Having only been open around a year, Gaia has already made a name for themselves in the absolute top layer of restaurants in Dubai. Adjacent to the main dining room, there is a bar to enjoy a pre or post dinner cocktail in, while fascinated by the Greek style decor. The place feels like someone’s very high end living room, and the amount of fabric and furniture makes it comfortable and suitable for small talk. Cocktail-wise the guys do know what they’re doing, and while the setting leaves (too) few opportunities for bartender extravaganza, the outcome is more than passable. Later at night, take the stairs down to pay a visit to the NYX Club (Nyx being the Greek goddess of the night, aptly enough), beware though - if you’re not on the list, you’re not going in.
Step in and make yourself at home, spend time sipping a cocktail, eating those delicious home-made rosemary chips, discuss tequila with the bar manager Lana, and if you’re lucky - explore the night at NYX.
Atmosphere: 5/8
As always in DIFC, it’s hard to fault the interior - but this place is all about the food (top notch, to say the least), and hence the go-to cocktails are aperitifs and digestifs.
Cocktails: 6/8
Consistently high class on the craftsmanship, but the top notes are not there, which is not that hard to see given this not being a die-hard cocktail bar.
Bartender: 5/8
These guys do their job without the need to shine, somewhat like cocktail mercenaries.
Ice: 5/8
Hit and miss - one visit I get big clear ice blocks, while at the next visit being served the same drink with small ice cubes.
Gate Village 4
DIFC