Melt and Roast – Dubai Media City

It never fails to amaze me how some staff members single-handily run the dining area of a restaurant, especially so early on a Friday morning. Okay, so we were only one of two other occupied tables, but young Amal made it look easy – he was like a Tasmanian devil to and from the kitchen and between tables. Melt and Roast, you have a keeper on your hands.

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Located in the Zee Tower Building literally next door to Salkara in Dubai Media City, Melt and Roast is one of those do-it-all South Indian restaurants which serves everything from authentic Curries to Indian-Chinese, veg and non-veg (including beef). These boys also specialize in dosas which my son and I were there to try.

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We started with a Benne Masala Dosa; ‘benne’ means butter in the Kannada language so basically, we ordered butter dosas. They’re very similar in size and thickness to Western pancakes but savoury not sweet. Next up we tried their Chicken Keema Dosa which was simply amazing and served in rolls similar in look to an over sized spring roll or even a shawarma saj. Just to make sure these guys knew what they were doing we also ordered a Masala Dosa which was as good as anything we’ve had in Karama.

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To make sure Melt and Roast was more than just dosas (for breakfast) I ordered a masala omelette, some idlis (for some reason they don’t have vadas) and a traditional Christian breakfast specialty from Kerala, Kallappam (Vellayappam) – tasty pancakes made from a fermented rice and coconut batter. And to wash it all down, some filter coffee for me and masala chai for Kasra. Excessive? Absolutely. But this just shows how far I go to bring you a balanced review. I loved the fresh, fluffy idlis and the kallappams. I think I had more fun with the toast and jelly-like jam which came on the side of my omelette than with the omelette itself. Our delicious tea and coffee were only let down by the fact that they were served in Western style cups. I’m convinced my coffee would have tasted even better had it been served in a classic ‘dabarah’.

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All in all, Kasra and I left Melt and Roast happily stuffed. This is a restaurant we would have no problem coming back to however big a temptation their neighbour is (I am a big fan of @salkararestaurant). By the time we left there was a brigade of orange and blue delivery bikes and bikers crowded outside the restaurant, a testament to its popularity. Yet they were still short for one delivery. I know this because I asked Amal who the older gentleman was who walked out with a parcel – take away? No, said Amal, he’s the owner’s father and because we’re a driver short, he’s making the delivery himself. I have nothing but respect and admiration for that sort of dedication. This is a very special restaurant indeed. Now if only someone could find a better name for it… Melt and Roast, worth a visit, take away or home delivery.

#1 Food Blogger on Zomato Dubai – 2018, 2019 and 2020
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join his culinary journey on Instagram: @ravenousxerxes or reach out to him via email on xerxes@dellara.com.