The Dubai eating scene is finally re-opening slowly but surely, and the newest kid on the block is The Pangolin restaurant by Sergio Lopez, which is set to become one of the city’s new favourite hangouts, and one-of-a-kind lifestyle destination.

Located at the Els Club in Dubai Sports City, The Pangolin is the brainchild of a collective of creative minds that include renowned restaurateur Sergio Lopez and Australian cook Troy Payne. It has been created with the community in mind, sprawling across two floors on a 60,000 sqft plot. The F&B complex is made up of two relaxed and casual restaurants, two bars, a private dining room, a member’s room, and a first-floor terrace that will quickly become an urban sanctuary thanks to the cosy dining area encompassed by plants and surrounding greenery.

Vibrant Dishes is the Name of the Game at The Pangolin Restaurant

Devised by cook Troy Payne who passionately believes in championing local farming and using local produce, the menus for the different spaces within The Pangolin restaurant complex features vibrant dishes where tradition, passion and nostalgia are the main ingredients.

Inspired by family feasting and traditional cooking methods, the culinary team at The Pangolin prepare a wide range of cured meats and cheeses on-site, as well as working with local farmers to serve up sustainable produce and a menu with real heart and soul.

Heart-warming Home Comforts

According to Troy Payne, who is responsible for The Pangolin’s food and beverage direction the menus in all of The Pangolin’s restaurants feature real, honest and simply put, good food which they believe people need now, more than ever, after a strange and isolating year. You’ll find heart-warming home comforts cooked from scratch on the menu that has been inspired by good memories and happy stories, which are bound to take people back to happy moments around the dinner table

“A big part of what we do at The Pangolin restaurant is working with local farmers to source the products that we can’t grow or make on-site. It means that we support the UAE’s farming industry whilst serving up the freshest and tastiest produce for the best value for our diner’s money.”

Updated Twists on Classic Breakfast Dishes

The ground-floor restaurant was the first part of the complex to open serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers updated twists on classic breakfast dishes such as fresh hot smoked salmon with pull-apart bread soldiers, caperberry mascarpone, soft boiled eggs with a dill dressing; crumpets with poached eggs, wilted greens, smoked beef ribs, and Biltongaise and avocado mousse with pink peppered Rucola, halloumi croquettes, and local tomato salsa on grilled sourdough.

Soups, salads, sandwiches and boasties are available to order from lunchtime, as well as paper bag food which is ideal for sharing and eating around the complex’s ground floor pool which is opening soon.

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Community Hangout

Restauranteur behind the concept, Sergio Lopez, says that their vision for The Pangolin was to create a venue with a sense of community at its core – a place that people can’t wait to go to and don’t ever want to leave, and that is exactly what they’ve done. From the downstairs restaurant, which is perfect for families and friends to enjoy long breakfasts and lunches, to the upstairs restaurant, lounge and terrace where people can relax and enjoy themselves until sunset and beyond.

The Pangolin’s first-floor restaurant and stunning bar and lounge will open this November for lunch and dinner, and serves a menu of reinvented traditional dishes, as well as a unique cocktail list. The first-floor terrace with open fire pit will be open for business from lunchtime and will serve food from land and the sea cooked over hot embers such as native chicken on cassia bark, twice-cooked veal belly, salt-baked seabass and braised and coal-fired squid.

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Built on the concept of heritage, nostalgia and belonging, The Pangolin restaurant is focusing on the community spirit and connecting people through real, honest and good food. It’s the perfect place to disconnect and reconnect with friends and loved ones throughout the week and into the weekend.

The Pangolin Restaurant is open Sunday to Saturday; Weekdays 8 am – 12 am, Weekends 8 am – 1 am, and to book a table, call +971 54 4438 288 or email to hello@thepangolindubai.com.