If you think Lebanese food is all about hummus and a quick tabbouleh, let me stop you right there. The cuisine can easily be described as an art form, a journey through flavours carrying the stories of a thousand years, and Babel at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue has taken it upon itself to showcase this heritage.
The entrance is intentionally theatrical, a corridor of golden arches flanked by mirrors that play with perspective, creating an illusion of endless space. It’s less a warm welcome and more a quiet proclamation that you’re not only here to eat but also to experience something curated, almost ritualistic. There’s an understated reverence to this design, marrying Lebanese architectural motifs with a modern, instagrammable edge. The space speaks for itself, suggesting that what awaits beyond the arches is as carefully considered as the path leading you there.
Once you’ve passed through the corridor of arches, you step into the main dining area—a space that balances fine dining with an understated warmth. Textured walls and muted lighting create an inviting atmosphere, and subtle touches of glitz serve as reminders of the iconic Burj Khalifa just outside. Secure a spot on the terrace, and you’ll have front-row seats to the Dubai Fountain’s performances, a backdrop that makes the experience feel like a welcoming Lebanese home, set against the city’s skyline.
The menu is a love letter to the Lebanese kitchen, each dish thoughtfully refined without losing its roots. The mezza—Hummus, Moutabal, and Muhammara—arrive with the warmth and familiarity of home. The Falafel Truffle brings a delightful earthy note, while the Hummus Caviar balances richness with a subtle hint of brine—a modern interpretation that doesn’t overwhelm the classic. The Kebbeh Nayyeh arrives without embellishment, letting the quality of the ingredients and simplicity of preparation take precedence, as if to remind you that Lebanese cuisine often finds beauty in restraint.
Then come the mains—Mixed Grill brings a medley of charcoal-kissed meats to the table, each skewer brimming with the smoky depth that only comes from years of mastering the art of the grill. The Lamb Shank with Oriental Rice is perhaps the most nostalgic of all—its tender, fall-off-the-bone richness wrapped in spices that evokes home-cooked warmth, yet polished enough to feel at home in Babel’s refined setting.
Even the seafood selection, aptly titled the “Daily Catch,” shows Babel’s commitment to honoring ingredients. Whether you choose your fish salt-crusted, baked, or lightly grilled, it arrives at the table with an almost reverent simplicity, letting the freshness of the sea to be felt in every bite.
And as you take the last sip of mint tea with the Burj Khalifa twinkling in the background, you realise Babel has handed you a slice of Lebanon, and it’s done it with a wink and a smile.
Not in Dubai? No worries! The award-winning restaurant isn’t just a one-off; it’s a Lebanese empire with locations across the Middle East including Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt and of course, Lebanon.
