Spice Emporium Flavours of Thailand

Flagship Asian restaurant at the Westin hotel in Dubai 8 Reviews

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Spice Emporium has a lot to live up to. Its sister restaurant, Bussola, regularly wins awards (from Time Out) whilst the hotel’s brunch is one of the best in the city. It’s a shame, then, that despite quite charming modern Asian decor and two glass-walled kitchens, where you can see chefs hard at work, the food and service just aren’t five star. Although the menu is comprehensive and has plenty of interesting fish dishes, as well as salads, soups, sharing starter platters and traditional staples, the delicate spicing of Thai food seems to be a bit hit and miss. The salads come overpowered, the tiny spring rolls are mediocre, while the steamed sea bass main course is dry and underwhelming. The nervous service, too, needs work, and while some restaurants in town will still only acknowledge the male partner at dinner when being seated, ordering food and paying the bill, five-star hotels should know better.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 28 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 09 June,2008- reviewed by Becky Lucas

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Andrew on 25 Mar ' 13 at 17:57

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Terrible. Food was bland, majority of wines unavailable and not up to the usual Westin standards.

Posted by: Louise on 30 Jul ' 11 at 16:04

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

We've returned to the Spice Emporium a few times. It's certainly authentic, the Tom Yum Goong is excellent (one HUGE prawn in each bowl), the laab gai is delicious too. Waiters are attentive yet not interfering. Price is very reasonable. House wine is 39 dhs/glass. Atmosphere was fine and they have a real thai dancer as entertainment. Inside or outdoors, both are great. Highly recommended.

Posted by: chamontri on 13 Oct ' 10 at 19:12

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

We love coming to this place. We have been here about 5 or so times now, and have yet to be disappointed. The food is delicious, and always comes out very quickly, and the service is great. And to top it off its reasonably priced. We will continue to come here...this is one of our favourite Thai restaurants in Dubai

Posted by: kiattisak yamasamit on 06 Oct ' 10 at 07:46

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am Thai living in Dubai, must say food here is real Thai. If you wanna taste Thai...no wonder you have to come here!

Posted by: kelly on 02 Oct ' 10 at 22:38

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

My bf took me there to celebrate our anniversary. we're not really a huge fan of thai food, but after dinning there WE LOVED IT!! i would definitely recommend it and would definitely go there again. It's perfect not only for romantic celebrations/ The ambience, the food, the service everything was perfect and i loved the special hospitality since they already knew that we were celebrating our anniversary. To top it all, the boat ride made it even more romantic

Posted by: Ian Brown on 02 Oct ' 10 at 22:33

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Food so good , service staffs are friendly and also chefs cook very fast but good taste..I will suggest to my friend. Thank you Spice Emporium Flavours of Thailand

Posted by: Scott matt on 02 Oct ' 10 at 22:25

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I went to dine in at Spice Emporium restaurant. It's Thai restaurant.
Food is so beautiful and also service is friendly. We felt very warm like as dine at home. We saw all chefs chef cook food with smilely.
We are sure .We will come back sure.

Posted by: Ian Brown on 18 Jul ' 10 at 20:25

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I have got experience with Spice Emporium Flavours of Thai.
It's such wonderful Thai restaurant in Dubai. It's authentic cuisine and friendly chef. Excellent service and super on Green curry and Pad Thai.Oh......so yum... I will come back again.