What’s On has details of Cle Dubai, the Greg Malouf Dubai restaurant opening in DIFC in 2014. The Michelin-starred chef specialises in Middle Eastern food.

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Michelin-starred Greg Malouf is the latest star chef aiming to capture the hearts and palettes of Dubai diners.

Malouf, widely regarded as a master of modern Middle Eastern cuisine, has said Clé Dubai, set to open in DIFC later this year, will be his “life’s work”.

As well as a restaurant serving contemporary Middle Eastern fare, the new venue in Al Fattan Currency House will incorporate a bar serving cutting edge cocktails, a lounge, a vast open-air terrace, and a performance space.

“This is my home, my new destination and my dream to finally cook in the Middle East,” says Malouf. “This is a place where I can put Middle Eastern cuisine on a pedestal.

“Clé’s food is truly an expression of an ancient culture done graciously and generously. My life’s work has arrived.”

Born in Melbourne to Lebanese parents, Malouf has several award-winning food and travel books to his name.

His presence in Dubai is likely to further the city’s growing reputation as a culinary capital.

Malouf joins the ranks of other Michelin-starred chefs seeking to make their presence felt in the city. Jean-Georges Vongerichten will have a restaurant at the new Four Seasons resort opening at Jumeirah Beach this December, and Jason Atherton, the talent behind London’s wildly successful Pollen Street Social, is opening a venue inside the new InterContinental in Dubai Marina.

They join the likes of Marco Pierre White and Heinz Beck already blazing a trail for the restaurant scene in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East.

Regional food, too, is enjoying something of a boost, with Qbara widely being hailed as one of the best new eateries to open in some time.