A restaurant that is anything but ordinary.
Set within the striking curves of The Opus by Zaha Hadid in Business Bay, Maison Dali sets the tone for an experience that blurs the boundaries between art and dining. The surrealism of the Dali-inspired dining experience begins before you even reach the dining room — scrawled in red lipstick across the mirrored walls of the lift are the words: “What if this is all real?” It’s a fitting provocation for what lies ahead.
Inspired by the Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí, this homegrown concept leans fully into its namesake’s dreamlike aesthetic. Expect melting clocks, distorted picture frames, dramatic red curtains, and a soundtrack that swings between cinematic and theatrical. It’s a full-sensory production.
A daring dining room
The space feels intimate, like a sophisticated living room dressed for an evening out. Red velvet seating and sleek marble tabletops lend a brasserie-style elegance, while the dim lighting — perhaps just a touch too moody — adds to the drama.
Service is slick, informed, and brings polish to proceedings, while the zero-alcohol “juice programme” offers a creative and curated alternative for non-drinkers. Signature serves include French Rose, a Da Hong Pao kombucha with a citrusy twist, and White Grape, brewed from roasted milk bread and jasmine.
Playful yet precise plates
This contemporary bistro reinvents European brasserie classics through the finesse of Japanese techniques, presenting a menu that is as playful as it is intriguing. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Tristin Farmer, a name synonymous with excellence who previously worked at Marina Social in Dubai and the three-MICHELIN-starred Zen in Singapore. His approach to the menu at Maison Dali marries Michelin-level craftsmanship with playful plates, resulting in dishes that are both sophisticated and approachable.
The menu, a curated tapestry of fire, fermentation and finesse, is unapologetically inventive. We start with the Chutoro (AED 85), where rich slices of tuna belly are paired with tart blackcurrant and a whisper of sansho pepper, resulting in a refreshing and intricately layered dish. The Potato Mochi (AED 110) is a standout — a clever reimagining of cacio e pepe. While it may resemble gnocchi, its chewy, mochi-like shell conceals a creamy centre of Vacherin Mont d’Or, finished with the unmistakable depth of black truffle. Elsewhere, plump Hokkaido Scallops (AED 95) arrive in a vivid curry and citrus sauce, delivering warmth and brightness, while a Corn Salad (AED 75) surprises with its intense natural sweetness.
The dry-aged Miso Turbot (AED 245) — grilled on the bone after five to seven days of ageing — is a masterclass in flavour retention, enriched by the umami depth of miso and the aromatic complexity of yuzu, ginger, and star anise. The Woodfired Duck (AED 285), deeply caramelised and rich with nuance, is another standout. The smoky poultry pairs beautifully with the sweet and spicy notes of hoisin and plum koshō, while the Waldorf salad adds a refreshing crunch and richness from the foie gras.
Desserts offer a final flourish. The beautiful Basque Cheesecake (AED 50) is creamy, slightly burnt and brightened by the zesty sweetness of Japanese mandarin. However, it’s the Honey Toast (AED 65) that is Maison Dali’s pièce de résistance. This dessert combines the theatrical flair of tableside flambé with the sticky and sweet flavours of bourbon caramel and rich crème crue, creating a fitting finale to a memorable meal.
The Verdict
Part of the growing portfolio from Culinary Arts Group — also behind Revolver — Maison Dali offers an immersive, well-executed dining experience with real attention to detail. The concept is Chef Tristin’s culinary crescendo, delivered confidently on a stage in which he balances refinement with imagination to create technically assured and unapologetically indulgent food.
Salvador Dalí once said, “Beauty should be edible, or not at all” — a fitting philosophy for a dining experience where surreal interiors and refined yet playful plates merge into one distinctly Dubai dining destination.
GO: Visit https://maisondalidubai.ae for reservations and more information.