A Taste Of Dubai In 10 Dishes
A melting pot of global flavours, the city manages to mix luxury, taste and comfort in every setting
Dubai is like a big spread—a case of many experiences combining on one giant plate in the Middle East. For someone who loves food, the city of skyscrapers, ports and beaches is certainly a culinary crossroads.
One would wonder that Middle Eastern food would dominate palates here. But a recent trip proved otherwise. Dubai’s current food scene is a melting pot of flavours from Mediterranean, Greek, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, French and Italian cuisine—from a Michelin star meal and a plate of comfort food at a canteen to pasta that’s as good as the paneer. The seafood sings and every cocktail has a story to tell.
Breakfast at The Fore
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Imagine a place where you can dive into Asian, Indian, French and Japanese cuisine together for a breakfast feast every morning. Be it the oysters or soft pancakes at Mirabelle, or the perfect dosa—and a delicious peanut chutney to go along with it—at The Bombay Club, the breakfast spread at all four restaurants at the Fore (Umi Kei and Madame Li are the other two) is like Disneyland for members of the Breakfast Club. At night, the Fore becomes the Fore Bar, which links all four restaurants with signature cocktails and a host of fine wines.
Ebi Tempura at Kinugawa
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
There is perhaps no better comfort food at Kinugawa, the contemporary Japanese cuisine and cocktail bar at Marsa Al Arab, than the ebi tempura. Sitting close to the crashing waves at this beachfront restaurant, where you feel a slight saltiness in the air, the lightly battered yet crispy shrimps hit the spot.
Bonus: Kinugawa’s circular pool offers a stunning view of Burj Al Arab.
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Wagyu Beef Sliders at Commodore Club
Jumeirah Residences Marsa Al Arab
Smashed wagyu beef, a generous portion of caramelised onions and aged cheddar find themselves squished between potato buns. This is a scrumptious and filling meal for a cosy evening. If red meat is not your thing, then the lobster roll from Commodore Club’s menu is an absolute must. A perfect portion of Canadian lobster, chives, spicy mayonnaise and lemon is loaded on to buttered brioche bread. This is a rich dish for seafood lovers.
Carrot Salad and Cascara Tonic Soda at Nala
Alserkal Avenue
When you are done appreciating art at Alserkal Avenue, drop by at Nala for a break from the heat. The food is light and refreshing, and the staff warm at this laidback yet stylish canteen. The carrot salad combines grilled carrot, broccoli, roasted, cauliflower, gem lettuce, rocket, feta, coriander hummus and pistachio dukkah with a yuzu, ginger and green chilli dressing. The texture and taste go hand in hand. I’d recommend pairing the crunchy salad with Nala’s homemade cascara tonic soda, which is made using cascara cordial and lemon fizz. Don’t forget to pick up a jar of their chilli crisp condiment, which is in-house and home-made.
Chilean Sea Bass Rice, Margarita Amarilla Cocktail at COYA
Restaurant Village Four Seasons Resort
Think of COYA as a food and drink journey set firmly in Peru. Handcrafted ingredients like pisco sour, filled into jars that hang on the walls, make it look like a Peruvian microbrewery. The miso grilled Chilean sea bass pairs well on a bed of bomba rice that is lathered with chilli and lime butter. It is one of COYA’s global signature dishes. Every bite is a reminder of why COYA regularly features among some of the best restaurants in the world.
Their cocktail game is strong too. I’d recommend the Margarita Amarailla. The fruity and spicy concoction is made with Mijenta Blanco tequila, ají amarillo, passion fruit and agave nectar.
Fresh Paneer And Spinach, Unlighted Cocktail at Revolver
Business Bay area
Their fresh paneer spinach and pickled shishito pepper is a brilliant take on the paneer and spinach—the traditional palak paneer—and a standout vegetarian dish as part of an eight-course dinner. The paneer has just the right amount of roast on it as it sits on a small portion of creamy spinach.
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The Unlighted cocktail delivers theatrics, drama and a solid kick to your senses thanks to the premium components that go into it: Don Julio Reposado tequila, Rinomato L’Aperitivo Deciso, Campari and guava. Earthy and slightly pungent, Unlighted is part of Revolver’s Essence vol 1 cocktail menu where every cocktail is inspired by nature, and elements of Earth.
Why Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a unique escape
The conclusion to the Jumeirah nautical trilogy, Marsa Al Arab is perhaps of one of Dubai’s most luxurious resorts. Designed by architect Shaun Killa, Marsa Al Arab features an avant-garde, superyacht-inspired aesthetic. As you enter the hotel lobby, past the magnificent entrance arch, and reach its grand corridors, the movement and fluidity are hard to miss. The fluid lines are visible throughout the resort. The more you walk its long corridors, the more you feel you are inside a luxurious vessel.
Positioned between the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the sights and sounds at Marsa Al Arab are nothing short of relaxing. You get stunning views of the beach as the sun sets slowly. At night, the Dubai skyline is a reminder of what the city offers. Marsa Al Arab is also well connected, via a short walk and buggies, to Madinat Jumeirah, the home of Art Dubai.
If you find yourself in a room facing the beach and the Burj Al Arab, you sleep to the sound of waves and wake up to them. Its 11 restaurants, four dedicated bars, a private beach, an extensive spa spread over three floors, and a host of other wellness and recreation avenues, make it a perfect leisure destination. It certainly won’t be a good idea for you to carry your work here.