Forget what’s inside the Russian pavilion, or how long the United Kingdom’s poem is now. We want to know what’s good at brunch – specifically, the Expo brunch at 2020 Club by Emaar.
You’ll need your Expo ticket to access the brunch, held in an airy, modern dining room overlooking Al Wasl Plaza. Cold starters and hot mains come to the table, then you’re free to graze at the self-serve buffet as many times as you like. Surprisingly, the brunch is not, as you might have imagined, a chance to taste the world at Expo.
Things kick off with dim sum and a couple of not particularly memorable chicken and calamari salads brought to the table. While you’ll find an assortment of brunch staples a the buffet – cheese board, mezze, grills, desserts, as well as picks including vegetarian moussaka and a creamy stroganoff – it’s not quite on the scale of Dubai’s most lauded Friday feasts.
Resist the urge to load up your plate because the fancy stuff gets delivered direct to your table. These include grills (chicken and beef with lamb kibbeh come paired with onions and tomatoes), generous pieces of crab piled high, flavourful mussels and (this time) perfectly cooked squid.
Service is on point, with this being one of those rare brunches where plates and cutlery are swiftly replaced. Glasses are never empty and the DJ makes for a lively atmosphere.
Finish half of what comes tableside, let alone what you choose from the buffet, and you’ll have enough sustenance to tour Expo until you need to catch the last bus home.
You might not eat your way around the world, but isn’t that really what the pavilions are for? At least you can check “brunch at Expo 2020 Dubai” off the list. If only you could get a stamp in your Expo Passport to prove it.
Dhs280 (soft drinks), Dhs395 (house beverages), half price (kids aged seven to 12), free (kids under six). Fridays noon-3pm. Licensed. Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai, www.emaarhospitality.com (04 248 8653).
What is it
A conveniently located brunch in the heart of Expo combining serving styles
Why go
For a filling and surprisingly leisurely brunch that will set you up to conquer ten more pavilions
