It’s time to start practising those swans – we’re talking about the man who adds a touch of stardust to the sprinkling of salt.
Nusret Gökce – AKA Salt Bae – is arguably one of the most recognisable chefs on the planet (thanks in no small part to that meme) and here in the UAE we have not one but two restaurants where the steakhouse showman thrills hungry gastronomes with his pinpoint accuracy of slicing meat.
Want to know the story behind the sunglasses? Of course you do.
Heres absolutely everything you need to know about Salt Bae and his Abu Dhabi and Dubai restaurants.
Who is Salt Bae?
As we’ve already said, Nusret Gökçe is a famous Turkish butcher, chef and restauranteur who is based and runs three restaurants in the UAE. He’s better known as Salt Bae (but you know that by now).
Where is Salt Bae from?
Turkey. He is originally from the eastern city of Erzurum, however, Salt Bae dropped out of school in sixth grade and moved to Istanbul to take up an apprenticeship as a butcher in Kadikoy district in order to help out his family.
Why is he famous?
He is the owner of Nusr-Et, a chain of luxury steakhouses. He first came to the world’s attention thanks to a social media post titled ‘Ottoman Steak’ on his restaurant’s Twitter account in January 2017. In it the chef is shown smoothly slicing through a thick slab of steak before sprinkling it with salt: dropping the grains onto his forearm and then onto the meat. It received more than 10 million views on Instagram and turned Salt Bae into a household name overnight.
How many restaurants does Salt Bae have?
Currently there are 18 steakhouse restaurants and one burger joint in the Nusr-Et family, based across 15 locations:
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Ankara, Turkey
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, US
Bodrum, Turkey
Boston, US
Dallas, US
Doha, Qatar
Istanbul, Turkey
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
London, UK
Marmaris, Turkey
Miami, US
Mykonos, Greece
New York, US.
He also has a spin-off operation in Dubai’s DIFC called Salt Bae Burger…
So Salt Bae Burger is a Salt Bae resturant?
Yes, the DIFC joint is one of his off-shoot projects in Dubai. Prices start from around Dhs130 but if you’re feeling really fancy you can go chomp down on the golden burger for Dhs600. A pricey patty indeed.
Gate Village, DIFC (04 235 7900).
Are Salt Bae’s restaurants popular?
Mark Walberg, Paul Pogba and Lionel Messi (on the same evening), P Diddy, Naomi Campbell and Maradona are just some of the celebs who have seen their steaks receive the Salt Bae treatment. Even His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan has visited the restaurant.
Where are Salt Bae’s restaurants based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Salt Bae’s restaurant in Abu Dhabi is located Level 1 of The Galleria Al Maryah Island shopping centre. In Dubai, Nusr-Et can be found in Restaurant Village in the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai on JBR.
What can I order at Nusr-Et?
As you can imagine, anyone who goes to one of Salt Bae’s eateries is most likely on the hunt for tender chunks of meat. Steaks, beef and lamb dishes are in abundance and cooked to your preference with fish and chicken meals like grilled sea bass and roast chicken also making an appearance. There is also a small choice of sushi dishes at the restaurant, too.
Are there any options for veggies at Salt Bae’s restaurants?
If you’re a vegetarian, you won’t go hungry at Nusr-Et, but the choice (it is a steakhouse after all) is rather limited. We’re talking salads like the Ottoman, which includes tomato, walnut, onion, green pepper, parsley, chilli flakes and pomegranate vinaigrette, and the Nusr-Et special salad consisting of seasonal leaves, goats cheese, walnut raisins and pomegranate vinaigrette being your options. There also four vegetarian maki rolls should you not wish to eat lots of greenery.
Is there dessert?
If you find your sweet tooth quivering you can tuck into the likes of orange truffle, baklava and good old ice cream at Salt Bae’s joint.
What are the signature dishes of Nusr-Et?
Anything meat really but if you’re looking for opulence, then it has to be one of the gold covered steaks. The Nusr-Et golden steak is 400g of ingot cut sirloin steak wrapped in gold tinfoil. If you’re looking for sheer size then the thick-boned, rib eye Ottoman steak that tips the scales at 1.1kg should be the dish you plump for.
Are Salt Bae’s restaurants licensed?
Yes, both outlets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi serve a range of drinks including bottled hops, mixed drinks and Irish premium distilled drinks. It also provides an array of soft drinks and juices for those looking for alternatives.
Can you order delivery from Nusr-Et?
Yes, Salt Bae’s restaurants in the UAE offer takeaway options that can be delivered to your door in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Can I meet Salt Bae?
There is no booking process to meet Salt Bae at one of his restaurants. He is currently in the USA after recently opening his Beverly Hills outlet in May. Your best chance to catch him strutting his stuff and sprinkling some salt is by following his Instagram @nusr_et to see when he is next back in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi. Open daily noon-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 679 9949).
Dubai: Open daily noon-midnight. Restaurant Village Four Seasons Resort (04 407 4100).
Feeling hungry after reading about Salt Bae? Check out other delicious restaurants right here.
