If you’re a foodie or know someone who is, then there’s no way in hell that you haven’t heard of Fish Beach Taverna. The Greek-styled Aegean restaurant that made its debut on Dubai’s dining scene weeks ago is a little gem located in Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.

Here’s why we’re laying our bets on this becoming the spot to hangout this quarter.

1. Its location

The beachfront restaurant offers views of The Palm on one side and the tall buildings of Dubai Marina on the other. You can opt for a table by the bar or out on the grass. If you’d like to get even closer to the sea then there are round tables and bean bags on the sand as well. It’s an outdoor restaurant with the only cooling device being fans. This should explain why it will be shut from May to September.

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2. The decor is spot on

Think cobbled pathways, white-washed walls and garden furniture. The colour palette is white and blue.

3. You’ll experience those holiday vibes

Forgive yourself for thinking you’ve landed in Santorini when you set foot here. The narrow alley leading to the restaurant, its location at the edge of the water, lamps suspended from the branches of the trees, cool tunes and the aroma from the BBQ stone grill will make you forget your worries (just kidding! But honestly, it makes you feel like you’re enjoying a meal while on holiday).

4. It follows the sharing concept

When you’re at a place this charming, it’s all about good friends and good conversations. And that’s usually incomplete without great food that you can share. Thankfully, everything here is served on a sharing basis. It allows you to try so many different things. We began with a mix of cold Turkish appetisers including midye dolma, mussels stuffed with spiced rice, followed by manca, a zesty grilled eggplant and kabak, and a refreshing and cooling zucchini and yoghurt dip.

5. Its calamari

The hot mezze included guvec, a shrimp casserole that was tangy because of its tomato sauce and loaded with warm gooey cheese. The star was kalamar tava, spring-like joined rings of calamari served with tartar sauce. It was light golden brown and crispy outside but thankfully not too chewy.

6. It serves fresh fish 

The main affair involves taking your pick from a selection of fresh fish flown in three times a week from the Aegean Sea, Black Sea and Marmara Sea. We chose sea bream that was grilled till slightly charred on the outside but flaky and soft on the inside. While the dish didn’t score points for its appearance, it made up with its taste. 

Piece of advice: ALL ingredients are brought in from Turkey, so there will be days when you won’t get your fave dish. After all, it’s a seasonal meal that we’re talking of. Well, sort of.

7. The finale is short and sweet

Dessert options are just three. We were pleased with our decision to try incir – sweet baked black figs with sour cream. Walnuts were thrown in to provide a little crunch. This dish is usually served with gum mastic ice cream, but our bad luck they ran out of it on the day. However it didn’t taste too bad with vanilla ice cream.

This is what you need to know if you want to dine there:

• Fish Beach Taverna is located at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Hours of operation: Lunch: 12pm to 3pm for lunch (all week); Dinner: 6.30pm to 11.30pm for dinner (daily); Cold plates and drinks: 3pm to 6.30pm (Friday and Saturday only)
• For more information call 04 511 7139

Interested in reviews? Read: seven amazing things that make this afternoon tea the most indulgent thing you can treat yourself to.