Ritu Dalmia, a celebrated chef and restaurateur, discovered her passion for cooking during trips to Italy while working for her family’s stone business in Kolkata, India. After realising this was her calling, she opened Mezza Luna, Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant, in 1993, followed by the highly successful Vama in London. She eventually moved back to India and is now co-owner of multiple restaurants in India, Italy, and Dubai, where she opened fine dining concept MICHELIN-selected Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia in 2023.
She shares her favourite spots to visit while she’s in Dubai.
SIMILAR: Discover Dubai with Massimo Bottura
For sweet treats: Mirzam Chocolate Makers Factory and Store
“Within the industrial Al Quoz area is a chocolate shop called Mirzam. I love it! I was quite impressed by Al Quoz because, honestly, it didn't feel like I was in Dubai. What was interesting about this store is that in addition to the chocolate, it was their wrappers that I found so cool.”Locally produced from bean-to-bear, Mirzam Chocolate Makers’ Al Quoz store allows guests to witness every aspect of the chocolate making process – from roasting the beans to hand-wrapping each bar. The single origin collection has been crafted from beans originating from Vietnam, Indonesia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and India, while the company works with artists worldwide to create its stand-out packaging.
For live music and variety: Time Out Market
“I know I’m going to eat a lot and it’s going to be so many calories, but I don’t care. I want to have the beef brisket sandwich from Mattar. I really love going there because it’s easy, and on one occasion that I was there, they even had live music.”Time Out Market Dubai is a curated dining destination which includes 17 food concepts, three bars, an outdoor terrace with stunning views of Burj Khalifa and a vibrant atmosphere. With home-grown concepts and chefs who’ve contributed to the city’s dining scene present at the market, diners can expect a slice of Dubai with every dish.
For Japanese food: TakaHisa
“TakaHisa is one of my favourite Japanese places, which doesn’t fall into the ‘easy’ food category. I really like the food and its freshness. I like their creativity – and the fact that the restaurant is not trying to be something it’s not. The team executes the food in the right way.”MICHELIN-selected TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant, located in Banyan Tree Dubai, offers a luxurious fine dining experience featuring premium sushi and the world’s finest A5 Kobe beef with a beef marbling score of 12. Selected in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai, TakaHisa sources top-grade seafood from Japan’s Toyosu Market and delivers a bespoke omakase menu, led by chefs Taka and Hisa.
For a taste of Italy: Torno Subito
“I was very impressed by Massimo Bottura's restaurant at W Dubai – The Palm. I’ve been there for lunch two times in a row. The restaurant has a very easy, contemporary, pop Italian feel to it, and the food menu doesn’t scare you. And if I say so, I had the best pizzas I’ve eaten – even better than some I have eaten in Italy! It’s the simplicity of the food that stands out; you can taste Italy here.”Torno Subito, a one-MICHELIN-star restaurant by chef Massimo Bottura, offers a relaxed dining experience on Palm Jumeirah, inspired by the 1960s Italian Riviera. The interiors are vibrant and with an open kitchen and a terrace overlooking the beach, diners will be transported to Italy.
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For a hearty breakfast: Mama’esh
“I like to go at breakfast and also because I have had to stand in a queue there every time. When you stand in a queue for a place, it feels like you have arrived at the right spot. I just want the Arabic bread with butter, jam and eggs. I don’t want to eat anything else. It’s really one of my favourites.”Palestinian bakery Mama’esh is a local institution for its authentic fatayer and mana’eesh – all baked fresh in a wood-fired oven using organic flour. Diners often throng for a hearty breakfast, tucking into Nabulsi cheese, shakshuka, or mana’eesh. With branches all over the city, it’s the perfect spot to indulge in traditional Palestinian street food.
For memories of home: Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia
“I eat there every time I’m in Dubai, it’s home. Our take – which is actually reality – is that food in India is not about regions, food in India is about community, home meals and memories. When you close your eyes, take a bite, it should take you back to your home cooking and not restaurant cooking.”Located in Jumeirah Al Qasr, MICHELIN-selected Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia serves up regional Indian cuisine with a contemporary feel, with curated menus featuring both popular as well as lesser-known recipes from all over India. The restaurant pays homage to authentic ingredients and cooking methods used in Indian kitchens over generations.
For quality oysters: Dibba Bay Farm Shop - Dubai
“I like the Dibba Bay oyster shack. It’s nice there, when you sit by the water. Plus, you can’t go wrong if the oysters are fresh.”As the only oyster farm in the Middle East, Dibba Bay has brought its fresh oysters from its farm in Fujairah to a rustic seafood shack in Dubai, with atmospheric wooden benches perched right alongside the water. Diners can eat local, fresh oysters with a variety of sauces and toppings. Other items on the menu include the likes of locally smoked salmon, local burrata, caviar and more.
RELEVANT: One Chef/One Producer: Putting Local Produce On The Menu In Dubai
Book here: You can also catch Dibba Bay Oysters and many other local producers at the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi.
For Lebanese food: Wafi Gourmet
“What can be considered quite a touristy place, but I love, is Wafi Gourmet. There’s a terrace outside and I love the pita bread that comes out of their oven. To me, it’s the best pita bread in the world.”Known for its authentic Lebanese cuisine, Wafi Gourmet offers a rich dining experience with dishes created using traditional cooking techniques. Guests can enjoy a variety of traditional mezze, grills, shawarma, and regional dishes with ingredients straight from Lebanon.
