Perched on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Tasca is an exciting restaurant from renowned Portuguese chef José Avillez. Named after the Portuguese word for tavern, Tasca is José Avillez’s first international opening, following on from his acclaimed Michelin-starred flagship restaurant Belcanto, as well as a handful of other well respected ventures in his native Portugal.
Tasca boasts spectacular views over Dubai’s glittering skyline on one side and the Arabian Gulf on the other, with both indoor and outdoor dining options available. Those who wish to eat al fresco can do so on an expansive terrace, with an infinity pool that overlooks the glittering seas of the gulf. The Infinity Bar also serves a curated cocktail list, perfect to enjoy with a sunset.
The menu at Tasca is typical of Avillez's signature style, taking authentic Portuguese flavours and dishes, and reinventing them. Starters include Algarve prawn ceviche, fried eggs with steak sauce and Portuguese-style garlic prawns, but there are also international favourites like wagyu tartare and tempura cod cakes. The mains are a similar story - classic dishes like cod bacalhau, seafood moqueca and prawn rice are given Avillez treatment, but there are also options like a piri-piri chicken with smoked avocado cream, and slow-cooked veal cheek with broccolini and cashew nuts.
The dessert list includes another Avillez signature, the hazelnut - hazelnut ice cream, hazlenut foam, freshly grated hazelnut and fleur de sel. The Tasca pastel de nata is also worth a look if you fancy trying something typically Portuguese - the Tasca version comes with coffee ice cream.
Complementing the menu is a wine list with the largest selection of Portuguese wines in Dubai, as well as a tempting array of craft cocktails.