3 Fils: From Hidden Gem To Dubai’s Top Restaurant
Overlooking the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour is a Dubai dining spot whose tagline says it all: ‘Making complex simple.’ Everything about 3 Fils exemplifies that very vibe, from its cozy interiors to its small exceptional Japanese-inspired menu.
Today, it’s not just a homegrown eatery that took over an old fisherman’s building; it climbed up the ranks and nabbed the most coveted number-one spot on the MENA’s Top 50 restaurants list in 2022. It was also named ‘Best Asian Restaurant’ in both 2018 and 2019 by Time Out Dubai and one of the ’30 Best Restaurants in Dubai’ by Conde Nast Traveller Middle East.
Joining its successful journey since 2016 is Singapore-born Chef Akmal Anuar, along with Emirati restaurateurs and co-founders Abdulhakim and Adnan Ali. Also part of the team is Ahmed Saleh, CEO of the Lab Holding and co-founder of 3 Fils.
When speaking to Saleh, we got to learn more about the spirit of 3 Fils. He dove into how they do not see the restaurant business as a competition, “Our perspective on competition is that we only seek to compete with ourselves and look into how we can become a better version.”
Now zooming into the kitchen, the mastermind behind the exquisite dishes is a very special chef known as ‘the umami warrior,’ who joined the 3 Fils team back in 2021. Hailing from Japan’s Okinawa Island is Chef Shun Shiroma, who taps into his inner samurai daily, crafting perfect sushi rolls, translucent jellyfish ceviche, and luxurious ‘salmon foie gras.’
3 Fils also doesn’t shy away from satisfying your sweet tooth with its own dessert bar called Brix. Serving up innovative desserts is Spanish Pastry Chef Carmen Rueda, who taps into her creative juices and brings to life unexpected desserts, including their famous ‘Ananas,’ a special bowl constructed of pastry cream, caramelized pineapple, coconut mousse, peach sorbet, and almond flakes.
The restaurant knows how to tick all the boxes, and that’s what helped it rise from being a hidden gem to becoming one of the most sought-after places to eat across the MENA region. Saleh described 3 Fils making it big in the best way possible, as it is not just a restaurant but a home to many diners: “3Fils is becoming a part of guests’ lives and becoming a cherished memory for many.” That’s the building block of any and all success stories.
