Forever Rose Café Dubai

BACKGROUND The Insta-worthy Forever Rose Café, which opened in Dubai’s Box Park in November, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s the brainchild of Alsamadi Group CEO Ebrheem Al Samadi, who wanted to a create a restaurant with an all black-and-white colour scheme, providing a backdrop that would bring out the colours of the food. The café, an extension to the Forever Rose brand (luxury long-lasting forever roses) and the second Forever Rose Café in the UAE (there’s one in Abu Dhabi), can seat up to 100 people overlooking the outdoor garden and is available for events.

WHAT’S IT LIKE As you enter the café the tiles read ‘your story starts here’. Indeed, it is like walking into a storybook, perhaps the modern-day Alice in Wonderland, with 2D monochrome styling and an eclectic array of illustrations that range from past and present UAE Sheikhs, for that all-important Emirati touch, to portraits of British royal icons HRH Queen Elizabeth and the late Princess Diana. “We like to cater to all demographics – expats and locals,” says Al Samadi, who has incorporated Islamic and Christian art, with iconic domes – the Dome of the Rock Mosque, the Sistine Chapel, Hagia Sophia – reflecting how the café embraces all faiths.

THE FOOD The menu is not the café norm. True to the original brand, it was developed to create a floral experience through dining, with the edible flower garnishes just one manifestation of this. A must-taste is the ‘Forever Rose Crème Brûlée’. “I would skip everything on the menu for this,” says Al Samadi. “People fight for this dessert.”

It’s French toast with rose extract (in the batter) on the bottom with a crème brûlée topping. There is also a selection of virgin juice cocktails and hot drinks infused with rose extract from France. The rose latte is to die for. The ‘Sharing is Caring’ section of the menu (appetisers), features some intriguing creations ranging from ‘ The Blooming Cauliflower – chargrilled cauliflower with tahini sauce topped with pomegranate molasses and special spices to ‘I love Corn and Cheese’ – corn on the cob surrounded by melted cheese. Mains include mushroom-based risottos; the ‘Crave Beef Burger’ made with double wagyu beef; and plenty of chicken and seafood options.

THE SERVICE The staff are very friendly and attentive. Al Samadi opened the Dubai branch during the pandemic – a time when many restaurants around the world were closing, providing jobs to people of all ethnic backgrounds, true to his commitment to diversity.

THE WORK SPACE The café and dining hall are not only great places to eat and meet, but inspiring spaces in which to work. The hall, which can be hired to host corporate events, parties or weddings, opens up into the courtyard.

VERDICT This is a fun and relaxed space, perfect for one-on-one meetups, business meetings and events. It offers a lighter ambience than many of Dubai’s more suited-up restaurants and cafés. The unique design concept keeps customers engaged – with the food and the art. Allyson Portee

We decided that we wanted to cater to all demographics, to expats and to locals