Exclusive interview with Selçuk, Co-Founder, Loop

Every great restaurant begins with an idea. What sparked the vision for LOOP, and what gap did you feel existed in Dubai’s dining scene?

LOOP was born from a simple question: What makes people come back to a restaurant again and again? We realised it isn’t just a beautiful space or a trending dish. It’s how a place becomes part of your everyday life.

That’s exactly what we wanted to create—a restaurant people return to whether it’s for a morning coffee, a leisurely Turkish breakfast, a business lunch, dinner with friends or a late-night meal. The name “LOOP” reflects that idea of coming full circle, of becoming part of someone’s routine.

Dubai has countless restaurants designed for special occasions. We wanted to build one designed for everyday moments, where exceptional food, genuine hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere make every visit feel worth repeating.

Business Bay is evolving into one of Dubai’s busiest lifestyle destinations. What made it the perfect home for LOOP?

Business Bay has evolved into far more than a business district. It’s become one of Dubai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, where professionals, residents and visitors all cross paths throughout the day.

That made it the perfect location for an all-day dining concept like LOOP. From early breakfasts and coffee meetings to relaxed lunches, family dinners and late-night gatherings, the area naturally lends itself to every dining occasion.

Being located along the Dubai Canal also allows guests to step away from the pace of the city and enjoy a meal in a setting that feels calm, social and inviting. We wanted LOOP to become the neighbourhood restaurant people think of first, regardless of the hour.

Operating around the clock is an ambitious undertaking. What inspired the decision to create a true 24-hour dining destination?

Food doesn’t follow office hours, and neither do people.

Some guests start their day before sunrise with coffee and breakfast, while others are looking for a quality dinner or comforting meal long after most kitchens have closed. We wanted to remove the idea that there is a “right time” to visit a restaurant.

Operating 24 hours allows us to serve fresh, thoughtfully prepared food whenever our guests choose to dine. Whether it’s an early breakfast spread, a Mediterranean lunch, a family dinner or a late-night bite after work, the same attention to quality and hospitality remains at the centre of every service.

Mediterranean cuisine has become increasingly popular in the UAE. How does LOOP bring its own interpretation to this culinary tradition?

Mediterranean cuisine is all about simplicity, generosity and letting great ingredients speak for themselves, and that’s the philosophy we’ve embraced at LOOP.

Our menu is inspired by the Mediterranean with a distinctive Turkish influence, bringing together vibrant seasonal produce, premium grilled meats, fresh seafood and colourful sharing plates that encourage people to gather around the table.

Rather than reinventing traditional recipes, we focus on refining them through quality ingredients, careful technique and contemporary presentation. Guests can enjoy everything from authentic Turkish breakfast spreads to beautifully grilled kebabs, fresh mezze and signature Mediterranean dishes designed for sharing.

While shisha naturally complements the relaxed atmosphere, it has never defined who we are. Food is the heart of LOOP. Every dish is created to encourage conversation, long meals and the joy of sharing great flavours with family and friends.

Personalisation has become a defining trend in hospitality. How do you ensure returning guests feel recognized without making the experience feel scripted?

For us, personalisation begins with paying attention.

It’s about remembering a guest’s favourite table, knowing how they like their coffee, recommending a new dish based on what they’ve enjoyed before or simply greeting them by name.

We’re also developing the LOOP app to make reservations more seamless and help us better understand our guests’ preferences over time. Technology gives us useful insights, but it’s our team that brings those insights to life through genuine hospitality.

The goal is never to create a scripted experience. It’s to make every returning guest feel naturally welcomed, as though they’re visiting a place that already knows them.

Guests today expect more than great food. How are expectations changing around experience, technology and service?

Guests still come for exceptional food, but what they remember is how a restaurant made them feel.

Today’s diners expect a complete experience: beautifully prepared dishes, attentive service, a comfortable atmosphere and effortless convenience. Every detail matters, from the music and lighting to the pace of service and the way food arrives at the table.

Technology helps us enhance that experience by making reservations easier, streamlining operations and allowing our team to spend more time engaging with guests instead of focusing on processes.

At the end of the day, hospitality remains deeply human. Great food brings people through the door, but genuine service and memorable experiences are what inspire them to come back.

Some food stories begin in grand kitchens. Kailash Parbat’s story began on the streets—with a humble chaat stall, treasured family recipes, and a dream to bring people together over honest, comforting vegetarian food.

The iconic vegetarian restaurant brand, which traces its origins to the 1940s is now expanding its Dubai footprint with the opening of its newest outlet at Mall of the Emirates. The brand already operates successful locations at BurJuman Al Seef, Oud Metha & Abu Dhabi. 

Bhau Parsram Mulchandani established Kailash Parbat in Colaba, Mumbai in India in 1952. What started as a modest eatery soon became one of Mumbai’s most celebrated vegetarian dining destinations. For over seven decades, generations of Mumbaikars, Bollywood personalities, business leaders, tourists and loyal patrons have made Kailash Parbat a part of their family traditions, returning time and again for its iconic chaats, Sindhi specialities and authentic vegetarian cuisine.

Today, that same legacy continues far beyond Colaba. Under the leadership of Yash Mulchandani & Harry Mulchandani who joined the family business at a very young age.  Kailash Parbat has evolved into a global vegetarian restaurant brand. The  Mulchandani brothers has spearheaded the brand’s international expansion across the GCC, including the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, as well as Southeast Asia in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. 

