Café Belge — Restaurant in Dubai

I have been a regular at Cafe Belge in the Ritz-Carlton Dubai for over three years, but unfortunately, my recent visit was incredibly disappointing due to the abysmal service. While the food remains top-notch and deserves 5/5, the service would barely warrant 1/5.We made an online reservation utilizing their Monday promotion. However, upon arrival, the manager—who claimed to have been working there for over six months—insisted he had never heard of such a promotion, despite it being advertised on their website and confirmed via email. He said he would check and get back to us, but we waited for nearly 15 minutes without any follow-up, even after requesting to speak with him again. At that point, we decided to proceed and order from the regular menu.The service was riddled with basic errors. When asking about the size of their oysters, the waiter vaguely described them as "medium-sized" but could not specify further without consulting the kitchen. We ordered oysters as a starter and two main courses, but all dishes were served at once. When I pointed out that starters should be served separately, the waiter returned the main dishes to the kitchen and left them sitting out until we finished the oysters. By the time they were served again, they were cold. Such missteps are unacceptable in a restaurant located in a 5-star hotel.When I requested to speak with the manager for the third time, he eventually came over, smiling, and casually stated that the promotion had been removed from the website due to an error. However, during our discussion, he abruptly walked away when he ran out of explanations—a glaring display of unprofessionalism and disrespect. I understand that mistakes happen, but being gaslit by the manager, who claimed the promotion never existed, was frustrating and indicative of a lack of awareness about what happens in his restaurant.At the end of the meal, I approached the manager to express my dissatisfaction, explaining that this was the worst service I’d ever experienced at Cafe Belge. Despite the consistently excellent food, the standard of service has dramatically declined. I will not return, as there are far better restaurants in DIFC offering superior food and a significantly higher level of professionalism and...

I have been living in Dubai for over 5 years, but I have never seen such a terrible place. I came alone to smoke a hookah and drink beer. The hostess went crazy and started saying from the doorway that we have a minimum spend of 150 AED. I said okay okay calm down. Then they didn't want to give me a table arguing that they were on reservation, come on, 80% of the tables were free. And besides, I already said that I have no problems with payment since one shisha here starts from 150. So I barely sat down at the table. I waited about 15 minutes until one of the waiters came to take my order. What a beautiful place and how unnecessary you feel here, as if you came as an uninvited guest and ask for a free meal. And such an atmosphere and "service minus 5 stars" for 2 years now. probably this hotel works for quantity and not for quality, forgetting that not only hotel guests can "suffer" them for a week of vacation, but also local people who come just to sit and watch football, drink and smoke. it's a pity, a pity. I've been patient for a long time. I hope the owner will see and do something about it. because I only waited for the manager for 55 minutes (I specifically timed it!) I called him through three different waiters. so think about it, in my country they say: a fish rots...

Café Belge, located within The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), offers a dining experience that blends timeless elegance with vibrant charm. I consistently praise its exceptional cuisine, attentive service, and inviting ambiance.

I can also commend the restaurant’s high-quality dishes and the professionalism of its staff. The food is delicious and high quality, the atmosphere is amazing I love the vibe here! It feels both chill and romantic.

I can highlight the exceptional service and the staff who went “the extra mile to make our evening memorable.”

The restaurant’s interior exudes the elegant charm of 1920s Belgium, featuring high ceilings and a long bar area. This sophisticated setting provides a relaxed atmosphere, often enhanced by live music, making it suitable for both business lunches and intimate dinners.

My visit was memorable, appreciating the combination of delectable cuisine, attentive service, and the restaurant’s unique ambiance. It was one of the best restaurants I’ve visited in Dubai; the food was delicious, and the ambiance and mood were beautiful; overall,...