New UAE restaurants opening in July, including Simitci Dunyasi and Chez Wam

Take your pick from baked goods, fine dining and fast food

Turkish simit bagel with kashar cheese at Simitci Dunyasi, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Simitci Dunyasi

Although the UAE’s dining scene typically has fewer launches during the summer, there are still a handful of new restaurants opening in the country this month.

From fine dining and fusion menus to fast-food spots, here are three to check out.

Simitci Dunyasi, Abu Dhabi

Cuisine: Turkish, bakery

Paying homage to simit (Turkish bagels), this international cafe chain is now open in the capital's thriving food hub Al Qana.

On the menu are all manner of simit – served with options such as sesame, sausage and kashar cheese – plus baked goods, such as borek and gozleme (including one with Nutella).

The cafe also serves hearty mains and breakfast dishes including menemen-style eggs, manti pasta, sucuk pizza, pilaf and kofte.

Open daily, 8am to 11pm; Al Qana; 056 687 0008

Chez Wam, Dubai

Cuisine: French fusion

Chef Hadrien Villedieu – best known for his work with experiential dining hub Inked – blends his French roots with international flavours at the latest restaurant to open at St Regis Gardens on Nakheel Mall's rooftop. The cosy lighting, upbeat music and comfortable seating are meant to emulate being at a friend’s house, and the restaurant’s name is French slang for “at mine”.

The fusion menu offers dishes such as beef tartare with wasabi peas, confit duck ravioli, foie gras bao with plum sauce and deconstructed lemon tart. In addition to regular seating, customers can book a spot at the chef’s table to watch their dishes being prepared fresh in front of them.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 6pm to 2am; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 410 6707; [e-mail]; www.chezwam.ae

Waffries, Dubai

Cuisine: Fast food

The Mall of the Emirates store is seeking to make eating waffles less messy but no less delicious by serving smaller versions.

The bite-sized waffles can be eaten in the food court or on the go, and Waffries offers sweet and savoury options. From zaatar, halloumi and nutrient-rich super-seed waffles, to chocolate fudge and strawberries, the waffles come in an array of flavours with various toppings, plus sauces such as banana toffee and dips such as Asian sweet and spicy.

Open daily; 10am-10pm; Mall of the Emirates, Dubai; www.waffries.com