Meylas Emirati Restaurant - AlMuneera

Meylas

"It may be a little hard to find but this all-day eatery hidden away among the apartment blocks of Al Muneera Island is well worth seeking out. It began life as a food truck but now the two sisters behind it have a thriving business where their passion for their country and its food culture are clear for all to see. The chefs in the on-view kitchen prepare a menu of authentic and satisfying Emirati dishes." - Michelin Inspector

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"Set in a retro, vintage-decor space in Al Muneera, this eatery presents authentic Emirati dishes alongside jars of pickles, Eagle Brand hot sauce and clarified ghee; signature plates include balaleet (sweet saffron- and cardamom-scented vermicelli topped with a thin omelet), chbab pancakes with date syrup, local honey and processed cheese, and harees (a paste-like blend of boiled wheat, veal, salt and ghee). Seasonal offerings include salads made from ghaf leaves and an rgaag wrap stuffed with minced camel meat and Emirati spices." - Nicola Chilton

"Emirati Flavor and Ambiance Starting out as one of the United Arab Emirates' first food trucks, Meylas is no longer so much about grabbing a quick bite of local culture on the go, as it is about experiencing the traditional flavours in a small cafe decorated like a "canteen" from a bygone era. You will feel like you're at the start of the modern development in the UAE. Dallah (traditional coffee pots), henna, shopping bags, postcards, and children's games are on display and for sale if you choose to take a bit of that culture home with you. Of course, the food and hospitality is at the center of attention. Locally sourced ingredients contribute to chbaab, a pancake served with date syrup and salonat badu, the traditional bedouin stew made with chicken or lamb. At the end of the meal, you'll find several sweets like khabees that are spiced with cardamom and saffron or legeimat, which reminds me of a donut hole sweetened with dates syrup and topped with sesame seeds. Coffees and teas are prepared the way they used to be and should not be passed up at the end of the meal while you mull over the days events. I recommend ordering a smattering of anything that looks interesting off the menu to share."

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"Meylas first lures patrons with its modern Middle Eastern fusion and Instagram-ready open kitchen. Shaikha Al Kaabi, a young Emirati, opened Meylas with the mission to make Emirati food accessible to everyone. The food though, takes its cues from the classics of the cuisine. Dishes follow recipes passed down through the generations and are prepared with local ingredients. Standouts range from balaleet, simple noodles with saffron and cardamom, to salonat badu, a bedouin stew with lamb and rice." - Jenna Scatena