FACT Review: Mott 32 Dubai

Come for the view, stay for the crispy sugar-coated lamb buns.

With locations in Bangkok, Cebu, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Seoul, Singapore and Vancouver, Chinese restaurant Mott 32 arrives in Dubai with aplomb.

The upmarket restaurant has made its Middle Eastern debut in a dizzying location on the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort, a luxurious abode housing the world’s highest infinity pool. Mott 32 arrives at a time when high-end Chinese cuisine is trending in Dubai, slotting into the niche carved out by Hakkasan, Hutong, Shanghai Me, Demon Duck and Tàn Chá. But how does the concept stand out from the crowd? Well, the answer is, pretty easily.

Mott 32’s sky-high location certainly helps. Accessed via a private elevator that whizzes diners up to the 73rd floor, Mott 32 is tucked away behind a large but unassuming door that builds anticipation. Once inside, guests are met with a sultry east-meets-west atmosphere and an ethereal aesthetic rooted in nature. Designed by Joyce Wang Studio, the interiors of Mott 32 unite Chinese tradition with industrial chic and plenty of tropical foliage, resulting in an intimate dining room complete with an enviable jungle terrace boasting stunning views of Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, JBR and Palm Jumeirah.

While the skyline views are certainly impressive, we’re taken by the proficient and amiable service from the waiters leading the restaurant floor. Sensible recommendations are made and attention is given while remaining unobtrusive. As we admire the view with a Forbidden Rose in hand (vanilla-infused Pisco with passionfruit, lychee and chilli), we’re enamoured by the venue before we’ve even tried the food. 

It’s no wonder we’re enraptured, given Mott 32 arrives in Dubai from Sunset Hospitality, the firm behind the FACT Award-winning AURA Skypool Lounge, L’Amo Bistro del Mare and SushiSamba. Continuing a winning streak of expertly executed dining concepts, Mott 32 is no different. 

Our meal begins with Barbecue Beef Short Ribs slathered in Yellow Mountain Honey, which perfectly embodies the Mott 32 dining experience, anchored around a balancing act of complementing flavours and textures. The beef is tender and imbued with a moreish sweetness from the honey. 

Next to arrive are the Signature Crispy Sugar-Coated Charcoal Lamb Buns, a dish so good we ordered it twice. Here, pillow light steamed buns arrive generously stuffed with a sweet and sticky lamb mixture that is easily the best thing we’ve eaten in recent memory. The last appetiser we try is the quaint duo of Soft Quail Egg, Free-Range Chicken, Prawn and Black Truffle Siu Mai. While the precision in creating the dish is admirable (keeping the egg runny while containing it within the dumpling as it’s steamed), the flavours are not as pronounced as we’d like. It’s a minor misstep in an otherwise impressive meal. 

When ordering the main course, you’d be foolish to miss the Mott 32 Signature Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck – a dish so popular that 18 ducks were sold the evening before we dined. To achieve its sterling reputation at Mott 32 locations across the globe, the duck is smoked with the sweet scent of dried apple wood and served with pancakes, crisp cucumber, scallion slices, raw cane sugar, and a signature house-made hoisin sauce. Carved tableside in an elaborate dinner show, the duck is fit for royalty, as it was originally intended. Make sure your pre-order as the duck is only available in limited quantities daily.

Not a fan of poultry? Fear not because Mott 32’s Signature Smoked Black Cod takes Dubai’s most exhausted dish and injects it with a new lease of life. While everyone else is marinating the fish in sweet miso, we applaud the Mott 32 team for smoking the cod to instil it with an alluring flavour that is further enhanced by its crispy on the outside, soft on the inside texture.

A plant-based menu is offered for those looking for a more sustainable approach, while delicacies such as Braised Bird’s Nest Soup in Chicken Broth and Wok-Fried Fresh Abalone are also available.

When it comes to dessert, there are only five options. The Bamboo Green Forest is as visually disarming as the name suggests, creating a forest-like environment on the plate, complete with matcha-heavy soil and moss. However, we much preferred the dainty Almond and Chocolate Xiao Long Bao, which transforms traditional soup-filled dumplings into a sweet treat filled with chilled Oolong Tea.

Mott 32 Dubai celebrates the food and culture of modern Hong Kong in a venue named after the address of Manhattan’s first Chinese convenience store. Whether it’s craft cocktails, sky-high views or culinary finesse, Mott 32 ticks all the boxes for a memorable meal. 

However, Sunset Hospitality Group’s star is still on the rise. Following hot on the heels of Mott 32’s opening, the homegrown brand will open the Dubai outpost of the legendary Italian restaurant Signor Sassi. 

Consider us excited.

GO: Visit https://mott32dubai.com for reservations and more information.