Qbara – seductive Arabian dining

Palatial opulence meets refined arabesque culinary fusion at Qbara.

Walk into a parallel reality where dim lit, dark mystical decor meets newly-fashioned design; the new Arabian nights. Suspend yourself in an alternate universe where beautiful women with elegant jumpsuits, dark thick flowing hair and rich gold accessories lean into the table over their dishes to talk about something undoubtably sophisticated. Disappear into lush nooks upstairs with bottles of Turkish wine and listen to the deep string bass music playing in the background by the resident DJ.

This is contemporary Dubai dining, this is Qbara.

Qbara room Photo credit Qbara: Qbara’s provocative interior

Seduction first arrives in the form of ruby red cocktails in opulently gem toned glasses with gold lacing, delivered to the table to pair with moist purple, pink, green and orange crudités. Fresh appetisers turn into shared main courses of crusted fish and candied bone marrow accompanied by busy conversation and an atmosphere that turns on the senses.

Chef Colin Clague’s cuisine is immensely flavourful, with dynamic infusions of powerful spices and herbs, Qbara is ultra-modern and ultra-trendy.

Japanese interior designer, Noriyoshi Muramatsu ladened Qbara with regionally sourced ornaments from the Middle East and Northern Africa. A magic carpet of floating patchwork of Persian rugs is squared and pressed between glass and elaborately runs up the sides of the restaurant. A looming wall made of full-sized doors from around the Arabian peninsula, and Northern Africa, stands over the wide open lounge and dining area where nearly 300 people can be seated. A projection illuminates onto the wall of doors altering them into a moving collaboration of whimsical images. The details are distinctly contemporary and cutting-edge engaging eaters in an all encompassing experience.

It’s easy to get lost in the maze of geometric patterns and flickering lights, sights and smells of truffle infused hummus, seared lamb shanks, hot arabic bread and an overwhelming amount of good looking people. At Qbara, you feel alluring and confident like the modern sophisticated Middle Eastern and, too, indulge in bold baroque visuals and culinary artistry that is inspired by authenticity.

Qbara is invigorating sensory dining, that you just have to be a part of and demands itself to be at the top of any restaurant list when in Dubai.

Watch the wall move here: