Discover the freshest culinary hotspots in the city where ingredients are paramount
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Walking into the bustling and almost cavernous space that is Bordo Mavi in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re at a seaside town on the Mediterranean. While the décor sets the scene, it’s the sustainably sourced seafood that is the star of the show. Without further ado, we can firmly attest that diners must absolutely try the 250-year-old shrimp casserole because it will melt in your mouth and leave you wiping down the bowl with the freshly baked bread. The smoky eggplant is a fresh, cold starter, while the Bordo Mavi salad, with rocca, pomegranate molasses, tomatoes and Black Sea white cheese, has a texturally wonderful crunch through the addition of walnuts. Special mention to the desserts: it was tough to choose between the Bordo Mavi rice pudding and the hazelnut halwa, so we suggest you leave room for both. There’s also a fresh fish counter where you can pick from the catch of the day – whatever you end up picking, you’re guaranteed fresh seafood with moreish flavours. We can confirm we are definitely going back with a bigger group to tuck in.
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A rooftop setting with lush green foliage, quirky artwork and open-air vibes, Franky’s Pizzeria is a great spot to tuck in to great Italian food. Perched right above Hawkerboi and Splendour Fields in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, this restaurant serves contemporary Neapolitan style pizza and antipasti. It’s a fabulous setting to catch up with friends, or have some alone time with a loved one, and when it comes to food, it doesn’t disappoint either. An antipasti that we are told is a must-try for a reason, the Franky’s famous family meatballs – which comes slathered in tomato sauce and stracciatella – is worth every bite. And yes, you’ll be mopping it up with the crusty focaccia bread. It’s worth knowing that the biga for the flour comes straight from Italy and we are eager to return to try even more pizza flavours. A Dubai staple, truffle, features on the mushroom pizza, which is creamy and lives up to the hype. The diavola is also a great option for a slightly spicy kick to your palate. We’d urge you to leave room for dessert – the tiramisu is airy and is the perfect way to end a satisfying meal.
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Le Guepard in Alserkal Avenue is hosting a year-long pop-up of homegrown food and beverage concepts – and we love this idea. Café10 by Le Guepard is shining the light on various amazing locally-based chefs and restaurants throughout 2024 – every third weekend of the month. The Banh Mi Mafia pop-up was first in January, with third-generation Hong Kong restaurateur Eric Lee (behind Ugly Burger and Ugly Noodles) having created what he believes is the most authentic Vietnamese sandwich in the UAE. We tried all three – from the OG cold cuts to the garlic basil beef and the crispy miso eggplant – and we can say that the crispy miso eggplant version was unmissable. In February, we saw Italian concept Monno by Federico Bartoli serving up its famous polpettas and truffle ravioli – well worth the visit. Next up on the roster are the likes of an iftar by Dukkan El Baba founded by chef Sahar, chef Tarek, and Salam in March and a Bageri Form pop up in April – so keep your eyes open for the upcoming schedule.
