FooDiva

12/08/2026

A new London opening, Impala by chef Meedu Saad, is the type of restaurant that Dubai both lacks and needs. By type, I mean a homegrown licensed establishment serving a modern interpretation of cuisine from the wide Arab world. Something I have preached for a while, ever since Q’bara sadly shut shop a decade ago. A game-changing restaurant that was ahead of its time and hindered by an inconvenient location.

Why?

Let’s take an example. When travelling to Japan, for instance, we prioritise Japanese fare at casual izakayas and ramen bars right through to upscale sushi omakase restaurants, like residents do. To ensure that both Dubai visitors and us dwellers seek out culinary traditions and innovations from the UAE* and wider Middle East, we need a diverse collection of restaurants championing regional cuisine at all levels, in particular licensed - the gap in the market. Shawarma joints, as good as these may be, will not suffice alone.

To clarify, I certainly don’t want Impala imported to Dubai, however budding restaurateurs here would do well to take inspiration from the overall concept and its immediate success.

Whilst researching restaurants for my recent London trip, Impala topped my list, and when reservations went live four weeks in advance, I managed to secure a table for two at this busy, hyped Soho establishment.

All explained in this longform review. Plus several more recommendations from a summer visit to the capital, along with my personal Google maps link of 80+ restaurants.

* Note: this post addresses broader Middle Eastern cuisine which includes Emirati fare, but for my musings specifically on the latter, I have linked into another review.

So do you think Dubai’s restaurant scene would benefit from this kind of novel concept? Or are we missing something else? Pray tell 🙏🏼

Find out why in this review. Plus several more recommendations from a summer visit to the capital, along with my personal Google maps link of 80+ restaurants.

29/07/2026

Every now and again, I have a rant about all sorts of F&B industry issues. The subject of the last gripe (over on Instagram) was my pet peeve with QR code menus, which garnered a helluva lot of traction, as with all rants. Especially on stories, where you can private message confidentially.

However, what I found interesting was that everyone agreed, which doesn’t always happen. Yet, while plenty of industry followers, chefs included, weighed in, not a single word from restaurateurs and front-of-house managers specifically - even though many viewed the story. That, in itself, speaks volumes.

The high engagement and feedback to that story has encouraged me to pen a longform, more nuanced piece, so here we are.

Consider this article an open letter to all restaurateurs around the world. You'll find the link in comments. I've included a poll so you can also have your say 🙏

20/07/2026

CNN-ing 🩷 Catch me on telly. My interview on the UAE restaurant scene, along with two leading restaurateurs airing globally.

Huge thank you to producer and presenter Kim Kelaita for always keeping me top of mind for impartial industry opinion ever since my CNN debut in 2013!

Note to self: avoid donning pink next time.

Dubai Restaurants

20/07/2026

CNN-ing 🩷 Catch me on telly. My interview on the UAE restaurant scene, along with two leading restaurateurs airing globally.

Huge thank you to producer and presenter Kim Kelaita for always keeping me top of mind for impartial industry opinion ever since my CNN International debut in 2013!

Note to self: avoid donning pink next time.

Online link of the whole programme in the caption.

17/06/2026

Where does Ariana Bundy, the chef and owner of Ariana’s Persian Kitchen at Atlantis The Royal dine out?

In this column, super woman Ariana shares her favourite restaurants encompassing:

🔪 Three in the UAE
🔪 One in her home country
🔪 One located elsewhere internationally

Actually she sneaked in a few more 😜

Nominations for female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated 🙏🏼

Ariana Bundy, the chef and owner of Ariana's Persian Kitchen shares her favourite restaurants.

02/06/2026

It’s not solely restaurants that have been suffering in this conflict climate. The suppliers of all the delicious produce to these establishments have also been affected. For the majority, their main revenues are generated from on-trade (restaurant) clients who have been ordering less given the lack of tourists and the drop in dining out from residents. And that’s without getting drawn into supply chain disruptions. The good thing is that many of these businesses boast retail arms with physical locations and/ or an online presence to cater for home dining.

So I’ve rounded up my go-to gourmet food and beverage retailers, 20 to be precise, that I have been frequenting for years as special add-ons to my regular grocery shop. All are homegrown businesses. And several have kindly provided discount promo codes should you like to give them a go 😋👌🏼

This guide showcases tried and tasted suppliers, however I’m sure there are many more that I’ve yet to buy from. So please feel free to share your favourites here 🙏🏼

All 20 businesses featured in this guide are homegrown. And several have provided discount promo codes, exclusively for you.

27/05/2026

💯 reasons we love the Middle East & North Africa ♥️ A cover story for Conde Nast Traveller Middle East’s May/ June print edition 🙏🏼 Perfect timing for Eid.

A commission to pen eight reasons why I adore this region from a chef and food perspective. Needless to say I could have picked 100 food-related factors, but CNT is a broader travel magazine after all 😜 So you’ll have to settle for five chefs and three dishes from me. Swipe to see.

Selina Denman writes in her editor’s letter, “At a time of unrest and uncertainty across the region, we present 100 reasons we love the Middle East – an ode, of sorts, to the incredible people, places, hotels, food, fashion, crafts and traditions that shape this mesmerising, often-misunderstood corner of the world. And a reminder, in unsettling times, of what endures.”

100 things to add to our bucket lists 🩷

Out on shelves now. Links to the feature on the Conde Nast Traveller Middle East website. Eid Mubarak folks. May peace prevail 🇦🇪🕊️

13/05/2026

Where does Diana Rysbaeva, the owner, founder and CEO of Shi Hospitality Group dine out? She’s the operator and creator behind Chinese and Pan-Asian restaurants Shi, Moli and Mei.

In this column, super woman Diana shares her favourite restaurants encompassing:

🔪 Three in the UAE
🔪 One in her home country
🔪 One located elsewhere internationally

This post landed in inboxes yesterday. Feel free to subscribe, if not already.

Nominations for female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated 🙏🏼

Diana Rysbaeva, the owner, founder and CEO of Shi Hospitality Group shares her favourite restaurants.

28/04/2026

I’ve been dining out frequently recently, more so than pre-war. I counted 38 restaurant visits here since the conflict kicked off exactly two months ago today. And that’s proper meals. I don’t leave the house just for a cuppa. Food deliveries are additional. Don’t worry I won’t bore you by naming them all. They’re pinned to my Instagram story highlights for the curious.

However, in this newsletter, I do want to flag a dinner at a hot new opening. Not a review though given these are on hold, as I explained when the war kicked off. Plus first-time visits to what turned out to be three gems serving their own version of country-specific comfort fare.

Where do you go when you’re after comfort food? 😋

And first-time visits to several gems with country-specific comfort fare. Plus bits and bobs and bites.