La Parrilla

Things start swimmingly, with superb bread and wonderfully tangy chimchirri sauce, but quickly go downhill with a lacklustre tapas selection, a range of bite-size portions on silver spoons 30 Reviews

Meal Deal

Jumeirah Restaurant Week

The restaurant promotion returns for a second year, offering set menus at Jumeirah restaurants across the city. Dhs180 (signature dining) (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

1

© ITP Images

 

• 
• Picture 1 of 2
• 

Things start swimmingly, with superb bread and wonderfully tangy chimchirri sauce, but quickly go downhill with a lacklustre tapas selection, a range of bite-size portions on silver spoons. The tequenos – deep-fried halloumi with a guacamole-style cocktail – are tasty but fairly elementary and uninteresting.

Given the Argentine predilection for red meat, you may be tempted to order your 300 grams of Angus beef tenderloin cooked medium to well-done. Don’t. Unless you want it to arrive completely lacking in juiciness and flavour. The steak is thoroughly tender, with nicely charred edge, but far too dry. Saturated in oil to the extent that the natural flavour of the fish is totally overwhelmed, the Chilean seabass with heart of palm salad is an even bigger disappointment and you may find yourselves attacking the side dishes – excellent Cuban black beans and rice and sweet plantain fritters – with more fervour than the main courses.

The margarita flambé is a fantastic piece of entertainment but ultimately another lacklustre dish, just some crépes with lifeless chocolate sauce and a few tough strawberries. Alone on the 25th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the restaurant offers spectacular views that almost make up for the lack of entertainment, while the décor is certainly warm and inviting. But faced with a Dhs700+bill – including a bottle of the lowestpriced red wine – you might just feel disappointed.

By TimeOut Dubai

• Previous reviews
  • 21 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 12 September,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 29 July,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 17 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 05 January,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 24 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 21 February,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 01 March,2004- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 September,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb
  • 01 April,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb
  • 01 December,2001- reviewed by Carolyn Robb

• 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.

User reviews:

Posted by: Laura on 07 Oct ' 12 at 05:39

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Me and my husband dined at this restaurant on Thursday evening, and thought it was truly fantastic.

The service (albeit the matre'd was a tad annoying by the end of the evening) was attentive, the staff were friendly and the live band/dancers added an uniqueness.

The food was delicious, despite my steak being cooked medium-rare rather than medium-well - however this was quickly resolved and a face-to-face apology from the chef sweetened the mood.

The tapas was flavoursome, and 3 dishes were more than enough for two people. The desert was delicious, however we were more interested in the Bellini's which were divine!

A hefty price tag was the only thing left to tackle, but for a special romantic night for two - it was worth every penny.

Posted by: Roger on 27 Jul ' 12 at 04:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Excellent food & service.

Posted by: Martin on 01 Jun ' 12 at 15:58

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

Compared to other steak houses, La Parilla is average at best. The service was friendly if not a little slow - too many waiters serving the same table caused some confusion. I had the Argentinian Lomo steak which was well cooked but bland and not melt-in-your-mouth. Meat Co, MJ's, JW's are all much better. The side orders were small and very salty. In fact most of the food including the steak was over seasoned and sadly ruined the experience. The Mille Feuille dessert looked much nicer that it tasted, dry and burned fillo pastry. Worth noting however that it is a Beautiful restaurant and that the jumbo spicy prawns main that my friend had was sublime. On the whole, a nice place but far too expensive for such an average menu.

Posted by: SteakJungy on 04 Dec ' 11 at 16:38

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

La Parrilla has been around for a long time and I'm so happy that food just gets better and better with time!!!! Amazing steaks, awesome empandas. I think one of the best in town and the entertainment was something that I haven't seen before in Dubai...... Simply amazing all round and will be heading back there before xmas!!!!

Posted by: Sofie on 20 Nov ' 11 at 18:02

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The place has an excellent view! thats the only thing i liked. the marina and the burj al arab views are breathtaking! food is sooo expensive with no good reason! my steak was like a common steak but it was worth 470. there are less expensive choices but still not that good.
The waitress was annoying, asked me 4 times if i wanted to drink something within the first 10 min, she just insisted.

maybe i would go back for desserts just to enjoy the view!

Posted by: Ms Patricia kadiri on 06 Jun ' 11 at 16:09

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

My boyfriend likes steak,he was visiting.I went online searching for the best steakhouse.I read the reviews in Time out, called to ask more questions regarding la parrilla,the reservation lady was really really nice.
Had dinner on the 3rd june. .the services, music, food was amazing.
Great choice u made,he said...We had fab time......

Posted by: SteakJungy on 12 May ' 11 at 06:41

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Had an absolutely great time with friends!!!! From the great performance from the band and dancers to the cute red dresses from the waitress to the most important, the juicy steaks Highly recommend the steak on the bone which was shared between 2 of my friends. Simply AMAZING!!!!

Posted by: Suleyman on 18 Mar ' 11 at 17:52

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Very disappointing. Uninspired menu, poor quality steaks (not from Argentina! huh??) and RIDICULOUSLY expensive compared to competition. Dhs 1700 for 4 people without alcohol, (only two had desserts), out-of-date and tired decor, and food less impressve than the unlicensed joints round town charging 75% less, you have got to be joking.

Posted by: Dr. Raji Mathew on 15 Aug ' 10 at 10:14

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Ate there a couple of nights ago. The interior wasn't very impressive and gave a somewhat cramped up feeling but you do get window seating. However, could't see much outside one, for the water droplets formed on the window and two because it was dark.
First to be brought was seared tuna follwed by blood orange sorbet as compliments from the kitchen. Corn, capsicum and another variety of bread was brought.

Ordered for the chef's special for the day which consisted of 300gm angus sirloin steak with steamed vegetables and sweet potato. I felt the sweet potato was a mismatch to the steak. The steak was medium done and had juice oozing out with each cut. Lately, I have been using Dijon mustard to enliven the steaks taste and so was it this time as well.

Dhs.276 was the total cost for the food plus a glass of Estrella and a bottle of water.

Posted by: jackson on 21 Mar ' 10 at 21:15

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

had an delicious romantic evening wd my friends..wowwwwwwwwwww

Posted by: abdullah on 20 Mar ' 10 at 08:58

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I read the reviews about la parrilla in time out and that made me to visit this restaurant. I am a steak lover,

As I entered into the restaurant, hostess welcomed me, I dont remember the name but she was so professional and the way she approached me was amazing, I felt very impressive and the first impression was fantastic, and I thought whole evening will be just like my first impression and I was true, everything was just perfect, service, foods,Music. What a great experience I had and definately will go back soon.

Posted by: Nadia Hassan on 19 Mar ' 10 at 11:52

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

Being emirati have been visited to lots of steak house,but La parrilla has a charm on its own,the tango performance is the best i have ever seen the music at times is loud but its great,very proffessional waiters,very attentive .The host of the restaurant Maria is fantastic. Over all its a great place to dine with family and loved ones.

Posted by: Janita fernanades on 18 Mar ' 10 at 11:47

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Great expeirnce,had a fantastic time in the restaurant,probabaly the best steak ever had,very attentive service with superb entertainment,we felt we were really welcomed in this place,looking forward to back again

Posted by: Terresa on 18 Mar ' 10 at 08:36

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

la parrilla is still the same I would say even better than what used to be before in terms of service, foods and everything. when we came before we were very much pleased by the service, foods and stuff we recieved, This visit was even more impressive,

steaks we ordered were just perfect, service very attentive staffs have fantastic way of delivering service, you just have to tell them what you want and your stuff is right there. what a experience.

will definately visit everytime we come to Dubai

Posted by: kevin on 16 Mar ' 10 at 08:22

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

la parrilla is absolutely best place ever to dine, in terms of service, foods, music and everything.

staffs are so attentive, they are freindly, and always there to anticipate our needs. Definately would love to come back. Keep it up.

Posted by: cowen cowell on 14 Mar ' 10 at 09:06

I am surprised to see negative comments about la parrilla which I dont agree with, I am absoultey happy with the service I recieved from parrill, service, foods, music amazing, I would definately ask my friends, relatives to visit parrill to get realy five star service.

service staffs are so attentive, I could feel that all the poeple in the restaurant were very happy.

This is the place people shoudnt miss out to dine.

Posted by: David on 14 Mar ' 10 at 08:26

what a experience, absolutey awesome, service, food , ambience ,overall we had great time, I would suggest that everyone should try to dine in Parrilla,

I would definately reccomend my frieds to visit la parrilla whenever they feel to have steak.

