Review: Grills at Nai, Kempinski Central Avenue

Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai’s Grills at Nai offers a relaxed outdoor dining experience with great views of the Burj Khalifa

Set on the hotel’s terrace, the space next to the pool provides a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy a meal while watching the city come to life as the evening unfolds.

The vibe is casual yet lively, with a live DJ providing a fun backdrop to the evening. The open-air setting makes it a great choice for those wanting to enjoy Dubai’s weather and stunning views in a laid-back environment. Whether you’re a local looking to mix up your Friday routine or a visitor wanting to soak up the city’s energy, Grills at Nai offers a great spot to unwind and enjoy the view.

Culinary highlights

The Friday Theme Night here is a proper treat, with something for everyone. The sharing-style starters arrived first at our table. We dove into creamy hummus, smoky moutabal, and the indulgent labneh with truffle, which was a real treat. To scoop up all these delicious dips, we had some warm za’atar bread—fluffy and infused with fragrant herbs.

Next, we went for the salads, which were fresh and vibrant. The fattoush salad, with its crispy bread and sumac vinaigrette, had a refreshing zing to it. The marinated kale salad was a great mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy, and the roasted spiced cauliflower and chickpeas with za’atar and tahini were simply delicious.

Look out for the bakery station, which offers a selection of freshly baked breads, including sumac-marinated Margoog bread, soft Lebanese bread, and whole wheat pita. At the live stations, there was plenty to keep us excited. We tried the shawarma, which came in a soft pita, loaded with marinated chicken, tahini, garlic sauce, pickles, and fresh veggies.

From the grill station, we were served lamb kofta, which was juicy and bursting with flavour. Alongside it, we had perfectly grilled salmon—tender and seasoned just right. We also helped ourselves to some amazing sides from the buffet. The roasted baby potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, while the corn on the cob was buttery and sweet.

To finish, we were treated to a beautifully arranged dessert platter with a fun surprise of popcorn at the bottom that had us grinning from ear to ear. The platter featured rich chocolate baklava, a light fluffy cake, and smooth mhalabiyeh with rose water, topped with mixed nuts and dry apricots. Another highlight was the chocolata el budingh bel tamr—date cake with toffee sauce, alongside vanilla, pistachio, and strawberry ice cream. To wrap things up, we enjoyed fresh fruits like strawberries, figs, watermelon, grapes, and passion fruit.

Book now

Floor 3, Nai Restaurant, Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai. Every Friday, from 7-11pm. AED 329 per person including soft beverages, AED478 per person including house beverages, and À la carte for bubbly. Call +971 50 523 4086 or email fb.dxb11@adnhmc.com. Visit website.