“If it’s great, it goes in the magazine; if it’s unmissable, it goes in the Market.” Time Out Market Dubai
Popular upmarket food hall concept, Time Out Market has finally found its way to Dubai. Visitors to the market can sample some of the city’s most delicious dishes all under one roof in the Downtown Dubai location of Souk Al Bahar.
Located under the shadow of the iconic Burj Al Khalifa, Time Out Market Dubai is home to seventeen local culinary concepts, three bars and has a large wraparound outdoor terrace. It’s an expansive, contemporary concept with so many options that it will take you a while to decide what to eat and drink. Some of Dubai’s top chefs have opened exclusive concepts for the space including Folly Workshop by award winning British chefs Nick Alvis & Scott Price. If you are looking for Japanese cuisine and more specifically ramen look no further than Reif by Reif Othman who’s a renowned name in the UAE’s dining scene.
The huge, well curated space offers innovative menus at each concept with plenty of options for whatever you fancy. After a walk around the eateries to gauge what was on offer, I chose an eggplant parmigiana from Fulvio’s. Brought to the market by Fulvio Opalio, head chef of award winning Il Borro Tuscan Bistro the menu offers delicious, classic Italian cuisine. My dining companion opted for a Pastrami on Rye sandwich from Local Fire by the Mattar Farm. This is the first permanent space for Dubai’s Hattem Mattar, the region’s BBQ pitmaster and smokehouse connoisseur. Mattar’s menu offers a variety of plated artisan smoked meats or filled sandwiches served with a selection of tasty sides.
The market showcases many other of the city’s favourite homegrown restaurants such as Indian fusion by MASTI, Asian bao and bowls from BB Social Dining and pho from Vietnamese Foodies. Craving a burger? Try Pickl (rumoured to be coming to Abu Dhabi soon) for burgers and fried chicken sandwiches and get your pizza fix at Pitfire Pizza. Take a culinary trip around the globe with dim sum and seafood specials from Long Teng, traditional Emirati cuisine from Al Fanar and Lebanese street food from Liban by Allo Beirut. Most outlets offer vegetarian options and vegans are well catered for with a menu of wholesome plant-based dishes available from Little Erth.
Got a sweet tooth? Don’t worry there’s uniquely flavoured dessert creations at Brix by 3fils and specialty ice cream from Scoopi Cafe. You can also grab your favourite caffeinated beverage from Nightjar, the atmospheric coffee shop & roastery located at Alserkal Avenue and karak chai from the boys behind Project Chaiwala. The three bars offer various beverage options: The Atrium Bar serves wine from around the world, the Fountain Bar offers beers and mixology and The Palace Bar has a comprehensive selection of mocktails and fresh juices.
The first of its kind dining and cultural experience, Time Out Market was created by the Time Out team in Portugal back in 2014. The team pioneered the idea of combining traditional and modern cuisines from local restaurateurs in one place. This first market, located in Lisbon’s historic Mercado da Ribeira, is now a major foodie tourist attraction on travellers’ itineraries. The success of the Lisbon outpost was followed by markets in Miami, Boston, Chicago, Montréal and New York, which we visited earlier this year.
If you haven’t visited yet definitely pencil in a visit to Time Out Market Dubai next time you are in the downtown area. My top tip is make sure you arrive hungry.
Time Out Market Dubai
Location: 3rd Floor, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Website: www.timeoutmarket.com/dubai/
Opening Hours*: Sunday – Wednesday 12 noon to midnight, Thursday 12 noon to 1am, Friday 10am to 1am and Saturday 10am to midnight. *Concessioners close 30-min before the Market closing time
The views in this post are all my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2021. All rights reserved. Two additional photos used with courtesy of www.timeoutmarket.com/dubai/
Sounds delicious!!?