I think I may have gained weight in Dubai. I was always eating — everything was so good. You can expect your dining experience to be great because the food’s going to be full of flavors and of course, the meat’s halal! So here’s a post to record the places that I’ve dined in Dubai:
1. Local Emirati cuisines at Al Fanar
Al Fanar is a very popular restaurant that features traditional Emirati cuisine, located at Dubai Festival Mall. Established in 1960s, it claims to be the first restaurant that features local Emirati dishes. It’s a very cosy restaurant looking like a souk from a lost Emirati era (they even have a large tree there!), frequented by local Emiratis dressed in white robes. The meals here seem like homemade meals and many are meant for sharing.
The dishes I like were Samboosa and Kebab Emirati (I like shish kebab, I’m biased). If you’re here, you also have to try the Arabic coffee and the lime tea here.
To learn more:
Al Fanar Restaurant
Canal Walk
Dubai Festival Mall
Dubai
Open 8:30AM to 11:30PM
2. English tea at Al Fayrooz
Yes, I know. Who goes to Dubai for afternoon tea? 😆 I have to share this still, because it’s a fabulous experience!
Located inside the luxurious 5-star resort, Madinat Jumeirah, is the Al Fayrouz lounge in all its opulence and glory. We could just go there to admire the place! Here, the most glamorous afternoon tea is served. It was once voted the it place for the occasion, frequented by the you know whos of Dubai.
The rate per person starts from AED195 and you’ll be pampered by a large variety of teas as well as pastries, sandwiches, and scones. Taste wise, it was good. Portion wise, you may not even need dinner.
If you have special occasions to celebrate, it’s a good place to be. After you’re done with tea you can go outside to marvel at the view of Burj Khalifa 🙂
To learn more:
Al Fayrooz Lounge
Al Qasr Hotel
Madinat Jumeirah
Al Sufouh Dubai
Open 6:30AM to 10:30PM
3. Chinese fusion at Kuai
Kuai’s a happening restaurant that serves Asian, well, mostly Chinese-inspired fusion dishes. It’s lively and aptly located at the hip Boxpark in Dubai. Looked as if it’s very popular judging by the crowds.
The ambience of the restaurant, with its semi-industrial yet colorful approach e.g. graffiti on brick walls and all, is very hip. If you look closely, though, the Chinese influence is everywhere — from the tables and chairs, lanterns and grilles.
As for the food, I love the combination between sweet and spicy that’s apparent on most of the main dishes. There’s plenty of savoury meat and fresh greens to choose from and to close the meal, they’ve got plenty of flavorful desserts. Please do yourself a favor and order the Crispy Aromatic Duck, it is the bomb.
To learn more:
Kuai
Unit M7-02 Boxpark
Al Wasl Road
Al Safa Dubai
Open 10:00AM to midnight
3. Emirati fusion at Seven Sands
Seven Sands is a restaurant which serves Emirati cuisines from the 7 different regions that make up the United Arab Emirates. It’s located at the Jumeirah Beach Residence, so from the restaurant you can see the bayside. Patrons at the time were mainly expats.
The restaurant has a fabulous modern deco, yet influenced by Emirati heritage. At the entrance were the display of 7 kinds of sands in different shades, taken from the 7 different regions. Its walls show carved images of things that are truly Emirati e.g. camels walking on deserts and abra as well as Emirati motifs.
The food was amazing here. OMG just thinking about it makes me excited! We had an amazing time trying out the dishes. They were all great, but if I had to pick, it would be the Shark Sambousa as appetizer, Lamb Kofta and Shrimp Fouga as main entree and the Date Pudding (oh my god, this one is heavenly).
To learn more:
Seven Sands
The Beach
Dubai Marina
Dubai
Open 12:00PM to midnight
That’s all for food. Have fun dining in Dubai!
The experiences were sponsored by Tourism Dubai. All opinions expressed are my own.
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