The just-opened celebrity chef-helmed steak and seafood brasserie completes the mix as the iconic venue celebrates its first anniversary.

If we had a dirham for every time we've been to the Dubai Opera and rued the lack of somewhere to have a drink or a bite (no, hasty sandwiches at the cafe just won't do!)... But this is Dubai, so if it doesn't have a celebrity chef involved, or a striking designer setting, is it even worth opening? Clearly not, and it's also clearly been worth the wait as this hot new restaurant taking over the top floor of the opera house is everything it should be. 

The venue interprets the building's dhow shape into marine themed inspiration, with an oyster-shaped Pearl Bar taking centrestage, and a colour scheme of grey and blue with pops of pink. There are four separate areas - a raw bar, fire bar, rooftop terrace (hello, winter!), and the aforementioned pearl bar. There's also a private dining room for eight people. A retro music soundtrack on throughout provides a lively vibe. 

Seafood underpins the contemporary menu too - it's no coincidence that Brit-born Sean Connolly has a reputation for fresh, fantastic seafood. Influences of the mod-Aus cuisine of his adopted home are evident in dishes such as lobster burger, tomato tart tatin with whipped feta, duck fat fish and chips, lamb shoulder, and a selection of steaks. There's a formidable range of raw seafood of course, from crudo to sashimi, with oysters making a recurrent appearance. 

The restaurant also offers a handy pre-show two-course (AED 155) or three-course (AED 195) dinner menu featuring dishes such as oyster fritters; Waldorf ‘moderne’, poached chicken, celery, smoked almond; and Opera cake (but of course!).

Ideal For

Dinner and a show