In December 2024, Samyukta Nair brought her acclaimed MiMi Mei Fair from London’s Mayfair to Dubai’s Opera District, creating something increasingly rare: a restaurant where every detail serves a larger narrative. Born from rare pedigree, her grandfather Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair founded The Leela Palaces in 1986, establishing a legacy of premium Indian hospitality. The London flagship earned its place in the Michelin Guide, and now Dubai’s iteration has secured Michelin Guide Dubai 2025 Selected status, worthy of future star recognition.
The concept revolves around “Empress MiMi”, a fictional figure whose imagined travels inform the menu and ambience. Walking through, you’re confronted with design that demands attention, culturally authentic yet reminiscent of London’s most intimate establishments. The parlour anchored by bold red chandeliers, the library where English country house meets 19th-century Chinese decorative flourishes, each space revealing its own character.
My favourite space is Moon Bar, where the magic truly begins, and where you meet Jeet Verma and his team. If you’ve followed Dubai’s beverage scene with any seriousness, you’ll know Verma’s reputation. He’s created something genuinely special. Every beverage carries purpose and tells a story. Watching his team work, listening to his storytelling, you witness mixology elevated to narrative art. Then, hidden doors reveal the terrace with some of the finest Burj Khalifa views in the city, framed perfectly.
The seating deserves particular mention. Comfort is fundamental here. Between courses, you’re encouraged to relax, to allow the evening to unfold at its own pace rather than being rushed.
The food arrives with authentic flair. The Wasabi Prawns provide heat against crispy seaweed, whilst the Peking Crispy Beancurd demonstrates how vegetarian dishes command attention with proper technique. The Xiao Long Jewels, filled variously with scallop, chilli crab, king prawn, chicken, and lamb, reveal true technical prowess, each wrapper impossibly delicate yet structurally sound.
The Half Apple Wood-Fired Roasted Peking Duck arrives with ceremony it has genuinely earned. This is, without exaggeration, one of the most delicious renditions I’ve enjoyed in years. The duck achieves perfect balance between crispy skin and tender meat.
The Singapore Chilli Prawns brought bold heat, the Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin showcased quality meat with aromatic depth, and the Flourless Chocolate Bar concluded with vanilla bean ice cream, mandarin, and pecan crunch creating a satisfying finale.
Hero dish: Half Apple Wood-Fired Roasted Peking Duck, exquisitely presented perfection.
Vibes: Mayfair’s intimate soul meets Dubai theatricality in intimate, layered spaces.
Menu curation: Authentic Chinese regional cuisine with narrative coherence.
Service: Professional, warm, genuinely attentive without intrusion.
Rating: 8/10
Location: Address Residences Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai
Source: Khaleej Times