La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Dubai — Restaurant in Dubai

Having had the privilege of traveling the world, my culinary journey has been as diverse as the destinations themselves. From the exquisite precision of Michelin-starred fine dining to the soul-warming authenticity of street food vendors in bustling markets, I have come to appreciate a wide spectrum of flavors and experiences. This extensive background has, perhaps, set a high bar for my expectations. Yet, I have never been as profoundly disappointed as I was with my recent dining experience here, especially given the staggering price tag of over 3000 AED. The disconnect between the quality of the food and the price was frankly astonishing. For a property that commands a nightly rate of 8,000 AED for a premium suite, one would naturally expect the culinary offerings to reflect a similar level of excellence and sophistication. Sadly, this was not the case. The dishes lacked the innovation, technique, and exceptional ingredients that a meal at this price point should deliver. It felt as though corners had been cut, and the final product was a shadow of what it should have been. It's a stark contrast to the rest of the property. The hotel itself is a masterpiece of design and opulence, a clear testament to the owner's significant investment in every detail and luxury element. The ambiance is breathtaking, and the craftsmanship is undeniable. However, it seems this commitment to excellence does not extend to all of its partners, particularly the food and beverage outlets. The service, while polite, lacked the seamless, intuitive quality one anticipates from a high-end establishment. For those who, like me, seek a dining experience where quality is commensurate with the cost, I would strongly advise looking elsewhere. While the hotel offers an unparalleled stay, the restaurant fails to deliver on the promise of its price. The magnificent surroundings cannot compensate for the lack of substance on the plate. If you are looking for a truly memorable meal that justifies its expense, this is not the...

I have really mixed feelings about La Mar. I went there last week with my family. The receptionists were super lovely and welcoming. The overall vibe of the restaurant was quite casual, which felt a bit off considering we ended up with a bill of over 2200 AED for 3 people (for % drinks we ordered 2 piscos and a beer). The music was loud, and the decor wasn’t anything special. We sat inside since there were no outdoor seats available.

Food: The classic ceviche was nice but nothing memorable. I really didn’t like the tuna tostadas – they tasted very fishy and I couldn’t finish them. The shrimp tacos in lettuce were a fun dish, served in a giant crab shell – fresh and tasty! But they were around 500 AED, which honestly felt like a lot for what it was. Then I ordered seabass for 750 AED, but when the fish arrived, the server told me the chef had decided to change it to grouper, saying it was "better." But no one told me about the switch or the fact that the grouper cost 850 AED. That’s just wrong – if something is unavailable, they should tell you and let you decide if you want to proceed or choose something else. Completely unprofessional.

We might’ve ordered more food, but I honestly don’t even remember – nothing else stood out.

Service: Everyone was friendly, but the service felt a bit chaotic and untrained. For example, one of the waiters served us a new dish but didn’t clear the old plates. And the fish situation just made it worse.

Overall: With the amount of great restaurants in Dubai, I wouldn’t recommend La Mar. You can easily find a better place with a...

I like Peruvian cuisine and I was very satisfied with La Mar that just opened at the Royal Atlantis in Dubai the super luxurious hotel. Right before entering La Mar Restaurant you get to see the majestic aquarium and then you get a warm hearted welcome by the hostess who makes sure to ask you also if you have any food allergies. The decoration is beautiful, very high ceilings, warm colors of the sand and wood furniture, big bars inside and out and fantastic view in the coast of the Palm Jumeirah. The service is very friendly, waiters really helpful, explaining to you every single detail in the menu and making suggestions that help you decide. My friend and I ordered for starters the Peruvian yellow potatoes with olives and ocopa sauce and the Conchitas La Mar which is scallops with aged parmesan and toasted butter, with a little bit of crispy garlic which wasn't strong at all, didn't even feel the garlic taste in my mouth after. For main we got the Planchaza marina, a mouthwatering dish with calamari, scallops, octopus, prawns with anticuchera sauce & chimichurri - not spicy at all not heavy. We also liked a lot the Antichucho clasico which was grilled veal heart (sooooo tender) with potatoes, choclo (peruvian corn) and rocoto sauce. This came also with white rice and was a good combination. We didn't get any dessert because we got full with food, indeed the portions are big! We just finished by enjoying our cocktails (the classic Peruvian pisco sour) drifting away listening to the afro tech house...