Dubai’s One Za’abeel opens world’s...

Twelve-concept dining venue spotlights homegrown brands

One&Only’s One Za’abeel in Dubai is now home to what is claimed to be the world’s highest food hall, an elevated culinary collective with diverse dining options and 360-degree city views.

Perched 100 metres above ground, Culinara Social Dining is located in The Link, the city’s suspended culinary destination with dining concepts that include La Dame de Pic by Michelin-lauded Anne-Sophie Pic and Nobu, which is slated to open later this year.

Taking a diverse approach, Culinara spotlights regional talent and homegrown brands with a lineup that includes 12 concepts spanning tapas, Persian cuisine and Levantine home cooking, as well as wellness cafes and gourmet retail.

From UAE-based visionary chef restaurateur Reif Othman comes two concepts: SIO Ramen House, serving slow broths and inventive noodle dishes; and KONA Pizza House, fusing Japanese and Korean ingredients and pizza.

Joumana’s Table from brothers Khaled and Maleck Habib brings the family’s Levantine recipes to the table, with a menu that includes slow-cooked stews, chargrilled meats and ‘golden mezze’ inspired by their mother’s cooking.

At Crudo Raw Tapas Bar, guests can feast on Mediterranean-inspired crudo platters and tapas dishes curated with locally sourced and premium imported ingredients; while at Serian, Masoud Shafie dishes up modern Persian cuisine, including charcoal-grilled meats,

With a focus on wellness, Nette by Haider Madani blends French and Japanese influences in a menu that claims to be both healthy and indulgent, from brunch options to mains featuring sustainably sourced ingredients.

For drinks, there’s The Coffee Lab from founder Osama Belshalat, providing speciality coffees, and HighBall, the venue’s central bar concept created by UAE homegrown Tactile Food Group. Highlights include house-made infusion and low-ABV cocktails.

For those who prefer their gourmet food to go, there’s ItalTouch offering Italian truffles, artisanal oils and sustainable caviar, and the UAE’s highest bottle shop, offering a curated selection of premium wines and spirits.

Culinara takes over the space that was Arrazuna by chef Mehmet Gürs, while upcoming Nobu will take over Sphere Dubai. The third location in Dubai, Nobu at The Link will feature a restaurant, private dining rooms, a lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling windows and offer an entertainment programme.

For more information, visit www.thelinkdubai.com and www.culinaradubai.com

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