This affable Lebanese-Australian chef, who has helmed Michelin starred restaurants and written several award-winning cookbooks, has called Dubai his home since 2013. He is currently serving up his signature modern Middle Eastern cuisine at Zahira in H Dubai. We got him to give U a peek into how he’d spend his ideal day in Dubai, and hand-pick his global hotspots.

• How do you start your day?

Early morning bowl of thick yoghurt and fruits, black coffee and believe it or not… the gym!

• Leisurely lunch go to? 

Armani Deli. It is leisurely, casual, and has good quality food.

• Favourite way to pass the time in Dubai? 

It would probably be breakfast at Hapi café at Alserkal Avenue, then meandering around the Al Quoz art district…

• Favourite Dubai landmark, and why? 

Dubai Opera – it’s very new, and very chic! 

• Tipple of choice and favourite cocktail hangout? 

Nippon bottle company at the Dusit Thani Hotel – I enjoy single malts, and they have a wonderful selection there, including some great Japanese whiskies. I think the part that I like the most though is that the place is hard to find, with its secret bookshelf door! 

• Favourite Dubai restaurants, and your favourite table or corner there?              

I love Hakkasan, and usually sit at the oval table near the bar. My other picks would be Elia, the Greek hidden gem in Bur Dubai, and Royal China.

• Favourite restaurant(s) in the world, and why?

 Oh, there are so many! Liza, in Beirut is a beautiful restaurant with wonderful creative Lebanese food.
Barrafina, London, does great Spanish tapas which I love to wash down icy Spanish beer. Embla, Melbourne, offers some of the best food in the city – don’t miss the whole flounder with lemon salt, Berkshire Pork chop or rainbow trout with purslane. Flower drum in Melbourne is also excellent - Peking duck at its very crispiest! And Yung Kee restaurant in Hong Kong – they are goose specialists, their roast goose noodle soup is my favourite!

• Favourite dining destination in the world, and why? 

Well, I’m biased, but Melbourne - the shear diversity, quality and innovation is unmatched in most parts of the world.    

• Final stop for a nightcap, and why?

Café Belge at Ritz Carlton, DIFC, is quiet and has a great range of Belgian beers, Leffe Brune being my favourite.

• Best hangover remedy?

Berocca and chilled Perrier. Maybe the Perrier works?! 

• Your favourite food shopping destination in Dubai, and why?

Lafayette Gourmet at Dubai Mall – it has the most amazing fromagerie and charcuterie sections. 

• Where next on your travels? 

I’m off to Beirut for a wedding, then back to London – going to be recipe testing for our new book on contemporary Middle Eastern desserts…

Ideal For

Dining tips