The location:

Looking for a casual place to let your hair down with friends over vibrant drinks and some sweet jazz tunes? Nola is your place. Oozing atmosphere, this New Orleans-inspired restaurant and bar is alive with character and you’re hit with an exciting ambience as soon as you walk in. Very simply decorated, Nola rocks the vintage look with warm brass, brown and light blue tones – cosy and very welcoming.

The highlights:

To start, my dining partner and I shared the Louisiana crab cakes and a portion of incredibly delicious po boys – mouthwatering slow-cooked pulled beef served on homemade brioche. These were great value for money at Dhs58 for three mini sliders, and incredibly filling. For mains, I chose the jumbo prawns with garlic butter, which was my favourite dish of the evening. For dessert, we indulged on a very large portion of sizzling brownie, and crispy millefeuille, filled with divine layers of Baileys cream and caramelised banana.

Good to know:

I’d recommend booking a table or you might end up waiting a while. When we left after dinner, there was a queue of around 15 people waiting outside (even in the heat!).

Overall verdict:

As a slice of New Orleans, it definitely sets itself aside from anything else available in Dubai, however, I think it’s more of a nightlife spot for drinks and a bite, as opposed to sitting for a three-course meal – purely because it gets so busy. That said, Nola’s social buzz is infectious and keeps its visitors returning.

If you want to go:

Around Dhs200 per person for three-courses, excluding beverages. Call 04-3998155.