Elevated Indonesian Dining at One and Only One Za’abeel
Andaliman Restaurant Dubai’s most sophisticated Indonesian restaurant, nestled within the Garden of One and Only One Za’abeel, one of the city’s most prestigious luxury hotel addresses in the Za’abeel district. Opened in early 2024, the restaurant was conceived as a culinary celebration of Indonesia’s extraordinary breadth of flavours, techniques, and traditions, and it delivers that promise with both confidence and genuine warmth. It is named after the wild Andaliman pepper, a rare and intensely citrusy spice native to the Batak region of North Sumatra, and that pepper’s bold, distinctive character sets the tone for everything the kitchen produces. The restaurant holds a 4.4 rating on OpenTable and is consistently praised across TripAdvisor and Google for the quality of its food, the depth of its flavour, and the exceptional attentiveness of its team.
The interiors are among the most immersive in Dubai’s restaurant scene.The walls are adorned with lush tropical greens; the teak wood furniture and intricate wooden carving remind one of Balinese design, while the open kitchen with its coconut husk grill and traditional wok cooking areas provides an element of theatre and drama during each meal time. In the daytime, the area is brightened up with lots of natural light and has a breezy, tropical ambiance for a lunch; in the evening, it is illuminated with dim lights and gives off a cozy and intimate atmosphere that makes it perfect for an exclusive dinner party.
Guests also have the option of dining outdoors on the poolside terrace, with candlelit cabanas beside the garden pool available for romantic dinners and private gatherings. The restaurant has a seating capacity of 92 guests across indoor and outdoor areas and is fully family-friendly, with the adjacent Kids Only Club and Garden Pool available to keep younger guests entertained while adults dine.
The menu is a tour through the diverse culinary heritage of Indonesia’s archipelago, rooted in authenticity but presented with a refined, fine-dining sensibility. Every meal begins with complimentary rice crackers served with soy and sesame sauce. The most distinctive element of the kitchen is the Sambal Story, in which a unique Sambal Ambassador presents a selection of chilli pastes selected from Indonesia and narrates the story behind each of their origin, ingredients, and heat levels. On the contrary, Andaliman pepper becomes an indispensable part of the dishes served here because it provides numbing heat with citrus flavor in a variety of sauces and spice mixes.
As for the appetizers that are offered, there are such dishes as the Asinan Pindang, a sour Indonesian fish salad, and the Perkedel Tuna and Crab, which is an adaptation of the traditional Indonesian fritter based on seafood. Chicken Satay, which comprises chicken skewers cooked over coconut husk, is another must try dish. One of the most famous dishes of Indonesia is the Gado Gado, an Indonesian vegetable salad served with a peanut dressing.
The mains are where the kitchen truly shines. Beef Rendang, the slow-cooked dry curry that is arguably Indonesia’s most celebrated dish, is prepared here to deep, complex perfection. Sop Buntut is a fragrant and hearty oxtail soup, a comfort dish that showcases the kitchen’s command of Indonesian broths and spices. Ikan Bakar Sambal Matah is fresh locally sourced fish, butterflied, marinated, and grilled over coconut husks with Balinese sambal matah, a raw shallot and lemongrass relish that cuts through the smokiness of the grill beautifully.
The Bebek Andaliman, a 24-hour slow-roasted duck prepared in the Andaliman pepper spice blend, is the restaurant’s most celebrated signature dish, finished and served tableside with considerable ceremony. Nasi Goreng and Bakmie Goreng Laut, the Indonesian fried noodle with seafood, are also consistently praised by guests. Ayam Bakar Andaliman, grilled chicken in the house spice marinade, and the yellow rice, which several reviewers single out specifically, round out the must-order list. The kitchen is happy to adapt dishes for vegetarian and vegan guests on request, though there is no dedicated separate menu.
The beverage menu spans alcoholic and non-alcoholic options with equal care. Traditional Indonesian Jamu, a herbal wellness drink made from roots and spices, sits alongside creative cocktails with tropical influences, fresh coconut water, and a curated wine and spirits selection. The drinks programme is designed to complement the bold spice-forward food rather than compete with it. Average spend per person is around AED 250.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with poolside terrace dining available throughout the day. Private events and celebrations can be arranged through the One and Only One Za’abeel events team, and the kitchen has also offered a curated Iftar sharing menu during Ramadan featuring signature dishes and traditional accompaniments. A Sunday brunch is also available, bringing the relaxed poolside setting together with a sharing-style Indonesian spread. Reservations are highly recommended, particularly for weekend evenings and the cabana dining experience. The restaurant is accessible to guests not staying at the hotel, and complimentary valet parking is available at One and Only One Za’abeel.
Getting there by car, navigate to One and Only One Za’abeel on Sheikh Zayed Road near Za’abeel Park. By metro, the nearest station is Al Jafiliya on the Red Line, with the hotel a short taxi ride away. Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are approximately 10 minutes by car, Dubai Frame is within five minutes, and Za’abeel Park is directly adjacent to the hotel.
- Address: Andaliman, The Garden, One and Only One Za’abeel, Za’abeel, Dubai, UAE
- Events: events@oneandonlyonezaabeel.com
Location:
1 AED