Get a taste for new restaurants across Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Another month, another restaurant. The dining scene in the UAE is dominated by interesting launches. Some of these are outposts from award-winning chefs – think David Myers’s Adrift Burger Bar – while others are restaurants that specialise in a particular cuisine, such as omakase venue Reif Japanese Kushiyaki’s Tero.
Here’s a list of the restaurants that are open in the Emirates this month, with a chef’s table still to come.
Adrift Burger Bar Abu Dhabi Cuisine: Burgers / American
Chef Myers, whose Los Angeles restaurant Sona was first awarded a Michelin star in 2007, introduced his Californian burger bar to the UAE during Expo 2020 Dubai. Now, the “Gypsy Chef” has launched his first permanent restaurant in the UAE in Yas Mall, in partnership with Emirati investment group By Me Burger.
On the menu are Myers’s signatures, including: DM Burger (with Vermont Cheddar cheese on a brioche bun); Adrift Burger (with tomato ajwan jam, herb aioli and arugula); Good Morning Burger (with a fried egg and Gruyere cheese); plus the vegan Impossible Earth Burger.
Innovative sides include truffle grilled cheese, curry leaf fries and fried mushrooms with Japanese barbecue sauce. ▶ Sunday-Wednesday, 10am10pm; Thursday-Saturday, 10ammidnight; Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi; www.adriftburgerbar.com/abu-dhabi
Terra Abu Dhabi Cuisine: MediterraneanArabic
Adding to Al Qana’s eclectic dining scene, Terra will combine two beloved regional cuisines in its greenery-dotted, industrial-chic venue.
On the menu are dishes such as watermelon feta salad, crab and lobster salad with seaweed caviar, sea bass ceviche and spicy prawns, and sticky date pudding and caramel spice cake for dessert.
▶ Opens at the end of this month; noon-midnight; Al Qana South, Abu Dhabi; 02 562 0233
Slaw Abu Dhabi Cuisine: Burgers
Another Al Qana venue, Slaw by Emirati chef-patron Ali Yazdi opens in the capital this month following its successful Dubai set-up. Slaw has made a name for itself among burger lovers thanks to its chicken sandos (the Nashville is the founder’s favourite), as well as classic burgers and inventive specials.
▶ Opens at the end of this month; Al Qana, Abu Dhabi
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki and Tero Chef ’s Table Dubai Cuisine: Japanese
Michelin-lauded chef Reif Othman opened his first licensed venue at Dubai Hills Business Park this month. Both the venue and the menu are more expansive than the original Dar Wasl restaurant, with this outpost seating 118 guests and serving a wider selection of dishes.
The signature dishes remain the same, including escargot takoyaki, otoro with Satsuma Wagyu steamed bun and black cod ramen, as does the Dh80 to Dh220 price point.
Othman has also launched Tero, a 12-seat dining lounge within the restaurant, with eclectic decor such as trainers, skateboards and a Pac-Man machine. The space affords a front-row seat to the chef’s cooking station and guests can enjoy an ever-changing tasting menu, priced at Dh888 for eight dishes and Dh1,212 for 12 dishes.
▶ Daily, noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight (Reif Japanese Kushiyaki); Wednesday-Saturday, two seatings at 6pm and 9.30pm (Tero); Dubai Hills Business Park; 04 255 5142; reservations@terodubai.com
Saya Brasserie Cafe Dubai
Cuisine: International Another branch of an existing restaurant that has opened in Dubai Hills Mall, Saya Brasserie bills itself as “one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in the city”. At this outpost, diners can get pictures against rows of faux flowers lining the walls, potted plants in all colours, statement chandeliers and chairs upholstered in pink velvet.
On the menu are eggs Benedict and shakshuka for breakfast; and beef tenderloin, Norwegian grilled salmon, and lamb shank for lunch and dinner; plus sweet options such as berries and quinoa parfait.
▶ Sunday-Thursday, 8am-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8am-1am; Dubai Hills Mall; 056 416 2002
The Robata Dubai
Cuisine: Japanese / omakase Omakase, the Japanese philosophy of leaving your culinary fate in the chef’s hands, has taken off in the UAE with venues such as Moonrise, Mitsu-ya and Hoseki leading the charge. A recent addition to the surprise menu concept, The Robata is located at Caesars Palace on Bluewaters Island and is led by yakiniku masterchef Kenichi Osato and sushi masterchef Tatsuro Mitsuyasu.
The duo will serve shabushabu hotpot, charcoal-seared sushi, Nodoguro rice made with Benihitomi fish and the world’s highest-ranking A5 Kobe Beef with a crisp and smoky crust.
Similar to the hotel’s TakaHisa restaurant, The Robata serves select ingredients presented inside designer trunks, for that flamboyant Dubai touch.
▶ Daily, 10am-2am; Bluewaters Island, Dubai; 04 556 6689
Meda Dubai
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Meda at the Taj Dubai is led by former Zuma chef Mario Fico and speciality Italian chef Vincenzo Nigro. It offers dishes inspired by Spain, Italy and Greece. On the menu, this translates as seabream ceviche; tuna tartare wrapped in filo pastry cones with avocado cream; huevos rotos with black truffle and veal jus; Neapolitan calamarata lobster pasta; and vegetarian paella with saffron, porcini mushrooms, artichokes and green peas. Desserts include Greek loukoumades and a tiramisu-inspired Gianduja chocolate dip.
▶ Daily, noon-midnight; Downtown Dubai; 04 438 3100
Smokd Eatery Dubai
Cuisine: International
Chef Othman is working on this venue that will serve dishes with distinct smoked flavours.
The restaurant, in Boxpark, says it offers a “sensory experience”, with its interiors designed with feng shui principles in mind. On the menu are cauliflower popcorn with yoghurt ranch; pastrami carpaccio with tuna sauce and crispy capers; baked bone marrow; pan-seared salmon with jalapeno cream and raisin chimichurri; spaghetti with crabmeat and kombu; and grilled Wagyu tenderloin with three pepper sauce.
▶ Opens May 25; Al Wasl Road, Dubai; smokdeatery on Instagram