Not a minute seems to pass without a new restaurant opening somewhere in the UAE. Here are the latest spots worth putting in your little black book
Piatti By The Beach, Raffles The Palm Dubai
If the Amalfi coast is your holiday haven of choice, Piatti will be right up your cobble-stoned street. Sitting right on the beach with the ocean on one side and green trees and white tablecloths on the other, you can definitely while away an afternoon in this easy, breezy restaurant. Head down in time to catch the sunset and grab an aperativo before dinner. If you can stand the rising temperatures then request a seat on the terrace, though the inside is equally stunning.
The great thing about Piatti’s menu is there’s a choice between sharing casual starters and a pizza or ordering the traditional four (or five) courses, depending on your mood. A must-order starter is the wagyu beef carpaccio with wasabi mayonnaise, topped with rocket and with an unexpected crispy filo base. The portion is generous too, easily shared between four people should you wish. The fritto misto should also be on top of your list. The home-made tartare sauce is just the right amount of sweet and sour and makes the dish even more delicious. The pizzas are huge and ever so tasty, but save some room for the fresh black truffle pasta. Mixed with all the shavings of truffle, butter and Parmigiano Reggiano a person could wish for, it is Italian food at its most mouthwatering. Book Now
Sucre, DIFC
Hailing from Buenos Aires (where it frequently features on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants) and following the launch of its London outpost, Sucre arrived in Dubai early this year and has quickly become one of the hardest reservations to secure in the city. Dishing up Spanish, Italian and Latin American cuisine from an enormous open-fire grill, Sucre offers snacks, small plates and large plates perfect for sharing or individual eats – though when the plates touch down, you may regret the decision to share. Ease your way in with the refreshingly zingy beetroot salad with cumin yoghurt, orange, honey and thyme before tucking into hearty beef-filled empanadas and baked provoleta cheese with honey, chilli and oregano, the latter of which was MOJEH‘s menu highlight. Did you even go to a Spain-inspired restaurant if you didn’t have the paella? Sucre’s squid-ink iteration comes topped with succulent, perfectly cooked octopus drizzled with a mouth-watering garlic aioli. End on a sweet note with the decadent dulce de leche fondant (or have it as a starter, whatever takes your fancy).
Sucre’s interiors are as comforting as the cuisine thanks to earthy reds, exposed bricks and intricately woven tapestries adorning the walls and entranceway ceiling. The glow of the central grill illuminates glass chandeliers, eclectic tile flooring and traditional prints, all of which contribute to a sultry, stripped-back elegance. As if we weren’t already sold, Sucre has just launched a plant-powered menu of over twenty dishes catering to vegans and vegetarians alike. Book Now
Trove, The Dubai Mall
With conversation-starting artwork, neon signage and colour-splashed interiors as far as the eye can see, Trove is every maximalist’s dream. The sprawling, energetic space marries gastronomy with art for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue. The brainchild of restauranteurs Orkan Doganci and Ahmet Oytun Cakir, Trove boasts three sections: a sultry shisha lounge, airy restaurant and the largest terrace in The Dubai Mall where you can get up-close-and-personal with the Burj Khalifa and the famed dancing fountains. Not one to do anything by halves, Trove splashed neon-pink hues across the world’s tallest building in celebration of their opening ceremony last month, becoming the first dining establishment to take over the skyscraper.
