Anyone who has met me will know that I l-o-v-e skyscrapers, rooftop restaurants and views, tall glass buildings, bright sparkling lights, and luxury. Dubai was on my bucket list for years, and when I visited I was o-v-e-r t-h-e (wild & the) m-o-o-n! (The brunch puns have already started)
Of course, as well as enjoying the beautiful hotels, basking in the sun, and exploring the foodie scene, we also visited the souks, went dune bashing, rode camels (ft. the sunglasses story 🤣), dined in the middle of the desert, got some henna and tried the local cuisine…. And yet I still have a mile-long bucket list of things I *need* to do. *ahem* Aura Skypool *ahem* I’m looking at you. The world’s highest 360* infinity pool which offers breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline, Aura Skypool is 2022’s place to be seen.
Today’s post features a few of my foodie favourites from the Dubai trip. Scroll down for my never-ending Dubai foodie bucket list, and el the know your recommendations.
I will for sure be back again, but for now Du-Bye! Lots of love, Jo xoxo
BRUNCH AND CAKE
Can we take two hands together for this d-e-l-i-c-o-u-s *AND* aesthetic brunch spread?! Brunch and Cake really to show that you can have your cake and eat it!
This heavenly smoothie bowl is so artistically decorated, it’s almost a shame to devour it. Note the word “almost”. It’s adorned with pineapple chunks, strawberries, sliced bananas, dragon fruit, desiccated coconut and ‘BRUNCH’ spelt out with Cantaloupe melon (the orange variety of melon)- sure to put a smile on your face. The sweet energy ball is the cherry on top of this big breakfast smoothie bowl. A coconut acts as the bowl and desiccated coconut is sprinkled over the top of this cooling treat- perfect on a sweltering summer’s day (or even a cool March morning as I experienced it with my bestie).
I can’t wait to pop by again for many more brunches. The Avocado Toast looks heavenly – a thick and chunky avocado mixture is topped with an avocado rosette and a seed mix …. You can never have too much avocado and this dish is a case in point.
Pioneering Dessert Shakes, Brunch & Cake really are at the forefront of innovation. The Tiramisu shake looks like a God send – a deep chocolate shake served in a cocktail glass and topped with dessicated coconut and white, yellow and magenta petals, it’s a feast for the eyes and a treat for the lips.
I visited the Barcelona Roselló branch. However, Brunch and Cake have 3 delicious healthy restaurants in Barca (Enric Granados, Roselló and By the Sea) as well as a branch in Abu Dhabi (Maria Al Bateen). There are two branches in Dubai (Al Was Road and The Pointe, The palm Jumeirah)!
BURJ AL ARAB
24 carat coffee? Dine like a Queen/ King/ Princess/ Prince, (delete as appropriate) and enjoy this golden cappuccino. 100% Arabica beans are intertwined with foamed milk to create a traditional coffee. The key, winning, ingredient? This coffee is topped with a beautiful 24 carat gold top layer to act as the feast for the eyes. Chocolate sprinkles create the outline of the iconic Burj Al Arab, and a golden leaf adds the metaphorical cherry to the dish.
%ARABICA
Founder Kenneth Shoji, created %Arabica, purchasing a coffee farm in Hawaii and becoming the sole exporter of a Japanese coffee roasting machine! In 2014, %Arabica was born in Tokyo, and now the Japanese minimalist culture has been brought to London, Dubai and beyond.
Try your Flat White with their signature blend coffee – a rich body, with intense flavours and a chocolatey aftertaste. The other bean they have on rotation is the Ethiopian Yirgacheff Adado – a fruity & floral single origin with blueberry and stone fruit notes mixed with green apple.
If you love your matcha lattes, you *need* to try %Arabica’s. It may well be London’s best matcha, and so it’s worth a taste in Dubai too.
BOUNTY BEETS
A pink paradise in the heart of Le Meridian Hotel, if you’re dreaming of London’s EL&N café whilst holidaying in Dubai, then Bounty Beets is the place to go. The decor is heavenly- a pink blossom tree takes centre stage whilst a large pink fluffy bear can be found chilling on the sofas (lucky you if you manage to snatch him for a photo) The café is a true photoshoot heaven – featuring a ‘Hello Beautiful’ photoshoot wall, pink bookcase backdrop, and fluffy ‘quote’ cushions… you’ll think you’d stumbled in on the Mean Girls Film Set.
Bounty Beets’ menu is full of organic, vegan, gluten-free & healthy dishes, sure to put on a smile on your face. I devoured their refreshing Açai Berry Power Bowl, packed full of açai berries, green spirulina, banana and dragon fruit. It’s topped with slices of banana, a handful of granola and a mix of fresh berries! It’s the perfect post-pool cooling treat.
If you’re craving a hearty breakfast, their ‘Every Day I’m Waffling’ almond waffles with caramelised banana are the way to go. Fancy a light lunch? Their Poke Bowl with yellowfin tuna, honey, seaweed and sticky rice, is the perfect poolside dish. Visiting in the afternoon and craving a healthy but filling dinner? Their ‘Let’s Taco Bout It’ homemade gnocchi is a winner. Make sure to try their Vegan Matcha Cheese Cake for a decadent late night dessert. D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.
DUBAI BRUNCH BUCKET LIST
I have so many avocado toasts and açai bowls on my brunch bucket list, that I might as well move to Dubai….
FRIENDS AVENUE
I’ve heard it’s Leonie Hanne’s favourite acai bowl in Dubai. If it’s good enough for the Queen of Açai (yes, that’s an official title), then it will be good enough for me!
WILD + THE MOON
SINGLE FIN
And sister cafe Surf Café! I’ve heard the vegan waffles won’t go amiss
THE GREY
Leonie Hanne recommends The Grey for Oatly latte!
WALNUT GROVE
BOSTON LANE
More Dubai Brunch Bucket list cafes
- Leen’s
- Common Ground
- Vibe
- Projecto Açai – I’ve heard the acai bowls are topped with plant-based chocolate brownies
- Amongst Few
- Tom & Serge
- Dips
