Dubai is, without a doubt, a city of excess. While enjoying decadence is pleasurable most of the time, occasionally it’s nice to cleanse body and soul with a good old nutritious feed. Here Origins steps up to the plate with its unpretentious spread of healthy and harmonious food and drinks.
The dining space at Origins reflects the kitchen’s ethos with its clean lines and calming accents. Mix and match hanging pendant lamps provide pools of light, while further ambiance is provided with rows of plant-lined shelves. The cooling colour scheme of neutrals and eau de nil is offset by the odd bold splash of colour that helps to contribute to the sense that this is a laidback place where rules are flouted. For warm winter lunches there is outdoor seating, while the plush armchairs indoors provide comfortable shelter from the heat of midsummer.
The food, Origins say, is designed to be ‘healthy-ish’ and the menu takes diners from breakfast all the way through to late-night eats, with the kitchen only closing come midnight. To set you up right for the day ahead try the avocado toast, coconut flaxseed granola or shaved greens with hummus and boiled eggs. At lunchtime take your pick of soups, salads, sandwiches and small plates which include dishes like grilled calamari with baby spinach or roast duck with pomegranate. At dinnertime there is a wide range of mains on offer. Tuck into fish and chips or lamb chops with black cabbage, garlic and an anchovy and mint dressing before indulging in one of the desserts on offer. Top picks include a chocolate tart with crème fraiche and a saffron panna cotta, which is a vibrant in colour as it is in taste.
There is a smart casual dress code, so leave the flip flops at home for this one.