We’re suckers for a bit of art deco (we were first in line to see The Great Gatsby), so the openings of Cafe Belge at the Ritz-Carlton in DIFC and Atelier M in Dubai Marina sound right up our street.

CAFE BELGE
Claiming to be the first Grand Cafe of its kind in the region, the stunning new restaurant and bar has its roots firmly set in the Golden Era of 1920s Brussels.

As ways of getting us excited about what to expect, the sentence, ‘the heritage of art nouveau and art deco is richly reflected in the decor and ambiance, and style and elegance are celebrated throughout’, is right up there. This sounds like a place to see, and a place to be seen. 

Boasting a ‘beer sommelier’, the venue is a one-of-a-kind in Dubai, instantly elevating itself above the likes of the Belgian Beer Cafe (TECOM and Madinat Jumeirah), Lucien Belgium Cafe and the Brussels Belgium Bar and Bistro. “After all, in Belgium, beer is a culture not a drink,” resident expert Sofie Vanrafelghem says. She approaches hops in the same way one might do grape, even serving the drink in a wine glass. They also recommend dishes which partner well.

Everything is unmistakenly Belgian. See for yourself in their video teaser.

Inside, guests will find decorative carvings on the columns, ornamental chandeliers and mirrors, as well as bold geometric pictures, marble floors and rich wooden bars.

The menu will be dominated by seafood, as is the Belgian way, the highlights of which include dover sole, King crab and oysters, which arrive daily.

Cafe Belge is open now at Ritz-Carlton DIFC. To book call (04) 372 2323 cafebelgedifc.com

ATELIER M
Fitting the classic art deco style into the imposing surroundings of Dubai Marina is no easy task, but at this contemporary restaurant spread across three levels of Pier 7, it’s been delivered.

They say ‘the design narrative is that of alluring glamour, played out through the use of classic materials including rare woods and marble with rich inviting colours, bold geometric shapes, mirrored surfaces and jaw dropping chandeliers’.

Serving a French/Asian fusion made by the hand of Mohammad Islam, who has experience at celebrated restaurants such as the Mercer Kitchen and Chateau Marmont. A sharing seafood concept is at the heart of the menu, while cocktails dominate the drinks list.