These Star UAE Chefs Dish What’s on Their Plate This Travel Season
Dining options abound in the UAE, offering a rich tapestry of culinary delights. As the travel season unfolds, we’ve reached out to some of the region’s top chefs to discover their favorite dining spots around the globe. In this exploration of what chefs eat, we reveal where UAE chefs dine abroad, providing inspiration for your next culinary adventure.
Haya Bishouty, Haya’s Kitchen Meets Kave
goes to…Dishoom, Shoreditch, London
Dishoom in Shoreditch has a special significance for me. It’s where my husband, Shadi, and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary, enveloped in the warm charm of its Bombay-inspired decor. The inviting atmosphere, complete with vintage details and the lively hum of conversations, creates a wonderful ambiance. The food is incredibly comforting: from smoky grilled meats and buttery naan straight from the tandoor to the rich, slow-cooked black daal, which feels like a warm embrace, and the perfectly crisp fried okra that we couldn’t resist. Dishoom is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience filled with nostalgia and warmth.
Solemann Haddad, Moonrise
goes to…Gymkhana, London, UK
One restaurant that stands out to me, even after just one visit, is Gymkhana—a two Michelin-star Indian restaurant in London known for its fantastic butter chicken and biryani. There’s an elusive charm to the venue that’s hard to define, yet it draws you in. Since my girlfriend isn’t keen on tasting menus—which are common in Michelin-starred spots—I usually dine there alone when I’m in London. However, Gymkhana is remarkable because it allows us to order à la carte and enjoy a Michelin experience together. It’s a place I yearn to revisit time and again.
David Lagonell, Independent Group
goes to…Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo, Uruguay
Nothing quite compares to my experience in Uruguay. I discovered this hidden gem through Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and I was instantly captivated. In 2019, I had the incredible fortune of participating in a course called 7 Fires, led by Francis Mallmann in Garzon—an old train station transformed into a hotel and restaurant. We spent nearly three weeks cooking with live fire right in the road across from the restaurant, while also visiting stunning eateries in picturesque locations, from the beach to the open plains, in both the city and countryside.
Marshall Röth, Butcher & Still
goes to…Lung King Heen, Hong Kong
Lung King Heen is renowned for its exquisite seafood and dim sum, overseen by Executive Chinese Chef Chan Yan Tak. As the world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars, I had the unforgettable opportunity to attend an event in Hong Kong where Chef Chan personally prepared his signature crispy frogs’ legs with spicy salt for us—one of the most remarkable dining experiences I’ve had. The depth of flavor, the quality of the personally sourced ingredients, and the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant embody a standard of excellence that continues to inspire me.
Jitin Joshi, Revolver
goes to…Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain
Disfrutar is co-owned by Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruch—former colleagues at the legendary elBulli. Since its debut in December 2014, the restaurant has garnered three Michelin stars and was recently recognized as the Best Restaurant in the World for 2024. It challenges the limits of art, science, and creativity, ensuring flawless execution with every dish. What truly sets this dining experience apart is the genuine warmth of the hospitality, elevating it beyond any other world-class restaurant I’ve had the pleasure of visiting.
JP Anglo, Kooya Filipino Eatery
goes to…Asador Etxebarri, Bizkaia, Spain
At Etxebarri, purity and simplicity reign supreme—it’s a testament to respect and passion for one’s craft. All the ingredients are sourced locally, with the cows grazing right on the hill above the restaurant and the shrimp coming fresh from a nearby supplier. When I visited with my wife on our honeymoon, we traveled from Madrid, and the long journey was absolutely worth it. Meeting Chef Bittor Arginzoniz and getting my cookbook signed felt akin to meeting a sports legend; it was like encountering a culinary deity.
Raj Dagstani, Marmellata
goes to…Concettina ai Tre Santi, Naples, Italy
During a pizza tour of southern Italy, my son Sebastian and I fell in love with Concettina ai Tre Santi, nestled in the Rione Sanità neighborhood of Naples. It stands as the best meal of my life, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modernity in the pizza I cherish most. We entered Concettina as strangers and left as family, experiencing a profound display of hospitality. For young Sebastian and me, it was a lesson in harmonizing youthful exuberance with rich historical traditions, just as they do at both Concettina and Marmellata.
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