Al Mahara

A 'submarine' takes you down to the Burj Al Arab's flagship seafood restaurant, but will the food give you that sinking feeling? 18 Reviews

1

© ITP Images

View slideshow

• 
• Picture 1 of 2
• 

‘Is this a real submarine?’ asked a Chinese tourist, as a computer-generated fish swam past the window. Our sea captain for the evening, a petite Filipino lady who had quite clearly never spliced the main brace or shivered her timbers in her life, giggled and cocked her head sympathetically. ‘Yes, in your imagination, sir’.

To be fair, it was hardly a scene from Das Boot. We were buckled into seats in a fairground submersible, which rumbled and trembled in simulated motion, while video screen portholes flashed images of weed-strewn rocks and a rippled seabed. Our captain told us not to be afraid, but to hold on tightly, presumably in case we encountered an overgrown CGI haddock or something. Then we gently jerked and shuddered to a ‘halt’ at the door to Al Mahara, the flagship seafood restaurant at the Burj Al Arab.

It may have been a daft way for grown men and women to be carrying on, but all was forgiven when Al Mahara’s stunning aquarium loomed into sight. Known as ‘The Oval’, the sweeping 360-degree tank contains 300,000 litres of deep-blue salt water, and a crazy haul of brilliantly named fish. As a Big Eye Trevally winked at my dining partner, and a Black Spotted Sweetlips blew me a watery kiss, we chose our catch from the menu.

My soup featured thinly sliced but substantially textured baby abalone, which melded subtle seafood hints and a suggestion of oyster mushroom in its complex flavour. It floated in a rich miso tea next to wagyu beef cheek wantons that disintegrated in the mouth in a meaty and delicately doughy pulp. Across the table, my friend was flirting with the tart of soft hand-dived scallops with potent black truffle and creamy leek. Both appetisers were accompanied by black squid ink bread and other soft rolls with a peppery butter spread.

As a Moorish Idol danced around the tank with a Halfmoon Damsel, my turbot ‘au champagne’ drifted up to the table. The slab of soft, moist flaky fish slathered in thick creamy sauce and pilaf rice was given added bite by some crisp, fresh seasonal vegetables. Meanwhile, a giant square plate dotted with hunks of warm lobster, smears of suquet potato puree, a scattering of tatsoi leaves and bubbles of white truffle foam was being busily swept up opposite me. Both main courses were superb.

We glanced through the Burj’s aquarium ‘I Spy’ book to confirm that, indeed, the little fellow with what looked like a police baton stuck up his nose was the Unicorn Fish, and then our desserts appeared. The Valrhona chocolate sphere collapsed under a stream of warm Jivara sauce infused with Darjeeling tea to reveal a clutch of crimson, chocolate drenched raspberries. I sank a spoon into the strawberry composition, with caramelised brochette, Chantilly cream, sorbet and mini macaroons, and surfaced with a smile on my face.

There’s no doubt about it, Al Mahara brings all hands on deck to offer you a supreme seafood experience, and you pay handsomely for the privilege. But while we’d arrived in a submarine, we left through a side door. Maybe that’s because, after such fine food, excellent service and serene surroundings, a gimmicky theme park ride just doesn’t cut it anymore. Either way, if you’re planning to visit Al Mahara, you should wholeheartedly immerse yourself in all its folly to appreciate its true delights.

The bill (for two)
Mineral water Dhs70
Scallops tart Dhs110
Abalone soup Dhs110
Truffle lobster Dhs360
Turbot Dhs360
Chocolate sphere Dhs110
Strawberry composition Dhs110
Total (including service) Dhs1230

By TimeOut Dubai Staff

• Previous reviews
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 25 February,2008- reviewed by James Brennan
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by TimeOut Dubai Staff
  • 01 May,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 January,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 September,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb
  • 01 January,2002- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

• Share | |
• E-mail:
• 
• Print:
• 

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

Posted by: Ken Kavanagh on 13 Sep ' 09 at 06:37

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Probably one of the best I have had the opportunity to dine in (no make that the best) whilst some may think this a little expensive boy was the food and service excellent.
The fusion of flavours were a true delight I had Japanese Scallops with a Wagyu Ravioli and Bourguignon sauce for starter my companions had Roasted King Prawns with Pomegranate, Hummous with Coriander and the other had French Green Pea Gazpatcho. All three of us could not believe the intense flavours and the presentation was excellent.
Mains were also excellent two of us had the signiture dish of Norwegian Halibut, Prawns, Gonocchi, Mussels a La Die'ppoise the tastes were behond belief each element adding to the next. Our other companion had Gold Risotto, Wild Mushrooms, Pumpkin, Parmesan which looked a picture on the plate and was a delight to taste.
Deserts were a further delight Crepes Suzette cook at the table, Violet Flower Infused Ice Parfait with Passion Fruit Marshmallow and Blackberry delight and the other was Vanilla Cre'me Brulee with a Compote of Berries.
The cost including 2 bottles of water and a fine bottle of red wine less than 4000 dhs.
If you do nothing else in your life please visit the Al Muhara I firmly believe that you will not regret it.

Posted by: Bev Morris on 25 May ' 09 at 06:00

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I took my husband and parents to the Al Mahara restaurant as a treat while they were over visiting. Whilst the setting is spectacular and the service is faultless the actual meal (at the equivalent of nine hundred pounds for the four of us) was hugely overpriced. I don't mind paying a spectacular amount of money for something that's spectacularly good but the best that you could say about the food was that it was 'nice'. If you're looking for a good seafood restaurant in Dubai my advice is to forget the Burj Al Arab and head to the 'Amwaj' at the Shangrila - okay, it doesn't have a huge aquarium but the food there is consistently wonderful (far better than the Al Mahara) and the service is terrific.

