Love Levantine food? Dubai residents are in for a pleasant surprise, as Naranj Café, a Syrian-Levantine restaurant already popular across Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is now open in Dubai.

Khamas Hospitality, an established hospitality group in the GCC & worldwide, has brought Naranj Café to DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf, introducing traditional Syrian Levantine cuisine in a contemporary ambience designed to welcome everyone in Dubai.

Every home has a story, told through the aromas of the kitchen, treasured family recipes, and meals lovingly prepared and shared around the table. Likewise, Naranj is inspired by the roots of Syrian cuisine and the timeless tradition of home cooking bringing together comforting dishes, familiar flavours, and recipes passed down through generations. Each plate reflects the warmth of homemade food, where simple ingredients, traditional cooking, and a love for sharing create something truly special.The philosophy is simple: clean ingredients, traditional recipes and authentic flavours, with dishes designed to be enjoyed, remembered and shared.

The name Naranj comes from the bitter orange tree and its fragrant blossoms, drawing inspiration from the citrusy aromas and rich food traditions of the Levant. The Dubai restaurant brings that Syrian heritage into a contemporary setting, with plenty of space for relaxed dining and socialising.

Spread across 385 sq m, the restaurant is located at DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf, conveniently close to the nearby metro station, and can seat 170 guests, with 100 seats indoors and 70 outdoors. The space is warm and inviting, with arched details, patterned screens, warm wood, earthy tones and statement lighting giving the interiors a distinctly Levantine feel without making the space feel overly traditional.

Inside, there is a dedicated family dining area as well as a separate bar serving alcoholic drinks. The restaurant also features a live kitchen and grill, with freshly baked bread coming straight from the oven, filling the space with tempting aromas as soon as guests walk in.

Outside, the terrace offers a more relaxed setting for dining, drinks and shisha, making it a spot to settle in for a longer evening. The restaurant has been designed across distinct lounge, dining, bar and outdoor areas, combining Syrian Levantine flavours with an inviting contemporary Dubai dining experience.

The menu at Naranj brings together signature mezze, charcoal-grilled meats, slow-cooked specialities, unique desserts and beverages, while staying true to traditional Syrian cooking techniques.

You may find similar dishes across Dubai, but what sets Naranj apart is its focus on preserving the authentic flavours and traditional methods behind each dish. Rather than adapting traditional recipes to suit modern cooking methods, Naranj stays closely aligned with the techniques used in Syrian cuisine.

This consistency is an important part of Naranj’s growth story. Every new outlet follows the same approach, with the local team undergoing months of training to ensure that the dishes served at each location deliver the same authentic flavours and quality that guests have come to expect from Naranj.

The menu takes diners on a journey through the flavours of Syria, bringing together time-honoured recipes, charcoal-grilled specialities and contemporary interpretations of regional favourites. Highlights include Kebbeh Labanieh, delicate kibbeh simmered in a rich laban sauce; Borghol Be Dfin, a comforting preparation of red bulgur cooked with olive oil and lamb shank; and Vine Leaves with Lamb Chops, pairing tender stuffed vine leaves with succulent grilled lamb. Fatteh Mousakhan offers a Syrian take on the beloved Levantine dish, layering toasted bread, chicken, sumac and onions with tahini, while Kebab Khashkhash and Kebab Eggplant showcase the restaurant’s charcoal-grilled specialities. For a feast designed to share, the Naranj Mix Grill Daffat brings together a selection of grilled meats.

Desserts continue the Syrian-inspired journey, with Arabic Ice Cream with Ghazal Al Banat, Baklava Cheesecake, Dates Cake and Kunafa Cannoli Rolls offering a modern finish to traditional flavours. Among the highlights is the Syrian Debes & Tahini Ice Cream, made in-house from scratch to preserve its authentic flavours.

There is also a dedicated kids’ menu, while the drinks selection includes coffee, signature cocktails and a range of signature milkshakes. Standouts include the Cheesecake Shake, Baklava Shake and Barazek Shake, adding a playful twist to familiar Middle Eastern flavours..

Pratik Kachroo, Executive Director, Khamas Hospitality, said:
“Naranj is a very unique culinary experience, and bringing it to Dubai is a milestone we are truly proud of. It has a beautiful way of bringing people together through its flavours, traditions and warmth, and we wanted to create a space that captures this spirit while offering a memorable dining experience. It gives us immense pride to see Khamas Hospitality expand into the F&B space, build a portfolio of unique concepts that offer something distinctive to the city for the people. With Naranj, we hope to share a little piece of culture and hospitality with Dubai, creating a place where people come together over good food, meaningful conversations and lasting memories.

Samir Avasthi, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Naranj Café to DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf and to introduce our guests and the wider Dubai community to its distinctive Syrian Levantine dining experience. Naranj brings together authentic flavours, warm hospitality and a beautifully designed space that adds a new dimension to our dining offering. We look forward to welcoming families, friends and visitors to experience the cuisine, ambiance, and hospitality that makes Naranj a special addition to Al Jadaf.”

Parmigiano Reggiano Day is celebrated worldwide on October 27. To mark the occasion in the UAE, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has launched a week-long celebration in partnership with 13 Italian restaurants across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Each selected restaurant will offer a curated menu of gourmet dishes featuring Parmigiano Reggiano at different stages of maturation. Several of the participating venues will also host the traditional Pasta alla Ruota experience, in which freshly cooked pasta is finished directly in a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Participating restaurants in Dubai include Gloria Osteria, Mamabella, Belcanto, Arrogante, Vera Versilia, Chic Nonna, Siena and Gigi Rigoletto. In Abu Dhabi, Italian food lovers can enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano based dishes in TOTÓ, Verso, Villa Toscana, Novikov and Amalfi Ristorante from October 26- November 1, 2026.

To celebrate the occasion, participating restaurants will give prominent visibility to the Parmigiano Reggiano branding, reinforcing a growing sense of community. The initiative is aligned with the Consortium’s international campaign, “Più Grande Insieme” (“Greater Together”), which celebrates the shared passion, expertise and connections that bring the world of Parmigiano Reggiano closer to consumers.

Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, comments: “Parmigiano Reggiano Day celebrates the ‘King of Cheese’ and Italian culinary heritage. The Middle East is an important market for us: in the first eight months of 2026, sales in the GCC increased by 10% compared with the same period last year, reaching 197 tonnes, up from 179 tonnes. More broadly, exports accounted for 54.8% of total Parmigiano Reggiano sales in the first eight months of 2026, up from 51.5% in the same period of 2025. We are delighted to celebrate Parmigiano Reggiano Day in the UAE with our partners, creating a week of memorable culinary experiences for cheese aficionados. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, selected Italian restaurants will give guests the opportunity to discover, taste and experience Parmigiano Reggiano through dedicated dishes created by their chefs, and through different tasting experiences.”

Parmigiano Reggiano Day was launched on October 27, 2012, following the twin earthquakes that struck the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy in May of the same year. The earthquakes damaged more than 360,000 wheels of ageing Parmigiano Reggiano, seriously affecting the livelihoods of many cheesemakers. The initiative invited people worldwide to cook dishes with Parmigiano Reggiano and share their creations on social media to raise awareness of the cheese and support the local dairy industry. The campaign received an extraordinary response, with thousands of participants joining the initiative and contributing to the sale of many affected wheels, helping the local cheese industry to recover.

From Scratch is bringing a new take on an American favourite to its menu with the launch of the OG Smash Burger, a simple, flavour-led creation that celebrates the appeal of the classic diner burger while adding a signature touch of its own: soft, fluffy Japanese Milk Bread.

Inspired by traditional American burger joints, the new OG Smash Burger keeps things intentionally uncomplicated. A smash patty is pressed firmly onto a flat-top grill, creating the distinctive texture and rich, savoury flavour that have made smash burgers a firm favourite. The patty is paired with cheese, pickles, onions, relish, ketchup and mustard, bringing together the familiar combination of sweet, tangy and savoury notes that define a classic burger.

The point of difference lies in the bread. Rather than opting for a standard burger bun, From Scratch uses Japanese Milk Bread, known for its soft, airy texture and subtle sweetness. It adds a distinctive finish to the traditional combination without taking away from the flavours that make the smash burger a classic.

The launch also gives From Scratch’s existing burger line-up a fresh identity. The brand’s Classic Beef Burger, Signature Burger and Black Garlic Burger will now be prepared with smash patties, joining the new OG Smash Burger as part of the refreshed range. The result is a menu that brings the smash technique across both familiar favourites and a new hero item.

With the OG Smash Burger, From Scratch is leaning into what makes a great burger memorable: a well-executed patty, classic toppings and quality ingredients, with one thoughtful detail that sets it apart. It is a familiar favourite, made the From Scratch way.