Cakes at the Limetree Cafe, Dubai

Dubai Marina looking spectacular in April sunshine.

It is a ritual of sorts, that whenever I return to Dubai I must, at some point, with someone, go to Limetree Cafe.

Limetree Cafe epitomises exactly what I love about kitschy cafes; the food is incredible: wholesome, organic and uniquely flavoursome - there are combinations of food here that you're unlikely to find anywhere else. The portions are generous, the staff are friendly (although a little slow), the cafes are always humming with activity, and each cafe has a section dedicated to Limetree produce.

Limetree has stormed to success in the UAE, but is yet to set internationalise its foody paw-prints. This I quite like about Limetree, as it's always nice to have eateries that you associate with a particular place or moment in your life, rather than the global chains which, in my opinion, have nothing particularly unique about them.

On this occasion, my friend and I visited the Ibn Battuta Limetree branch. Given we were both harbouring an insatiable sweet tooth, we didn't need to confer with each other to know that we would be straight onto the cake.

The slices of cake at Limetree are enormous, and choosing from a wide range of the freshly baked goods is always heartbreaking. The Triple Chocolate Brownie (around 30 dhs) is my absolute favourite - a chunk of gooey, chocolate goodness, warmed through so the chunks of white, dark and milk chocolate are soft, on the cusp of melting, and often served with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream on the side.

But we decided to be more adventurous, so I opted for the key lime coconut cake (28 dhs) and my friend for the Orange and Chunky Chocolate Cake (25 dhs).

It was the first time I had tried key lime cake, and unfortunately for me, I found it far too sickly sweet. Although the cake was soft and the lime wonderfully tangy, after the first couple of mouthfuls the sweetness was so overbearing I struggled to keep eating. I did finish the cake - waste not, want not - but the combination of an incredibly sweet cake, and the sheer quantity of it, left me feeling rather ill.

My friend's cake was served warmed through with a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Surprisingly, I found the cake quite bland, which is unusual for Limetree, whose food is normally bursting with flavour. Despite lacking in taste, the cake had a perfectly soft texture and the ice cream complemented it.

Compared to other Limetree cakes I've tried, these two didn't quite make it up there in the rankings. Still, and far as cakes go, they were yummy and to those who haven't yet sampled some of Limetree's food, it's well worth a trip!

The Pantry Cafe, Dubai

I'm a big fan of understated eateries over the ostentatious superfluousness of fine-dining restaurants. So, for my twentieth birthday, my family headed to The Pantry Cafe, a newly opened organic cafe in Wasl Square, just opposite Safa Park.

Being a Wednesday, and the height of summer (most people clear off as soon as June approaches and temperatures soar to the high fourties), the place was very nearly deserted. As a result, service was quick and amicable.

Prices were at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but when the food and drinks arrived, the price more than made up for the portion size and quality.

We ordered the small strawberry pineapple smoothie (which wasn't small at all) for 25 dhs, which although not as thick and creamy as other smoothies, was loaded with fruity tones.



For 30 dhs, the Elderflower & Green Apple Spritz served two larges glasses. The drink had a wonderfully tangy aftertaste, although was quite strong compared to other elderflower drinks I've had - a warning for those who prefer milder spritzes.















I ordered a pot of Chamomile Citron tea with my meal. For 18 dhs I got three cups of tea; more than your average pot, which usually serves up two. The tea was infused with rose hips, hibiscus and mint; the flowery aromas were potent and the unique melange made my mouth feel as though it was having its own soothing spa treatment. The tea is also an excellent source of Vitamin C - an added bonus!

The Lamb burger served with homemade fries and a pot of homemade ketchup on the side; a personal, Pantry Cafe touch - 75 dhs. The lamb was deliciously tender.

The Paprika & Rosemary Chicken Salad - 48 dhs. The chicken was wonderfully soft and although I would have preferred not to have dressing, the dressing brought a kick to the meal that otherwise might have been quite bland.

The Carni pizza, a huge creation loaded with protein; turkey ham, Wagyu pepperoni, Wagyu ground beef, Wagyu spicy chorizo, mushrooms & parmesan cheese - 85 dhs. A had a slice of the pizza, and it was extremely filling, so plump for this monster only if your belly's growling.

The Pantry Cafe was filled with natural light with warehouse-like decor, which gave it a quirky, grungy ambiance, complementing the organic and kitschy dishes. An entire wall was devoted to Pantry Cafe products; from cake stands to homemade condiments in cute little jars. Bookshelves stacked with Arabic and English reads were inviting for those looking to mull over a coffee for hours on end.




Overall, the Pantry Cafe was a wonderful birthday lunch and a must if you are after a gourmet experience brimming with healthy food and arty vibes.