Theatre is best enjoyed on a full stomach, and Downtown Dubai is a melting pot of flavours to feast upon before a show at Dubai Opera. If you are unsure where to go for a bite before a show – such as Cats, which opens on Monday – we have chosen 10 places where you can enjoy a three-course meal or grab a quick snack before curtain-up.
Wakame
This Pan Asian restaurant has a specially crafted pre-theatre set menu for those looking for a regal night at the Opera. Timed promptly to last for an hour before you head to the theatre, this multi-course dinner includes dim sum, small plates of crispy calamari, salads, spicy salmon with cucumber, yakitori- marinated baby chicken and miso-caramel cheesecake.
• Set menu from Dh250, Level 3, Sofitel Dubai Downtown. Call 04 224 6663, www.wakame.ae
• Distance: 3.9km / 10 minutes
Armani Ristorante
This restaurant oozes sheer opulence and will easily match your evening of formal dress-up for the Opera. The special Opera menu consists of a starter, main and dessert. Diners can choose from carpaccio, spaghetti, triglia, burrito, tiramisu and pavlova. There is also an aperitivo menu with Italian classics, including tartare and pecorino.
• Set menu from Dh250, Lobby Level, Armani Hotel Dubai. Call 04 4371693, www.armanihoteldubai.com, @armanihoteldxb
• Distance: 2.7km / 7 minutes
Omnia by Silvena
This chic restaurant has something to satisfy even those with certain allergies and intolerances. The Emirati- inspired menu was developed by 52-year-old Bulgarian chef Silvena Rowe, who has tempted celebrities including Princess Diana, Madonna and Cher with her delicacies. It is a place for nibbles before a show or a full spread afterwards. Quick-bite favourites include gluten-free white truffle- scented tuna tartare and chilli, and shrimp popcorn with harissa sauce, with mains such as organic heritage Angus rib of beef biryani with Emirati masala and bezar scented foam, and shawarma-marinated hammer skewers.
• Meal for two from Dh200. Clarens Tower 1, Burj Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Call 04 552 0129, www.omnia.co
• Distance: 1.3km / 4 minutes
Jodhpur
This Indian fine-dining restaurant will set the mood for a cultured night out at the Opera. Jodhpur recreates classic Indian fare with modern flair, layering multiple textures and bringing an element of surprise with dishes such as the faux dal makhani made of split green gram, and coconut barfi tres leches for dessert.
• Meal for two from Dh500. Roda Al Murooj, Downtown Dubai. Call 04 355 9846, @jodhpurroyaldining
• Distance: 3.4km / 10 minutes
At.mosphere, The Burj Khalifa
End your Opera date night by unwinding with some unique mixes and finger food at the At.mosphere Lounge, which is open until 2am. Innovative cocktails such as the Red Dragon, with fresh litchees, beetroot juice, grapefruit juice and raspberry purée, can be paired with one of the signature seven-course set menus as well.
• Meal for two from Dh1,000. Level 122, Downtown Dubai. Call 04 888 3828, www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
• Distance: 2.9km / 9 minutes
Ting Irie, Manzil Downtown Dubai
This Jamaican restaurant sprinkles the bold and spicy flavours of scotch bonnet peppers and pimento seeds from its homeland into delicately-crafted dishes, paired with coconut-infused drinks. If you have decided to catch a show with a large group of friends, Ting Irie can lay out sharing plates of plantain chips, Jamaican patties, oxtail cocobread sandwiches and Jamaican curry goat – and to end it all, funnel cake and chunky monkey dessert.
• Sharing meal from Dh195. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai. Call 04 455 1638, www.tingirie.com, @tingiriedxb
• Distance: 2.3km / 7 minutes
The Cheesecake Factory
If you are looking for massive portions to fill you up before a musical, then this American diner has you covered. Freshly-baked pizza, mac and cheese, fried calamari, American cheeseburgers and an exhaustive list of cheesecakes is all the comfort food you could possibly need – and then some.
• Meal for two from Dh200. Ground Level, Near the aquarium, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 04 4190223, www.thecheesecakefactory.com
• Distance: 2.7km / 9 minutes
Clinton Street Baking Company
We’d suggest starting a little early to get a dinner fix at Clinton Street, one of the few cafes in the city that make buttermilk-drenched fried chicken. This guilty pleasure comes with honey-Tabasco sauce flavour, lemon-pepper mayo flavour or with vanilla buttermilk waffle and maple butter. Traditionalists can opt for a salmon burger, fish tacos or even pancakes and eggs from their all-day breakfast menu.
• Meal for 2 from Dh200. GF 01, Burj View Towers, Downtown Dubai. Call 04 4281331, www.clintonstreetbaking.ae
• Distance: 2.5km / 8 minutes
Operation: Falafel
This is the perfect grab-and-go meal if you are rushing to the Opera at the last minute. It’s familiar Arabic cuisine for a mess-free dinner option. The falafel and shawarma sandwiches come in pita bread, or there are platters if you are in a larger group.
• Meal for 2 from Dh50. Opposite Vida Hotel, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
04 5509102, www.operationfalafel.com
• Distance: 1.1km / 3 minutes
Thiptara
Thiptara, which means "Magic at the Water", offers Bangkok-style seafood and breathtaking views to compliment a lavish night out. Book a table for a romantic dinner with a view of the Burj Lake and a spread of fish cakes, papaya salad, coconut milk soup, stir-fried squids and mango with sweet, sticky rice.
• Meal for two from Dh400. Ground Level, The Palace Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. Call 04 428 7961, www.theaddress.com
• Distance: 1.8km / 8 minutes
aahmed@thenational.ae
