New paleo-friendly restaurants in Dubai
What’s On has details of new menus and cafes in Dubai catering to paleo diets, including Jones the Grocer, The Surf Cafe and Heat Cafe.
More…
– Healthy desserts
– Healthy in the heat
– Low-cal takeaways
– Eat well: expert advice
Think back to your school textbooks and the chapter about the planet Earth in prehistoric times – you never saw an overweight caveman, did you?
The paleo, primal, or caveman diet (as it is most affectionately known), adopts a simple regimen of meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds, but no dairy, and definitely no sugar.
A growing number of cafes and new menus in Dubai will help take you back to the Stone Age. Here are six to try:
NEW MENU: Jones The Grocer
Trendy new paleo menu is now available for a limited time at Dubai restaurant Jones The Grocer
Jones The Grocer, the popular casual restaurant in Al Manara, has launched a new paleo menu, running until June 14. What’s On got in touch with our ancient ancestors and tried it out.
To start, a carrot, ginger, lemongrass soup made with coconut milk (Dhs31) that was full of depth, flavour and richness. A salad of roasted cauliflower and greens (Dhs32) was given some lovely pep by pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, raisins and a honey dressing.
Main courses consisted of a superb wagyu burger (Dhs88) that was topped with guacamole, tomato, and baby gem lettuce but no bap of course. The chunky sweet potato fries that came with it had been gently oven roasted and were a substantial side dish. To finish, a blueberry mousse cake (Dhs20) that was basically a sin-free cheesecake and was so sweet and delicious that we couldn’t believe it didn’t contain any naughty cream or sugar.
This lunch and dinner menu is available until Sunday June 14. Jones is also serving a paleo breakfast of sweet potato hash with an egg on top. If you want to have a clean and lean meal, try this caveman diet – just leave your dinosaur at home.
Jones The Grocer, Al Manara, Dubai, Sun to Thur 8am to 11pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 3466886. Taxi Opposite Times Square Centre. jonesthegrocer.com
The Cycle Bistro
This bike cafe was Dubai’s first fully paleo restaurant, with an assortment of breakfast lunch and dinner options. Don’t worry about whether your meat is grass-fed or if you’re eating any grains in your meal, as Cycle is free from all the bad stuff and yet they still manage to create delicious and healthy cuisine. Try the moussaka or the fajitas but make sure you save space for the chocolate cake.
The Cycle Hub, Dubai Autodrome, Motor City. Tel: (04) 4256555. facebook.com/thecyclebistro
Nofara Café
Tucked away at the basement of cluster Y in JLT lies Nofara – a dog-friendly neighbourhood café. The menu offers a healthy selection of paleo options, which are pretty decent. Try the meatball and zoodles – four little lamb meatballs with zucchini pasta.
Ground level, Swiss Tower, Cluster Y, Jumeirah Lake Towers. Tel: (04) 4322023. nofaracafe.com
Heat Café & Grill
This teeny American-style diner located opposite The Surf House serves up healthy options without resorting to boring leafy dishes. You’ll find Paleo favourites like chicken and avocado skewers, or chicken tenders wrapped in turkey bacon, as well breakfast options like five egg-white omelettes.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2. Tel: (04) 3388831. facebook.com/HEATCAFE
Protein Bake Shop
Using only fresh and healthy ingredients in their desserts, this new online bakery doesn’t skimp on taste and leaves you feeling guilt-free. Try their new item on the menu, the Paleo Chocolate cake with coconut flour, almond flour, eggs, dates and raw cacao powder. It’s delicious.
The Protein Bake Shop (online bakery), Tel: (050) 1815030 theproteinbakeshop.com
The Surf Cafe
The new Surf Café on Jumeirah Beach Road has finally opened its doors and is serving nutritious breakfasts, lunch and light bites. There’s also a special seafood counter upstairs where you can choose from the morning catch and have it cooked and served to your liking. Our particular paleo favourite is the simple, yet oh-so-satisfying avocado and eggs served in a pretty little pan.
Near Umm Suqeim Park, off Al Thanya Street. thesurfcafedubai.com
