Inside Dubai's first homegrown food hall
Looking to check out a hidden gem this weekend?
What do you think of when you hear the worlds “food hall”? Does it bring up memories of plastic trays, flat sodas and fast food kiosks? Imagine instead an inspiring array of local cuisine, edgy interior design and live music. Welcome to One Third – Dubai’s first homegrown food hall concept.
Here’s a look at what’s inside.
KishMish
If you’re wondering what Afghan food tastes like, head for KishMish. It was started by three cousins who wanted to help educate the UAE on Afghan cuisine. The result is essentially elevated Arabic food. The mains are mixed grill related so we suggest you go for the starters to get an authentic grip of what the food is all about. The shoor nakhud is chickpea and potato salad topped with coriander and chili chutney, while the barta is aubergine mashed with coriander, spring onion, garlic, yoghurt and kourout )a dried yoghurt ball), which is like a mushier version of moutabel.
Midnight Breakfast
Started by three Emirati sisters, Midnight Breakfast offers a unique selection of breakfast items throughout the day, from baklava brioche to a shakshouka pie.
Emirati Coffee
You’ll want to wash all that food down with a coffee from the first Emirati speciality roaster, which offers unique and carefully brewed coffeses. Lined up near the brewing station are coffee bean packets from Ethiopia and Costa Rica. Each packet has a novel ‘smelling hole’; you can squeeze the packet to try a whiff of the coffee aroma before you buy.
Habak
It’s not like you can’t get Lebanese food on every corner of Dubai, but one Lebanese who’s been in Dubai for more than 15 years wanted to give the cuisine an update. Street food takes pride of place at Habak, which has been designed to feel like a slice ‘alleyway’ Beirut with exposed concrete and beat-up decor. Go fro the falafel pan (which might sound bland, but these balls are smothered in a tahini sauce that elevate them to superstar status).
Sugar Moo
This physical store of the online dessert delivery platform has a build-your-own-cookie option that’s only available at Dar Wasl. We went for doughy red velvet base, dark chocolate truffles, peanut butter, chocolate chips and then a sprinkle of marshmallows. For more discerning diners, there are vegan treats too. Try the raw peanut butter brownie.
Dar Wasl, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, Sun to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur to Sat 10am to 12am. Tel: (04) 435 7985. Facebook.com/OneThirdWorld
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