Can Mayfair’s upmarket Chinese eatery make a mark on Dubai’s dining scene?
The Dubai food scene is moving in trends. While recent years have seen Greek, Pan Asian, and Peruvian restaurants come and go, the attention of Dubai diners is currently gravitating towards high-end Chinese cuisine. From Demon Duck and Hutong to Mott 32 and XU, delightful dim sum and Peking duck are well and truly in the city’s culinary spotlight. So how did the recently-opened MiMi Mei Fair Dubai become a fast contender as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city?
The vibe
Stepping into MiMi Mei Fair in Downtown Dubai is akin to slipping through a portal into 1920s Shanghai, where old-world grandeur meets contemporary finesse. The restaurant—conceived by Samyukta Nair, the visionary behind London’s MICHELIN-starred Jamavar—draws inspiration from the mythical home of an elegant Chinese empress. Whether it’s the emerald-green and black silk walls, the plush velvet seating, or the vibrant Chinoiserie murals that adorn the space, every corner tells a story, and we feel like we’ve stepped into a scene from Wong Kar-Wai’s hit Hong Kong movie In the Mood for Love.
Whether you dine in The Parlour, The Library, The Peacock Room, or the Garden Terrace, which offers beautiful Burj Khalifa views, the atmosphere is intimate and unapologetically lavish, setting the stage for a memorable meal.
The Moon Bar, inspired by the mythical tale of the Jade Rabbit and the moon, dazzles with art deco sophistication and superb celestial sips. The curious concoctions include a piquant Smoked Banana Old Fashioned (AED 88) made with rum, banana, and chocolate, which is smoked and nutty with a subtle bitterness, and the Imperial Blush (AED 88), composed of fruity and floral gin, sakura, Amaretto, lychee, and basil.
Dim sum and then some
The menu at MiMi Mei Fair Dubai is a treasure trove of culinary delights. It pays homage to the culinary traditions of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, with each dish executed with precision and a modern flourish.
Indulgence takes centre stage with the Crispy Golden Langoustine with Black Truffle (AED 118)—a dish that blends luxury and precision. The succulent langoustine, encased in a crisp kataifi pastry, is fried to a golden crisp, creating a delightful contrast between its crunchy exterior and the seafood within. Elevating the decadence, a generous dollop of caviar crowns the dish, while a touch of black truffle offers earthy notes to complement the sweetness of the seafood.
But MiMi Mei Fair is more than just its star dishes. The box of Xiao Long Jewels (AED 168) offers a delightful assortment of delicate dumplings, each one a miniature work of art. Stuffed with soup, each perfect package – ranging from chilli crab to king prawn and lamb – is rich and flavorful and encased in a rainbow of colourful wrappings, allowing guests to differentiate between the various dim sum.
When it comes to main courses, MiMi Mei Fair leans into bold, theatrical flavours. The Signature Apple Wood-Fired Roasted Peking Duck (AED 498) is a performance in itself, carved tableside with all the reverence of a fine art restoration. The lacquered skin shatters on impact, revealing succulent, fragrant meat that pairs effortlessly with wafer-thin pancakes, house-made hoisin, and a scattering of julienned cucumber and spring onion. As originally intended, the duck is fit for royalty and can be customised with a caviar addition starting from AED 550 for 30g.
The Diced Black Pepper Wagyu Beef (AED 208) is another triumph, with buttery-soft cuts of meat bathed in a glossy, aromatic sauce. A seemingly simple dish, it exudes quiet confidence, offering a subtle interpretation of the take-out classic, where the beautiful beef has transformed into a rich, satisfying plate, emblematic of the restaurant’s commitment to high-quality produce and meticulous execution.
Not a fan of meat? Fear not because the Hunan Crispy Atlantic Sea Bass (AED 348) is one of the most memorable plates we’ve eaten in recent months. Each mouthful hums with heat as the fish is opened out into crisp, pullable pieces, like the famed bloomin’ onion from Outback Steakhouse. It’s comfort food at its most elevated.
A sweet farewell
Like the dining room, MiMi Mei Fair Dubai’s desserts are bijou. It’s tough to choose between the dainty Vanilla Cheesecake (AED 64) with wild berry compote or the Flourless Chocolate Bar (AED 68) infused with mandarin, sprinkled with pecan crunch and served with vanilla bean ice cream. The latter delivers a final flourish of citrusy brightness, while the ice cream provides a superb silky contrast.
The service at MiMi Mei Fair Dubai is impeccable and attentive without being intrusive. The warm hospitality of the knowledgeable and passionate staff adds to the overall dining experience, making it feel very Shanghai chic.
The verdict
Dubai’s fine dining landscape is fiercely competitive, yet MiMi Mei Fair feels like an instant classic. It doesn’t chase trends or rely on gimmicks—instead, it immerses diners in a world of nostalgia, artistry, and uncompromising quality. The execution is flawless, the ambience is transportive, and the experience is one of quiet luxury rather than ostentatious excess.
The name “mì mì” may translate to “secret” in Mandarin, but the word is definitely out on this London import.
GO: Visit https://mimimeifair.com for reservations and more information.