Posted by: Shamsa on 12 Mar ' 10 at 11:21

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I love their steaks but after introducing the new fixed "menus" the food portions and service quality was not worth the price.

Posted by: Sandra Watson on 07 Mar ' 10 at 20:17

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I have benn a regular of la parila for many years but after my last visit and the absence of one of my favorite maitre d in Dubai for so many years,i strongly feel the restaurant has lost its uniqueness

Posted by: Kathy on 05 Mar ' 10 at 19:05

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Dinner was extremly great and amazing stuff

Posted by: Vanessa on 05 Mar ' 10 at 18:56

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Had FANTASTIc dinner and extremly great service defently would be back. And the stuff is so lovely :) thank you

Posted by: Eddy Markiewicz on 07 Feb ' 10 at 05:51

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

How can this be a 5 star hotel restaurant when they bring you wrongly cooked steaks? at least 4 of us ordered steaks and only one was cooked as ordered, one steak was returned re-cooked instead of being presented with a newly cooked steak. The side orders arrived 5 to 10 minutes after the main dish. We were there for a friend's birthday and not one of us will be returning.

Posted by: Liliane on 01 Nov ' 09 at 08:24

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I'm surprised to read the comments of others, because I went with my husband and a couple of friends to La Parrilla a few weeks ago and had a good experience.
We were super welcome and the service was very attentive all the time. The food was very tasty from the entries to the main course but the dessert was a big disappointment.
The price really is a bit high but we had a fun and pleasant night.

Posted by: Richard on 28 Aug ' 09 at 08:34

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

What a dreadful experience, 6 if us dined here at La Parilla and not one of us would go back again.

There are other restaurants in Dubai that warrant the name 'steak house' ,La Parilla is not one of them. Frankly the waiter has no idea, the quality of the food is a disgrace and the dining experience a non event.

Spend at your own risk.

Posted by: Stefanie on 23 Jun ' 09 at 05:19

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

We ate there last night. I took the Duck Duo which was really declicious - the best I every tasted. My friend had a steak which was awesome as well. Yes, the place is somewhat pricey (2 entrees and 1 bottle of wine: 760AED) and the service needs improvement but the food was gorgious.

Posted by: Jorge Daccarett on 22 Apr ' 09 at 02:27

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I am latin american (Chile), I go to Dubai every two months, and some friends took me to La Parrilla to celebrate my birthday. Really? Quite expensive and the meat is so, so (it even wasn´t argentinian!!).
The good think? The lady in charge is Latin, so she tries to put some salsa flair, and we had fun, we sung and danced a lot.
Anyway, it's Jumeirah. I have tried better argentinian steaks in Dubai.
Reccomendation: Best latin american food and no restaurant in Dubai? PERUVIAN ... try it.

Posted by: Chantal Smit on 18 Apr ' 09 at 09:31

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Took my husband for his birthday and was extremely disappointed. Although the food was nice, but no better than most much cheaper places, it was difficult to swallow due to the fact that the portion was small for such a high price. I was also slightly annoyed that we had got all dressed up as we were told the restaurant had a dress code when I made the reservation only to find most diners were in shorts and flip flops. The service was below standard and we were unimpressed with the entertainment. I personally don't mind paying more when you feel you are getting value for money but we certainly did not get this here.

Posted by: Anabelle Bodington on 06 Apr ' 09 at 07:52

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Posted by: Nikki Horton on 01 Apr ' 09 at 16:49

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

We had a thoroughly underwhelming experience at this restaurant, and can't believe that you've chosen it as best in category for a third year running!
Things kicked off badly when we arrived in a group of five ex-pat's to be completely ignored by the staff. When my husband forced them into acknowledging us, the table we'd booked wasn't ready, and so they kept us waiting to move to our table. Service was poor all evening and we ended up refilling our own glasses. None of us were very impressed with the food - least of all the wagyu beef which cost enough to feed a family of four for the week and tasted no different to the other steaks.
To top it off we found the decor extremely naff, and the lady of the house to be very obviously focusing on her local (for which read: rich) clientele; I don't think she came within 5 feet of our table even though I have a dim and distant memory of her singing atop a local client's lap (I'm still trying to block that out of my memory).
All of us left sorely unimpressed, and not one of us has returned since.

Posted by: sandra mendoza on 21 Mar ' 09 at 20:55

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes