In the mood for Latin American cuisine? Take a look at the latest restaurants in Dubai to satisfy your cravings
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Beach Bar & Grill at the One&Only Royal Mirage is showcasing South American flair with its new partnership with acclaimed chef Mauro Colagreco. Traditional Argentine techniques will delight the senses as diners overlook the open kitchen at the heart of the restaurant – where chefs expertly grill over the Argentine wood-fired parilla. There is plenty to love in the new menus, which encourage sharing, but we think you’ll want to keep the ojo de bife (120-days grass-fed Argentinian rib-eye) all to yourself. Save room for dessert: the flan dulce de leche is a melt-in-your-mouth dream if there ever was one.
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Head over to the Zaha Hadid-designed ME Dubai and venture into the tropical atmosphere of DESEO. Helmed by chef James Knight-Pacheco, the restaurant serves up contemporary Latin American cuisine in its lounge and dining space designed with lounge sofas and plush carpets in Tulum-inspired patterns amid lots of foliage. Signature starters include the maiz maiz, which pairs sweet corn, Italian Parmesan and Belgian truffle and fresh Peruvian ceviches, but one of our favourites is the plantains with black garlic aioli. Our pick of the main is the restaurant’s version of surf ‘n’ turf, where a beautiful snapper is laid over perfectly grilled rib-eye. We love the Instagrammable pina colada ice cream: it’s an immersive dry-ice presentation, placed within a fresh pineapple, which will leave you satiated until the end.
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Nestled in a cozy and buzzing courtyard at DIFC, Sucre has brought Argentinean cuisine to its third global venue after Buenos Aires and London. Sucre – featured on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants – has dishes created by master chef Fernando Trocca. You can’t go wrong with crowd favourites like squid ink paella to empanadas with aged cheese and onions, but if you’re there for the business lunch, we would recommend you try the grilled chicory salad with pear and pecorino and praline, which manages to deliver a surprising blend of textures and flavours. Don’t miss the dulche de leche fondant, which oozes happiness paired with sea salt, while surrounded by industrial features and bespoke glass chandeliers.
DIP, DIP, BOOM
Birria tacos are trending in the UAE! Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Birria refers to slow-braised goat or lamb meat that is pulled and wrapped in warm tortillas. The taco is served with a rich consommé made with dried chillies, garlic, spices and the meat’s braising liquid encouraging you to dip and bite as you go, resulting in a messy but delicious affair!
1 Birria Tacos Dubai: The pop-up that started it all. Follow @salaminthekitchen for updates on how you can get your hands on Salam’s delicious slow-cooked lamb and beef birria tacos with pickled onions and lots of melted cheese.
2 Maiz Tacos, JLT: Home-grown restaurant Maiz serves a birria taco made with Black Angus chuck that’s slow-cooked for 8+ hours, shredded and sandwiched with Oaxaca cheese. It’s served alongside a spicy broth for an optimal dunking experience.
3 Mama Yuris: Original Mexican Cuisine, JLT: This small restaurant makes its tortillas from scratch. The slow-cooked lamb birria can be ordered as a taco served with small wedges of lime, cilantro and onions, or as a hearty stew to be had with rice.
