< Previous60 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Girl and the Goose Dubai’s hidden slice of Central America with a banging flavour-packed menu Somewhere between the cobbled streets of Granada and the smoky kitchens of Managua, there’s a place where every meal feels like a celebration. In Dubai, that spirit lives at Girl and the Goose – the city’s hidden slice of Central America tucked inside the Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel. The cosy, terracotta-hued spot feels less like a restaurant and more like the coolest supper club in town. Girl and the Goose is the brainchild of Gabriela Chamorro, a former Emirates cabin crew pro who traded jet-setting for stir-frying – and trust us, she knows how to make you feel right at home. Expect a warm welcome, a menu full of heart and the chef herself making the rounds like you’re old friends. The atmosphere is easy-going but elevated, while every bite is big on Central American soul. Dive into fresh tortillas piled high with slaw and salsa verde, plus crispy plantain chips scooping up guac like it’s a sport. Tacos? Of course. Beef cheek or skirt steak, buttery empanadas bursting with caramelised onion and goat’s cheese – order a few, regret nothing. Take your pick from a selection of zingy ceviche – sea bass aguachille is one of the most refreshing dishes around, with a cooling jalapeño sorbet propping up the thin layers of fish. Sounds odd, but it just works. Mains are where the magic keeps on coming. Share the grilled octopus if you’re feeling generous, but don’t even think about doing the same with the short rib clay pot: tender, smoky meat, creamy beans and pickled onions – all ready for you to wrap and stack your own way. It’s a delicious dinner with a side of DIY. And just when you think you’ve peaked, dessert rolls around with a twist. Pick your sweet treat from a deck of illustrated cards, inspired by a nostalgic Central American game. Will you end on a crispy churro high? Or fall for the horchata tres leches? Just get both, really. The space itself is just as charming as the menu. Think sun-dappled tables, cosy warm cinnabar-hued chairs you’ll want to sink into and a jungle of greenery draped overhead like you’ve stumbled into a secret garden. Vintage-style glass chandeliers cast a glow over it all, making it the kind of place that transfers a ‘quick bite’ into a leisurely meal complete with dessert (and maybe another round of drinks). So when a craving for punchy flavours strikes, you know where to go. Your tasty snapshot of Central America in Dubai is waiting. O Open daily noon-1am. Licensed. Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel, Business Bay, girlandthegoose.com (04 575 3760).Food TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 61 MiMi Mei Fair Serving chic Chinese eats in a prime Downtown Dubai location Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a plate of Chinese food. And with this Dubai hot spot, it’s worth trading your slippers for heels, because it’s simply too good to stay home for. Enter MiMi Mei Fair: a restaurant that’s been drawing crowds since it opened its gilded doors in December 2024. Perfectly perched just steps from Dubai Opera, this London-born gem brings a taste of Mayfair magic to the desert – and it’s not hard to see why it’s become a favourite. With interiors inspired by traditions of ancient Chinese palaces and 1920s Shanghai (think antique-inspired designs and Art Deco touches), Mimi Mei Fair’s menu is anything but boring. It’s innovative and has a lot going for it, with dishes inspired by travels across Hong Kong, Singapore and mainland China. MiMi’s opening act is fluffy. Tuck into bao with a consistently fair balance of meat The xiao long jewel-like dumplings are naturally dyed, making the table pop. The crispy langoustines, topped with filo pastry and a dash of truffle essence, make a fun starter, as do the prawns with wasabi sauce. But it’s the apple-wood Peking duck that keeps regulars coming back. Its glassy, fatty skin is recommended to be enjoyed with caviar first, while its juicy, smoky meat enveloped in a pancake (with all the trimmings) is simplicity at MiMi’s finest. The Szechuan chicken and cashew nut main is also a group order must, paired with a bowl of olive fried rice to mop up all the deliciously salty excess. Despite the savoury fanfare, desserts are taken seriously here too. Its flaming crème brûlée with a Madagascan vanilla topping surfaces many a table, while the flourless chocolate bar with a pecan crunch curbs any sweet craving in a spoonful (though you are bound to finish the whole thing). After