Critically acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse returns to AlUla

The chef’s oasis-to-table experience is back.

World-famous chef Alain Ducasse is heading back to AlUla. The French chef’s oasis-to-table experience, Ducasse in AlUla, is returning for a second season to coincide with the Winter at Tantora festival. Located adjacent to the ancient heritage site of Jabal Ikmah, the restaurant offers a contemporary take on French food and special dishes developed specifically for the venue. 

Alain hails from Orthez, France. He is one of the culinary world’s most celebrated chefs. Over his career, he has opened Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Benoit in New York, Paris and Tokyo; and Rivea in London, Saint Tropez and Las Vegas. In 2012, he was behind 21 MICHELIN restaurants. 

Alain is no stranger to the Middle East. He has had restaurants in Doha and Lebanon. In December 2023, he opened Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studios, a cooking school created in partnership with Erth Hospitality. 

Alain Ducasse’s pop-up in AlUla effortlessly integrates sustainability with the rich flavours of Saudi Arabia, France, and the broader Middle Eastern region. Ducasse has appointed Afonso Salvação Barreto, one of his talented proteges, as the restaurant’s executive chef.

In line with AlUla’s dedication to sustainable development and the conservation of its natural splendour, Ducasse in AlUla has been crafted by French designer Aliénor Béchu and Donald Bovy from Volume ABC. The design aims to blend with the surrounding environment, showcasing a thoughtful architectural integration that pays homage to the region’s natural heritage.

Other new restaurants in AlUla include the Mediterranean restaurant SASS Cafe, and the Asian meets Italian concept, Novikov. SASS AlUla offers dinner and a DJ experience, while Novikov spans Asian to Italian cuisine and includes everything from wood oven-fired pizzas to sushi platters.

If you’re heading to AlUla, look out for the events in 2024, including Winter at Tantora and the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo.

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GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.