< Previous80 OCTOBER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Time Out Market Time Out Market Dubai is known for its headliners. The star dishes that rack up likes on Instagram (hello, burrata butter chicken), the ones that people queue for, the plates that define entire restaurants. But tucked in between the big names are the unsung heroes – the dishes that quietly deliver some of the most satisfying bites. à la grecque What: Fully loaded fries. These aren’t your standard spuds – they’re hand-cut, double-fried and piled high with creamy feta and nutty mizithra. O Dhs35. Stealth hits BB Social What: Tokyo schnitzel. Served with straw fries, sesame-dressed mizuna lettuce and a Japanese curry tonkatsu, this delicious schnitzel often flies under the radar – until now, that is. O Dhs90. Boon Coffee What: Caprese sandwich. While everyone’s sipping and scrolling, there’s a quieter star on the menu: the Caprese sandwich. Fresh mozzarella and juicy tomatoes nestled in pretzel bread. O Dhs45. Café Isan Thai What: Sticky chicken wings. If you only stick to the obvious, you’re BB Social Under-the-radar dishes that you should know about. By Yousra Zaki missing a star: the sticky chicken wings. Three bone-in wings arrive marinated in chef New’s special herb mix. They’re crisped just right, while staying juicy within. O Dhs40. Fusión Ceviche What: Scallop Parmesan tiradito. Hidden among the crowd-pleasers here (el clásico, tuna Nikkei et al) is a true showstopper: the scallop Parmesan tiradito. Thin slices of fresh scallop are topped with chalaquita, crispy squid ink crackers, garlic chips, basil and a drizzle of achiote oil. O Dhs120. Izu Burger What: Time Out edition sando. Forget what you think you know about TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM OCTOBER 2025 81 Lunch for less If you’re on the hunt for budget bites, Time Out Market Dubai has you covered with its affordable lunch deals, all priced at just Dhs50. Available Monday to Friday from noon to 3pm, whether you’re craving something comforting (chicken souvlaki) or adventurous (tuna Nikkei ceviche), there’s a deal to suit your mood. Plus, each lunch deal comes with a chilled bottle of water, so you’re all set to power through the rest of your day. Mattar What: Feteer meshaltet brisket. An Egyptian-inspired pastry pie stuffed with 18-hour slow-cooked brisket, creamy roumy cheese and fresh vegetables. Skip the barbecue classics and try this next time. O Dhs65. Onda by Alici What: Aubergine parmigiana. This comforting, satisfying and surprisingly indulgent dish is often overlooked by diners rushing straight for the seafood or pasta. Don’t miss out and be sure to order it. O Dhs55. Pitfire What: Royal Hawaiian. We’re not reopening the pineapple-on- pizza debate, but this one deserves a try. Thin-sliced smoked turkey, perfectly ripe pineapple and a melty blend of provolone and mozzarella – you know you want to. O Dhs70. Reif What: Truffle udon. You’ll have tried the ramen, now try the udon. Thick, chewy noodles are drenched in a decadent truffle cream sauce, finished with a sprinkling of chives and a generous grating of Parmesan. Unusual and tasty. O Dhs110. Scoopi What: Soft serve. Enter the humble vanilla soft serve with sprinkles. It may sound simple, but Scoopi’s take elevates it. The sprinkles add just enough fun without overpowering the ice cream itself. Less is more with this one. O Dhs24. Slab Cocina What: Peruvian barbecue shrimp. Marinated in a vibrant aji pancachili sauce these shrimp are smoky, tangy and bursting with flavour. A low-key standout. O Dhs75. Three by Eva What: Tahini cauliflower. Crispy fried cauliflower florets are drizzled with tahini and pomegranate molasses, creating a dish that’s crunchy, tangy and subtly sweet all at once. O Dhs32. O Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Time Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com/dubai. burgers. This one stars sliced Angus rib-eye topped with melted Emmental, pickles and mustard mayo, smooshed in sourdough. O Dhs55. Lana Lusa What: Pasteis de bacalhau. These golden fritters – made with salted codfish and potatoes – might not be the most obvious pick but they’re a smart one. O Dhs52. Little Jun’s What: Char siu BBQ beef short rib. Try this unique take on a Hong Kong classic – the pineapple bun. Instead of a sweet filling, it’s had a savoury upgrade, stuffing it with slow-cooked, shredded short ribs. O Dhs85. Long Teng What: Chinese wood ear black mushroom salad. This might be weird-looking at first glance, but it’s fresh yet earthy, spicy yet balanced and manages to hold its own. O Dhs22. Masti What: Butter chicken samosa. This indulgent twist takes the familiar comfort of Masti’s classic curry and wraps it in perfectly fried pastry. The steaming butter chicken interior is spicy and creamy. O Dhs40. Café Isan Thai Pitfire82 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Confidence: The Live Show with Roxie Nafousi and Special Guests will be in Dubai for one night only on Tuesday October 14 at Zabeel Theatre, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah. Tickets start from Dhs300 on platinumlist.net. Find out more at @roxienafousi. the last word Every issue we let someone else have the final say. For October, it’s over to Roxie Nafousi, author, coach and motivational speaker A cool Dubai spot that you’re close to gatekeeping? There’s a café called Pawdy Neighbours in Downtown and they do the best coffee and smoothies. It’s dog-friendly too. What’s an inspiring quote that you live by and why? “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” It reminds me that every experience you have is meant to be and sometimes they are just to help us grow into the person we are meant to be. What’s your favourite tip for being more confident? Repeat positive affirmations every morning when you wake up, for example “I am enough” or “I am proud of how far I have come”. A Dubai dish you’re still thinking about? The gold-dust ed chocolate dessert at The Guild. It’s one of my favourite restaurants in Dubai. The setting, the music, the food is all 10/10. And this dessert is the best way to end the meal. What’s your favourite lesson from your new book and why? It’s hard to pick just one, but I love ‘Step 3: Stop Trying to Be Liked Everyone’. It’s such a liberating step. What’s something you›re still yet to tick off your Dubai bucket list? I really want to do a desert experience with my son. I love the idea of being in the middle of nowhere surrounded by beautiful sand dunes, drinking tea and immersing myself in culture. What’s your favourite wellness spot in Dubai? Matcha Club. I love the yoga and the restaurant is such a great spot to do some work and enjoy a smoothie. What’s the first thing you do when you land in DXB? I feel like my nervous system relaxes the moment I land. I always go and see my mum for some homemade Iraqi food and a big hug. my faNext >