Dubai doesn’t exactly suffer from a shortage of new restaurants, but every so often, one comes along that feels different. PEOPLE, the newest concept from the same folks who gave us G.O.A.T Burger and Steak On Me, has just landed at Al Khawaneej Walk. For now, it’s in soft-opening mode until August 31, with the official launch set for September 1.
PEOPLE Restaurant Opens At Al Khawaneej Walk
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The idea originated from Emirati founders Maryam Alobeidli, Shehab AlHarmoodi, and Sultan Kayed, who sought to create something more than just another “eat and leave” kind of place. PEOPLE is pitched as a modern majlis, a dining room where the food brings everyone together and the setting makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
Taking charge in the kitchen is Executive Chef Sameer Bhalekar, a name with a serious track record. He has worked in New York, London, Barcelona, Mumbai and across the Middle East, training under culinary icons Gordon Ramsay and Thomas Keller. That sort of résumé guarantees a menu that borrows the best of several worlds, Italian precision, Asian flair, and Emirati heart.
What You’ll Find On The Menu
It’s the kind of menu that makes you pause before ordering, simply because everything sounds tempting. There’s the Okami crab salad with sesame oil and tobiko, and a clever yuzu burrata topped with pomelo and candied walnuts. The raw bar is playful too, serving up wagyu carpaccio tostada and spicy tuna on potato pavé.
For the table, sharing plates are the highlight: billionaire wagyu crispy rice and buffalo maple shrimp are designed to be passed around and talked about. From the Josper grill, the stars are Australian lamb chops and Alaskan king crab au gratin, both delivering indulgence without apology.
Desserts keep the global-meets-local theme alive. The aseeda panna cotta comes with saffron caviar for an Emirati flourish, while the mocha chocolate mousse paired with salted caramel is the kind of thing you won’t want to share.
Drinks With Personality
The drinks program sticks to zero percent, but don’t mistake that for boring. Think yuzu lemonade, blue night lychee, and the playful straw-melon. For a calmer moment, there’s a strong speciality coffee line-up and a few matcha creations for good measure.
A Dining Room with a Pulse
The interiors lean into comfort and drama at the same time. Designed around the feel of an open majlis, the room is anchored by a sunken U-shaped seating space that fits about 100 people. Rich red marble and terrazzo floors meet teal velvet banquettes, with flowing purple drapes pulling the look together. Shelves of books, greenery and layered textures soften the sharp edges, making the place feel lived in rather than staged.
Also Read: 10 Best Dubai Restaurant Week Offers That You Just Cannot Miss
Why PEOPLE Matters
Restaurants in Dubai come and go, but PEOPLE isn’t trying to chase trends. Its focus is clear: food that’s bold yet familiar, and a space that feels like an invitation to stay. It’s not the sort of spot where you eat in a rush, it’s where you order another drink, share a plate, and keep the conversation rolling.
PEOPLE opens fully on September 1 at Al Khawaneej Walk, and if the preview is anything to go by, it’s about to become one of those places everyone talks about.
Cover Image Courtesy: PEOPLE/Instagram
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First Published: August 22, 2025 12:23 PM
