Whether you’re a die-hard carnivore, a pescatarian or even a flexitarian, you can’t have missed the global food movement highlighting the benefits of a more plant-orientated diet – for animals, the environment and our bodies. What, perhaps, became as something of a shock to the meatiest of eaters amongst us, is just how good plant-based food can taste, when put in the right hands.
Step forward Epitome, a vegan/vegetarian concept which originated in Mumbai, before opening its doors in Dubai in June 2021. When it did so, not only was Epitome the first fully-licensed vegan and vegetarian restaurant in the UAE, but it took plant-based dining to whole new levels. The restaurant, at Aloft Creek Hotel, turns hippy dippy preconceptions of what plant-based food should taste like on its head, from how it plates the food to how it hits the palate.
And whilst the menu does feature dairy products across its vegetarian dishes, the vegan menu is what makes Epitome stand out. With over 40 different dishes, the vegan offering ranges from Khow Suey noodle curry soup, Palak Patta Bruschetta and Truffle Dynamite sushi to Air-fried Momo dumplings, Cantonese Pan-Fried Noodles and Vegetable Thai Curry. For dessert, there’s only one option – Hot Mango Rice Pudding – but it does come served with ‘Lots of Happiness’!
And again, banish any thoughts of a vegan/vegetarian restaurant being boring... Epitome has energy and then some. As evening rolls into night, the lights turn down, the music turns up, and suddenly there’s more to the restaurant than just great food. Take a meat-eating friend and show them what they’re missing!
