Nestled in the heart of Dubai's financial district, Alaya has quickly established itself as one of the city's premier fine dining destinations. Under the culinary direction of Chef Izu Ani, a British-Nigerian chef with an impressive pedigree spanning two-Michelin-starred La Bastide Saint Antoine and three-Michelin-starred Auberge de L'Ill in France, plus acclaimed Spanish establishments Arzak, Mugaritz, and Akelarre, the restaurant has garnered significant recognition. Most notably, Alaya was crowned Fine Dining Restaurant Dubai at the Good Food Middle East Awards 2024, cementing its position among the emirate's culinary elite.
Now, as summer unfolds, Alaya has launched a handcrafted dessert collection that perfectly embodies the restaurant's philosophy of marrying Mediterranean and Middle Eastern heritage with contemporary innovation. Each creation serves as a bridge between nostalgic flavours and modern sensibilities, offering diners a sophisticated finale to their meal or a standalone indulgence during leisurely afternoons.
Heritage Reimagined with Contemporary Flair
The summer collection showcases Chef Izu's mastery of combining traditional techniques with modern presentation. The apricot tart exemplifies this approach, presenting warm, golden fruit atop buttery pastry and accompanied by smooth vanilla ice cream that provides a cooling contrast to the tart's caramelised sweetness. This dessert speaks to the chef's Mediterranean simplicity and French technique philosophy, developed through his extensive European training.
The traditional baked baklava represents perhaps the most striking transformation on the menu. While honouring the dessert's Middle Eastern roots with crispy filo layers and rich, nutty filling, Alaya elevates the experience by pairing it with aromatic mastic ice cream. This unexpected combination creates a temperature and texture contrast that awakens the palate while respecting the dessert's cultural significance. Similarly, the kunafa maintains its signature crisp strands but gains sophistication through its pairing with the same fragrant mastic ice cream.
Layered Complexity and Comfort
Moving beyond heritage-inspired offerings, the collection ventures into more contemporary territory with desserts that layer multiple flavour profiles. The cheesecake with coffee, chocolate, and dates creates an intriguing fusion where Middle Eastern sweetness meets European indulgence. The creamy slice gains depth from the interplay of bitter coffee notes and rich chocolate sauce, while sweet dates provide bursts of natural sweetness that tie the dessert to regional flavours.
The Mochikan chocolate cake represents pure indulgence balanced with technical precision. The dense chocolate foundation provides richness that's cut through by tangy cream cheese and mellowed by accompanying vanilla ice cream. This dessert
showcases the kitchen's ability to craft comfortfood that maintains the sophistication expected at a restaurant where diners can expect AED 500+ per person for a complete fine dining experience.
Refreshing Counterpoints
Understanding the importance of palate cleansing, especially in Dubai's warm climate, the collection includes lighter options designed to refresh rather than overwhelm. The pistachio ice cream serves this purpose beautifully, offering nutty richness brightened by pomegranate seeds that provide tartness and visual appeal. This dessert works equally well as a meal's conclusion or as a standalone treat for those seeking something clean yet indulgent.
A Complete Culinary Experience
While the dessert collection represents the latest innovation from Alaya's kitchen, it's part of a broader culinary experience that has made the restaurant a DIFC destination. The venue offers both intimate dining and vibrant nightlife, with the hidden LY-LA lounge operating Monday to Saturday from 10 PM to 3 AM beneath the restaurant. This chic, Bedouin-inspired boutique lounge provides guests with signature cocktails and live music in an opulent setting that blends Middle Eastern aesthetics with contemporary energy.
For business diners, Alaya offers exceptional value through its lunch program. The business lunch, priced at AED 148 for three courses or AED 168 for four courses, includes access to these artisanal desserts alongside the restaurant's Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. This pricing makes the restaurant's sophisticated offerings accessible during daytime hours while maintaining the quality standards that earned it industry recognition.
Planning Your Visit
Located in Gate Village Building 4 within DIFC, Alaya operates daily from 12:30 PM, with extended hours until midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to accommodate the district's vibrant social scene. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling +971 45706289 or emailing reservations@alaya-dubai.com, particularly for weekend dining when the restaurant attracts both business professionals and leisure diners seeking a refined culinary experience.
The summer dessert collection represents more than seasonal menu additions; it showcases how contemporary Dubai dining can honour culinary traditions while pushing creative boundaries. Under Chef Izu's direction, each dessert tells a story that connects heritage with innovation, creating memorable experiences that justify Alaya's reputation as one of the city's finest dining destinations.
