Situated just outside of Dubai Opera, Kizmet is not a place you just stumble upon - which is sad, because the place deserved more guests. To be alone in the bar (and restaurant) a Thursday night in September after the schools have started is an ominous sign for the future. With a solid food menu built up on the sharing concept, and cocktails that are both moderately priced and interesting to discuss, this place should boast full tables all the time. From a cocktail bar standpoint, they deliver a solid handcraft with a few minor hiccups. The bartenders are ambitious and eager to please, but the high notes of creativity and style are yet to be reached.
Come here to get the pampering and attention of a private chef/bartender, given that the number of guests are limited - and make sure to order the Borstj, it’s sensational.
Atmosphere: 6/8
The downstairs restaurant has a comfortable brasserie touch making it comfy, stylish and elegant, while the upstairs bar seems to be more focused on the drinking clientele, with a majestic bar disk as a centerpiece.
Cocktails: 6/8
Nice prices and a few classics with interesting twists allow Kizmet to reach the more than decent level - you won’t get disappointed, but perhaps not that surprised either.
Bartenders: 5/8
While polite and open for discussion, including on thoughts behind the cocktail list and reasoning behind the same, it feels as if they have more to offer than what comes to show. During high season and with the updated menu, more is expected from them.
Ice: 6/8
While the bar indeed has big, clear ice cubes - the general manager clearly instructs the staff that those ice cubes are only for the signature Negroni - and while that’s fine with me, I don’t see why the other boozy cocktails should be robbed of good ice.
https://www.kizmetrestaurant.com/
04 3388717
Dubai Opera
Unit 5
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Road
Downtown
Dubai