The new Mall of the Emirates outlet, now open,  is the only pure vegetarian restaurant in the mall’s food court, bringing Kailash Parbat’s extensive menu of Indian vegetarian favourites to thousands of visitors every day—from its legendary chaats and Sindhi specialities to North Indian classics, street food favourites, mithai and more.

For Dubai-based restaurateur Yash Mulchandani, bringing Kailash Parbat to the UAE was never just about expansion; it was about bringing a piece of his family’s legacy to a city that celebrates global cuisines while embracing authentic traditions.

“When we brought Kailash Parbat to Dubai, our vision was simple—to create a place where people could experience the same warmth, nostalgia and flavours that families have grown up with for decades. Dubai has always embraced Indian cuisine, and we wanted to create a space that feels familiar, whether you’re visiting us for a quick chaat, a family meal or simply craving the flavours of home.”

The story of Kailash Parbat is one of resilience, family and generations. From a humble street-side chaat stall to an institution in Colaba and now a globally recognised vegetarian dining brand, the family’s journey has been shaped by perseverance, tradition and an unwavering commitment to quality. Today, different members of the Mulchandani family continue to oversee operations across various international markets including the USA and Europe, ensuring that while the footprint grows, the values and recipes remain unchanged.

From its celebrated pani puri and chaat platters to Sindhi favourites like dal pakwan and comforting classics such as chole bhature, Kailash Parbat’s menu showcases the richness and diversity of India’s vegetarian culinary heritage.

The opening at Mall of the Emirates marks another milestone in Kailash Parbat’s Dubai journey, building on the success of its existing outlets while strengthening its presence in one of the world’s most vibrant and multicultural dining destinations.

Because while trends may come and go, some flavours remain timeless—especially those built on family, memories and recipes passed down through generations.

Think summer in the Maldives is all about sipping cocktails and doing absolutely nothing? You could. But at Siyam World Maldives, you could also swim with sharks, race electric go-karts, become a certified mermaid, train with football legends and explore one of the Maldives’ newest shipwrecks, all before deciding what is for dinner. Because normal island holidays are not really our thing. Here are 10 reasons why Siyam World is turning up the fun this summer.

1. Dive into the Maldives’ Newest Obsession

Some resorts have house reefs. Siyam World has a shipwreck. The newest underwater attraction in Noonu Atoll is a 66 metre former Maldivian tuna freighter that now rests beneath the surface, ready to be explored by divers and marine life alike. Today it is an exciting new wreck dive. Tomorrow it will become a thriving artificial reef. Not bad for a retired fishing boat.

2. Train with Football Legends

This August, young football fans can swap the local pitch for paradise as former Premier League stars Andrew Johnson and Wayne Routledge arrive at Siyam World for two exclusive football camps. Not every summer holiday comes with professional coaching and ocean views. 10th – 14th AUGUST 2026 – Andrew Johnson / 15th – 19th AUGUST 2026 – Wayne Routledge. For kids between the ages of 5-12 years. More info here:

3. Swim with Sharks. Brag About It Later.

Swimming with sharks sounds terrifying. Until you realise these are gentle nurse sharks and curious sea turtles gliding through crystal clear waters. A three-hour snorkelling trip suddenly becomes one of those holiday stories you will tell for years.

4. The Floor Is Lava. The Water Park Is Not.

The Maldives’ biggest floating water park is basically an invitation to unleash your inner child. Climb it. Jump off it. Race your friends. Repeat.

5. Become a Mermaid. Seriously.

Some people come home from holiday with a tan. Others leave Siyam World with a mermaid certificate. This Try Mermaid Pool Program includes one session in the pool, all the equipment you’ll need as well as a certificate of completion. We know which one sounds more fun.

6. Golf, But Make It Shipwrecked.

Take on the Shipwrecked golf challenge, compete with friends and maybe even win resort credit while you are at it. Losing gracefully is optional.

7. Saddle Up, Maldives Style

Horse riding is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Maldives. That is exactly why we love it.

8. Dinner Underground, Island Style

Hidden beneath the island, Barrique is home to exceptional wines, curated menus and one of the most unique dining experiences in the Maldives. Choose between multiple course gourmet tasting menus that are served surrounded by hundreds of world-renowned vintages, where our sommelier is ready to take you through a wine journey that you will never forget. Because even adventure seekers need a sophisticated evening now and then.

9. Swap Flip-Flops for Pole Position

Who says paradise cannot come with a little friendly competition? Siyam World’s electric go-karts bring speed, excitement and plenty of laughs to the island, proving once again that this is a destination designed for those who like their holidays with a side of adventure.

10. Take on the Delmare Golf Challenge

Add a competitive twist to your stay with Siyam World’s golf challenge at Shipwrecked. Guests have the chance to win resort credit while enjoying a fun and social activity set against the backdrop of the ocean. Fun fact, the gold balls are fish food.

To make the most of summer, Siyam World is offering an exclusive limited-time offer with up to 45% off best available rates, complemented by added benefits including complimentary shared seaplane transfers on selected stays, USD 150 resort credit per bedroom, and a one-time floating breakfast for longer stays. Guests can enjoy the full Premium 24-hour WOW! all-inclusive experience, with up to two children under 12 staying and dining complimentary. The offer is available for bookings until 31 August 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027. Then tell us again that the Maldives is only for doing nothing.