Posted by: Jane.L on 30 Mar ' 09 at 15:49

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I went with my sister for a bussiness lunch, I was very impressed by the quality of meal .
Everything was perfect, the fish tank, the ambience, the food and even if the submarine ride is just a big joke it is still fun.

Posted by: Titou.L on 30 Mar ' 09 at 15:40

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Fantastic Bussiness Lunch with a wonderful Aquarium !

Posted by: Stefan C. on 28 Mar ' 09 at 13:58

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Best food in my life.. I was just celebrating the anniversary with my wife and could n´t have chosen a better location than the Al Mahara. The beautiful Restaurant with the big fish tank makes a unique ambience.
We ordered the Taste of Al Mahara and every dish was so perfect for us in plating, cooking and most important of course in taste, i must say the best food ever....!!!! We enjoyed every single minute.

Thank to the team and specially thanks to the chefs of Al Mahara.

Posted by: Ingo S. on 23 Mar ' 09 at 09:02

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I was for Lunch in Al Mahara and it was great. It was nice to see the Restaurant not so crowded like it was once when i went in the night. we could enjoy the everything. Me and my partner took the buisness lunch menu. Its nice because its changing since i was the last time there and its quick. I like the food a lot. The Lamb was nice cook how i wanted it and the Risotto fom my Partner was just as delicius as mine. The service was perfect like you know from a 7 star hotel.
I love to come back anytime.
Thanks a lot to the team

Posted by: Bernd Grosse on 23 Mar ' 09 at 08:43

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I was coming to the Burj Al Arab the first time and it was just great. We arrived in the Restaurant and I was thinking I`m in a different world. With huge aquarium in the middel let you relax totally. The Service welcomed us very warm and gave us help with the menu and the wine. The kitchen and the food was just great. The presentation and the flavors where uniqe. We took the "Taste of Al Mahara" and it was a perfect choice. The Scallop where nice cooked and sauce very nice in flavor. What i never saw before was the maincourse. I liked it a lot.
I would come back for sure when I`m the next time in Dubai.
The Service and Kitschen was that what you exspect from a 7* Hotel.
Thanks to the whole Team

Posted by: smiit on 21 Mar ' 09 at 19:40

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

the food in the Al mahara Raestaurant its just bring water to your mouth...after leaving the restaurant i can't stand myself nand feel to go back and have the delicious food again....n the warm service from the waiters n sommeliers is just so perfect n friendly....i would suggest go to Al MAhara Restaurant and just celebrate your special moments with your loved one.

Posted by: bert on 21 Mar ' 09 at 09:39

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

i dont usually bother with these review things but after such a lovely experience i felt compelled to write something.
The whole bass for 2 persons was amazing, the sushi and foie grass was a unexpected combination but worked really well and the wine list was endless. The only disappointing thing was that the submarine ride was not working when we went but we went for the food not the ride and we left very happy indeed.

Posted by: l waller on 21 Mar ' 09 at 09:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I was very excited about the prospect of not only eating at one of the most famous outlets in Dubai but also entertaining clients and i was not disappointed. The decor was fabulous , the business lunch menu was very good value for money and the food was well presented and cooked to perfection.
We were all very happy and i will be returning for sure.

Posted by: Jimbo Jones on 20 Mar ' 09 at 20:26

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I´ve been to Al Mahara restaurant 2 days ago we had Business Lunch
a 3 course menu which was excellent from plating, cooking and the best was the Price its really a big value for money and all that in the Seven Star hotel Burj Al Arab.
Me and partners thinking now that we should go more often for our business lunch in that Restaurant.

Posted by: melie on 19 Mar ' 09 at 21:03

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic

the scallops with Bourguignon sauce are to die for and I would come back everyday just for this dish !

Posted by: Thomas B. on 19 Mar ' 09 at 20:59

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

In a word : AMAZING experience !

Posted by: Micheal on 17 Mar ' 09 at 06:09

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Yes it is overpriced in a few things but the food is perfect the flavor fit together the food looks beautiful on the plate.Service very attentive and very good .
The best for the Value of Money is the bussiness lunch 3 course with free flow of water.I went there already a few times and they change as well quite often dont know often but i had only 2 the same menu for bussiness lunch but that was when i went 2 times in 2 weeks,and the food is delicuis.
For Dinner i guess its very romantic.truly a signature 7 star Restaurant.,

Posted by: Julia Le Dorze on 14 Mar ' 09 at 19:10

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I enjoyed my Al Mahara experience very much. All the food was perfecly cooked and tasty and the decoration of the dishes just awesome. The waiters were very friendly. The bussiness lunch is one of the best value for money in Dubai.
In two words : Amazing restaurant !!!!

Posted by: G, John on 12 Mar ' 09 at 19:26

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

The decor is truly spectacular and the service is very professional as you would expect from a 7 star out-let.
The tasting menu is really well balanced , although over priced ,with the scallops the stand out.
Over all, a great place for a nice meal surrounded buy a huge fish tank and a lovely experience, if u get the opportunity to go you must.

Posted by: Jim K on 26 Feb ' 09 at 12:46

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Spectular setting and ambience. All of the food was very good and much was spectular. The service was very good. Amoung the best in Dubai and probably merits its 2004 rating of top 50 in the world. It is over priced by any standards and therefore not worth the value except as an occasional expereince.

Posted by: David on 28 Oct ' 08 at 14:14

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Bring the atmosphere and bonhomie with you - you won't find it here.

What you will find is a fairly bland interior with lots of fish, a monotonous international menu, with food competently cooked, but beautifully decorated on the plate.

I loved the submarine journey down - and the stop off at the Captain's Bar was an A* experience. But really, that was the highlight.

If it was true that it's the journey that matters, not the final destination, I would have given this an extra three stars.

But that would be bllx.

Add your review/feedback