Dubai Restaurants

2 more images

Apres is a bar and restaurant located in the Mall of Emirates. It is actually connected to the neighbouring Kempinski Hotel, which means that it has an alcohol licence. Besides being quite a nice looking place, the main draw card for Apres is that it has large windows that overlook the Mall of Emirates indoor ski slope - Ski Dubai.

During a shopping expedition at the Mall, we headed to Apres for some lunch. We were seated at a table by the window which had excellent snowy views.

Favorite Dish: We wanted a fairly light lunch as we had a big dinner planned that evening. I ordered the Roasted Pumpkin & Feta Salad, and Alex chose the Gnocchi with tomato and balsamic. We couldn't resist a glass of wine too. We did enjoy our food, but the main reason we would return would be for the view.

1 more image

I snuck in to have a look at this restaurant, the aquarium in the centre is amazing and the mirrored ceiling gives a fabulous effect.

We didn't have a reservation so ate at the Boardwalk restaurant. I'd love to eat here on another trip.

Favorite Dish: I guess the seafood would be a good choice!

1 more image

International food.

Great setting at the waters edge, the gentlemen found it very walm even late in the evening - but Claire and I were ok!

Food was very tasty and there was a nice atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: All the food we had was yummy, presente nicely and served well.

3 more images

(Unlicensed - no alcoholic beverages)

Restaurants in malls make most people crinkle their noses in disgust & run for the exit; but in Dubai a strange culinary phenomenon is taking place: small, understated gems are popping-up in unsuspecting corners of large malls, promising AND delivering fantastic food in an unusually stimulating environment.
Almaz by Momo (Almaz means "diamond" in Arabic) is one of these secret gems (sister restaurant to a fancy London eatery) tucked away in the furthest corner of the Harvey Nichols store in Mall of the Emirates.

Upon entering we did a double-take: is this a cocktail bar? A cheesy Marrakesh-theme? A secret grotto for wealthy trend-setters? The interiors can be quite overpowering at first; with low ceiling lights, detailed emblems on the tables, a glittery sky (oh! Is it a nightclub?) and that strange invisible door that leads to the glossy-black toilets. During our visit no more than 20 people were in the restaurant, and the staff were quick to realize that turning down the music volume would be much appreciated by all.

This is quite a large place: cushions, curtains & fancy furniture sprawling over several open plan rooms covering 600 square meters. There's a nice open kitchen & different sections for private parties, Sheesha smoking, the juice bar, etc.

We started our meal with some complimentary olives; their flavour did the trick & made us curious about the menu, which isn't large but certainly sufficient. I doubtfully sipped at my alcohol-free champagne fizz with fresh berries... 30 Dhs seems a bit pricy, but it was different & tasted nice.

Favorite Dish: Their list of non-alcoholic wines & beers is mind-boggling. I decided to stick with mineral water to avoid further confusion and looked at the food... my mother chose the Tagine of Lamb and I opted for the Tagine of Hammour (grouper fish) with couscous (60 Dhs each). A tagine is made from glazed earthenware with a conical lid. The food is both cooked & presented in this dish.
My mother absolutely loved her meal, which had been slowly cooked with prunes & pears to create delectable melting pieces of meat. My fish tasted amazing, including the subtle flavours of cinnamon & cloves with the intense colours of tomato & olive. The couscous was light, fluffy & perfectly cooked. Complimentary slices of breads arrived, and we fell silent: when the food is *this* good, conversation will just have to wait until that after-dinner Marlboro Light! :-)

The dessert menu looked enticing, but we were too full. We opted for a simple cup of coffee which was very nice. They have a large selection of exotic teas, including of course Moroccan Mint, etc. The restaurant also has a small take-away menu including the most popular tagine dishes, traditional Moroccan soup and a large variety of pastries.

TIP: And if you are really gagging for that after-dinner Baileys or cocktail, head across to the Kempinksi Hotel adjacent to the mall.

This is a fantastic place with great food & a lot of atmosphere; suitable for a romantic dinner, a meal with friends, or simply a relaxed coffee to escape the craziness of the mall for an hour... or two... I'm definitely coming back!

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 10:00am - 12midnight.
(1 US Dollar = 3.67 Dirhams)

--> Update 2nd visit: as a starter, I can also recommend the Hammour Fishcakes with fruity chutney.

--> Update 3rd visit: This time I sat in the sheesha smoking section... and nearly collapsed from oxygen deprivation! I'd rather recommend smoking sheesha in one of Dubai's many outdoor venues instead.

3 more images

(Licensed - serves alcoholic beverages)

This is by far one of Dubai's nicest venues for an al fresco eatery. But let's forget about the food, drinks and service for a moment: the location is simply stunning. Don't bother coming here in summer; visiting the Boardwalk is strictly for the cooler winter months, because sitting outside right by the water's edge is what you come here for.
Built on a wooden terrace over the creek, diners can take in a stunning view of the city. See the rich & ostentatious chug by & park their luxury yachts whilst dodging the small wooden "Abras" whizzing around them. This is Dubai: the old is constantly clashing with the new, and somehow it's amusing and it works.

