Dubai is known as one of the best food cities in the world. With cuisine and chains from every corner of the globe at your disposal, it’s hard to know where to choose for a fantastic night out. The DIFC, short for Dubai International Financial Centre, is an economic zone with some of the best establishments you’ll find in the entire city, particularly within the Gate Village section. Sucre and Clap are two restaurants from the international hospitality group Addmind. They combine phenomenal food, fine dining, and a swanky atmosphere to create the ideal dining experience.
Sucre is a fire dining restaurant, with many of their dishes being cooked over an open flame. It’s a blend of Argentinian and Mediterranean flavors created by founding chef Fernando Trocca. The space is stylish, with exposed brick lining the walls and tasteful lighting provided by unique chandeliers. The
service, from our South African server named V, was lovely. The food is some of the very best you’ll find in Dubai. Starters include succulent oysters directly from France, a beautifully plated sea bass crudo, tiger prawns in a chili & lime butter with a burst of flavor, and the best steak tartare I’ve ever had. For the main course, they specialize in fire-grilled Wagyu MB6-7 steaks, from tenderloin to tomahawk. Their steaks are perfectly cooked and cut like butter. Make sure you save room for dessert, because their dulce de leche fondant (essentially a lava cake pouring with dulce de leche) is one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever tasted. Sucre isn’t just fine dining, it’s fire dining, and it’s a must-visit in Dubai.
Just steps from Sucre is a Japanese restaurant that offers one of the most memorable dining experiences you’ll ever have: Clap. On an open-air rooftop with a clear view of the Burj Khalifa, Clap is a Japanese fine dining restaurant under the leadership of Chef Renald Epie. With stunning views overlooking Dubai, a live DJ, and an open kitchen, the contemporary atmosphere is remarkable. The service is top-notch, with manager Antony and server Smart being incredibly hospitable. Clap has an expansive menu with something for everyone, but for a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, I’d recommend the omakase (Japanese for “I’ll leave it up to you.”) The thrill of not knowing what you’ll get makes for an exciting night at Clap.
After browsing their creative cocktail/mocktail menu, we were served our first course: crispy rice avocado salmon, rock shrimp tempura, crispy shiitake salad, black cod bites, and edamame. Everything was plated beautifully and tasted delicious, from the succulent shrimp to the bold shiitake flavor. Then came the main course, a sushi platter that looked marvelous and somehow tasted even better. It featured some signature rolls such as the Crazy California with king crab, Crispy Shrimp Chu-Toro, and vegetarian Black Garden. It also came with impeccably fresh chu-toro and yellowtail sashimi, as well as toro aburi and wagyu beef foie gras nigiri (their steak matches the quality we came to expect from Sucre). For dessert, we sampled their pistachio kadaifi chocolate and their mochi ice cream, complete with a fire display surrounded by a bed of rose petals that revealed “Welcome to Clap”. The combination of flavors you get from Clap’s omakase is unmatched, and it’s a meal that’s truly one-of-a-kind. With a huge variety of dishes and a stylish atmosphere, Clap is the perfect meal for a night out in Dubai.
Both Sucre and Clap are not to be missed. Dubai is known for being an incredibly chic city, and these two restaurants live up to the reputation. The amazing combination of impeccable food, fantastic service, and fashionable atmosphere make both restaurants spectacular establishments. If you want memorable meals in Dubai, eat at Sucre and Clap in the DIFC.
To book a reservation with Sucre, visit https://sucrerestaurant.com/dubai/. Clap has recently announced a Taste of Clap four-course menu available daily from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. To book a reservation with Clap, visit https://claprestaurant.com/dubai/.