Diversity on a plate in Dubai
Dubai’s dining offer is one of the most exciting and eclectic in the world. And its latest development is a thriving homegrown culinary scene, which offers event organisers the chance to spice up their programmes so attendees can experience the city’s many cultures along the way
Food and beverage has long been a crucial aspect of any event. After all, there is nothing new – and, arguably, nothing better – than coming together over a memorable meal. But the exceptional quality and diversity on offer in Dubai means event planners can offer a programme that explores many cultures within one destination.
The city’s most exciting recent development is in its strong, homegrown food scene, which is perhaps more reflective of the traditional culture and hospitality of the UAE.
Restaurants like 3Fils, which has a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand – eateries rated for being both excellent and budget-friendly, of which Dubai has many - and offers Asian small plates overlooking Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. It was crowned best restaurant at the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards and named among the world’s top 100 restaurants in 2022. And there are increasing numbers of Food Halls ideal for events, where participants can mingle while they marvel at the sheer variety of the food being showcased.
A taste of old and new
With 200-plus nationalities, you would expect Dubai’s culinary offering to be diverse, and it is. But you may not have expected it to offer such an extraordinary range of styles at differing price points.
The neighbourhood of Karama, for instance, offers the flavours of new and old Dubai in one of the city’s most eclectic dining destinations. Here you’ll find the street food-inspired SS Bucket Biryani, Little China, Amaravathi and Time Out Award-winning Indian Calicut Paragon as well as fine dining at Brasserie Boulud.
A traditional meal at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is an excellent way for visitors to learn more about the local culture and society. Located at Dubai Creek, itself an interesting heritage area, it has been designed as a place to welcome groups to taste local food while having an open discussion with an Emirati guide. Its motto is: Open doors, open minds, so wide-ranging questions are encouraged. Organising a meal here can help to engender cultural intelligence.
For an unforgettable excursion, enjoy the majesty of the desert by dining under the stars at an atmospheric tented camp. Arrive by jeep and taste a variety of local foods while listening to traditional music by the light of lanterns and open fires. Lots of activities can be added from camel rides, henna tattoos and jewellery stalls.
A chilled and stylish beach club or chic hotel pool area is the perfect place to encourage your participants to kick back and spend time together. A spectacular buffet can showcase many of the city’s most popular dishes and introduce a wide variety of cuisine.
MICHELIN magic
For those seeking luxe, extraordinary dining experiences and the celebrity glamour of fine dining, Dubai continues to excel. There is a huge number of stunning restaurants, many in gorgeous hotels, where you can blow the budget on a spectacular meal to remember.
The first city in the region to feature its own MICHELIN Guide, the 2023 selection ranks 56 restaurants: 17 have been awarded a Bib Gourmand (which recognises restaurants providing exceptional value-for-money experiences), 11 received a MICHELIN Star and three – Il Ristorante - Niko Romito at the Bulgari Resort Dubai, STAY by Yannick Alléno at the One&Only The Palm (pictured below) and Trèsind Studio serving Indian cuisine on Palm Jumeirah – received two MICHELIN Stars.
“We never had any doubt about Dubai’s culinary potential, and this year this fascinating destination confirms its gastronomic appeal,” says Gwendal Poullenec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “Dubai boasts many diverse culinary concepts, from Peruvian to Emirati, modern French, traditional British to contemporary Japanese, ensuring that everyone feels at home here. We’re so pleased to witness its gastronomic growth on an international scale.”
Dubai was declared the world’s fourth-best destination for food lovers in Tripadvisor’s Choice Awards 2022, ranking higher than Barcelona, New York, Bangkok and Singapore.
Focus on sustainability
Many restaurants and catering companies are making big efforts to cut waste, reduce food miles and donate to food banks. Renowned for the quality of its catering, the Dubai World Trade Centre, for instance, has implemented measures to reduce food wastage and is working with the UAE Food Bank. It is home to the 145,000 sqm Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, where many of the city’s major events take place.
Two restaurants have recently been awarded a MICHELIN Green Star, which highlight gastronomic experiences that adopt an environmentally inspiring approach. Boca, offering wonderful Mediterranean cuisine, follows a sustainable ethos that includes using local produce, proactive and conscious waste management, valuing resources and using renewable energy. Teible, meanwhile, showcases seasonal, local ingredients combined with innovation and simplicity.
Contact
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