Home to more than 120 dining outlets, it can be hard to know where to start when deciding on a place to grab a bite at Dubai Mall.
But, if you’re going to visit the UAE’s biggest shopping centre (a destination that’s equivalent to the size of 200 football pitches) you may as well do things properly, and dine at a venue that does this iconic destination justice.
The Venue
Whether you’re in the area for business, catching up with friends, or showing around visitors from home, watching the Dubai Fountain show is a thrill that never gets old.
Treating you to front-seat views of the extraordinary display, the long sweeping terrace of Novikov Cafe is certainly one of its most special aspects.
However, it’s not the only reason to visit. The food and service are both equally impressive, and even on a Wednesday afternoon the terrace is buzzing with pleasant chatter.
Decked out with crisp white table clothes and fresh flowers, it’s far more sophisticated and elegant than the typical image of mall dining. Special enough for romantic date nights and important occasions, yet simultaneously welcoming and relaxed, it’s not an experience to rush by any means.
The Food
While it labels itself as modern Mediterranean, the lunch and dinner menu at Novikov actually also offers sushi, tacos, caviar, Asian specialties, and all kinds of diverse international cuisines.
The kind of place where you want to try everything, we eventually settle on the signature Novikov truffle tacos with wagyu, and the Novikov Cafe salad with extra prawns. Served in a mammoth portion, the latter features a delicious mix of perfectly ripe avocado, crispy lettuce, sesame, and a delightful balsamic dressing, while the former is smaller and daintier, but exceptionally flavoursome and packed with melt-in-the-mouth premium beef.
For mains, we stick to the Mediterranean theme and opt for two different seafood dishes. Both the sea bream with ratatouille and sea bass are sensational, and they are made even more exceptional by the sides of sauteed potatoes with sweet crispy onions and chives, and the broccoli with spicy sauce.
Sadly, we’re too full to handle dessert. But with authentic French crème brulée, Italian tiramisu, creamy San Sebastian cheesecake and many more expertly prepared European desserts all on offer, those with a sweet tooth will be absolutely in their element, too.
The Verdict
Served with a couple of ultra-refreshing fruity mojitos, Novikov Cafe is the ultimate al fresco dining experience. Make sure you add it to your winter season bucket list. Visit: novikov-cafe.com.
