More than a decade after making its mark in Soho, Duck & Rice is opening its first location outside London in DIFC.
Duck & Rice, the much-loved London concept that blends British pub culture with a serious Cantonese kitchen, is preparing to open in DIFC, marking the brand’s first location outside London. The opening will bring one of Soho’s most distinctive dining names to Dubai, adding another heavyweight to the city’s ever-growing restaurant scene.
Originally launched in 2015 on Berwick Street in Soho by restaurateur Alan Yau, Duck & Rice built its reputation on an East-meets-West format that feels both playful and polished. At street level, the original venue pairs the familiarity of a British pub with pints, cocktails and a lively neighbourhood feel, while the kitchen serves a menu rooted in Chinese cooking. Over the years, it has become known not only for its atmosphere but also for turning out dishes that have earned a loyal following in London.
Now, that familiar Duck & Rice formula is set to land in Dubai. The DIFC outpost is expected to carry the same character that made the London original such a draw, combining bold design, a buzzy social energy and a menu that balances comforting classics with crowd-pleasing signatures.
The food will be central to the appeal. Signature dishes from the London menu include the eponymous Duck & Rice, served with Cantonese roast duck, jasmine rice and cucumber, as well as the Cantonese House Roast Duck. Elsewhere, dishes such as Curry Soft Shell Crab, Lobster Laksa and Crispy Duck Fried Rice reflect the kitchen’s broader range, while dim sum remains a key part of the brand’s legacy.
The new restaurant will form part of DIFC Square, a major new development that has opened ahead of schedule and adds around 600,000 square feet of office space to the district. The site is already attracting major financial names, including Bank of Singapore and Deutsche Bank, while its retail and dining line-up includes Cakes & Bubbles, Hudson and Rye, Liban and Saddle.
For a brand with more than 10 years of Soho heritage, the Dubai debut feels like a natural next step. And for DIFC, it is another sign that the district’s next chapter will be just as much about where to dine as where to do business.
GO: Visit theduckandrice.com for more information.