Dubai’s eclectic dining scene champions a huge array of cuisines across the globe, from Italy to Thailand to Japan. But one that certainly doesn’t get as much airtime as the others is the food of Azerbaijan, a fact that Baku Café in the heart of Dubai is hoping to change. Serving a range of traditional Azerbaijani dishes and sweets, this unique restaurant aims to showcase the typical dishes and ingredients enjoyed across the country. As such, guests can expect kebabs and tandoor dishes, recipes cooked in copper and clay cookware, as well as ingredients doused liberally in herbs and spices.
The menu begins with a selection of hot and cold appetizers, including chicken pate, black caviar, aubergine lavangi and shakshuka. Azerbaijani cuisine is also rich in vegetables, which is why you’ll find a range of salads and soups that hero fresh produce, too. Think mangal salad made with roasted veg, crispy eggplant and lentil soup.
For main course, a selection of pilaf dishes cooked with saffron and dried fruits are available, which are best served with something from the tandoor (choose from short ribs, chicken, lamb shoulder and more). There’s also a range of traditional mangal dishes cooked on a skewer with tomatoes, peppers, onions and fresh greens. While hot meals include chicken in a cherry sauce, and lamb with pomegranate.
Sweets play another starring role on the menu, so save room for one of its interesting desserts. Pakhlava (same as baklava) sees filo pastry layered with nuts and syrup, while Badambura is a delicious sweet almond pastry.
Finally, the drinks list features a selection of signature cocktails, wines by the bottle or glass, aperitifs and digestives, spirits and beers.