Tiki brand, Trader Vic’s is celebrating its newest outpost in Dubai at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, its sixth UAE location and nineteenth Trader Vic’s global location. Holding true to the brand’s original values as a quality restaurant and dining experience, the interiors inspire the Instagram generation with its mind-blowing design, carefully curated Tiki relics, lush tropical décor and gardens, and breathtaking sunset views.
The godfather of Tiki, Trader Vic’s continues to lead a culture of tropical drinks (Founder Vic Bergeron invented the Mai Tai) and Asian fusion cuisine. One of the most popular restaurants in UAE, it sells over 50,000 Tiki Puka Puka cocktails every month. At its newest location, the famous cocktails can be celebrated in true Trader Vic’s style Customers can expect Original Mai Tais, Tiki Puka Pukas, and JBR’s very own customized tipple.
Stepping into the completely re-designed space, jaws will drop as customers witness the detail and effort that has gone into the original interior design. Canoes imported from the Taiwanese Lanyu “Orchid” Island hang from the ceiling, tribal masks from Papa New Guinea adorn the walls, Japanese fishing net orbs hover above tables, and each and every table is watched over by a rare, hand-carved, one-of-a-kind Tiki statue.
On entering the hotel’s lobby, guests can follow the huge hand-carved wooden Tikis up to the venue. There is a total of 34 Tikis inside, ranging in size, shapes and type of wood – each with its own name and backstory from across the Polynesian countries. As with all Trader Vic’s restaurants the kitchen houses a Chinese wood-fired oven, a staple for much of the menu items. However, at Trader Vic’s Hilton Dubai Jumeirah the oven is placed on a pedestal – literally! In a glass-walled viewing box offset from the kitchen, customers will be reminded on entry that this is the most food-focused Trader Vic’s in the UAE, while the large outdoor terrace offers a prime view of the Arabian Gulf looking onto The Palm Jumeirah and will undoubtedly become a hotspot at sunset.
By Kinya Claiborne, STYLE & SOCIETY
