TATEL Dubai Review: What’s it like to dine at Ronaldo and Nadal’s new restaurant?

Spanish haute cuisine reigns supreme at Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection.

Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is making himself at home in the Middle East. Not only is he playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC, but he and fellow sports stars Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol are behind the new restaurant TATEL Dubai, which is now open at Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection.

Drawing inspiration from America’s prohibition era in the 1920s, the new venue offers an all-night party vibe in a sleek and sophisticated space designed for revelry. Long-time Dubai residents may remember the restaurant from its previous guise as Taikun, which has been gutted and transformed from a debaucherous dinner show into something far more desirable. Guests enter a marble-heavy lounge where low-slung seating, a beautiful bar, and a DJ booth await. The vibe is high, and the venue is packed when we arrive for an 8pm mid-week reservation.

The lounge gives way to a more formal dining room with pressed white tablecloths, glittering glassware, pendant lighting, alluring red drapes, a private dining room, and views of the kitchen. Plus, there’s an outdoor terrace with bombastic Burj Khalifa views, plenty of potted plants, and a gurgling fountain that will surely please diners once the al fresco season rolls around in September.

The TATEL team is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, offering sensible recommendations on signature dishes and marvellous mixology. Within moments, we’re already peeking into a velvet-lined treasure box, where, amidst plumes of smoke and mood lighting, daring drinks await.

With outposts in Madrid, Doha, Ibiza, Los Angeles, and a FACT award-winning restaurant in Riyadh, TATEL offers Spanish haute cuisine accompanied by creative cocktails, musicians, and daily live entertainment. As we dine, we’re serenaded by Spanish tunes and current pop hits that range from Santana’s Maria Maria to Dia Lipa’s infection earworm Houdini from the three-piece band. 

The menu at TATEL Dubai leans heavily on local ingredients and Spanish produce. Highlights include Calamar frito estilo Andaluz (Andalusian-style crispy squid with lime aioli) and Gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic). We begin with Cecina de León (AED 125), a dish of Iberian Cecina cured beef that is smooth and tender with a rich and smoky flavour imparted from the air-drying process. The Insta-worthy dish is presented on the plate like a blooming flower. 

Sticking with the signatures, the Croquetas TATEL (AED 70) are moreish morsels stuffed with Iberian Cecina and Béchamel sauce to create a rich and robust mix encased in crisp golden potato. The Tortilla TATEL (AED 110) has become one of the restaurant’s must-order dishes, offering a pillow-like potato omelette topped with generous shavings of black truffle. The result: a comforting starchy and savoury base, a sweet onion touch, richness from the eggs, and an earthiness from the truffle.

Mains cover fish, meat, pasta, rice and risotto. As the name suggests, the Lingote de pollo (AED 130 ) resembles a bar of bullion, but rather than gold or silver, diners are rewarded with a harmonising blend of slow-cooked chicken with herbes de Provence. It pairs perfectly with the Falso risotto con trufa (AED 140), a silky semolina risotto topped with truffle, displaying a unique textural twist and subtle sweetness. Elsewhere, the delightfully lacquered Costilla de ternera (AED 225) presents superb slow-cooked glazed short ribs that melt at the mere fumble of a fork. Great for groups, the 1.3kg Tomahawk with rosemary smoke (AED 975) and Arroz de langosta (AED 550), a grilled lobster with TATEL rice, are wow-worthy options.

On multiple occasions, we’ve waxed lyrical about the signature Nuestra famosa torta de queso (AED 65). TATEL’s world-famous cheesecake remains one of the best cheesecakes we’ve ever tasted. The cheesecake combines a fluffy texture and gooey filling. Plus, the drinks menu includes carefully crafted cocktails and a selection of spirits and wines that pair well with the plates. 

At TATEL Dubai, diners feel like celebrities. Each guest is given an A-list entrance, with double doors swinging open to showcase your arrival. If it’s good enough for Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s good enough for us!

At TATEL Dubai, you can experience Spanish gastronomy surrounded by the elegance of the roaring twenties, exceptional service, and daily live music. Who knows, you might run into Ronaldo or Nadal…

GO: Visit https://tatelrestaurants.com for more information.