Tips for navigating the UAE’s restaurant scene

What matters at the end of the day is the food that comes out on that plate accompanied by good service – no amount of gimmicks, contests or vouchers will change that.

Service is one of the four factors people consider when choosing a restaurant. Silvia Razgova / The National

There has recently been a surge in new restaurant openings in Abu Dhabi And Dubai, but how does one know which to choose? Trying something new could be rewarding or it could leave you sorely disappointed.

Generally, the decision relies on four main factors: convenience, quality of food, service and price. If a restaurant consistently delivers on all four fronts, then it’s guaranteed to see repeat business.

Relying on personal experience, Fadel Belmahdi, an entrepreneur currently developing his own food and beverage concept, says: “After living in Dubai for six years I still end up dining at the same places because of lack of consistency everywhere else.”

This is true in many cases; the quality of the food and service is compromised as a result of high turnover in staff and management with a lot of mainstream commercial concepts in the region. Belmahdi says he is not opposed to trying new things, but “it would have to be something completely different that would make me curious about trying it”, thus stressing the importance of branding and marketing.

Some restaurants rely heavily on PR campaigns to get the word out there; others try the organic approach by engaging through social media, e-mails, competitions and loyalty ­programmes.

What matters at the end of the day is the food that comes out on the plate accompanied by good service – no amount of gimmicks, contests or vouchers will change that.

Ritu Chaturvedi, an art teacher living in the region for 15 years, says: “Seventy per cent of the time I go to my favourite places and the rest of the time, I explore something new when friends from out of town are visiting. I usually read the BBC Good Food ME and Ahlan! Live reviews also help me decide.”

Chaturvedi says her tastes have grown with the city over the years and her sources give her a deeper understanding of Dubai’s gastronomical development.

As a Dubai resident for seven years, Punam Verma, a TV presenter, says the best way to break out of the comfort zone and try something different "would be through a recommendation". The word-of-mouth system is the most reliable form of advertising and surpasses any website, blog or newspaper review. Another way to scope out new restaurants is by doing a "drive by", according to Verma, who claims the restaurant's front can stimulate curiosity – if it looks interesting, she puts it on the radar for the next dining ­excursion.

However, people in the UAE are also drawn to the glitz and glam associated with celebrity chefs and expensive price tags. If price is no object, then there are unlimited options in this city, but if you want to enjoy the culinary aspect as well, then it is worthwhile going through user content-generated sites (UCG) such as TripAdvisor, Yadig or Zomato for an affirmation on your ­selection.

Wonho Chung, a comedian, has been living in the UAE for more than 10 years and often makes his decision on where to dine based on accessibility. "I have a busy schedule and try to maximise my time whenever I can so the geographical location is important to me and how it ties into the rest of the plans for the evening."

It helps to filter your options when you have other factors that weigh into your decision. Although Wonho is active on social media and considers himself an internet-savvy individual, he only cross references online restaurant reviews when he is abroad.

Whether you are travelling or living in the region, exploring up-and-coming concepts breaks up the routine. Dima Sharif, a food writer and cooking instructor in Dubai, prides herself on her sense of adventure. She always wants to try something new and narrows down the locale based on the occasion. "If it's a dinner, I look for ambience and cuisine; if it's a fun night out, a lounge setting and music are important factors but at the end of the day, I am always interested in trying something new."

Sharif also enjoys participating in tastings when there is a popular chef in town or checking out a certain new concept when there is a buzz associated with it. She believes dining is personal and never reads reviews, but leaves it up to the individual to have their own opinion on a ­restaurant.

When it comes time to making a decision, the most reliable and trusted source is most often a recommendation. Cross referencing against a favourite blogger, UCG site or review is always advisable, but a dining experience is subjective. In the end, there is no reason to hesitate when trying something new. And with the resources available these days, choosing your culinary destination can be an enlivening journey.