Does Dubai need another Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant? We seem to read about a new one popping up almost every other week. Well, renowned Dubai chef, Reif Othman (of Zuma, Play, Billionaire Mansion and Reif Kushiyaki fame…in case you’re from out of town…or from another planet) and the First Group seem to think so. Hence the … Continue reading Ikigai – Dubai Marina
Swades is a 100% vegetarian Indian restaurant chain in Dubai with branches in Academic City, Discovery Gardens and this main one in Karama. It’s very much a jack-of-all-trades kind of restaurant which serves Gujrati, Punjabi, South Indian (including breakfast), Chaat, Namkeen and Sweets. Having already tried their South Indian breakfast (at their Academic City branch) … Continue reading Swades – Karama
Contrary to what its name suggests, Shanghai Me is not a Chinese restaurant, it’s pan-Asian. The marketing blurb says that its interior draws inspiration from 1930’s Shanghai, hence the name. I don’t know what all that means, I just know that it looks (and feels) elegant, upmarket and very, very posey. Yeah, it seemed to … Continue reading Shanghai Me – DIFC
Cuisine De Malabar is a tiny little Indian restaurant in Cluster C, JLT which (as its name suggests) specialises in authentic (and rather excellent) Malabari / Keralite food. Located under the lake level stairwell of the Fortune Tower, its interior is something of a claustrophobic’s nightmare which is why my food adventurers and I have … Continue reading Cuisine De Malabar – JLT
I make no secret of the fact that I love Pickl. burgers and am ecstatic that they have (finally) opened their long-awaited branch at the Ribbon in Motor City – yeay! Although famous for their fiery hot chicken santo burgers, it’s their take on Shake Shack’s Double ShackBurger (without the excessive salt) which I like … Continue reading Pickl. – Motor City
Harbour Seafood Restaurant is a Chinese seafood restaurant in the China Cluster of International City, Dubai’s unofficial China Town. Step inside and one is greeted by a wall-to-wall collage of aquariums. Turn left and you’re into the modest but clean main dining area – everyone but my food adventurers and I were Chinese – always … Continue reading Harbour Seafood Restaurant – International City
I had been told that Hutong was special, but nothing prepared me for this. Inspired by the ancient Silk Route, its interior is nothing less than spectacular. Everything from the wishing tree in the middle of the restaurant to the design of the bricks used on the walls all have special meaning and, more importantly, … Continue reading Hutong – DIFC
Maru Udon’s second branch, opposite the venerable Al Ghurair Center in Al Rigga, is every bit as colourful, playful and authentic as the original in Business Bay. It offers the same unique, down to earth Japanese dining experience pivoted around those amazing in-house made udon noodles. Like ramen, which is so well known and popular … Continue reading Maru Udon – Al Rigga
Aryaas Gourmet Veg is one of my favourite South Indian vegetarian restaurant chains in Dubai. That said, I’ve only had my holy trinity of South Indian breakfast here – dosa, idli and vada, but I know Aryaas has a lot more to offer and I’ve been meaning to try their Bisi Bele Bath (sambar rice) … Continue reading Aryaas Gourmet Veg – Karama
Located opposite the newly constructed Aviv Clinic in Cluster F, JLT is a hidden gem called The Fabrique, the closest thing to a New York style deli in Dubai. In-house made cured meats? They’ve got it. In-house made sausages? Check. Bagels, buns and burgers? You betcha. And they’ve got all this for either dine in, … Continue reading Fabrique, The – JLT
