A&E Recommends… Vegan Dining at The Bay in Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

Hayley Kadrou   |   24-07-2019

Located in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, The Bay restaurant has a selection of vegan dishes alongside its meat-and-fish regulars that are well worth filling up on.

With more and more people changing the way they eat – from turning vegan to opting for a flexitarian lifestyle – it’s more important than ever before that restaurants cater to different dietary needs.

 

And when it comes to accommodating vegans, more and more eateries within the emirate are switching things up. The Bay, which lives within Dubai’s edition of global hotel chain Mandarin Oriental, is one of those restaurants.

 

The Bay, which serves international dishes, has an extensive menu of fresh yet flavoursome options, including a clearly marked vegan section and dishes that are easily adapted.

 

The interiors are just as fresh as the menu at The Bay

The interiors are just as fresh as the menu at The Bay

 

But before sitting down to ponder over the edible offerings, the setting of the eatery is something to marvel at, too. The hotel itself boasts striking interiors, while the restaurant – an open-plan setting with pale wood furniture and white brick walls – leaves us feeling serene. Not to mention the two terraces, one of which is located on the beach, which are prime sunset-watching spots.

 

But back to the menu… To start, we opt for a roast pumpkin salad and dumplings. The former takes us by surprise being a generous portion that is jam-packed with colour and flavour. The quinoa, avocado and hazelnut toppings are drizzled with a pomegranate dressing, which is addictive enough that we order an extra serving of it on the side.

 

For the main event, we pick out the vegan burger along with a side of Chinese broccoli. Although basic in its components – a portobello mushroom layered on lettuce and avocado between two crispy buns – it’s delicious and done well. The Chimichurri sauced brings it to life, and we devour the healthy take on a burger. Served with fries, it’s sufficiently filling and satisfying.

 

For the carnivores dining, the menu offers dishes such as a selection of sashimi and maki including the Chef’s signature maki made up of eel fish, crab meat, avocado, asparagus, Japanese omelette and orange tobiko, mains such as Wagyu beef tenderloin, Cantonese wok eye noodles served with chicken, lamb kofta and a selection of pizzas.

 

While we skip desert due to going a little overboard on the fresh bread served with oil and vinegar before our dishes arrived, options include mouthwatering (sadly non-vegan) treats such as a Nutella calzone with banana and vanilla ice cream, crème brûlée with apple and pear compote, puff pastry and pear sorbet and peach cobbler with almond crumble served alongside vanilla and star anise ice cream.

 

Instead, we recline beachside with a coffee as the daylight dims – a decision we recommend when visiting The Bay.

 

See more at mandarinoriental.com/dubai.

 

The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

 

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