Convenience Big Store

I, Yousra Zaki, dine around the city like it's my job (well, it is) – and here are four (piping) hot takes

Hiya,

As a Time Out Dubai's Food Editor, I get asked the same three questions all. the. time. (And they're always the hardest to answer.)

"What's your favourite restaurant?" Impossible to answer. I have at least five.
"Where should I go for dinner?" Sorry, but I need more context.
"So like... your job is eating at restaurants every day?" I mean, kind of, but there is so much more to it.

But there are some hot topics that get me yapping for ages, for better or for worse…

1. Water in Dubai restaurants is way too expensive (and that's got to change)

Okay, but why is bottled water straight-up so expensive at most Dubai restaurants? Yes, I get it, it's imported Italian water or sourced from a magical spring in Norway, but you can buy lunch for the same price. Or five bottles of local water. FIVE.

It's almost like they're charging for the vibe of being hydrated. What an L.

2. The best restaurants in Dubai don't *need* gimmicks

Sometimes it's giving… trying too hard (sorry, not sorry).

Don't get us wrong, we love a place with a vibe, but sometimes (most times), less is more. The highest-rated Time Out Dubai restaurants offer great food in a place where you truly want to spend your time.

Solid flavours and straight-up well-thought-out menus featuring quality ingredients and creative plating. Now, that's always a vibe.

3. Cheesecake Factory is *flames*

Anthony Bourdain loved a fried mortadella sandwich. Heston Blumenthal loves instant cup noodles. And the esteemed editor of a renowned fine-dining guide elsewhere in my office has a sly KFC at least once a week.

So girl, permit me my family-sized Sheila salad and fried mac n' cheese balls swimming in marinara sauce. I pair that with unlimited refills of raspberry iced tea and slay my way through the day.

4. Local chefs (always) > international chefs

At least twice a month, a new restaurant created by an international celebrity chef opens its doors to (admittedly) a good amount of hype.

Yeah, the food is great and all, but most Dubai foodies want to go to Reif Othman's restaurant for unconventional Japanese dishes. They love spotting Mohamad Orfali behind the pass, giving chef Salam Dakak a hug or chatting with Kelvin Cheung about his son's amazing lunchboxes (they're honestly the best).

But over to you. What grinds your gyoza? What culinary questions are flambéing a hole in your brain?

Hit me up on yousra.zaki@itp.com and we'll feature the best next week.

In the meantime, stay hydrated, divas.

Yousra

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