More intimate ways to dine
Dubai’s restaurants are responding to a quieter moment in the city the best way they know how – through thoughtful menus, collaborative dining, and a renewed focus on connection. From refined tasting journeys to community-led concepts, some of the city’s most exciting kitchens are leaning into creativity and purpose, offering diners experiences that feel both personal and timely.
Jun’s
One of Dubai’s leading third culture kitchens is rewriting its narrative with The Short Story, a new six-course tasting menu by Chef Kelvin Cheung. Designed as a distilled version of the restaurant’s signature experience, the menu brings together some of Jun’s most iconic dishes in a format that feels more accessible without losing its emotional depth.
Expect playful openers like Lobster Pani Puri, alongside dishes layered with memory and technique – from a reimagined watermelon creation inspired by Amman to a deeply nostalgic hot and sour wonton soup rooted in the chef’s early days in Chicago. Mains range from wagyu steak with handmade noodles to a Juicy Lucy burger, before desserts close the experience with loomi, chocolate, and childhood references.
At AED 225, it’s a compelling entry point into one of Dubai’s most narrative-driven dining concepts.
MANĀO
At MANĀO, a new eight-course chef’s tasting menu offers a concise yet considered exploration of flavours, priced at AED 350 and available for dinner with limited slots. A compact version of their usual menu, this rendition is designed to thoughtfully reflect the flavours, techniques and ingredients that make the MANĀO kitchen definitely MANĀO.
Dishes include Beef Miang, Lobster Khanom Krok, Scallop Rice Cake, Sout Tomato Broth, Rosella Granita and White Rose Custard, and more.
View this post on Instagram
Orfali Bros
Orfali Bros came out with their special menu for Eid this year, but are continuing to serve it even after. This special seven-course menu titled Roots is built around themes of family, heritage and shared memories. The experience reflects the restaurant’s signature approach – deeply personal, yet universally resonant. At AED 350, it’s a timely reminder of the power of food to bring people together.
View this post on Instagram
Diners can sample Kibbeh Bel Hamod, stuffed with Swiss chard and chickpeas, bathed in a luscious verjuice beurre blanc, complemented by artichoke; Orfali bayildi, a dish inspired by the famous tale of Imam Bayaldi, where eggplant was so good it left the Imam fainting in delight, with this featuring roasted eggplant topped with makdous muhammara, tarator, walnut and verjus; and Steak Bel Karaz, with MB9+ wagyu striploin, sour cherry sauce, pine nuts, parsley and cinnamon.
Kraken
At Kraken, a new initiative called The Weekly Drop is reimagining global street food classics with a creative twist. The concept is simple: one new dish each week, crafted with heart and served as a complete experience for AED 165. The first edition, The Dog, pays homage to the humble hot dog — a nod to the kind of food that built cities and communities alike.
View this post on Instagram
Moonrise
Over at Moonrise, things are taking a more collaborative turn. The acclaimed rooftop concept has temporarily paused its regular operations to launch Moonrise & Friends, a series of partnerships with chefs and brands across the city. The first edition sees a three-course dry-aged burger experience created with CarniStore, served alongside champagne, cocktails and skyline views.
Running daily with limited seating, the series is set to evolve every two weeks — turning the space into a rotating platform for creativity and connection.
Dining with Meaning
While the formats vary – from tasting menus to street food revivals – the underlying sentiment is shared. Dubai’s restaurants are adapting not just to fill seats, but to create moments that matter.
Whether it’s revisiting childhood memories through dessert, celebrating heritage through multi-course menus, or simply offering a well-made hot dog with heart, these activations reflect a city using food as a way to reconnect.
And right now, that feels more important than ever.
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
