Making its debut into the local F&B fare, this part restaurant, part market exudes luxe food hall vibes with a Fortnum & Mason feel, (if you’ve ever been to the landmark London spot, you’ll be excited to visit The Food District).
Here you can shop from an array of irresistible gourmet pleasures while delighting in breakfast, lunch, dinner or a coffee and bite.
The Market
Passionate about provenance, The Food District creates its own line of delicious products right there where you stand, no distant supplier on whose product they slap their label. In their relevant sections, you will find displayed Hummus (Pesto, Beetroot, Turmeric) Honey, Nut Butters (Peanut, Hazlenut, Pistachion, Almond), Sundried Tomatoes, Pesto, Saurkraut, Seasonal Jams, Halawa (walnut, almond, sesame, cashew), Roast Beef & Roast Turkey.
That’s not all! The art-deco inspired spacious indoors is laid out with stalls, each with a sign pointing to its specialty. The Baker Street stall is where you’ll find all kinds of freshly made sweet and savory bakes to enjoy in-store or at home, and freshly brewed coffees.
There’s also a warm food bar with a daily special of protein, rice, veggies and potato wedges. Or you can opt to order from the extensive menu. The meat stalls feature grass-fed Angus beef cuts, hormone-free chicken, sous-vide bags of various beef or chicken dishes, or marinated and vacuum-sealed chicken and beef cuts, all sourced from premium-quality, animal-conscious suppliers.
The fish stall sources only wild-caught fish and crustacean as well as premium quality imported salmon. Never frozen and thawed, always just chilled. The Artisan Corner features decadent house-made bite-size chocolates like Lotus, Pralines, Mint, Nutella, Marron and also features house-made honey, jams, chutneys, just to name a few.
Also available are high-end perishables, a cheese-stall with consciously sourced local cheese, as well as imported cheeses, and house-made roast deli meats, a fresh fruit and vegetable stall, and a herb garden outdoors where you can grab a pot of dill, rosemary, basil and more.
Dishes Sampled
We perused the stalls around lunchtime and headed back to our table with a Salmon Cake and a Tuna Cake in tow. Starting off with these very pretty, savory appetizers set the bar high as each held its own ground.
Golden-fried Tomato & Basil Arancini with the house-made chutney followed, a superb bite of deep flavor combinations, while the thinly-sliced Tenderloin Carpaccio truly delighted us with its tangy balsamic lemon vinaigrette. The vibrant Aubergine Parmigiana exuded festive vibes with its mix of reds and greens in the stuffing.
As we nibbled, we enjoyed the airy and vibrant atmosphere of The Food District, sitting by the window and enjoying the sun. Soon our mains began disembarking on our table. The FD Burger, topped with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, melted cheddar and house sauce satisfied, but nothing like our next main, the Shrimp Saffron Risotto! Now that was a true delight, perfectly cooked risotto, aromatic saffron & the most tender, buttery shrimp. The winner of the afternoon.
Too full to explore the dessert offerings, we vowed to dedicate an afternoon strictly to sample sweet delicacies like the Lotus Molten Cake or the Salted Caramel Gateau, (although we might’ve already indulged in a house-made chocolate or two… or three on our tour earlier).
Other Menu Options that Appealed
We’d like to come on different days to try the changing daily special at the warm food stall. Maybe sip on an espresso with a freshly baked buttery croissant, word has it, it’s a specialty.
Ambiance & Décor
Mint greens, golds, airy and light, art-deco inspired and bustling with activity and diners, serving an extra dose of festive vibes. A spacious outdoor patio of light woods, white seat cushions, and lush green plants is the perfect winter spot to soak up the sun.
Social Distancing and Hygiene Standards
QR code menu is available, staff is all wearing masks, those working behind counters are also wearing gloves.
Clientele Mix
Young professionals from the surrounding offices in Galleria, work-from-home professionals who are looking for an energizing change of scenery, young families, groups of friends, both young and old.
Price Range: A little bit on the high-end, but given the portion sizes, the premium-quality ingredients, and the atmosphere, well worth it.
Contact information:
Opening hours: From 8 am to 12 am
Address: Galleria 40, Sheikh Zayed, 1st floor
Facebook: @thefooddistricteg
Instagram: @thefood.district
Fresh Food Market An Eating-Shopping Experience in Sheikh Zayed
