The Nice Guy — Restaurant in Dubai

If you’re Looking for a restaurant that offers an intimate atmosphere and a sense of privacy, The Nice Guy is where you need to be. With its mellow and dark ambiance, this Italian eatery creates an atmosphere of anonymity, allowing you to enjoy a truly private dining experience. What sets The Nice Guy apart is its exceptional policy of not allowing photography inside, except for capturing the mouthwatering dishes that will grace your table.

When it comes to dining, service holds utmost importance for me, as it sets the tone for the entire experience. The Nice Guy not only understands this but excels in providing top-notch hospitality. As we arrived, Shaka warmly welcomed us and guided us through the drink options. As the restaurant became livelier, our attentive server, Phylis, took over. Her sweet and patient demeanor made us feel right at home. She went above and beyond, answering our questions, offering recommendations, and ensuring we had everything we needed. Phylis even surprised us with the suggestion of chili oil for our pizza, which turned out to be a splendid addition. The exceptional service truly elevated our mood and heightened our enjoyment the entire time.

Our evening kicked off with an array of delightful mocktails. The Blushing Kiss, infused with hibiscus, grapefruit, and citrus, was a refreshing choice. Its cleansing effect on the palate left a subtle, bitter aftertaste, reminiscent of alcoholic beverages.

If you prefer a kick of acidity, the Dusk 'Till Dawn mocktail, featuring passion fruit, lychee, grenadine, and ginger beer, provided a refreshing and stress-relieving sensation, perfect for a warm day.

The Coffee and Dates mocktail, a blend of cold brew concentrate, dates, and shaken cream, stole the show with its perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. Each sip left me longing for more.

While I did not indulge in the cocktails, my friend thoroughly enjoyed the Spicy Sienna Cocktail a tantalizing blend of 1800 Blanco Tequila, lime fresno agave, Cointreau, served on the rocks with a tajin rim. Its perfect balance of spice, heat, and acidity made it an instant favorite.

On the other hand, The Good Fella is a great option if you want to start with a light, delicate drink. It’s a highball with J.W. Black Label and J.W. Double Black Scotch whiskies, mango, and tonic water.

Moving on to the food, we started with the Fried Calamari, served with marinara sauce. The Middle Eastern-inspired spices in the batter took our taste buds on a delightful journey. The calamari remained crunchy even after an hour, a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality.

The Kale Salad, with pomegranate, shaved Parmesan, pumpkin seeds, and lemon vinaigrette, provided a refreshing and tangy experience. The layers of flavors and textures in this well-composed dish were truly palatable.

Finally, it’s time to taste their pizza. They recently won a What’s On Award for having the best pizza in town and for good reason. We had their Margherita Pizza and while the simplicity of flavors were expertly executed, I now understand why they coveted the award. The secret is in their dough. It was incredibly soft even as it got cold. The airiness was maintained while still being chewy at the same time. Simply delightful!

For desserts, the signature Tiramisu instantly became a favorite, with its perfectly balanced bitterness of coffee and sweetness. Pair it with the Dates and Coffee mocktail for an unforgettable combination.

The Lemon Tart was adorned with a silky-smooth meringue, raspberry, and a basil leaf. The interplay of textures and flavors in this dessert was like a firework display in our mouths. From the fruitiness of the raspberry to the tanginess of the lemon filling, every bite was a...

Tucked away amidst the glittering skyscrapers of Dubai lies a gem that transports you straight into the heart of a Mobster's paradise. My recent encounter with The Nice Guy, a Mafia-inspired culinary concept, proved to be nothing less than a spectacular gastronomic journey. The attention to detail in the décor, the breathtakingly beautiful lighting, and the authentic ambiance transported me directly to an opulent scene straight from an iconic mob movie.

The exclusivity of the venue was brilliantly articulated through the strict 'no-photos' rule, with the exception of the designated photo booth. This 'VIP treatment' reflects the dazzling spirit of Dubai, effortlessly embracing the thrill of discretion while nurturing an air of mystery.

