This Saudi Food Reviewer Is Helping Bring Big Food Ideas To Dubai’s Barsha Heights
Dubai is smitten by the famed Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Concepts like Global Village, EXPO 2020 and the Ibn Battuta Mall are proof of this.
Ibn Battuta dedicated his life to travelling around the world. He documented all his stories in a book called Rihla and today, he is reputed for these brave journeys.
This city is built on concepts of travel and diversity. One thing that especially motivates these travels is good food with some kicker backstories, which you will find in abundance in every corner here.
“I chose Bedouin because I’m from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and I move around a lot”
A foodie version of Ibn Battuta, Hani AlMalki grew up experimenting with all the gastronomic wonders that his country- the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all his travels had to offer. Food is a love note written from one culture to the world, and he created @bedouinfoodie in an attempt to share this love.
Soon enough, he took over Instagram and his mouthwatering posts continue to hijack our diet plans until today. (You have been warned!)
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“Dubai is a gold mine. It’s a culinary destination like no other.”
As a food reviewer with several years of expertise, Hani is clearly taken by the way in which every cuisine has found its way to the city.
“Dubai went from having these famous brand-name restaurants that everybody knows… to more homegrown concepts. And that’s something that’s very important for a culinary city to develop.”
It is with great enthusiasm and pride that he mentions how the Michelin Guide and the World’s best restaurants have all found a home here. He even specially mentions Orfali Bros Bistro and Trèisind!
And yet another homegrown concept is the Timbuktu Market, for which Hani is a curator…
Hani is on a mission to bring the lesser-known kitchen treats as a curator for The Timbuktu Market
Inspired by London’s Borough Market and Arcade Food hall; and New York’s Chelsea Market, the idea of The Timbuktu Market is to “take what they’ve done..improve it and go to the next level with it.”
Set to open in March 2024, the Timbuktu market is an Emirati project owned by RDK (Rashed Darwish Al Ketbi) and will have a bit of everything. There will be no big brands, but rather it will serve as a platform for the smaller kitchen treats to come out to the world.
Besides an inbuilt gym and an area for children, it will also have a farmer’s market and a maker’s market for fresh produce. Inspired by the streets of Paris, it will also feature a raw bar- where visitors can sit back and enjoy oysters and seafood platters.
Located in Barsha Heights, this vibrant new dining scene promises artisan flavours that will be open to all budgets, preferences, and palettes.
The Timbuktu Market will be serving up tons of stories with a generous dash of love.
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Some of Hani AlMalki’s favourite spots in JLT:
- Bait Mariyam: Palestinian Lebanese
- Fusion Ceviche: Peruvian Iranian restaurant
- Sofreh Kitchen and Grill
- San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
- Asian street by Thai
Hani AlMalki’s startup tips for restaurants:
- Do your research. Think twice about it. Are you bringing something new to the table? What are you bringing to the table that’s different or that’s new, or are you improving on something?
- Consistency is important
- Good service and good food. Your food has to be good and your service has to be good if you get those two things right you’ll have a long life in the business
- Stick to your concept. Don’t try and be something that you’re not.
Watch The Lovin Dubai Show: Famed Foodie Hani AlMalki Food Market Plans
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