24 to try: Dubai brunches
5 Comments 25 April 2012
Pub Brunches
Belgian Beer Café
The deal: Having opened its doors back in February, things are still relatively new at this Madinat venue. It’s a little disappointing when the waitress points out that, for brunch, diners can only choose a small selection of dishes (and drinks) from the otherwise far more extensive normal menu. Yet don’t despair, as there’s still a decent variety on offer, from breakfast staples such as eggs Benedict to traditional Belgian highlights like ‘Ostend vispannetje’, a creamy gratinated seafood stew, mussels in white grape sauce and, naturally, Belgian waffles for dessert. Dishes are served quickly enough and are surprisingly small – but this is a good thing, as it lets you taste a greater variety (in fact, two of you could, with a healthy appetite, eat your way through everything on the menu).
Atmosphere and setting: The dark wood interior, Belgian signs and posters, large bar area and TV screens showing sports won’t let you pretend you‘re anywhere else but a pub. Alternatively, if the weather permits, opt to sit outside on the terrace overlooking Madinat’s romantic waterways. It was a little empty on our visit, and lacked a bit of buzz, but no doubt business will pick up as soonas more of Dubai’s residents learn of the Belgian Café’s brunch offering.
Make sure you try: The mussels were a genuine delight, as were the hops-based beverages for which Belgium is so famous.
What needs fine-tuning? It took a while for staff to take our order, and there was some uncertainty over which drinks were included in the brunch deal, but we’re hopeful such concerns will soon be ironed out.
What should you wear? No need to get fancy, as pretty much anything seems to go.
Why you’ll return? For the great Belgian drinks.
Dhs180 with soft drinks, Dhs269 with selected draught hops and house grape and spirits. Fridays 1pm-4pm. Madinat Jumeirah (04 447 0227).
Click here for more details about Belgian Beer Café.
User reviews:
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Posted by: TFC on 30 Apr ' 12 at 07:40
I still cant believe that Timeout keep on calling affordable 300dhs ++!!!!!
I think you guys should visit other options, less glamorous maybe, but if you are listing "group of friends" think about younger crowds and crisis time, just as a suggestion! -
Posted by: Andrew Hudson on 30 Apr ' 12 at 06:18
The annoying thing about these comments is that they attach to the whole article, rather than one particular page. Which location is Vicki disagreeing with the Timeout review team about?
Thanks. -
Posted by: jane on 30 Apr ' 12 at 05:07
Yes it is busy but it is one of the best in Dubai. Large, good quality and excellent band.
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Posted by: Jim on 30 Apr ' 12 at 04:54
C Taste Centro Rotana, Barsha. Hmm. Well we went there last Friday afternoon. It was all very pleasant. No busy at all and the food was lovely too. There was more of a selection for salad and starters than main course. They do need some more main course I believe. Although live station for chicken tandoori was much appreciated.
Well worth the money if you are driving (soft drinks option for 99 dhs). -
Posted by: Vicki on 27 Apr ' 12 at 12:52
I think the Timeout review team must have gone somewhere else???? What about the long queues to get in to the place, the bun fight for the food, the drunken parties getting completely out of hand within the first two hours, poor service and mediocre food (once you get to it) ??? How can you have missed it? Four hideous times now I have been there for various birthdays and events so not based on one experinece. Hideous, will not be going back again. Would rather pay the same amount to go somewhere civilised with an atmosphere.
