Some restaurants serve more than just food – they offer a sense of belonging. Meat the Fish has always been that kind of place for me, a destination I find myself going back to over and over again during my trips to Beirut, both for the familiar faces and flavours.
For me, the restaurant is synonymous with hearty meals and conversations. It’s where I’ve spent countless hours indulging in my favourite foods while catching up with my favourite people after being away for months on end.
So when the beloved Beirut-born concept opened an outpost in Dubai, I knew it would be more than just another addition to the city’s rich culinary scene. Instead, it felt personal, like a piece of home had made its way to the UAE.
Where to sit and what to expect
Meat the Fish Dubai is tucked along the picturesque waterfront promenade of Marsa Al Arab, and the setting couldn’t be more fitting. With a prime spot facing the sea, the outdoor seating is a dreamy escape – breezy, welcoming and light-filled. For those warmer summer days in Dubai, the indoor seating provides a cool, minimalist and inviting space that retains the restaurant’s signature charm.
The menu
Dining at Meat the Fish in Dubai felt like a reunion with an old friend. The familiar flavours, attentive service and serene setting all work hand-in-hand to recreate the warmth and comfort I associate with its Beirut counterpart. The menu stays true to its roots, emphasising freshness, with weekly specials that ensure each visit offers something new.
I started with the salmon tartare (Dh95), which was fresh and delicately seasoned, allowing the quality of the fish to shine through as it literally melted in the mouth. Paired with some sourdough bread and a squeeze of lemon juice, the combination was nothing short of divine.
The market salad (Dh45) with ruby red salmon was another favourite. The delicate, buttery fish carried a subtle sweetness that balanced perfectly with the crisp greens and tangy dressing. For the main course, we ordered the black cod donburi (Dh145) – a comforting bowl of miso-marinated black cod over black forbidden rice. Each spoonful offered a harmonious blend of flavours that was nourishing, without compromising on taste.
While I didn’t have the chance to sample the salmon kale Caesar salad as it is only served on Wednesdays, it is a must-try and my go-to order at Meat the Fish Beirut. Other dishes I recommend – the butter lettuce salad, the whipped feta, lobster roll and bibimbap bowl.
The standout dish
If you order one thing at Meat the Fish, let it be the black bao (Dh98). The bun is pillowy soft and jet black, wrapped around crispy king prawns that are cooked to perfection. The fresh mint leaves and radish in the bun bring all the flavours together, with a taste of sweet and sour sauce and kewpie mayo for an extra flavour kick. It’s crunchy, juicy and just the right amount of indulgent, making it one of the most satisfying items on the menu and another go-to order of mine.
The verdict
Bringing Meat the Fish to Dubai feels like more than just a new branch – it’s a continuation of everything that made the Beirut original so beloved. Here, it comes with a sea breeze, a skyline view, and that same unmistakable sense of care behind every dish.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed lunch, a sunset dinner, or just somewhere to reconnect with loved ones over fresh, hearty meals, Meat the Fish delivers. And for those of us who’ve known and loved it since its Beirut days, there’s something deeply comforting in knowing it’s found a second home – and brought its soul with it.
Price point and contact information
Dishes range from Dh45 to Dh240 and drinks are from Dh30 to Dh43. Meat the Fish is open from 8am till midnight. Reservations can be made on 058 930 4640.
The review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
UAE SQUAD
Ahmed Raza (Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Jonathan Figy, CP Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Usman, Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Mountain%20Boy
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
