The stars align for one night
Two culinary giants, one huge night – that is the Orfali Bros and Chef Gaggan Anand collaboration, taking place at Manāo, for you. In true Orfali style, the announcement was made quietly, without many frills or much fanfare, on Instagram, just two days before the coming together is set to take place.
On Wednesday 29 October, Chef Gaggan will be bringing the very best of his magic all the way from Bangkok to Dubai, recreating his signature dishes, while Orfali Bros add their touch to the night. As expected, the night is already sold out.
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The city of Dubai knows and loves Orfali Bros – they’re one of our own, having put Dubai on the global culinary map with their unpretentious bistro and melting pot menu that features Syrian staples with pan-regional favourites, European trends with Asian ingredients.
From topping the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants for three consecutive years, and now reappearing on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, they are an icon of how one goes about telling stories with food.
Chef Gaggan’s Genius
Chef Gaggan is somewhat of a man, a myth, a legend on the global culinary stage. Helming his namesake flagship 14-seater restaurant Gaggan from Bangkok, the Kolkata-native is a regular skirting the tops of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants lists, and most recently was crowned the Best Restaurant in Asia for 2025 – for the fifth time.
His kitchen is his most famous playground, a riot of creativity, colours and music, stemming from his background as a professional musician, a drummer, prior to embarking on his culinary journey. This is a fine dining experience meant to disrupt everything one knows or may presume about fine dining. Emojis and used to represent each of the courses, and diners are encouraged to eat with their hands and even lick the plate – pushing boundaries and tapping into sensory madness.
The menu is rooted in experimental Indian cuisine, a reflection of not just the maker, but also the make of the experience, with French, Thai and Japanese influences. Up to 25 progressive courses are presented across five theatrical acts, accompanied with pomp and show, shifting lights and a pulsing soundtrack. It’s all very big, bold and grand, with a side of quirk and larger-than-life energy.
@orfalibros_bistro, @gaggan_anand
Image credit: @orfalibros_bistro on Instagram
Deeply passionate about food, culture and community, Manaal loves telling extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Besides sniffing out a tale to tell, her favourite things to do include binging true crime documentaries, chasing cats on the streets and curating a good outfit.