a visit to MiMi Mei Fair, you’ll be glad you traded a cosy night in for an elegant meal out. With its intricate interiors, crave- worthy menu and just the right amount of theatrical flair, this isn’t just Chinese dining – it’s an experience. So why stay home when you could have a little magic instead? O Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sun, noon- 1am. Licensed. Address Residences Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, mimimeifair.com (04 570 0825). and dough, as well as dim sum that is so moreish you may struggle to look towards mains, especially if you book a lunchtime table on weekdays. Visit then and you won’t be able to resist the unlimited dim sum offer. There’s also a tasting menu that’s not to be missed – a solid capture-all option for first-timers. Food 62 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Kneaded A little neighbourhood bakery in Al Khawaneej with an exciting local twist Dreaming of a cardamom bun? Fancy a feta and spinach Danish? Can’t stop thinking about croissants? Then, Al Khawaneej might have to be your next stop. Located on a street corner across the road from the Al Khawaneej Mosque, you’ll find an eye-catching bright orange storefront that features a glass display of all the pastries you could ever imagine. Everything from the French stuff – croissants and pain au chocolate – to Scandi buns, Turkish simit and much more. The bakery – which is recognised with a Highly Commended award for Best Bakery at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 – has some of the cutest aesthetics we’ve seen, including burnt orange tiles, terracotta counters, chocolate brown couches and yellow accent cushions. to place your order. That’s the unofficial Dubai-style drive-through, after all. But inside is where you hope to be as that’s where all the action’s at. Racks of sourdough loaves line the walls, while the counter is piled up with glistening buns, croissants and delicious savoury bakes with imaginative fillings – think wonderfully spicy jalapeño cheese croissants that are perfectly flaky, fluffy and full of flavour. Cheesy potato focaccia is moreish, featuring thinly sliced potatoes arranged atop the dough. They soften beautifully during baking, offering a sweet and slightly caramelised flavour. Also, make sure you stock up on the Emirati-influenced tahini croissant dusted with crushed tahini and sesame seeds. The babkas are also absolutely unmissable. While the delicious bakes are the main draw, you’ll be pairing them with a cup of great speciality coffee or an iced matcha latte to wash it all down with. This little Al Khawaneej spot has a lot to offer, especially if you can’t get the idea of a delicious baked good out of your head. O Open daily 6am-9pm. Unlicensed. Al Khawaneej (04 557 1205). With a few seats inside and less than a handful out on the sidewalk, it’s an intimate space that fills up quite fast if you visit during peak times. But fret not, because you can also take advantage of the roadside service Kneaded offers, whereby you simply park your car, honk your horn and roll down your window Food TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 63 Netsu A Japanese-focused foodie feast with incredible value for money Craving Japanese food? You’re in the right city (well, other than being in Japan ofc). When it comes to the cuisine in Dubai, we’re definitely spoiled for choice. Pair that with a brunch format and you’ve got yourself a pretty powerful booking. That’s where Netsu’s Saturday brunch comes in. Located inside the prime beachside spot at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, let’s just say you’re going to want to skip breakfast before pulling up a chair to this three-hour feast. Oh, and the way its stand-out dishes are prepared makes it extra special. Brought to you by chef Ross Shonhan, the Japanese steakhouse showcases the traditional Japanese cooking technique of warayaki (straw fire cooking to you and me), ensuring each dish is literally cooked to perfection. This brunch is brimming with the venue’s most loved dishes, including wonderfully Salmon tacos are a particular favourite for a crunchy pocket of freshness paired with a smoked aubergine dish for balance. You won’t want to share the Korean fried chicken or the beef gyozas either, so it’s good to know you can reorder a couple of your favourite dishes. When it comes to mains, there’s plenty to like. Plates are generously filled with Chilean sea bass, baby chicken or giant tiger prawns, accompanied by a hearty bowl of hot stone rice. Once ordered, you won’t have to wait long for another tasty