The menu, curated by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Doğukan Duguncu, pays homage to the founders’ travels with global flavours spanning South America, Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East to name a few. If the endless menu seems too daunting, you can’t go wrong with the salt-dusted edamame, fresh guacamole, rainbow maki and beetroot and feta salad to start before devouring a homemade pizza with crust even the pickiest eaters would approve of. If you’ve still got room, desserts range from guilt-free fruit platters, energy balls and sorbet to deliciously decadent French toast, chocolate mousse cake and tiramisu. Whether you’re in need of a shopping break, entertaining out-of-towners or looking to elevate your ‘gram game, Trove has something for everyone and then some. Book Now
Talea, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
Next time you visit Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, eat at Talea, presided over by two-Michelin-starred chef Antonio Guida. This is family-style Italian cooking, with handmade ravioli, authentic alla carbonara, artisanal pizza, and vitello tonnato (chilled veal in tuna-caper sauce) among the highlights. The setting is lavish, with beautiful artwork, and there is also an outdoor terrace. Book Now
Juan, Galleria Mall Jumeirah
This Latin-Asian restaurant has just opened at the Galleria Mall in Jumeirah, inspired by the Japanese and Chinese citizens who went to live and work in South America during the 19th and 20th centuries, merging their own cooking styles with local ingredients. Enjoy tacos, tiraditos, ceviches and antojos, plus a robata, josper grill and wok section. There is indoor and outdoor seating too. Book Now
The Pods, Bluewaters Island
Instagram/thepodsdubai
We could talk about the contemporary pan-Asian menu, including lobster with truffle, Korean chicken bao, sushi and dim sum, but we all know the real talking point at The Pods on Bluewaters Island is the 22 air-conditioned pods fitted with sofas, where guests can relax, eat and drink in complete privacy. Book Now
Duomo, The Dubai EDITION
Any restaurant that sets up inside the super-stylish Dubai EDITION hotel needs to be a handsome place, and Duomo more than holds its own – there is even a charming terrace dotted with olive trees and terracotta pots. The menu is inspired by southern Italy, from pasta, gnocchi and pizza to a variety of fish and meat dishes, and be sure to check out the digital art display above you inside. Book Now
La Voile Rouge, DIFC
Straight from Saint-Tropez – where it has enjoyed massive success for more than 40 years – say ‘bonjour’ to La Voile Rouge (The Red Sail). All the French greatest hits are here, such as beef bourguignon, snails, foie gras and salade Niçoise. There is also a catwalk for fashion shows – how stylish. And no need to travel to Saint-Tropez either, just head to DIFC. Book Now
Gohan, La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Shhh – don’t tell anyone about Gohan – it’s a speakeasy. The insanely cool Japanese resto/bar is hidden behind a door inside La Cantine du Faubourg at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and has the kind of lighting from a ’50s film noir. Try the skewers of octopus with spicy ginger butter, or the Chilean sea bass with curry sauce, as well as the sushi and sashimi. The food is as divine as the atmosphere. Book Now
Peaches & Cream, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Miami is an Art Deco gem that has inspired countless designers over the years, and it has now put its stamp on Dubai’s newest beach club. Peaches & Cream on The Palm Jumeirah is a retro day-to-night hangout with a huge pool and candy-coloured sun beds that’s a world away from the countless Ibiza-inspired interiors that we have become accustomed to. Although the clientele will most likely be posing, not eating, there is a Mediterranean menu packed with seafood, meats and vegan dishes. Peaches & Cream has yet to open to the public, but keep your eyes peeled on its instagram for the latest updates.
Tamoka, Ritz-Carlton Dubai JBR
‘Glamorous Hawaiian beach hut’ was the vibe that MOJEH felt upon entering Tamoka at the Ritz- Carlton Dubai, not far from JBR. Light and bright, this restaurant benefits from the sea breeze, which fits the Latin American menu to a T. Order food from the grill, with lamb ribs, lobster and steak on offer, or look to the ‘Earth Oven’ and get the veal shank or sea bass to share while gazing upon the impressive Ain Dubai. Come sunset, Tamoka evolves from girls’ day out hotspot to romantic date night venue thanks to soft lighting and secluded on-sand seating. Book Now
Republic, Doubletree by Hilton Business Bay
The interior design team at this modern Indian street food restaurant in the DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay have gone to town with crazy colours, umbrellas on the ceiling, pop art on the walls, and a tuk-tuk smack bang in the middle of the restaurant. Ideal for a playful evening or laid-back lunching, there are an array of meat, vegan and vegetarian dishes on offer, from lamb chatpat kebabs and black-out samosas to the star dish, beet-cake. Book Now
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