Edited in Tezza with: CocoaPhoto Sophie Prideaux
Three Bros
Three Bros, the younger – dare we say, cooler – sibling of Orfali Bros, that sits just across the courtyard in Jumeirah’s foodie epicentre, Al Wasl. Three Bros plays on the infectious personalities of founders Mohamad, Wassim and Omar Orfali, whose tableside storytelling helped make Orfali Bros what it is, their three faces immortalised in bronze busts mounted to the crimson walls. You’ll find several of Orfali Bros original and best-loved dishes on the menu here, like the OB cheeseburger, croquettes and pillowy pidzas, baked fresh in the giant domed pizza oven which dominates the crimson, 22-cover dining room. But there’s plenty of exciting newness here, too. The delicate ama abi shrimp, served swimming in olive oil and tomato pulp, are a delight, while the morel chawanmuchi, a deliciously rich egg custard mixture served with earthy mushrooms, is incredibly moreish. There really is no bad order here, so go hungry and work your way through the menu. Don’t miss the drinks pairings (this place is unlicensed), but you won’t miss alcohol. Fermented wines and zero-proof cocktails are just as impressive and complex as the food, and make sure to round off the meal with a cherry-topped soft serve.
Address: Al Wasl 51, Jumeirah
Bait Maryam
If you take an Arab friend to Bait Maryam, chances are they’ll soon be recounting nostalgic childhood memories as they tuck into this homely authentic dishes here. Part of the restaurant’s appeal is its decor, designed as an extension of chef-owner Salam Daqqaq’s home, kitchen trinkets, mismatched sofas, an old sewing machine and cookbooks on display. The other winning ingredient Daqqaq herself, who greets regular guests like family, and newcomers with the warmest of welcomes. Though Daqqaq describes her cuisine as proudly Palestinian, Bait Maryam offers dishes that pull from the shared Levantine culinary traditions that mothers have been placing on dining tables of homes across Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon for generations. This is food that fills your stomach and simultaneously warms your heart.
Dining and Cooking