Where Restaurateurs Eat: Column 10
The Wine Market returns with a dedicated area for ALL fine, rare wines.
Before we delve into this month’s Where Restaurateurs Eat column, a special event kicks off in exactly three weeks. For the fourth consecutive year, I have partnered with Time Out Market Dubai to bring you The Wine Market from the 27th to the 29th May. What’s the deal this year?
Dates and venue:
Tuesday 27th May, Wednesday 28th May & Thursday 29th May.
6pm to 10.30pm across all three days.
Time Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar.
Activations:
400+ wines and Champagnes across 15+ countries showcasing premium, fine and rare tipples from A&E - with the wineries pictured here.
In addition to Premium Wines, 60+ Fine & Rare Wines will be available to taste at the dedicated stage area - across all three days. To fully appreciate the fine wine experience, a maximum of 12 guests will be permitted in each 40-minute slot with three sommeliers on hand to present the wines. Six sessions are available each day at 6pm, 6.45pm, 7.30pm, 8.15pm, 9pm and 9.45pm.
Wine & Dine Exclusive Experiences: Wine-pairing dinners from Time Out Market chefs hosted by Graft Collab at the private Editor’s Table for solely eight guests - scheduled on all three evenings at 7.30pm (until 10.30pm).
Also expect a fun blind wine tasting game, and a cocktail station.
Pricing:
Standard ticket: AED250 for a 4.5 hour experience of Premium Wines.
Fine Wine ticket: AED499 for a 40-minute session of Fine & Rare Wines and full access to the 4.5 hour Premium Wines experience, as well as an AED99 food voucher to be redeemed at any of the Market’s 17 vendors before or after the event.
Wine & Dine: Wine-pairing dinner experience and standard ticket AED550. Wine pairing dinner experience and Fine Wine ticket AED700.
All tickets can be booked directly on the following Platinumlist links:
Please note: Wine & Dine is nearly sold out to paid subscribers and my dinner events community, so please do book pronto if you’re keen.
If you’ve recently joined my Substack tribe, you might like to check out the first nine Where Restaurateurs Eat columns to give you some context before reading the recommendations from this month’s super woman.
Nominations for aspirational female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated. They might not be on my radar - and could land themselves a feature here.
Google Maps link here with the UAE restaurant recommendations from our power ladies - populated monthly as each column is published. All interviews are linked HERE.
And now let’s hear from…
Iman Nazemi, the chef-owner of soulful Afghan concept Kishmish, shares her favourite restaurants.
Top three go-to, favourite restaurants in the UAE. Plus one for delivery!
Zuma has always been my favourite. Definitely hits the spot every time and, most importantly, the food is always consistent – which I find a big problem in most places. There is nothing worse than craving a meal somewhere and leaving disappointed.
Whenever we don’t know what to eat, 3Fils is where we end up. We always leave feeling satisfied. Food is so good, and also consistent.
Three By Eva is my go-to casual lunch spot. The food never disappoints.
I would like to add my go-to for delivery. Rivas for Iranian food. We usually order once a week and it always satisfies.
One home country restaurant:
I grew up in London where it’s so difficult to pick just one restaurant - but if I had to, it would be Gymkhana. Rare for me to like every dish I try - and this place definitely has my heart.
One restaurant located elsewhere internationally:
Imago at Hotel Hassler in Rome is a restaurant I often think about. The food is incredible, and the views are spectacular.
You may have missed…
The home page shows tabs for Restaurant Reviews; Where Restaurateurs Eat Columns; Culinary Travel Guides; News Bites; and FooDiva-curated events.
My 2025 Dubai restaurant guide to where I dine out. A record 47 homegrown concepts. Paid subscribers also receive a PDF of this guide and a private Google maps link with all restaurants mapped out.
My ten-page story celebrating Dubai’s homegrown restaurant scene, my favourite subject in the print issue of Conde Nast Traveler USA - and also repackaged for both the UK edition, and the Middle East.
I update My Little Pink Lifestyle Book with new finds every month.
A private one-hour Zoom call with me to pick my brains. More info here for F&B industry enquiries - and here for foodie/ diner queries.
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FooDiva. x
The Wine Market is excellent. I don't think I'll be able to make it this year, but anyone who can should make the effort. The energy alone is electric and it stands as an example of what defies expectations for people: an enormous, multi-day wine festival with an enviable selection in the Middle East.