Two Dubai Eateries Named Among World's Most Beautiful Restaurants
The two design-forward spots were recognised by the prestigious Prix Versailles for their architecture and interior design.
Jun 17, 2025
Two of Dubai's most distinctive dining destinations—Gerbou and Smoked Room—have just been recognised among the world's most beautiful restaurants in the prestigious 2025 Prix Versailles list, which celebrates excellence in design across hospitality spaces globally.
Gerbou, a collaboration between Tashkeel and Atelier House Hospitality, is set inside a reimagined 1980s community centre in Nad Al Sheba. Its interiors are a tactile tribute to Emirati culture—featuring camel-leather banquettes, a Ghaf wood reception desk, fish-scale light fittings, and earth-toned textures that nod to the desert landscape. With 75% of its ingredients sourced locally, Gerbou's philosophy of sustainability and cultural rootedness is reflected not only on the plate, but in every design decision. The result is a space that feels at once grounded and elevated—a contemporary expression of heritage.
Smoked Room, meanwhile, is located in St. Regis Gardens on the Palm and offers a more intimate, immersive experience: just 14 seats, and a menu built entirely around the theatre of smoke and fire. Created by acclaimed Spanish chef Dani García, the concept earned a Michelin star within six months of opening. Inside, the design leans moody and elemental—think charred wood, ambient lighting, and a raw material palette that mirrors the cooking technique itself. It's refined, primal, and utterly transportive.
Gerbou and Smoked Room's recognition in the Prix Versailles list highlights Dubai's emergence as a serious contender in the global design conversation—where restaurants double as cultural and aesthetic landmarks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
2 days ago
- CairoScene
% Arabica Opens On Egypt's North Coast
% Arabica, The Kyoto-born coffee brand has just opened its second Egypt location in Marassi. Because even on holiday, you still deserve good coffee. Especially on holidays... Jun 19, 2025 You'd think being off work, out of Cairo, and unbothered by morning alarms would mean you're somehow above caffeine. But no. Even in the North Coast - land of long lunches, late nights, and the general illusion of rest - you'll still find yourself in desperate need of a cold brew. % Arabica, The Kyoto-born coffee brand has just opened its second Egypt location in Marassi. And while it won't save you from your friends' terrible playlists or that 11am sunburn, it will hand you a perfectly balanced iced Spanish latte. Since launching in Egypt last year, % Arabica has attracted the kind of loyalty usually reserved for actual cults and good parking spots. And with good reason. The branding is clean, the coffee is sharp, and the baristas move like they're choreographed. Whether you're dragging yourself out of bed after a night that escalated quickly, or simply looking for a midday caffeine fix, % Arabica is there. Calm, capable, and serving espresso like it's a moral responsibility. Because even on holiday, you still deserve good coffee. Especially on holidays.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
Shaikha Al Nowais participates in VivaTech 2025 in Paris, highlights importance of localizing advanced solutions to develop tourism products and destinations
Her Excellency Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General-elect of the United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO for the 2026–2029 term, participated in VivaTech 2025 exhibition and forum, held under the theme 'New Frontiers of Innovation.' The latest edition of the event saw extensive participation from decision-makers, business leaders, and innovation pioneers from around the world. Her Excellency visited the UAE Pavilion at the exhibition, where she was briefed on the most prominent projects and innovations presented by Emirati small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those specializing in tourism and related sectors. She praised the digital solutions and services developed by these companies and highlighted their role in offering innovative solutions that serve the community. During her meeting with Emirati entrepreneurs at the exhibition, Her Excellency underscored the importance of localizing advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in the development of hospitality services and tourism destinations, in line with international best practices. She noted that technology has become a key enabler in delivering distinctive tourism experiences, improving service quality, and enhancing the competitiveness of the sector. Her Excellency also toured pavilions of several other international companies operating in the fields of advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions. She was apprised of the latest innovations in these fields, which are reshaping the future of digital economy and advancing smart tourism. VivaTech is the largest technology event and startup exhibition in Europe. This year's edition attracted approximately 165,000 visitors, and featured more than 13,500 startups, along with 3,500 exhibitors and 3,200 investors, serving as a unique platform for accelerating innovation, exchanging ideas, and building strategic partnerships.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
Tourism and hospitality sectors see sustained growth as hotel occupancy rates reach 81.3% in Q1 2025 The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period.' H.E. added: 'These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today.' The Minister of Economy continued: 'The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.
