Fundamental Hospitality's INA Showcases Most-Loved Signature Dishes at J1 Beach Dubai
By Editor_wr On May 12, 2025
INA has officially opened its doors at J1 Beach Dubai, marking the arrival of a bold new dining destination that promises to set the city alight. Created by Fundamental Hospitality in collaboration with celebrated Chef Glen Ballis, INA brings to life a contemporary fire-cooking experience rooted in primal techniques, refined craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavours. Boasting an immersive atmosphere, a plethora of curated cocktails, and an exhilarating open-flame kitchen, INA invites guests to rediscover the pure joy of dining through connection, creativity, and community.
At its core, INA is a celebration of simplicity and instinct. Featuring a 'fire never fails' ethos, the restaurant takes a back-to-basics approach, spotlighting seasonal produce, premium ingredients, and natural techniques such as grilling, smoking, roasting, and braising. The result is a menu that feels in equal parts fresh, elegant, and primal, showcasing a unique take on fire-cooked food where flavour reigns supreme and integrity is non-negotiable.
INA's setting is as magnetic as its menu. Nestled along a pristine stretch of J1 Beach, the venue features a bespoke interior inspired by the raw spirit of fire, with handcrafted woodwork, earthy textures, and a palette of warm, glowing tones. Guests can soak up the coastal breeze under the stars thanks to the retractable roof during cooler months or escape the heat during the summer in the climate-controlled space. Every detail, including the custom lighting and specially curated music, contributes to an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication.
Designed to evolve throughout the night, INA transitions seamlessly to a lively, ambient dinner venue as the sun sets. It's a place to linger, explore, and unwind, offering a social haven where diners are encouraged to roam the space, connect over cocktails, and make memories by the flames. With its sensory design and soulful energy, INA presents mouthwatering meals in a lifestyle-led destination designed for both everyday indulgence and special occasions.
INA's instinctive, produce-forward menu is an exploration of fire in its most refined form. Guests can savour standout small plates like the Westholme beef tartare with Kaviari caviar, or the tomato carpaccio featuring bold, flavourful Uzbek tomatoes. The raw section impresses with dishes like Fremantle octopus with calamansi and Japanese tuna toro with passion fruit dressing, each bite a delicate balance of technique and taste.
Larger sharing dishes are designed to gather guests around the table, showcasing everything from oven-baked Kamchatka crab rice finished tableside, to the show-stopping Irish Silver Hill duck with Perigeux sauce. INA's desserts are equally irresistible, including the rich chocolate fondant with sea-salted caramel-coffee ice cream, and the salted caramel éclair with gold leaf. With something to please every palate, each dish at INA is an exciting story told through fire.
Helming the kitchen is the globally acclaimed Chef Glen Ballis, whose culinary journey has taken him from Australia to Asia and across Russia. Known for his flavour-driven, emotionally resonant cooking, Glen brings authenticity, charisma, and a wealth of expertise to INA, which is his first venture in Dubai. Holding a deep respect for ingredients and a passion for storytelling through food, Glen's vision is to create honest, unforgettable dining experiences rooted in connection and craft.
INA is Dubai's newest culinary destination for epicureans to discover, instantly becoming a destination where fire, flavour, and feeling collide. Prepare to discover the delights of the open-flame grill for the first time or return for your favourite seasonal dish as every visit promises a warm welcome, an instinctive menu, and an unforgettable escape from the ordinary. Step into INA and experience Dubai's boldest new culinary adventure, where flame leads the way.
Follow INA on Instagram @ina.dubai and subscribe at www.ina-restaurants.com to be one of the first to feel the heat.
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