The Buzzy Belgian Beer Café In Grand Millennium Dubai
Everything Belgian in Grand Millennium Dubai in Al Barsha
A flood of red blinking tail lights become more evident in front of me while I headed to pick up my wife. Several stops and signals from my workplace, these lights remained in sight and then I realized, these must not flag me from going to Belgian Beer Café (BBC) in Grand Millennium Dubai, in Al Barsha. 30 minutes past 7, I phoned the café to keep our reservation and rushed the busy Sheikh Zayed Road on a Thursday night. We arrived a little late.
Nevertheless, one of the staff Linda, accompanied us straight to the rooftop of this 3-level café, which was already few seats left to full house. Big screens showing sports channels, are almost on every side of the café, but wasn’t given much attention as yet by the guests, whom I could say, came after the busy week from their respective workplaces as well.
While we settled, I could hear the clinging sounds of beer pints from the next table, and the big laughter from the other that instantaneously convinced me that it was indeed THIRSTday.
Bubbly Straightaway
One big hexagonal glass of wheat Hoegaarden for me, and one bottle of Floris Apple for my wife, served to us by Kristel. I had my first and long sip, then we ordered.
As a Belgian café first-timer (it’s my wife’s second), I knew then that mussels are among the best for starters but my wife and I wanted to have it on our next visit soon, as we already liked the place. Instead, we heed to the suggested ones from the BBC Manager himself, Mr. Andre Fourie Grove. We then had the Belgian Cheese Balls and the Breaded Shrimps. Who could go wrong with that?!
For our mains, my wife had the Rib Eye served with Belgian Fries, garden salad, and peppercorn sauce, while I had the Beef Ribs served with baked potato and tomato on the side.
That small shot glasses of flavored bubblies, gave us sweet and distinct tastes.
An array of mostly Belgian selections on their menu
Cracked some nuts while waiting for our hoppetizers, I took a glimpse of the second level of BBC. Inside, it kinda brought me to what Belgium really is.
The ground and the second levels have that cosmopolitan concept but a touch of authentic Belgian setting. The second level especially has that unconventional yet great feel, with a setting inspired to the Trappist monasteries in Belgium during the 1100’s which introduced traditional brewery back then.
Back to the rooftop and third level of the café, I was again reprogrammed to the rural concept feel with a view of the concrete jungle neighbourhood of Tecom, Al Barsha.
BBC ground level l Image Credit: Supplied
My wife with monitors in the background
Then came our hoppetizers. Though the breaded shrimps were a bit overcooked judging by its color, still the crunchiness and that craved seafood taste, remain. The aioli sauce that comes with it made the taste even better. Halfway through the shrimps, we then started nibbling another kind of crunchiness. The Belgian cheeseballs, which have that rubbery cheese filling that gave us more appetite for the upcoming mains.
We may be that hungry or the hoppetizers are just so yummy that only the small stick and the sauces were left on the plate.
BBC Breaded Shrimps with Aioli
BBC Belgian Cheeseballs, a round croquettes filled with soft cheese filling
Our mains. Before I made my first bite, I purposely waited for about a minute which I usually do, then my wife said, “I really like the fatty-ness of my ribeye which makes it still juicy and not dry even if it’s well-done.” The Belgian fries which are a bit bigger than French fries and the garden salad, made everything a perfect combination.
Then I started with mine. It was undeniably soft and tender Beef Ribs, that I wasn’t making any scraping and irritating sound while chopping it off with my cutlery. I wonder how much time and patience the BBC kitchen heroes have put into it. It tastes great too with sauce that keeps those condiments on the table untouched. The baked potato and the grilled tomato made my main ultimate.
BBC Ribeye Steak, salad and creamy peppercorn sauce
BBC Belgian fries, served as side of wife’s Ribeye
BBC Beef Ribs
After finishing our splendid mains, my wife and I each ordered additional bubbly to skip dessert and to call it a night, but Mr. Grove was quick enough to notice us and suggested to try their Original Belgian Waffle. And boy did we refuse! Served to us warm, drizzled with chocolate sauce, with whipped cream topped with fresh strawberry and mint leaves, and a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on the side. This desert is simply divine we are so glad we did not refuse. The authentic Belgian waffle thats known to be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside is so distinct compared to those leavened and puffed up waffle versions.
Wow! We ended the night with lots of Belgian firsts. Though I’ve been sipping Hoegaarden several hexagonal glasses already, but all those other Belgian pride can never be forgotten and will always be on my list on our next visit soon at Belgian Beer Café in Grand Millennium Dubai. We’ve finally found the answers to the questions that have been with us through the years, why Belgium is famous with their bubbly, waffles, and hospitality. And BBC helped us in finding those answers.
Hoegaarden 500ml – AED 46/-
Floris Apple – AED 65/-
Belgian Cheese Balls – AED 40/-
Breaded Shrimps – AED 60/-
Beef Ribs – AED 130/-
Rib Eye – AED 185/-
Brussel Waffle (Liegeoise) – AED 35
Total Belgian Experience
Authentic Belgian café to end the week, dine and unwind to leave all those stresses aside. With scrumptious food that gets back all those energy spent for the past week. Courteous and accommodating staff. What else could I ask for? Instead, I’m giving them a big 9.6 out of 10 and really worth sharing to all my Dubai friends.
How to get there
Usually, good things are tucked in a remote and the most secretive location and that applies to BBC in Grand Millennium Dubai, Al Barsha. A bit difficult to find though especially for the Old Dubai residents. But it’s just a one taxi ride away with a map, below.
Belgian Beer Café
Grand Millennium
Sheikh Zayed Road, Exit 36, Tecom, Al Barsha South
Dubai
04 423 4111 l 04 429 9999
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