With two locations in Miami and one in the Bahamas, Fi’lia has now brought its fresh and unpretentious Italian-Mediterranean cuisine to the Middle East. It is the region’s first female-led restaurant, and its emphasis on empowerment and equality truly makes it stand out from the crowd.
Situated on the dizzying 70th floor of the SLS Dubai in Business Bay, Fi’lia is resplendent in natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The space is generously furnished with greenery and natural textures, and includes a live cooking station for a more contemporary touch. However, the best seats in the house are on the 76-person garden terrace with breath-taking 360-degree views of the Dubai skyline, including the incredible Burj Khalifa. A far cry from the extravagantly embellished interiors all too common in the Dubai culinary scene, Fi’lia oozes a relaxed charm.
The menu plays with the custom of women passing down recipes from one generation to the next. It is divided into ‘nonna’ , ‘mamma’ and ‘fi'lia’. Nonna offers traditional Italian dishes such as fried calamari, lasagna, and chicken risotto, whereas Mamma puts a modern spin on the classic dishes of Nonna; the staple risotto alla milanese with ossobuco is elevated with a balsamic reduction, and gnocchi with rosemary butter and parmigiano is served with caviar. Fi'lia takes these contemporary twists one step further and forays into the experimental with dishes like beef tartare with egg yolk jam, and cured salmon in citrus fruits with chives and strawberry blossoms. All three menus come together to tell a rich intergenerational culinary story, with options for novice and seasoned foodies alike.
Don’t forget the pizzas, made fresh in the restaurant’s firewood ovens and topped with seasonal ingredients in special combinations.
Desserts offer the best of Italian cuisine, while the cocktail menu is also divided into nonna, mamma, and fi’lia, with options ranging from the traditional to the adventurous. Spirits, whiskeys, beers, and soft drinks are also on offer.