Avatara

There are meals and then there are meals. Avatara goes beyond expectations with a 16 course vegan and vegetarian feast that plays with all the senses.

In contrast to the city it lives in, the entrance is unassuming and even the interior favours minmilism over extravagance. Essentially you’re here to let the food do the talking and boy does it have a lot to say.

Full disclosure - we went here when I was vegetarian and my wife was vegan, so the pictures show the range of both menus, but most were common with only a few differing between the two menu options.

Also the restaurant had only recently moved venues, and as a result hadn’t yet received its alcohol license, so only non-alcoholic drinks were available. A shame, but at the same time no doubt the later courses benefitted from a sense of taste not dulled by copious wine!

As the evening started, the story began with every course reflecting a story of Indian food and in particular the flavours of the head chefs home region.

For those who think a 16 course menu served over 2.5/3 hours would be challenging, well time just flew with every course being only enough to take a small amount of time, but the pacing being perfect in allowing you time to both digest and anticipate the next one.

Reviewing every course would be both challenging (in terms of memory!) and also take away from the surprise you will have if you have the chance to get there one day.

Suffice to say this exceeded expectations, and even though it’s a luxury most people may not be prepared to pay for, I would suggest if you have made the effort to get to Dubai, and you want a truly stunning food experience (even if you are not vegan or vegetarian) then absolutely do this one.

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