Ocean breezes, Soul Beach blues and the sound of the waves. Most will agree, Mamsha Al Saaidyat just hits a little different. That’s why we were thrilled to hear that Ting Irie, one of our favourite Jamaican spots in Dubai, has arrived in Abu Dhabi at Mamsha.
Ting Irie is all about good vibes, jerk flavours and buzzing nights at the bar – and it brings all of those elements to the Abu Dhabi location. The Mamsha branch has a laid-back terrace and indoor seating to choose from, but if you’re visiting during the winter you’re going to want to dine al fresco.
While some of the other spots at Mamsha will make you want to change out of your beach gear, Ting Irie has a more easygoing vibe, where flip-flops and bucket hats are welcome. The staff are lively and welcoming and the music has us dancing in our chairs.
If you’re up for fusion food, start with the jerk hummus. There are some brilliant flavours in this dish, but we’re surprised when it comes with three small pieces of fried bread. They’re definitely not enough to polish off the hummus, and you’ll have to pay extra if you want enough bread to continue.
For mains we dive into a hearty bowl of green vegetable curry with rice. It’s a solid dish, but at Dhs85 we’re expecting a little more than just good. Similarly, the sea bream is Dhs165 and while the flavours are hitting the right notes and the fish falls right off the bone, the price has us expecting to be wowed. Finish off with the crunky monkey, which comes with caramelized banana and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Sweet.
If the prices weren’t quite so high, we’d be very satisfied with our trip to Ting Irie, which has a great beachside vibe. If you’re prepared to make a little bit of a dent in your wallet for those Jamaican classics, this is the spot for you. Looking to be a little thriftier at Mamsha? There are more cost-effective spots to try.