bite, as fresh spicy tuna maki is prepared right in front of you. If there’s still room for dessert, the mixed platter of sorbets and fruits sounds minimal, but the Instagram-grid worthy dish (yes, grid) of sweet treats laid out on a centrepiece of a dish confirms Netsu’s attention to detail. That’s with every course and service from start to finish. Although this brunch may not be the first choice for partygoers, the soulful live singer, calming atmosphere and chic company ticks all the boxes for a relaxing meal out. Oh, and the excellent quality spread of tasty Japanese favourites will trick you into thinking you’re on holiday... in Japan. No flight needed. O Dhs450 (house beverages). Sat 12.30pm-3.30pm. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, Jumeirah 2 mandarinoriental.com (04 777 2232). smoky warayaki tuna tataki, sticky Korean fried chicken, salmon tacos and incredibly tender Australian wagyu rib-eye. Starters are stomach-filling from the get-go, as six plates make their way to your table. In cooler months outside seating comes strongly recommended for a waft of beachy air, though the inside is just as impressive as you’ll get a full view of the live cooking action. À la carte brunch review64 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Bars, Pubs & Clubs Five Iron Golf A lively indoor golf bar with all of the fun (and none of the hassle) of an actual round Whether you consider yourself Dubai’s own Tiger Woods or a complete newbie that’s never picked up a club, let us tell you, Five Iron has indoor golf down to a tee. There’s no trundling around the course in the heat here. Everything is at your fingertips (literally). Get ready to make your first swing surrounded by live sport, air conditioning and a drink in hand. Starting in the Flatiron district of NYC, the concept has become a hot take around the world and in 2024 the first one in this region opened near the Marina, at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. It’s a hit (ahem) with high-tech Trackman simulators, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and much more. To get a real taste of the action, choose from a selection of simulator courses, where you can even play back your shot on the fake grass and measure everything from club speed to spin axis. Or if that’s a bit too technical and you’ll simply be happy if you can hit the ball, opt for a good old-fashioned game of pitch & putt instead, while singing along to some of the classic tracks playing out the speakers (just as fun in our opinion). You can book a simulator for as little as 30 minutes from Dhs99, which will give you a taste of the sport for a bargain price. However, this is a little too short to really get stuck into a course, so we’d recommend opting for an hour instead. Once you’re done, you can easily grab drinks and order some food. It’s not a restaurant per se, but Five Iron serves up a full menu of pub food TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 65 Three to try Fun-loving bars Boom Battle Bar From axe-throwing to shuffleboard, mini golf to virtual darts, hops pong and more – everything you could want to keep you occupied you’ll find at this cool spot in JBR. There’s even a karaoke booth for when you just can’t end the evening with a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. If you’re someone who can’t sit still on a night out, get along here pronto. O Open Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 4pm- 2am. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, JBR, boombattlebar.com (04 585 7357). Brass Monkey If you’ve not yet been to Time Out Dubai’s Best Entertainment Bar, brace yourself for 12 bowling lanes, auto-scoring darts, billiards and a quirky collection of retro arcade games. Prepare to play off against your pals and a backdrop of tunes from the ’90s and 2000s. There’s a great selection of hops and mixed drinks, a menu of sharing platters, wings, burgers, pizza, sliders and desserts, plus deals pretty much every day of the week. O Open Mon-Wed 4pm-2am, Thu-Fri 4pm-3am, Sat noon-3am, Sun noon- 2am. C2 Licensed District, City Walk, brassmonkeysocial.com (04 582 2244). Topgolf Fancy practising your swing while sipping on cold drink? Check out Topgolf. This super-cool global brand has been a huge hit (literally) since opening in Dubai in 2021. Whether you’re a golf fan or not, you’re sure to have a laugh at this driving range and there’s even AC for summer. Choose your game, grab your club, get competitive and have a whole load of fun. There’s also mini golf to try your hand at. O Open Mon-Fri 10am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am- 2am. Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, topgolfdubai.ae (04 371 9999). favourites including burgers, wings, tacos and more to get stuck into. It’s a good option for a laid-back day out with your mates, from the serious golfers (or the people who think they’re serious golfers) to those whose swing looks like an oddly choreographed chorus of Staying Alive. If you’re not a pro golfer, the Five Iron team are on hand to give you some top tips on everything from your stance to which club to use. Your form might not improve (ours didn’t), but at least you’re heading in the right direction. Dressed as a traditional sports bar with flatscreens on every corner, high tables and even a graffiti wall or two, Five Iron welcomes super-casual fun – you can even rock up in your golf gear (but jeans will do just fine). There are deals here every night of the week, from unlimited tacos to ladies’ and gents’ nights (yes, there’s one for the lads, too). Meanwhile, the drinks list is extensive, from pints on draught to impressive mixed drinks (not what you would initially expect from a sports bar). After a few rounds (on the course and off), it’s clear that Five Iron has the perfect laid-back experience teed up and ready to go. Go on and embrace your inner Tiger. O Open daily 6am-2am. Licensed. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh, fiveirongolf.ae (04 396 6867). “Five Iron has indoor golf down to a tee”Bars, Pubs & Clubs 66 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Bâoli A classy J1 restaurant and beach club with a menu and vibe for everyone If you can’t jet off to the South of France this weekend, don’t worry – Dubai has a very stylish plan B... plan Bâoli. Since J1 Beach launched in October 2024, this licensed beachfront wonderland has been making waves, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the place where you go when the idea of washing dishes sounds tragic, dressing up feels essential and the only tough decision is whether to start with bubbly or something on ice. At the heart of the action is Bâoli, a glittering space that blends South East Asian flavours with that effortless Côte d’Azur cool. Think Cannes-meets-Bali – sun loungers by day, sparklers and sashimi by night, all wrapped up in a playlist that might just get you dancing before dessert. with fatty, salty tuna and caviar, topped with a nikiri sauce (a sweet soy sauce), while the nigiri selection offers eight bites from the chef – perfect to enjoy over a mixed beverage while the mains are getting prepped and the remixed beats are flowing. But no matter who is at the table, this menu caters for everyone. From maki (you can tell the salmon avocado is super fresh) and truffle pasta to wagyu and caviar, Bâoli aims to please everyone from the Dubai foodie to Dubai’s fussiest. Presentation is taken seriously with every plate. Think stone crockery with palm leaves on show, while drinks are never seen without a clever garnish. So no, you might not be soaking up the Riviera sun in Saint-Tropez this weekend– but one night at Bâoli, and you’ll barely miss it. With sparklers in hand, sashimi on your plate and a sea breeze in your hair, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Dubai. Sometimes, Plan B turns out to be better than the original. O Open Sun-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Sat 10am-3am. Licensed. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, baoli-restaurant.com (04 558 6381). The setting is pure South of France meets tropical daydream. Think low-slung sofas in sun-kissed shades, rattan chairs, leafy canopies and a breezy, bamboo-topped terrace that feels straight out of a private villa in Saint-Tropez. During the day, those in the know are taking full advantage of a lounger or private cabana, with a dip in its serene pool. By night, Bâoli’s buzzing restaurant and speakeasy bar, the Moon Room, is a showstopper with an extensive beverage offering to boot. What’s more, you’ll find a couple of Prada stores around the venue, too – perfect if you’ve forgotten your swimming costume or are in need of a brand-new look for dinner. While the OG Cannes venue asks diners for a €250 minimum spend (that’s around Dhs1,000), its Dubai iteration doesn’t. Despite that, it’ll be quite easy to blow the budget here – with bread priced at Dhs70 and a spicy lobster linguine to share costing just under Dhs2,000. While deciding between carpaccio or tartare to start, it’s worth eyeing up Bâoli’s signature starters. The otoro cigar is packed Bars, Pubs & Clubs TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 67 LITT Bar A