The Nice Guy serenaded its guests with live music, tastefully curated to enhance the dining experience. With the strumming of the first note, you could feel your senses heighten, creating an engaging atmosphere that marries food, music, and conviviality in perfect harmony.

The pièce de résistance, of course, was the culinary offerings. We started our indulgence with a serving of Truffle French fries, Beef Carpaccio, and Crispy Mozzarella. Each bite was a revelation, the flavors dancing on the palate, and setting high expectations for the dishes to follow.

For the main course, we opted for a pizza. The crust was truly a revelation, the amazing dough creating a perfect base for the rich toppings. This was beautifully accompanied by some roasted Brussel sprouts, an underrated vegetable which, when executed to perfection, adds a whole new layer of sophistication to a meal.

The crowning jewel of this extravagant dining experience was the desserts. A sublime Salted Chocolate Cake was served, its luscious texture and the intricate balance of sweetness and salinity making it an instant favorite. The wide range of desserts at The Nice Guy adds a lovely conclusion to the culinary journey.

The cocktail selection at The Nice Guy was equally impressive. Each cocktail is a testament to the bar team's dexterity, skill, and creativity. My personal favorite was the 'Spicy Sienna', a perfect mélange of punch and zest, which was both refreshing and potent in equal measure.

As in all great restaurants, the service was impeccable. The staff was not just attentive but also knowledgeable, eager to share insights about each dish's origins, ingredients, and preparation methods. This personalized touch, reminiscent of traditional Italian hospitality, further enhanced our experience.

Although our sumptuous dinner left us too full to make it to the lounge this time, I must mention that The Nice Guy is also renowned for its lively post-midnight scene. It is a hotbed for celebrity spotting, boasts incredible music, serves top-notch cocktails, and the dance floor positively throbs with energy.

To sum up, The Nice Guy is not just a restaurant, it's an experience. A seamless blend of tantalizing food, enchanting ambiance, and a vibrant nightlife makes it a must-visit destination when in Dubai. The food will satiate your taste buds, the drinks will spark your spirit, and the overall experience will surely leave you...

The Nice Guy, Trade Centre

This LA import has created a refuge for the A-listers during their Dubai sessions. With a firm “no photos” rule, and a menu telling tales of upscale comfort food, it’s easy to see why - it feels like home. The venue is (very) dimly lit, but that's also what gives the place its vibe - a 1960s west coast bolthole, with live music gigs and classic cocktails filling your senses.

🎷 6/8: While it's a stretch to call this the perfect bar setup, it’s the perfect spot for people watching. With one eye on the bar, and the other one to the restaurant floor, you’re bound to get your weekly dose of “isn’t that”s filled in no time. 🥃 6/8: The cocktail menu is following the theme, with names on cocktails like “The Goodfella”, “Godfather Sour” and “Handsome Johnny” - brave takes on classics that mostly turn out on the well. Perhaps Dubai isn’t mature yet, but the mothership in LA has both a number of more cocktails, and also some more advanced libations, e.g. the “Mickey” sounds just about right: Stranahan’s single malt whisky, lemon, turmeric, ginger, honey, Fernet Branca. 👨‍🔬 6/8: With the dusky light and booming music, conversations with the bartender is a forlorn attempt - then again, with the place serving up to 1,000 covers (@chefroblar is a machine!), the bartenders are probably needed elsewhere (mixing cocktails) rather than chit chatting with yours truly. 🧊 7/8: Big, clear ice, ice stamp. Boom.

As can be seen, with the "no photos" rule it's difficult to do the place justice - with a little imagination though, it's possible to see why this is the best kept secret of celebrities on the look for a hideout - dark wooden panels, intimate dinner booths and a toned down lighting scheme. Most of their cocktails are spot on, albeit served in small glasses. With a more elaborated cocktail menu, they'll be on to something. Meanwhile, take a sip, close your eyes and listen to the live music - and all of a sudden you’ll find yourself waking up in Los...