, and banana leaf are all featured on the delicious menu. And don’t forget to save some room for dessert, which includes tantalizing dulce de leche cheesecake with chocolate ganache, lime gel, and banana sorbet and fried apple pie with chai-flavored ice cream and caramelized apples.
Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Road, Downtown Dubai
OFK
Instagram/@ofkdubai
OFK (Open Flame Kitchen) recently debuted at the Dubai Mall’s newly-opened Fashion Avenue extension between Somewhere and Bebabel. The Kuwaiti import (from the same people who gave us Slider Station and Burger Boutique) offers a wide selection of international dishes including asparagus tempura with saffron aioli, manchego cheese, and wasabi peas, sriracha honey shrimp, roasted potato wedges with lamb, aioli, barbecue sauce, and crispy roasted onions, steak sandwiches, truffle rigatoni, and pizzas. The venue also boasts an outdoor lounge area overlooking the Dubai Mall fountain, for dinner with a view.
Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall
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