Weekend-focused menu brings Balkan comfort food to Meyan Mall
Dubai bistro 21grams has introduced a weekend specials menu at its Meyan Mall outlet, expanding the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-listed venue’s all-day offering with a selection of dishes designed for relaxed, shareable meals. The new menu, available every weekend from 8am to 5pm, emphasizes slow-cooked proteins and traditional Balkan flavours adapted for a casual brunch crowd.
Located on the second floor of Meyan Mall in Umm Suqeim 2, 21grams has built a reputation over nearly a decade for homestyle plates and breakfast favourites informed by family recipes. The weekend programme aims to deliver that same comforting approach with a tighter, rotating set of specials that complement the restaurant’s existing breakfast and all-day menu.
What’s on the menu
The menu centres on substantial mains intended for sharing or leisurely single-plate dining. Key items include steak cuts and slow-cooked lamb, supplemented by a chicken gyros and a signature chicken preparation.
Steak options range from an oyster blade served with beans and eggs to a skirt steak finished with a jir jir pesto and melted kashkaval cheese, with prices reported between AED 110 and AED 120. These dishes lean into rustic plating and bold seasoning rather than fine-dining refinement.
Natur chicken (listed at AED 85) is highlighted as a standout, finished with brown butter, garlic oil and crispy oyster mushrooms and accompanied by fresh greens and somun bread. The dish is presented as a warm, textural option for weekend diners.
Gyros chicken (AED 95) is marinated in yogurt and spices and served with lemon sauce and herbs, offering a lighter, citrus-forward alternative. For guests seeking a heartier option, a slow-roasted lamb (AED 125) comes with garlic, paprika and herbs, paired with creamy biryani rice and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Concluding the meal, the dessert selection includes a creamy rice pudding with strawberry, toasted coconut and a drizzle of olive oil, priced at AED 40.
Positioning and implications for Dubai’s brunch scene
Brunch is an entrenched part of Dubai’s dining culture, ranging from family-style morning spreads to late-morning culinary experiences that blend breakfast and lunch. 21grams’ approach — concentrated weekend specials featuring shareable plates and robust mains — positions the bistro to capture both early-morning diners and those seeking a late-afternoon meal without the theatricality or higher price points associated with some weekend brunches in the city.
The restaurant’s MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition, noted by local guides in recent years, signals consistent value and quality. For diners, that status can serve as a shorthand for thoughtful execution and reliable standards at a more accessible price bracket than full Michelin-starred venues. As Dubai’s market for quality casual dining continues to expand, venues like 21grams that combine provenance-driven recipes with competitive pricing are likely to remain relevant.
Practical details
Where: 21grams, Meyan Mall, Floor 2, Al Thanya Street, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai.
When: Every weekend, 8am to 5pm.
Price range: Main dishes AED 85 to AED 125; desserts from AED 40.
The menu is described as rotating, with new additions and seasonal variations expected over time. Guests can check 21grams’ Instagram for updates on weekly specials and imagery of the dishes.
What diners should expect
Expect a menu rooted in Balkan flavours presented in a relaxed urban-bistro format. The weekend specials emphasise approachable comfort food suitable for sharing and longer meal times, which fits with broader trends toward experiential, communal dining in Dubai. For visitors and residents looking for an alternative to large-scale hotel brunches, 21grams offers a more intimate option anchored in regional recipes and familiar ingredients.
Contact and reservations information is available through the restaurant’s public channels, including its Instagram handle @21grams.dubai. The Meyan Mall location makes it accessible for neighbourhood diners as well as visitors to Jumeirah and surrounding areas.