It is a quandary. Limited time, one dinner each day, and too many phenomenal restaurants to sample. Here are three possibilities for the best dinners in downtown Dubai, giving you a place to start your exploration of this dining destination.
The Sum of Us
The hottest team on the downtown dining scene is Tom & Serg, with their second project in the city after a successful launch of their self-named establishment in Al Quoz. Once again, their foundation is homemade sourdough bread and an in-house coffee roaster to ensure top-quality products (and a welcoming, homey smell when you enter).
Wholesome ingredients dance in perfect harmony in whatever dishes you order. Start with share plates for the table, the perfect way to begin a jovial dinner. Hummus with a minced spice lamb, smoked salmon and ricotta salad, lamb confit and quinoa salad topped with flaked almonds and pomegranate dressing: sharing is certainly the best strategy.
An offering of seared barramundi accompanied by grilled artichokes, charred shallots, and drizzled with a delicate lemon sauce is sure to please, as is the Moroccan-inspired grilled chermoula prawns with Turkish yoghurt soup, garnished with mint and chili flakes. House-made pumpkin ravioli with fennel, chili, and shaved pecorino is an appetising vegetarian selection.
The Sum of Us in near the World Trade Centre roundabout at the Burj Al Salam building.
La Serre
You can’t miss La Serre, a two-story glass box in the Vida Downtown Dubai. It sports a sleek and modern interior as well; you might want to start with cocktails at the bar to enjoy the atmosphere before you settle down to dinner.
In the true French spirit, the chef at La Serre is devoted to using only the finest ingredients in his dishes, with preparation highlighting the qualities inherent to each element. Perhaps start with a salad with the intriguing blend of melon, feta, and Wagyu beef. The seared langoustine with gnocchi and truffle butter is an excellent choice to follow, as is the sea bream marinated in Provençal spices. The on-site boulangerie ensures delectable choices for dessert, like a Pavlova with fromage blanc, lemon cream, and fresh berries.
The combination of ambiance and delectable food put this restaurant in the running for your holiday best dinner in Dubai rating.
Carluccio’s
Carluccio’s, in the Dubai Mall, believes in the value of details. Authentic estate-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Ravioli made fresh each morning. The rich sweetness of aged balsamic.
A favourite dinner choice for vegetarians, although the carnivorous might agree, is the pasta con funghi, a bed of house-made egg pappardelle supporting shiitake, porcini, oyster, and button mushrooms. The chicken Saltimbocca is wrapped in Parma ham, cooked in a light sauce of sage and white wine; exquisite.
Also worth a try is the lobster lasagna, featuring a creamy spinach and béchamel sauce. And absolutely save room for dessert; there could be a ricotta and apricot tart calling your name.
On evenings and weekends a prix fixe menu for two or three courses offers a selection which will appeal to the budget-conscious diner without sacrificing quality. Outside dining is a must, with a view of the fountains and Burj Khalifa in the background.
These suggestions merely scratch the surface of fine dining in Dubai as well as other things to do in Dubai. Fortunately, finding your personal best-of is a delightful task.
