Time Out Market Dubai has taken the city by storm, and has quickly risen to become one of the hottest attractions in all the land.
Hardly surprisingly; curated by Time Out Dubai editors the 17 home-grown vendors representing the best of the city are worth their weight in gold.
And with the multi-functional dining destination stretching over 43,000 sq ft of premium Downtown real estate, that’s a serious amount of precious metal.
But what do you grab first? And second for that matter?
Well, Time Out is here to help (we’re good like that). We’ve pulled together the 17 most iconic dishes to sink your teeth into at Time Out Market Dubai.
Bon appétit.
Al Fanar’s garlic butter mussels
Like a seasoned weight-lifter, Al Fanar knows mussels. And the shellfish emanating from this home-grown kitchen is of Olympic standard. The garlic butter is stuff of dreams and all lashed together it’s a medley that is simply music to the ears.
BB Social’s banging wagyu katsu sando
BB Social’s Japanese sandwich has already earned cult status in Time Out Market Dubai. The panko crusted wagyu tenderloin comes bookended by toasted brioche, and is lined with a spread of biting mustard tonkatsu sauce that propels the whole thing into new realms of goodness.
Brix’s moreish karak tea cheesecake
It will come as no surprise that Brix – from the exceedingly talented folks at 3 fils – does boss desserts. And when we say boss, we’re talking about the ultra-secret boss after the final boss (Sega-heads unite). The karak tea cheesecake is one such opponent you’ll want to (b)eat over and over.
folly Workshop’s prehistoric 24-hour braised sticky rib
This is a plate akin to something Wilma would slap down in front of Fred in an episode of The Flintstones. The mammoth (wrong era?) slab of meat slips from the bone like a chubby kid down a waterslide, and slathered in an oh so gluey glaze it can’t help but be admired – before being promptly dispatched.
Fulvio’s tasty tagliatelle al ragu di viello e funghi porcini
This combination of home-spun tagliatelle pasta, veal ragu, porcini mushrooms and pecorino cheese highlights the very best of Fulvio’s rustic Italian menu. Gluten-free iterations are available, too. Perfs.
Little Erth’s quacking vegan hoisin duck pancake
It may seem peculiar that this vegan joint’s headline act comes in the shape of a hoisin duck pancake, but rest assured, herbivores, it’s entirely animal friendly. Furnished with spring onion and ginger, these plates capitalise on the duality of being light and filling, meaning if you’ve arrived with cash only enough for a single dish, you won’t be disappointed.
Liban by Allo Beirut’s can’t-be-beaten chicken shawarma
It’s the best budget dining spot in the city (officially, Time Out says so) and its excellent chicken shawarma is a driving force behind Allo Beirut’s unbridled success. We’re also big fans of the vegetarian falafel (pictured). Peck it clean, wolf it down; however you get it, just get it in your face. Pronto.
Local Fire by The Mattar Farm‘s mighty pastrami Reuben
The Mattar Farm’s presence at Time Out Market Dubai is plain to see, particularly with head honcho Hattem Mattar delivering most of the plates personally. But it’s not just Mattar’s winning smile bowling over diners; the pastrami Reuben is mighty good at exposing pearly whites – and stuffing hungry bellies – too.
Long Teng’s cracking Chinese-style hammour
Long Teng specialises in plating up fruits of the sea Chinese-style, so it was always going to be a stellar catch of the day that became this restaurant’s go-to dish. The Chinese-style hammour combines fishy crunch with homemade sweet and sour sauce to leave bottom lips glistening.
Masti’s magnificent chicken tikka and dosa waffle
Amalgamations of flavour come as second nature to Masti. Charcoal roasted dhaba-style chicken served on a crisp dosa waffle adequately sums up the swashbuckling style of adventure that has made the kitchen so famous in these parts, and should be top of your order on your next visit.
Nightjar’s decadent dark chocolate brownie
Gooey in all the right places (is it possible to be gooey in the wrong places when it comes to dessert?) Nightjar’s iteration of the classic chocolate brownie comes with a dark side. But far from being frightful, it’s instead a wicked treat, with a chewy, fudgy centre that makes diners wish it would last all night (and not 2.8 seconds in our case).
Pickl’s fiery (if you like it that way) chicken sando
There’s some serious wizardry going on down at Pickl. We’re yet to unpick exactly how this burger joint uses such a seemingly simple list of ingredients to create dynamite (sometimes in the very literal sense depending on your ability to ride the Scoville scale) chicken sandos – but nor do we care. Straight up magical firebolts.
Pitfire’s gloriously named Truff Daddy pizza
The name game is strong with this one – and Pitfire’s Truff Daddy slices are just as fly as Sean Combs himself. Olive oil and a black truffle paste base are the foundations for a pecorino and parmesan mix, slices brown mushrooms and caramelized onions. A swirl of white truffle oils completes it alongside a side of black truffle cream. #Melts
Reif’s gyu nikomi sando
Sandwiches have levelled up at Reif, with the gyu nikomi sando (braised katsu angus beef and omelette toast) staking a claim for greatest disposition of bread around filling in these parts. A hero of a sandwich, and one you’ll be flying in for again and again.
Scoopi’s rose and cinnamon ice cream with roasted almonds
Searching for a scoop? Scoopi’s is the place to be for icy treats. There are plenty of specials vying for your attention (and they are all pretty special), but the rose and cinnamon cones are a particular hit and, topped with roasted almonds, make for a toothsome final chapter.
Two Leaves’ Desi Smasmosa
Two Leaves looked at a traditional samosa and thought it would taste even better after a good beating. And while that may sound uncanny, it absolutely does the trick. The Desi Smashmosa (clue in the name) is all the goodness of a traditional samosa, deconstructed with a mighty cudgel to reveal and elevate flavours of sweet potato, beetroot and carrot. Take a whack.
Vietnamese Foodies’s brilliant beef brisket pho
This place does strapping bowls of pho like few others, but the blazing beef brisket is a firm fave. The broth is seemingly fathomless, the fat noodles carry all its goodness from chop stick to chops, and swimming in it all are Megalodon chunks of veg and juicy chunks of tender beef. Sublime.
