Sfumato Dubai features exquisite and honest gastronomy, transforming local produce into refined dishes in a Zaha Hadid-designed setting
Athwifa Saleem
Sfumato Dubai Near+Far rating: 8/10
Why Book Sfumato
Tucked away in The Opus by OMNIYAT in Business Bay, a stunning architectural masterpiece by the late and great Zaha Hadid, Sfumato is a new frontier of all-day dining that showcases delicate and forthright gastronomy. The restaurant draws inspiration from unique yet traditional European recipes and sources produce from local farms, creating dishes that elevate vegetables and roots as sophisticated ingredients. To celebrate the beginning of 2024, Sfumato has unveiled a new dinner menu that reflects its innovative approach to cuisine. The new menu demonstrates how Sfumato can transform ordinary and comforting flavours into extraordinary and exquisite dishes, revealing the hidden potential of simple ingredients like vegetables or classic home recipes to impress and delight the guests.
Sfumato Dubai is a delight, thanks to its honest, sensual, and graceful flavours and its world-class pastry selection that will indulge your sweet tooth. Interiors are beautiful – neutral tones with splashes of deep blue and pink colour accents, balanced by natural materials and plants and there are two distinct spaces, each with its own personality and charm. The downstairs space, adjacent to the futuristic ME Dubai hotel lobby, has an open kitchen and a chef’s table for diners who love to dine amid the action. The upstairs space has a more calm and tranquil vibe, lit with gentle candlelight and surrounded by greenery. Sfumato Dubai is a place where you can enjoy a unique dining experience that celebrates the art and beauty of gastronomy.
The Interiors: 9/10
Sfumato’s interiors blend raw organic touches with contemporary minimalism, enhanced by the natural materials and plants that decorate the space. A pink neon sign greets guests as they enter the restaurant through a chic white and blue portal. The restaurant features an open kitchen and a chef’s table downstairs, and a snug and intimate dining space upstairs, radiating elegance with splashes of deep blue and pink colour accents. The restaurant displays the stunning architecture of the Opus Tower, a remarkable masterpiece by Zaha Hadid, with its curved walls and windows. The space has a neutral tone with hints of deep blue and pink colour accents, balanced by natural materials and plants. The upstairs space has a more vibrant colour scheme with a botanical-print carpet adding a dash of colour to the space along with plenty of plants.
The Vibe: 9/10
The restaurant exudes a tranquil ambience that relaxes you during the week. Reserve a table before 8:30 PM for a quieter setting or arrive later and savour a cosy spot in the candlelit dining area or the bar. At night, the room glows with a romantic warmth from the guests who enjoy the superb cuisine, the artistic presentation, and the fine wines. Sfumato Dubai distinguishes itself from other regional restaurants with its minimalist, European-inspired sophistication, accompanied by classical music that creates a serene and polished atmosphere, while allowing guests to converse intimately without any noise interference. Whether you seek a laid-back, casual lunch with your friends or a passionate dinner with your lover, you will find it here. Our recent visit to Sfumato was nothing less than amazing. The service was flawless, with our courteous waiter guiding us through the menu’s delicate and forthright dishes. The environment emanated a discreet charm, amplified by the stunning architecture of the Opus Tower and the gentle lighting.
The Food: 8/10
Sfumato Dubai’s cuisine is a tale of elegance, of a harmonious blend of European and global flavours. The dishes at Sfumato are graceful and refined in their presentation, offering everything from rabbit caramelle (a delicate pasta stuffed with succulent rabbit meat), carabineros orzo (a risotto-like dish with succulent red prawns and rich lobster bisque), filet mignon and snail stroganoff. Vegetables and roots are the stars of the show, however, Sfumato caters to all palates and has a tempting pastry selection with dishes such as elderflower Basque cheesecake, mango pavlova, and hot chocolate tart with truffle ice cream.
Sfumato Dubai, Opus Tower by Zaha Hadid, @sfumatodxb, sfumatodxb.com
