Futuristic dining spot Zenon Dubai gets a new menu this summer
Tucked inside Kempinski Central Avenue, Zenon Dubai is far from your typical dinner spot. Sure, it's a looker, and yes, it's got flair, but you don't go here for normal. You go here for the extraordinary.
The striking interior – inspired by Greek mythology – makes the spot stand out in Dubai's crowded fine dining scene, while the anamorphic screens and laser lighting give the space a futuristic, otherworldly feel.
Prefer to dine outside? The terrace offers a temperature-controlled setting that's perfect for relaxed evenings.
With stunning interiors and a Mediterranean-meets-Asian menu, this is the perfect spot when you're trying to impress someone special.
Meet the chefs
Helmed by the talented trio, chef Lorenzo Buccarini, chef Thomas Papas and chef Tatsuya Ueda, the kitchen is where tradition meets modern.
Chef Lorenzo, a La Petite Maison graduate trained in Italy, brings a wealth of experience from Bali, the Bahamas and Dubai to the table, infusing each dish with seasonal Italian charm.
Chef Thomas, meanwhile, cooks straight from the soul, with Greek roots that run deep and a passion for produce that goes all the way back to picking tomatoes with his grandfather.
Chef Tatsuya Ueda, a dedicated sushi chef at Zenon, embodies a futuristic and forward-looking ethos with every dish.
Between them, they've racked up accolades from Gault&Millau and Gambero Rosso, and it shows.
Explore the new menu
This is where things get interesting.
The new menu additions bring together refined techniques with big, bold flavours.
The beef tataki is glorious. A thinly sliced beef striploin that's lightly seared and served with daikon, ponzu, red onions and a spicy citrus soy sauce.
There's the shrimp saganaki drenched in a rich tomato base layered between langoustine bisque and bubbling feta, and the wagyu beef skewers that marry soy, mirin and miso with a crunchy hit of spicy tempura flakes.
Don't sleep on the maccheroncini al pesto. It might sound familiar, but the garlic-chilli breadcrumb crumble gives it a cheeky twist.
Prefer something chilled to start?
The seabass ceviche dressed in passion fruit leche de tigre is a zesty number that balances citrus, spice and crunch in all the right places.
Don't miss the ebi miso yaki, a tiger prawn grilled just right, brushed with miso mayo, and finished with a flicker of togarashi spice. Bold, punchy and rather good with a glass of something chilled.
For dessert, the Aphrodite cheesecake keeps things sweet. This modern cheesecake comes wrapped in a lovely phyllo dough and is served with pistachio-yogurt parfait and honey. Or you could tuck into the Guanaja chocolate fondant masterpiece, created with camel milk ice cream and traditional sabayon with Marsala ice cream.
Next time you're in the mood for something a little different, where Greek mythology meets global ingredients, you know where to book.
Open daily noon-3am. Kempinski Central Avenue, @zenondubai
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