Culture and culinary craftsmanship come together at homegrown restaurant Gerbou.
The diversity of Dubai’s dining scene may be unparalleled, but it’s not everyday that we get to eat like locals. Enter Gerbou, a concept that reimagines Emirati cuisine through a modern lens while celebrating local craftsmanship. With its name loosely translating to “welcome to my humble abode” in Arabic, this homegrown restaurant is rooted in the warmth of Arab hospitality. Gerbou is a brainchild of Atelier House Hospitality (a renowned hospitality group known for bespoke dining experiences in the region) and Tashkeel (a visual art and design consultancy and incubator based in the UAE).
Designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants, every element within the space – from the carefully selected ingredients to the handcrafted furniture and décor – showcases a deep connection to the country’s landscape, artisans, and traditions. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as fwala (a traditional take on high tea), Gerbou takes diners on a flavourful journey where locally used ingredients are thoughtfully paired with global influences, all under the expert guidance of chef Ionel Catau. The menu, meanwhile, seamlessly blends his extensive international expertise working across Michelin-starred restaurants as well as his deep understanding of different culinary techniques with local flavours, tastefully complemented by delightful global influences.
A highlight of the restaurant is its underground pit cooking technique, inspired by time-honoured Emirati methods that infuse dishes with deep, smoky flavours. Complementing the savoury dishes, diners can enjoy Emirati-inspired sweet treats and pastries, meticulously crafted by renowned award-winning Emirati chef, Sahar Al Awadhi. Drawing inspiration from the warm and welcoming nature of Arab culture, Gerbou warmly invites diners to embark on an extraordinary gastronomic affair that seamlessly bridges the past, present and future of UAE.
True to its ethos, the ethereal venue is nestled in a stunningly renovated 1987 building in Dubai. Gerbou’s interiors and exteriors seamlessly merge tradition with contemporary aesthetics. The custom-made door handle – which integrates patterns of palm trees, desert sand, and ocean waves – serves as a gateway into the holistic Gerbou experience. Once guests step inside the venue, they are greeted by an inviting sofa made from rich camel leather and complemented by embroidered plush pillows featuring Ghaf trees. There’s also masterfully designed dining chairs made from naturally fallen Ghaf tree trunks shaped in the form of Gerbou’s arches, a contemporary wooden table inlay with intricate patterns of Sadu weaving to honour UAE’s Bedouin culture, and bespoke fish scale lights symbolising the Emirati community’s deep connection with the sea.
Designed by Tasmeem Tashkeel, the stunning Ghaf Tree Front Desk is left in its raw, untouched form, paying tribute to the UAE’s landscape as well as reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to using local materials. Sitting atop the desk is a magnificent bronze sculpture made by artist Alice Andrea Ewing. This delicate structure features a protected species in the UAE, the Eurasian collared dove (symbolising protection and preservation) alongside a desert rose representing beauty and resilience.
Offering a warm and meaningful welcome, the front desk and sculpture offer their respect to the land, its flora and fauna. As guests are welcomed, a captivating Herbarium chandelier hangs above them, a tribute to the natural world, harmonising with Gerbou’s nature-inspired philosophy and its homage to the resilient nature of the region. Produced through an intricate glass-making technique, the magnificent chandelier features dried foliage permanently crystallised in glass.
“Gerbou is a testament to the power of collaboration — where design, craftsmanship, and gastronomy come together to create an experience deeply rooted in the UAE’s cultural identity,” says HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Director of Tashkeel. “Through Tashkeel’s collaboration with Atelier House Hospitality and Kristina Zanic Consultants has culminated in a space infused with artistry through researched culinary arts and design that speaks to heritage while embracing contemporary innovation. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to championing local talent and materials, ensuring that every element tells a story of authenticity and contemporary heritage.”
DSCVR: Gerbou. Nad Al Sheba 1 Intersection Street, Dubai. @gerbou
