The al fresco restaurant Alara in Dubai. EXPAT MEDIA

We found Dubai’s newest Instagrammable restaurant and it’s tucked away behind one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It didn’t take the Expat Media team long to find Alara, this gem of an al fresco restaurant just behind the Museum of the Future and right next to the Emirates Towers. Don’t let its posh location intimidate you. The food here is reasonably priced and you’ll also get amazing views with your experience. The scenery alone is worth the visit. Located at Emirates Towers Boulevard, Alara provides a front-row seat to the glittering Dubai skyline. Add in the cozy outdoor ambiance, live oud music and good Levantine food and it’s easy to see why this venue is Dubai’s newest dining gem. The menu features Levantine-inspired creativity. We tried their mezze (Dh78) which was a perfect starter to share with our party of three. The mezze featured Greek salad, fattoush, betroot hummus and a delicious smoked tuna babaganoush that all went well with their soft and extra flavourful wild oregano pita bread. This spread was so good it had us reaching for seconds. The most interesting thing we tried on their menu? Their baklava cheesecake cones—a fusion dessert that combines the richness of baklava with the creamy indulgence of cheesecake, topped with a sprinkle of pistachio, drops of date extract and some gold dust for that extra touch of luxury. The best part? This only costs Dh58. The chicken shawarma was okay, but we found it a bit pricey for Dh78. The Pollo a la brasa Burger (Dh78) was quite good with its layers of grilled chicken, slices of avocado, cheese and lettuce. We ordered the Exotic Breeze mocktail (Dh35), featuring passion fruit, orange, pineapple and apple flavors that complemented the food perfectly. We also loved the Berry Fusion (pictured below), a delightful blend of blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, lime and pomegranate juice. As if that’s not enough, Alara’s shisha lounge is perfect for a laid-back evening under the stars. On weekends, the sound of live oud music takes the experience to a whole new level—think modern majlis vibes. So, what’s our verdict? Alara should be your next go-to spot for dinner with a view. Come for the food, stay for the vibes, and don’t forget your camera—this place was made for the ’Gram! The score Food: 4.5/5 Price: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Location: 5/5 ICA/PIA/MFD/Expat Media
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