Where To Go Out, When You Don’t Know Where to Go Out?

by Sophie She

Where To Go Out, When You Don’t Know Where to Go Out?

24 Jul 2024

Photo: Urban Gyllstrom

We all have been there — burning desire to eat out, but zero ideas on where to go.

Especially, during the summer, the desire to leave your crib is always fighting with having a proper anti-sweaty plan.

And so, here we come to save you. Here is our Editorial Team’s pick for any time of the day. Tried our best to find spots that are usually missed.

Breakfast

We start big. For this author, breakfast is like a sacred meal. Good breakfast = good day.

So, here we go:

DUO Gastrobar

Always a good idea.

Editor’s pick:

Shakshouka (spelled like in their menu) with avocado and yoghourt — just look at this beauty
Rice porridge with mango — this dish made this author to fall in love with porridge, after hating it her whole life
Draniki with salmon, zucchini, and ricotta — out of this world every time
Cauliflower avocado salad — this author sometimes stops nearby just for the bowl of this salad
Cottage cheese pancake with mascarpone and raspberries

Pair it with good coffee (any coffee at DUO is breathtakingly good) and start your day like a pro.

Honestly, DUO Gastrobar is absolutely amazing for any time of the day.

Recently mentioned by Michelin within less than a year of operation, DUO always has exceptionally flawless food, amazing staff, and prices that won’t leave you poor. A perfect combo in two great areas of Dubai.

Find it in Dubai Hills Business Park, and in Dubai Creek. The service is so welcoming and the quality is so good, you’ll want to come back, no matter where you live.

Instagram: @duo.uae

Bisou

This one is for those in Downtown.

Despite the location, right in front of the Dubai Opera, this is a very price-friendly place with amazing breakfasts.

Pretty French-inspired interiors, cutest tableware, with proper food — what more do you need to have an ideal start of your day?

Editor’s pick:

Tomatoes and feta omelette — mouthwatering smell of sweet tomatoes as a bonus to this dish
Brioche with salmon and caviar
Сroque madame with duck and truffle
Green buckwheat porridge — trust us, this has taken many hearts
French toast, berries, boiled condensed milk sauce — the absolute banger, the king, and the game changer, m u s t t r y

Enjoy anything from their breakfast list with good coffee and don’t forget to adore the cups — everything is served in pieces by Imperial Porcelain Factory from Saint Petersburg, Russia, which adds a bit of Tzarness to the French aesthetics of the place.

Instagram: @bisou.dubai

Namelaka

Looking at their pink instagram you might think we are mad to recommend you to eat breakfast in a cakery, but hear us out. They have absolutely everything and their “saulty” cuisine is even better than the sweet one.

Editor’s pick:

Namelaka breakfast — smaller than you’d think, but very well comprised
Green zucchini pancakes — the tenderness is absolute
Spinach cheese waffle with salted salmon with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce — a nice twist, when your usual eggs benedict seem too dull today

Yes, it is extremely pink, it is like you are in Tinkerbell's soul that is suddenly located in Dubai Hills Mall, but it is so worth it.

Also, if you’ll be feeling like it, ask for their hot chocolate — not only it is a food show, but it actually tastes very good, but very sweet.

Instagram: @namelaka.dubai

Lunch:

We all need that short break in the middle of the day — have a short walk, eat something nice to meditate on food and “make some room” in your head for the rest of the day.

SKMD or Common Grounds

Okay, hear us out. We are mentioning both, as these two spots (with many locations each) have a pretty similar idea of “healthy, but casual”, and they really understood the job of a well-balanced meal, having proper components in each (meaning fats, carbs, protein, and fibre).

Come here for a nice bowl and a healthy meal that will sustain your body without recounting your calories. They have slight differences across menus, so we’ll mention branches.

SKMD pick (Kite Beach branch):

Breakfast Poke Bowl — still works as a lunch item and it is highly recommended to add some extra protein to the bowl, to stay fuller for longer.
Goodness Bowl — simple and perfect if you don't want to think about food too much
Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl — name is speaking for itself (not that spicy jic)

Common Ground Pick (Mall of the Emirates branch):

Sesame Seared Tuna Bowl — amazing bowl, this author is craving almost every day
Tom & Serg Burger — add that fried egg
Katsu Chicken Bowl — if you are into coconut rice, and add an extra egg for some more protein, you’ll need it to run till supper

Both are known, but good to mention to give someone an idea on where to go like right now!

Instagram: @skmddubai; @common.grounds_

SIAM Restaurant

Located in several spots (but the favourite is Marina Cube Port Rashid Dubai, google link attached), this Thai restaurant is a place people come to from all over Dubai.

Enjoying the pretty white yachts, you can have the best pad thai or tom yum in town.

Editor’s pick:

Tom Yum Clear Soup — better, than you think
Pad Thai — no comments needed
Mango sticky rice — sweet and unexpected
And any fried rice — a blast, no less

Instagram: @siamrestaurantdubai

Kinoya

Known and obvious, but sorry, what can be better than a good ramen for a late lunch? Maybe you needed to see this right now to have with mouth watering moment remembering the taste of ramen’s bouillon with hand-pulled noodles and some soy or miso.

Literally pick anything on the menu and a special recommendation is their sushi selection — don’t overlook them.

No picks needed — all positions are great.

Instagram: @kinoya.ae

Dinner:

To conclude any day with a propper bite.

LOWE

We all know about it, but because it is located in Al Barari, not many of us have been there, But maybe, today is the day?

LOWE is an upscale restaurant dedicated to fabulous dining experiences within a zero waste agenda. Awarded with Michelin Green Star for their sustainability commitment, LOWE sources vegetables from their own onsite garden, and pioneers the ‘nose-to-tail’ approach. LOWE is a key player in eco-friendly practices without compromising flavour.

Editor’s picks:

LOWE Wagyu triple cheeseburger, chipotle, onion rings, mustard, pickles
Orzotto, egg yolk, smoked pancetta, comté, truffle
Local oysters, onion & shiso granita — insanely good
Wood roasted chicken, bbq hearts, umami butter, coconut sambal

Pricey, but so worth it. Give it a go.

Instagram: @lowedxb

BOCA

Let this be a reason to visit Jameel Arts Centre. Another green pick, but let it be.

BOCA is a contemporary Spanish-influenced restaurant that sources ingredients locally, supporting local farmers and fishermen.

As of the greenness — BOCA has a Waste Officer, who audits kitchen operations and eliminates single-use plastic from suppliers and customers. The restaurant also runs a demand-driven inventory, hosts zero-waste dinners, and publicly shares its updated Sustainability Manifesto, outlining its current principles and vision.

As of the food, that will fulfil both your tummy and your heart —

Editor’s picks:

Roasted Cauliflower — better than you can imagine
Boca-Touille — or is Spanish wanted to be French
12-hour Braised Lamb — no words needed
Duck Breast & Beetroot Quinoto — ask about the revived milk ricotta and be amazed

Instagram: @bocadubai

DUO Gastrobar

This is not an ad, as they say, But really, this is where this author goes every time they don’t know where to go.

Dinner Picks:

Broccolini with spicy dressing or the Spicy eggplant with sesame — entrees that you will crave for the rest of your life
Tuna ceviche with cucumber and cilantro — signature, that is worth ordering every time
Lamb loin with broccolini and garlic sauce — tender and fresh at the same time
Octopus salad with tomatoes — this is not just a salad, it is a full dish, believe us! The Frenchest of the French — potatoes, octopus, sweet tomatoes, and romesco cream. Iconic.

Instagram: @duo.uae

by Sophie She