With temperatures rising, summer is a wonderful time to try some dishes featuring cool and refreshing elements in Dubai. Here's our pick from MICHELIN restaurants across the city, arranged in order of a meal course.
Orfali Bros’ Guess What?
This popular Bib Gourmand establishment run by three Syrian brothers is known for its light and airy space, dominated by a striking, two-storey open kitchen. Dishes are original, playful, and boast Mediterranean flavours that display global influences.To beat the heat, their Guess What? is the restaurant’s take on gazpacho, a cold soup made with lacto-fermented tomatoes, cucumber, and herbs; served with sourdough, feta cheese, and olive oil.
Served chilled, it’s a refreshing and light dish that’s perfect for summer. When the weather outside is warm, the body craves foods that are both light and hydrating, which is why gazpacho fits the bill perfectly since it is both on the healthier side and high in water content. The vegetables in the cold soup are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants — definitely a great dish to both cool down and nourish the body with.
Other cold soups to enjoy apart from gazpacho are vichyssoise (a cold potato and leek soup) and chilled cucumber soup. All three make excellent options for a refreshing starter or light lunch.
The Artisan’s Beef Carpaccio
More commonly known as Carpaccio di Fassona, this is just one of the light and tasty appetisers you need to try at this Italian eatery. Their thinly sliced fasano beef lies under a bed of Datterino cherry tomatoes, refreshing rocket leaves, Parmigiano Reggiano and lemon juice, all of which serve as recommended ingredients to stay cool during the hotter days ahead.The dish’s citric elements such as their carefully-selected tomatoes and lemon dressing are not only packed with rich sweet and sour flavours but also provides your body with the vitamins and antioxidants it needs to stay nourished and hydrated under Dubai’s warm, sunny skies.
Made up of mostly water, leafy greens like the rocket found on this dish add a refreshing crunch to this light summer dish.
Avli BY TASHAS’ Greek Salad and Greek Caesar
A bowl of salad is also an excellent choice for a summer meal, especially if hydrating vegetables are brought into the mix such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce.MICHELIN-selected Avli BY TASHAS offers an extensive menu of authentic and carefully cooked Greek dishes made from quality ingredients. Apart from their signature dips and cold mezze, have a go at their Greek Salad brimming with summer vegetables such as red onions, olives, capers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta — tossed together with olive oil, caper leaves, and oregano.
Also, try their signature twist on the classic Caesar. Avli BY TASHAS’s version comes with a medley of baby spinach, baby gem lettuce, cucumber, spring onion, shallots, and sourdough croutons, tossed in a dressing made with fresh herbs, graviera, and tahini miso.
Ninive’s Halloumi Salad
Set in Dubai’s financial district, this charming Bib Gourmand restaurant is a welcome escape. Think of it as a relaxing oasis, a step back in time. Its charming interiors reflect a Bedouin tent, with rugs, lanterns, low tables, and cosy sofas. The food here comes well-priced, and with influences from all over the Middle East and North Africa.If you find yourself at Ninive this summer (or any time of the year), don’t miss out on their Halloumi Salad, which comes packed with heirloom cherry tomatoes, chilli, mint, onion, and watermelon, all tossed with a pomegranate dressing.
Fruits with high water content such as watermelons, strawberries, and pineapples, keep the body hydrated especially during summer. Adding fruits and citrus into salads also gives them an extra refreshing twist.
Teible’s Market Fish Crudo
With views overlooking Dubai Creek’s canal and housed in a contemporary museum, Jameel Arts Centre, the charming Bib Gourmand, Teible, brings the farm-to-table concept to life with its seasonal and local dishes. Its minimalistic interiors combined with its vibrant seasonal menu create the simplistic yet modern culinary approach Teible aims for.In their most recent menu, the Market Crudo Fish offers its tasters the refreshing and satisfying flavours they’re looking for during Dubai's warmer months. Its combination of raw market fish, fermented tomatoes, mint and jalapeno chillies serves up a delicious blend of cooling elements.
While the fermented tomatoes act as the much needed antioxidants and the mint gives it that freshness, it’s the spicy jalapeno chillies that is the dish’s most impactful ingredient. Pair it with their Citrus Salad and you’ve got the perfect summer me
Tasca by José Avillez’s Lagareiro Octopus
At MICHELIN-Starred Tasca by José Avillez located at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, a MICHELIN Guide hotel, the eponymous chef is passionate about the culinary traditions of his native Portugal, and his kitchen team understands the importance of fresh, great quality produce. The resulting dishes offer Portuguese flavours with a modern edge and are vibrant, innovative, and bursting with flavour — particularly the Lagareiro Octopus, which comes highly recommended for the season.Cooked lightly on the grill until the outside texture turns crisp while keeping the meat tender, the Lagareiro Octopus is served with spinach, potatoes, and garlic olive oil. Enjoy with a serving of the restaurant’s Roasted Beetroot Salad or Cherry Gazpacho for a complete meal!
11 Woodfire’s Sour Fruits
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and MICHELIN-Starred 11 Woodfire has just the sweet treat that’s fitting for summer.11 Woodfire is known for its on-trend styling, coupled with intimate lighting, and laid-back feel. The modern villa takes pride in its huge open kitchen and grill, which gives the restaurant its name. At 11 Woodfire, guests can expect an impressive variety of global ingredients that are of top-notch quality, skilfully prepared to enhance the produce’s flavour.
The dessert of Sour Fruits resembles an Eton Mess, assembled with rhubarb, berries, pink peppercorn, and milk ice cream. This play of tart and sweet flavours can definitely make the mouth water.
This post is brought to you in partnership with Dubai Tourism Board