Service is attentive but not overdone. There's a 2nd bar outside so and in winter (when true desert-dwellers like me actually feel cold at night!) they provide outdoor heaters. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Favorite Dish: We met with a few work colleagues for dinner: John had the traditional fish 'n' chips; a generous portion of 2 crispy Hammour (grouper) fillets and nice chips. I had the vegetarian lasagne; a relatively small portion but I wasn't too hungry & also planning on dessert ;-) A colleague had the lamb with grilled vegetables and was happy with the flavour & quality. For dessert we ordered cheesecake, which was OK but I've had better.

The restaurant (understandably) specialises in seafood & grilled meats, but also offers some vegetarian options and traditional favourites such as pasta or salads. Most dishes are good, few are excellent and unfortunately many are disappointingly bland.
The only reason I give this restaurant such a high rating is its location & service. The views & reasonable price tag are what really make this place special. If you don't want to take your chances with their menu, come here anyway & switch to a "liquid diet" of drinks & discussion for the evening.

--> TIP: For nice drinks & Sheesha (water pipe) visit the adjacent QDs (more info in my Nightlife Tips)

Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00am – 12:00 midnight.
NOTE: they don't accept any table reservations so you have to get there early!
Wish I was back in the city
Instead of this old bank of sand.
With the sun beating down over the roof tops
And the one I love so close at hand.
If I had wings and I could fly,
I know where I would go.
But right now I'll just sit here so contentedly
And watch the river flow.
(Bob Dylan, Watching the River flow)

4 more images

(Licensed - Serves Alcoholic Beverages)

Dubai is notorious for having plenty of outdoor restaurants that come with a free side-order of car fumes & accompanying sound-effect of traffic; but Don Corleone's is a world away from that: surrounded by illuminated palm trees, green grass & the occasional lazy fat cat walking past your chair.

This is one of the city's little hidden gems that has been quietly tucked away in the hotel's gardens for years, unchanged by Dubai's usually modernising touches & glamorous makeovers: Here, what you see is what you get and it is simply beautiful.

Don Corleone is cosily-kitschy on the inside, with obligatory red-chequered table cloths & fake grapes hanging from the ceiling, but also has a big terrace if you enjoy eating alfresco on cooler nights - this is a great place to enjoy the warm Dubai evenings before the brutality of summer chases us indoors.

The speakers are usually showering your ears with "Godfather-esque" tunes & some Italian favourites that add perfectly to the general mood, but never too loud to disturb your conversation.

Favorite Dish: The prices are reasonable for both food & drink; the portions are just right. It's unpretentious, always good quality & the staff is knowledgeable & attentive.
TIP: All of the above make this place very popular, so remember to make reservations.

Try the Risotto with Salmon & Asparagus, or one of their gorgeous crispy pizzas with traditional or unique toppings (my friend Amir (VTer 37SingleMaleinDubai1) was in love with this pizza! Haha!) There are plenty of vegetarian options & the staff are very helpful if you want to "customise" certain dishes on the menu. John absolutely loves their CALZONE Pizza, for which you can choose your preferred filling. For a 2-course dinner for 2 people (without drinks) we usually pay Dhs 250 (approx. 70 US $).
--> UPDATE April 2008: Try their new Friday Brunch Special: from 11am - 4pm, live cooking stations Dhs. 120 (drinks not included).

It's also in a pretty easy-to-reach location, which is important in today's traffic-crazy city! This was also our choice for a VT Meeting in April 2006. Click here for the pictures.

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12:30 pm - 03:00pm
Dinner: 07:00pm - midnight.

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie
That's amore.
When the world seems to shine
Like you've had too much wine
You're in love...

This beautiful restuarant had a fantastic terrace overlooking Dubai Creek, the food is delicious, the service excellent and the price reasonable. What more could you ask for. A romantic dinner on the terrace is guaranteed here. The piano player is great entertainment and will happily play any requests.

Al Hadheerah is situated 300 meter away from the main building, built as open restaurant featuring Arabic cuisine and live cooking. You can reach the restaurant by walking (at night, the you will walk in the isle with candle in your left and right hand side, high heel is not recommended) Or you can use the car provided by the hotel, or even camel. The surrounding dessert and the sky filled with a star will make your short trip is extremely romantic.

Favorite Dish: Al Hadheerah has live Arabic performance. Belly dancing, beautiful Arabic singer, Turkish dance, etc makes your night merrier. The food is great. The favorite? It's hard to tell. Just from the beginning, you will be spoilt by appetizer choices.
But the most interesting is the atmosphere of the place, it creates a fantasy of Arabic fairy tales and you become a part of it.

I really have a fantastic evening !!