BB Social Dining is a forward-thinking, contemporary restaurant in the glamorous DIFC district of Dubai, run by Alexander Stumpf - a chef whose reputation is rapidly rising thanks to his innovative cooking and use of worldly flavours.
The restaurant is spread across an expansive three-storey townhouse, which was once home to an art gallery. Each floor has its own aesthetic - downstairs you’ll find a magnificent open-plan dining room with high ceilings, but the upper floor plays host to a more intimate lounge bar. There’s also an al fresco terrace where guests can dine in the open air.
The name originates from the term BB or Bibi, given to respected female family members or members of the community. Derived from the Arabic work Habibi, meaning love, Bibis are traditionally those who cook for the family - BB takes the heart and soul of traditional home cooking, but adds a contemporary edge both in the social nature of the restaurant but also in the combination of global flavours.
For example, BB Social’s barbecue menu includes dishes that visit both east and west. A bowl of grilled aubergine with freekeh and pomegranate take clear inspiration from the flavours of the Middle East, but next to that you’ll find lamb barbacoa with burnt avocado, jalapeno and onion salad with steamed bao buns, and veal ribs with apple wasabi relish.
Bao buns get a separate section on the menu, and include fillings as diverse as whole soft shell crab with wasabi dressing, braised beef short rib, and lamb kofta with garlic yoghurt and sumac onions. Although meat and fish both feature on the menu, large portions of the menu are plant-based and the restaurant has been designed with vegetarians and vegans in mind.
If you can manage to save room for dessert, try the waffle apple pie with vanilla black sesame ice cream and apple wonton, or bao doughnut with chantilly cream and strawberry jam.