Mezlai

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Arabian hospitably reigns supreme at this elevated Emirati restaurant located within the glamourous confines of the landmark Emirates Palace hotel. It’s all very experiential, starting with the design, which channels the Emirates’ Bedouin heritage in the form of inviting cushion-clad tented booths and Arabic lattice woodwork stretching the grand dining room and breezy terrace. Dishes take the form of decadent upgrades on Arabian staples on a gastronomic jaunt across the UAE, with ingredients plucked and plundered from the ocean, mountains, desert and beyond to evoke a true sense of the region. It’s the perfect merging of old world and new, with endearing local flavours renewed for the modern palate. Aubergine mutabel and baladeya cheese with za’atar play bedfellow to kebbeh nayeh, a tatare-like take on the classic crushed-wheat snack, while the likes of chicken liver comes paired with tart pomegranate molasses. For something more substantial, the chef’s signature fire prawn tagine is laced with saffron and dates and as vibrant as it comes, while the sumac kiss of chicken musakhan and taboon bread will live long in the memory.

Key Information

• Average price per person $57
• Lunch and dinner: Weds – Sun
• +971 2 690 7999
• Visit Mezlai's Website

Location

Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi,