Dubai: where to dine? These are the nicest and tastiest addresses
Dubai, you either love it or... Only from now on Love it. Because besides the prejudice of fake, fake, fake, it is really worth a visit. Sabrina proves it and does it because we are in the city, there in the far East. Return ticket to United Arab Emirates? Are you already taking notes?
Our very own Bartje Sabrina reports live from wonderful Dubai about the most beautiful places there. This time hidden gems where you can enjoy delicious food and relaxation. Isn't that exactly what we want to daydream about right now?
Shop and eat in the concept store of Emma Sawko (but yes, indeed that of a healthy restaurant & juice bar Wild & the Moon, Paris). Counter 102 is a chic mix of French and Arabic vibes, with only healthy and vegan food on the menu that you can eat in the lovely courtyard. As a starter, side dish or after, you can buy some Isabel Marant, Aesop, Madam Stoltz and more. And all in that casual Parisian style that we are used to from Sawko, we like!
This has to be one of the most 'exciting', as we say in neat Havermelkelite Dutch, the openings of Dubai are: Maison de la Plage Dubai. On the beach, hence 'de la Plage' of course, and a design as we would like to see at home, hence 'Maison' probably. In any case: the house on the beach is the latest member of the catering group that is managed by Chef Izu Ani, the man behind GAIA, La Maison Ani and Carine (are you writing?). It is a typical beach destination, with comfortable sunbeds, a swimming pool and a cool beach bar restaurant of course. Looks familiar? Possibly, Maison de la Plage also reminded us of Gigi, the well-known (extremely expensive) address in Ramatuelle (St Tropez). And that is certainly what it was inspired by. That's fine with us. The space may well resemble the sun-drenched shores of the Côte d'Azur, including the famous market of St Tropez. At that market (in the restaurant), you can put together your own meal that the chefs will then prepare, of course with a number of restrictions, but the idea is nice. There is artisan bread, sea food and fresh pasta, aka a tribute to the Mediterranean and its flavors. We opt for the Niçoise salad, the snails with butter and anchovies and the lobster linguine.
yup, the place for the insta-babes, very instagrammable but… oh what the heck, let's do it. The location is great with a view of the bizarre five-star Atlantis hotel. Brunch & Cake is originally a Spanish concept and can also be found in Barcelona. The interior is super cute and the cakes (and therefore the entire menu) are delicious. Tip from an experienced expertexpert: just order that calorie bomb of a Rainbow cake for your Insta post, you don't care. And ohOK, not unimportant: the staff gets a ten for from us hospitality!
Fancy fries and a burger, but just a bit more fun than at the yellow M? Sitting on the beach, at Kite beach Salt. Salt started out as a food truck in a classic streamliner, but this is actually even better. After a day at the beach (because that's why you're in Dubai) you can easily roll onto the terrace to hang out at Salt with a view of the warm, orange sunset. And Salt itself also looks very nice. Top tip!
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The fish restaurant at the Al Barsha Pond Park. Large terrace outside and ideal with kids; playground, lawn, greenery, trees. You name it, they -big chance- have it.
Also a nice location for a local style breakfast or to end the day with a delicious fish dish. At the Pond you can rent those cute swan boats and there is a regular flea market.
More inland, there is a green oasis and a real surprise. In the middle of nowhere suddenly a wall of greenery and palm trees appears. Hidden behind it is the place Al Barari and the restaurant The Farm.
What can you expect: a mix of locals, indoor and outdoor dining at most lush garden ever (by Dubai standards). There is even a waterfall.
The menu is internationally oriented and is tasty on your plate. Truly a place to escape the heat of the city and end up in Bali vibes to relax.
The Art Foundation of Sharjah and a museum combined with a great foodie hotspot in Sharjah (half an hour north of Dubai), makes Fen a location not to be missed when in Dubai.
The Fen cafe and restaurant are hidden in a traditional Arabic environment. First visit the museum and then eat in the courtyard with a kind of Marrakech Riad atmosphere (but cleaner, sleeker and more modern).
The menu is absolutely top notch and a lot of attention is paid to each plate. Also super affordable and unique!
Want to see the skyline of Downtown Dubai from the other side? And see the Burj Khalifa (Dubai's tallest building) shine during it golden hour? Then go to Soulgreen, located on the Dubai Creek. Sundowners on a large terrace, view of a marina, cocktails, wine, happy hour and the most beautiful sunsets. The menu is healthy and plant-based, which is nice as compensation for the drinks.
