A gin garden with food inspired by London’s boroughs? Sounds like a capital idea…

Being at The London Project feels like you’re hanging out in a greenhouse that’s been converted into a living room. Think leafy foliage draping over racing green velvet booths, colour pops of copper, exposed brick and London-inspired murals adorning the walls.

Located within touching distance of Ain Dubai ferris wheel on Bluewaters Island, the restaurant and bar is divided between the ground floor dining room, The Gin Garden – an enchanted English country garden – and a wrap-around terrace with pretty epic views of Dubai Marina.

The mixology-intensive team offers a menu of classics, moderns, mocktails, and speciality coffee. Drinks come together with homemade brines and edible shrubs, and house-infused cordials, but make no mistake: this is a high-end cocktail bar for people who don’t want to feel like they’re in a high-end cocktail bar, a place that keeps the inventive spirits without losing sight of the fact that cocktails are meant to help you wind down. Case in point: the cheeky Pansy Dropper (Dhs69) a combo of Beefeater 24, yuzu caviar, tonic and edible flowers that’s fun but smooth. Or the very British Indian-inspired Bricklane (Dhs77) with Ophir spiced gin, spiced ginger, coconut cream and pineapple juice.

Meanwhile, the food menu is a sharing- style concept with dishes said to draw inspiration from the flavours of London’s eclectic neighbourhoods. Highlights include the buttermilk chicken (Dhs55) served with chipotle aioli, and the Champagne battered fish ‘n’ chips (Dhs95) with spring pea puree.

The flatbreads are also worth ordering as they make excellent cocktail accompaniments. Particular favourites are the wild mushroom flatbread (Dhs100) with black truffle, and the Wagyu panchia with tomato sauce (Dhs110).

The London Project has also just launched a new breakfast menu, which means you can nurse your weary head from the night before at the very same spot that did the damage – this time with a Notting Hill Bloody Mary and a full Londoner. Jolly good.

Bluewaters Island, Dubai, daily 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 5808570. thelondonproject.com

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