Jason Atherton and his trusted team are clearly pulling out all the stops at Marina Social Dubai. The trendy waterfront restaurant in the five star, Intercontinental Dubai Marina Hotel, is ideal for any celebration. Boasting floor to ceiling windows overlooking, the marina, there’s a real buzz in the restaurant, even on a Monday evening.
Getting a table overlooking the marina, clearly requires a bit of pre booking. Although the view of the bustling kitchen can be quite fun for the avid foodie, the impressive wine collection entirely blocks the marina view and the entertainment. Fortunately the saxophone can be heard throughout the restaurant. We’d recommended booking the main restaurant with a view over the marina as that’s where it all seems to be going on.
Dubai is renowned for over indulgent brunches which seem to be extending into the evenings. The Monday Social Club is a great concept, with endless amazing food and drink. The refreshing mojitos are the perfect start to a phenomenal dinner.
With bottomless starters and desserts and a choice of starter, this is all served generously to the table and presented beautifully. There’s a feeling of being at a rather posh picnic, as a hamper is unpacked onto the Gingham throw.
The hamper is full of mason jars presented one at a time. There’s something exciting about dipping into the jars, not quite knowing what to expect. The spread of starters is rather impressive.
Each jar is filled with a delicious starter packed full of flavour; one with chilled, hand chopped beef tartare, and another with smoked salmon. The rainbow of salads included a crunchy green snow pea, with Persian feta, and mint salad, and a purple raw, pickled & salt baked beetroot. 
The savoury churros are bursting with goats cheese and accompanied by a sweet, rich truffle honey. It’s a quickly acquired taste, that works beautifully. The Cèpe risotto arancini, are accompanied by Parmesan aioli and are deliciously rich. The crispy, large puffed sage and onion crackers and the warm sourdough garlic flat bread are a treat. The table is completely overflowing, it’s hard to know where to start.
The main course of Lamb Rump, was packed full of flavour served with a gorgeous gravy and a layered aubergine Parmigiana, with basil, and tomato jam.
The heritage tomato sourdough pizza with mozzarella, basil aged balsamic vinegar salted ricotta is the just as good as the pizza at Hai Cenato. The multi coloured tomatoes have differing flavours, sweetness and make this pizza just as pretty at it is delicious.
Dessert is a grand feast. There’s enough food to overwhelm a small army, without even taking advantage of the offer for seconds. The Bramley apple donuts, with maple glaze were served with “Birds” Custard.
The warm Vanilla madeleines were light and buttery served with a selection of crème Chantilly, cherry jam and chocolate sauce.
The smooth Mandarin and white chocolate cheesecake was divine and the accompanying sorbet so tangy and refreshing.
The large cones of Devon clotted cream, Mr Whippy with a blackberry sauce were amazing for the small lick we could manage. By this point we were completely sugar overloaded.
Dubai Marina Social has a great vibe. It’s a hip spot to hang out and have a memorable evening where the food will blow you away. The jazz, the food and the service are spot on and we really can’t wait to go back.
Marina Social, Intercontinental Dubai Marina Hotel, MARINA SOCIAL
Bay Central Dubai Marina, Al Sufouh Road, P.O BOX 393080, DUBAI, UAE