glamorous late-night bar with re-imagined mixed drinks in a hot new hotel Glitz. Glamour. Luxury. Those three words more likely than not come to mind when someone mentions one of Dubai’s newest opulent hotels: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. As for its very own speakeasy? Just as charming. Tucked through a mirrored back corridor in Mediterranean restaurant KIRA lies the entrance to LITT, an intimate golden room where a good time is guaranteed. While LITT is inspired by the moon, walk in and you’ll get a slightly different concoction right off the bat. Think if Art Deco, jungle-chic and a splash of elegance were thrown into a shaker and given a serious mix. But the combination tastes impeccable. The tables are low and draw a tight circle around the DJ booth, each with velvet brushed chairs and small glowing lamps adding to the golden hue. But it’s the speckled-mirror peacock tail bar that is the real star of the show here, you can’t miss it. Hop on a stool and look up at the swirling LED projections on the ceiling, with each acting as its own moving moon. Throw in some retro beats and tropical house and the ultimate atmosphere is brewing. Arrive late in the evening and you’ll have to squeeze in for a spot on the dancefloor. Visiting early allows for conversation, where you can actually hear the bartender’s recommendations. And you should listen. The signature selection features modern twists on ’80s and ’90s classics, each with its own diagram on what you can expect (sweetness, bitterness, fruity, etc). Mixed drinks are the specialty here, with lines of salt- and sugar-rimmed glasses just waiting to be sipped from. Priced just under Dhs100, mixed drinks are towards the pricier end, but the quality makes every dirham worth it. If the jungle beats make you peckish, flick to the back page of your menu to peruse a selection of sushi, hand rolls and caviar into the early hours. Très chic. Primed and ready to host a classy crowd almost every night of the week, LITT knows how to serve glam without getting too flashy. A newcomer that’s worth a visit. O Open Wed-Sun 9pm-3am. Licensed. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, kira-restaurant.com/ litt-bar-club (054 709 0002).Bars, Pubs & Clubs 68 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM PizzaExpress Live JLT, The Stage Brunch A fun-loving, lively, music-packed brunch to kick-start your weekend in the best way If you’re from the UK, PizzaExpress is the kind of place you go for a casual dinner with your mates, pop in for a pizza before the cinema or grab a quick early dinner with the kids. And while it covers all those bases here in Dubai too, what we also have here is an absolutely banging party brunch on a Friday night. Longtimers will have known and loved The Stage Brunch since the Jazz@PizzaExpress days at this popular JLT spot. But now the Cluster A restaurant has had a revamp – becoming PizzaExpress Live. With a shift around of interiors – the brunch is back and as fun-loving as ever. The set-up is slicker, with comfy booths, long tables in the centre and lots of glitzy metallic fixings. But where it really shines? Its value for money. For a bargain all-inclusive price of Dhs249 with house drinks, it’s an affordable night out with some of our (and everyone’s) favourite things – pizza, dough balls and awesome live music. Of course, the food is what you’re familiar with. It’s hot, it’s tasty and it’s perfect Friday night fare. Dig into a slice of margherita Night brunch review washed down with a glass of house grape or polish off a plate of pasta with a bottle of hops. Whatever your comfort food classic you’ll find it in all its gloriously carby forms. Service is swift and the doughballs are unlimited. Wins all round. Bands and DJs take to the stage to entertain the crowd, which gets livelier as the night goes on. If you fancy a blast from the past with hits from the yesteryears to sing your heart out to, you’re in the right place. Expect brunchers to be up on their feet dancing by the end of the night. It’s not a quiet night out – so don’t go expecting a chat. It’s all about the out-out vibes. Free-flowing doughballs dunked in garlic butter as a live band plays? What’s not to love? We’ll see you there. O Dhs179 (soft drinks), Dhs249 (house beverages). Fri 8pm-11pm. Cluster A, JLT, pizzaexpress.ae (04 441 6342). There’s no such thing. That’s why Time Out has been reviewing Dubai restaurants anonymously since 2001. LUNCH? FREE Head to timeoutdubai.com/timeoutrecommended for the latest and greatest eats in town HOUSE AD - TOD FREE LUNCH_11747656.indd 6529/07/2021 18:05:44Next >