Dubai’s weather is quite unforgiving for the better part of the year, so the November-March period is prized and celebrated by engaging in lots of outdoor activities- of which the most popular perhaps is the outdoor brunch. One brunch I’d had on my mind for a while was the Urban Picnic Brunch at 3 in 1 in Vida, Downtown, and I finally got to try it out with my good friend, K. K is a barrel of positive energy and is a perpetual glass-half-full person, so she was the perfect friend to share a sunny afternoon with!
If you’re looking for a lively brunch in full swing, you need to go on a Friday. If like me, you want a quiet, low-key and intimate afternoon, pick Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised by how empty it was on the Saturday that I visited, which was perfect as K and I got to laze around on beanbags in a poolside cabana from 1-5pm in the Center of Now, as we talked about life over a picnic basket full of sandwiches made with crusty breads baked freshly in-house, refreshing salads, European cheeses, healthy smoothies, oven-fresh pizza, and of course lots and lots of indulgent dessert! It didn’t just end there though, We also had a variety of seafood and fresh grills to choose from, and a tiffin (how cute!) of Indian food; all which are brought to your table/cabana.
We tried (and loved) the Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad, Tomato Mozzarella Salad, the Truffle Pizza, Pastrami Sandwich in Pretzel Bun (I know, YUM), the chicken wrap, and the club sandwich. I know it sounds like a lot of sandwiches but the I’m a sucker for bread and these sandwiches were a perfect example of how simple can still be awesome. K loved their blueberry smoothie so much, that she’s been making smoothies at home every day since then!
Of the hot items, the lamb chops were juicy, tender and well-marinated. The ribs melted in our mouths like butter, and the steak was hands down the best I’ve had anywhere in Dubai. I cannot stress enough on how AMAZING the grills were!
There was also the cutest little tiffin box with Butter Chicken, Paneer Jalfarezi, and a mild version of Biryani rice.
Dessert also included a lot of nice picnic-friendly options. K absolutely adored the upside down Cranberry Sponge Cake. Make no mistake though, there was a plethora of other excellent option, the aforementioned specifics were just our favorites.
This was once of my favorite brunches till date and I can’t stop recommending it to everyone I come across 🙂 Definitely one of the top brunches in Dubai, with a very laid back and fun vibe!
