FACT Favourites: Best dishes from January 2025
These are the Best Menu Items to Sink Your Teeth Into Across the GCC
January 2025
These are the best dishes we ate in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh this month.
A.O.K Pancakes at A.O.K Kitchen in Riyadh
There are pancakes, and then there are A.O.K Pancakes — the kind that make you pause after the first bite just to fully take in how good they are. Served at FACT award-winning A.O.K Kitchen in KAFD, these beauties were fluffy, light, and indulgent, like biting into a sweet, buttery cloud. The warm, caramelized apples added a nice richness, while the golden crumble provided the perfect crunch. And with some of the friendliest staff in town making sure you’re well taken care of, it’s the kind of dish that instantly puts you in a good mood.
Beef Lung Skewers at Harummanis in Dubai
A good friend invited me to Chef Akmal Anuar’s new Wasl 51 restaurant earlier this month. Showcasing Singaporean Malay cuisine inspired by generational recipes—many from Chef Akmal’s mother—Harummanis features street food classics and traditional Malay dishes. One, however, caught us off guard. Beef lungs wouldn’t usually be my pick, but this bold dish invites adventurous diners to try a rare delicacy. Carefully prepared for a tender yet slightly chewy texture, the skewered meat is lightly charcoal-grilled for a smoky char that deepens its earthy richness. Yet it’s the fiery and tangy Sambal Belado that takes the dish to the next level.
Black Lemon Lamb Kebab at Al Naqa Kebab in Dubai
At Al Naqa Kebab, Chef Aphisith Phongsavanh brings a taste of Laos to the Neighbourhood Food Hall in Motor City. The fragrant Lao Black Lemon Lamb Kebab is easily one of the best dishes available in the entire hall, skewered and grilled over charcoal. The juicy meat is infused with lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaf, and fresh herbs, creating a vibrant balance of citrusy, earthy, and smoky flavors where each bite offers a fragrant punch, complemented by the slight heat of Laotian spices.
Black Truffle Tagliolino at LARIA in Riyadh
If there’s one thing I’ll always say yes to, it’s pasta — especially if it’s homemade — and has truffle. And the LARIA’s pop-up at Mandarin Oriental, Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, promises just that. The Homemade Black Truffle Tagliolino was everything I expected and is evidently one of the restaurant’s best dishes. The pasta was silky, al dente, and generously coated in a truffle-infused sauce. The thin shavings of black truffle added an earthy, umami flavor that elevated the dish to new heights.
Crushed Milk Chocolate Cookies at NAC in Abu Dhabi
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I’d much prefer a cheese plate or even another superb starter rather than dessert. However, a recent visit to NAC in Marina Mall Abu Dhabi introduced me to the Crushed Milk Chocolate Cookies. These moreish morsels are gloriously gooey, served warm so that the chocolate chips have begun to melt and topped with a fantastic Frosties soft serve ice cream. It’s a dessert that takes the childhood nostalgia of cookies and a glass of milk and elevates it a notch.
Ravioli del Plin at L’Amo Bistro del Mare in Dubai
Sat on the breezy terrace at L’Amo Bistro del Mare overlooking the bobbing boats in Dubai Harbour; it’s difficult not to feel like you’re on the Amalfi coast. With a new menu from Head Chef Alessandro Salvatico, seasonal ingredients are reimagined with a modern, artistic touch, and the Ravioli del Plin is a highlight. These delicate, handmade ravioli—named "Plin" after the Italian word for "pinch"—are crafted in-house and filled with slow-braised beef, creating a rich and deeply satisfying bite. Bathed in a simple yet luxurious sauce of butter and sage, the dish lets the quality of the ingredients shine, resulting in one of our best dishes of the month.
Salmon & Sumac at Café Boulud in Riyadh
You’d never expect an Arabian spice such as sumac to appear in any dish in a French restaurant, but Café Boulud in Riyadh is all about surprising you. The restaurant’s Salmon & Sumac is as strikingly tasteful as it is visually appealing. This perfectly pink grilled salmon fillet, with a generous sprinkle of even brighter pink sumac, is a visual treat. The spice adds a kick, cutting through the fish’s rich, buttery texture. Pine nuts and raisins are scattered on top, offering a contrast of crunch and chewiness and elevating the texture of the dish. With a side of quinoa keeping things light yet satisfying, it’s a dish that feels both indulgent and healthy.
Conclusion
These are the best dishes we ate in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh this month. From the fluffy A.O.K Pancakes to the bold Beef Lung Skewers, each dish offers a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.
FAQs
Q: Where can I find the best menu items in the GCC?
A: You can find the best menu items in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, as featured in this article.
Q: What are the best dishes to try in Dubai?
A: Try the Ravioli del Plin at L’Amo Bistro del Mare, the Black Lemon Lamb Kebab at Al Naqa Kebab, and the Crushed Milk Chocolate Cookies at NAC in Marina Mall Abu Dhabi.
Q: What is the best restaurant in Riyadh?
A: LARIA in Riyadh offers an exceptional dining experience with its Black Truffle Tagliolino and other dishes.