☀️ Introduction
As summer temperatures soar past 45°C, the cold menu trend in the UAE is becoming more than a seasonal gimmick—it’s a culinary necessity. UAE restaurants across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates are embracing icy, refreshing menus designed to beat the extreme heat.
From creamy cold soups to artfully plated raw dishes and decadent frozen desserts, the cold menu trend in the UAE is reshaping how residents and tourists experience dining in the sweltering months. In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we explore the chefs, menus, and concepts cooling down the country—one chilled bite at a time.
If you’re looking for restaurants that embrace the cold menu trend in the UAE, or just want to know what dishes to try this summer, this guide has you covered with everything from icy mains to trending summer beverages.
1️⃣ 🥣 Cold Soups: A Chilled Starter Revolution
Cold soups are at the heart of the cold menu trend in the UAE, providing a flavorful yet refreshing start to meals. Popular picks include:
- Gazpacho: A Spanish tomato-based classic, spiced up with Emirati herbs
- Cucumber Yogurt Soup: Infused with mint and local olive oil
- Beetroot & Labneh Chilled Soup: Creamy, earthy, and vibrant
Restaurants like Comptoir 102 in Dubai and Alkalime in Abu Dhabi have elevated cold soups with locally sourced ingredients, proving that starters can be cool and sophisticated.
2️⃣ 🐟 Raw and Cured Dishes: Clean, Light & Chic
Whether it’s ceviche or carpaccio, raw dishes are key to the cold menu trend in the UAE:
- Tuna Tartare with Mango Salsa
- Beef Carpaccio with Pomegranate Drizzle
- Salmon Ceviche with Chili-Lime Dressing
These raw delights cater to the UAE’s upscale dining crowd and health-conscious foodies. Restaurants like Ossiano and 3Fils feature signature raw plates tailored for summer heat.
3️⃣ 🧁 Icy Desserts That Go Beyond Gelato
Dessert menus in 2025 have embraced the cold menu trend in the UAE with bold, frozen innovations:
- Nitrogen-Frozen Fruits
- Date Ice Cream with Camel Milk
- Rosewater Sorbet & Saffron Shards
Places like House of Pops, SugarMoo Desserts, and Leopold’s of London are crafting culturally inspired, heat-busting sweets.
4️⃣ 🥗 Chilled Salads with a Gourmet Twist
Forget boring greens. The cold menu trend in the UAE brings elevated, bold salads into the spotlight:
- Watermelon Feta Salad with Za’atar Vinaigrette
- Chilled Quinoa & Avocado Bowl
- Smoked Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes
These cooling bowls are perfect for midday meals and light dinners, especially when dining al fresco with a sea breeze.
5️⃣ 🧃 Cold Beverages Go Gourmet
Refreshing drinks are essential to the cold menu trend in the UAE. Top beverage trends include:
- Karak Chai Iced Lattés
- Cold-pressed Cactus Water
- Sparkling Hibiscus Kombucha
Restaurants and cafés are now pairing cold drinks with cold meals to offer fully chill-proofed experiences.
6️⃣ 🍣 Cold Tasting Menus & Degustations
Luxury eateries are curating entire tasting menus around the cold menu trend in the UAE:
- 5–7 course meals centered around raw, frozen, and chilled dishes
- Optional ice wine or cold sake pairings
- Artfully plated in chilled ceramic or stoneware
Zuma, The Maine, and Tresind Studio are pioneering temperature-controlled gastronomy in Dubai.
7️⃣ 🍨 Cultural Cold Dishes Reimagined
Traditional cuisines have also joined the cold menu trend in the UAE:
- Lebanese Moutabal with Ice Cubes & Pomegranate
- Indian Dahi Puri on Ice Plates
- Korean Naengmyeon (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)
Chefs are reinterpreting beloved dishes using temperature as a creative tool.
8️⃣ 🏖️ Beachside and Rooftop Cooling Cuisine
Venues with outdoor vibes are also embracing the cold menu trend in the UAE with:
- Beachside raw oyster bars
- Frozen fruit platters and seafood towers
- Slushie mocktails & frozen mezze
White Beach Dubai, Cove Beach, and Barasti are top spots where cold menus meet panoramic views.
9️⃣ 🧑🍳 Chefs Leading the Cold Charge
A few names behind the cold menu trend in the UAE include:
- Chef Himanshu Saini (Tresind Studio): Reimagining Indian cuisine with cold starters
- Chef Reif Othman (Reif Japanese Kushiyaki): Cold noodle dishes and sashimi platters
- Chef Akmal Anuar (11 Woodfire): Smoked and chilled fusion plates
These chefs are using temperature as a defining ingredient in modern UAE cuisine.
🔟 💼 Why Restaurants Are Investing in Cold Concepts
Operators say the cold menu trend in the UAE is both practical and profitable:
- Energy efficiency: Less cooking means lower kitchen temps
- Speed of service: Cold dishes are often faster to plate
- Social media value: Visuals of frosty dishes trend well
It’s a win-win: customers stay cool, and restaurants run smarter kitchens.
1️⃣1️⃣ 🧊 Cooling Down Traditional Menus
Mainstream restaurants are adapting traditional menus to meet the cold menu trend in the UAE demands:
- Cold mezze instead of grilled platters
- Refrigerated rice rolls instead of stir-fry
- Frozen dips paired with cold bread
Everyone from food trucks to fine dining is getting on board.
1️⃣2️⃣ 🧪 Tech Innovations for Cold Cuisine
To support the cold menu trend in the UAE, tech is being integrated into kitchens:
- Blast chillers for texture retention
- Flash freezing for desserts
- Smart refrigeration displays
These tools allow chefs to push culinary boundaries while meeting health and safety standards.
1️⃣3️⃣ 📱 How Social Media Fuels the Cold Trend
Instagram, TikTok, and foodie blogs have made the cold menu trend in the UAE viral:
- Ice fog plating effects
- Colorful smoothie bowls
- Ice-carved serving dishes
Cold dishes = cool content, drawing influencers and food lovers alike.
1️⃣4️⃣ 🌍 Sustainability Through Chilled Dishes
The cold menu trend in the UAE aligns with sustainability goals:
- Reduced cooking fuel usage
- Less food waste through raw presentations
- Seasonal local produce prioritization
Cold, conscious cuisine is trending—and for good reason.
1️⃣5️⃣ 🔮 What’s Next for the Cold Menu Trend?
Looking ahead, the cold menu trend in the UAE is poised to grow:
- AI-curated cold menus based on biometrics
- Fully raw dining pop-ups
- Mobile cold kitchens for events
Expect further experimentation as both diners and chefs embrace creative cooling.
❄️ Conclusion
In the blazing summer of 2025, dining cool isn’t just chic—it’s essential. The cold menu trend in the UAE is redefining how we eat, blending innovation, culture, sustainability, and wellness into every chilled dish.
Whether you’re sipping hibiscus kombucha or indulging in nitrogen-frozen dates, there’s never been a better time to explore the cold frontier of UAE cuisine. From gourmet tastings to beachside slushies, the cold menu trend in the UAE is an icy revolution that’s here to stay.
If you’re looking to chill your palate this summer, follow the frost trail across the UAE. Embrace the cold menu trend in the UAE, and let every bite bring you closer to cool, conscious dining.
🌐 External Links
- Visit Dubai Restaurant Guide
- Time Out Dubai – Coolest Summer Eats
- Zomato UAE
- Foodics UAE – Restaurant Tech
- Sustainable Restaurants UAE
Also Read: 2025’s Best Desert Dining in the UAE: Luxury Experiences Selling Out Every Weekend