DINING IN THE CITY

Take a look at the latest hotspots in town that you just can't miss for a memorable meal

Bla Bla Beach Club

One of the most highly anticipated venues has finally opened at The Beach. At almost 100,000 sq. ft., this licensed all-day dining venue has now opened ten of the 20 bars, with access to the beach club and three restaurants, as part of Phase one. Expect barefoot beverages on the beach, bubbles, creative concoctions, live music and plenty more. The three themed bars overlook the Gulf Sea and Dubai Eye. Hotfoot to The LightBox Bar and Tag Bar, which mimics New York streets with graffiti, streetlamps and a slide that leads to the bathroom. Also on the terrace is the Lounge Bar, a stunning central terrace bar with sharing beverages. On the first floor inside the venue, stop by the Record bar with old vinyl and an Irish Pub perfect for onscreen sports. Hidden in a back room are three bars, The Japanese Bar with a light-up floor, The Hollywood Bar that exudes a celebrity feel and The Maximalist Bar for out of the box drinks. There’s plenty more happening at The Beach Bar, which offers a slice of Bali in Dubai, and the Beach Club where you can expect Ibiza vibes complete with live entertainment. For a more substantial meal, head to Onda and Nami (which means ‘wave’ in Italian and Japanese) or try Texas-style BBQ Smokehouse.

Contact +97158 606 3535.

Third Wave Cafe, AlBarari

There’s a new hidden gem tucked away inside the award-winning Seventh Heaven complex of AlBarari. The latest hotspot, set amidst a lush green oasis, offers a curated coffee menu that focuses on the process from bean to cup. Inspired by a ‘Kissaten’ (a Japanese tea house) Third Wave showcases a sensory coffee and tea experience, a menu comprising vegan desserts, tofu snacks, oat-milk based coffee drinks and plenty more.

thirdwave.cafe

AIZA

The latest restaurant to open at The Pointe’s East Marina, Palm Jumeirah, is this Greek-Mediterranean restaurant, bar and lounge. Inspired by the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea, the warm and welcoming dining destination offers an idyllic al fresco terrace with views of Atlantis, The Palm and the world’s largest fountains. While you watch Greek dance performances and smash plates, tuck into smoked cod roe, traditional Greek salad and mezze, cheese and spinach pies, fish specialities and the must-try, a slow-cooked lamb shank cooked in a Josper oven.

Contact +9714 575 5097.

Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori

White Rice Consultancy’s Chef-preneur Akmal Anuar and partner Inez Tantyanna have partnered with Sunset Hospitality Group to launch Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori at The Galleria Mall Dubai. Diners can expect a contemporary dining experience in a relaxing atmosphere.

Contact +9714 886 4966.

Al Hadheerah, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

The Arabian Nights adventure is back at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort’s signature dining venue. Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Arabia as you enjoy horse shows and Tanoura performances underneath the starry sky. As always, you can relish the finest cuts of meats cooked in wood-fired ovens and spit roasts.

Contact +9714 809 6202.

CZN Burak

Instagram star, well-established restaurateur in Turkey and celebrity Chef CZN Burak, has opened his first Dubai outpost at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. Diners can take a seat indoors, or out on the terrace for views of the Burj Khalifa, and feast on a menu comprising over 150 dishes with Middle Eastern and Turkish influences.

800 CZN Burak

Farzi Café

This modern Indian bistro from the House of Jiggs Kalra recently unveiled a new menu across both Dubai restaurants. And this one is set to be the most Instagrammable menu yet, with dishes such as pomelo and melon chaat served street style with nuts crushed over for texture and finished with frozen berry yoghurt, and an Artisanal tomato soup with buffalo mozzarella bruschetta and basil air, to begin with. For entrées, try the traditional Shephard’s pie deconstructed, served with spiced seared wagyu beef chunks with mashed potato; the Kerala shrimp biryani with tempered black gram raita, and creamy malai paneer with a desi ratatouille twist and fresh Parmesan, to name a few dishes.

Contact +97152 689 2012 (City Walk) and +97150 407 5590 (Mall of the Emirates).

Brunch & Cake by the Sea

Head to Brunch & Cake’s newest location at The Pointe to try their Burger & Slider Menu. Each promises a twist that the Barcelona-based hotspot is known for, with options such as Saucy bacon sliders (Bagel-style brioche bun with cheddar smash patty, B&C secret sauce, maple candied bacon topped with smoky bacon sauce); The Spanish burger (Crispy baked coca bread with olive oil, Maldon salt, stacked perfectly with classic mayo, crisps, double smashed patty, Manchego cheese, padron peppers and a smashed fried egg), Goat cheese & caramelised onion sliders; Crispy Asian chicken sliders (Fillet dunked in honey, chilli-soya sauce with Asian coleslaw and chipotle mayo); Smashed croquette sliders; Pulled beef, and finally the most innovative from all, the Lasagna (creamy, crispy mushroom and spinach deep-fried lasagna filled with a double cheese smashed patty and classic pink sauce).

Contact 800 4726362

Bombay Borough

Looking for an express lunch? Make a beeline for this eatery in DIFC that offers an ode to the iconic Indian train journeys where meals were freshly cooked and served quickly to hungry travellers. The menu features a sharing portion of Chutney Papad Tokri, an extensive selection of dishes from the Smalls menu and a choice of mains, which includes street grills, Big plates, and biryanis.

AED 99 per person on weekdays from 12-3:30pm. Contact +9714 327 1555

WHERE FOOD AND CHEFS COME FIRST