From Supper Club to Restaurant: Why Girl & The Goose Is the Dubai Spot You Need to Book Now
If you’ve been following my dining adventures in Dubai, you’ll know I’m always searching for restaurants that offer something a little different, rather than just another hyped-up venue. Well, I think I’ve found another gem.
We recently visited Girl & The Goose at Anantara Downtown, and it impressed not only me but also my very picky foodie friends. After a few disappointing new restaurant openings recently, this was a great reminder of why I love discovering authentic, independent restaurants with a real story behind them.
Girl & The Goose First Impressions
Before we even get to the food, the restaurant itself deserves a mention.
Owner and chef Gabriela Chamorro was previously cabin crew before following her passion for food and launching a hugely successful supper club. Just a year ago, she transformed that success into Girl & The Goose, and judging by how busy it was on a Saturday night in the middle of summer, it’s clear that word is quickly spreading.
Located in Anantara Downtown Dubai, Girl & The Goose may be much bigger than Gabriela’s original supper club, but it still holds onto that same warm and personal feeling. The space is beautifully designed with earthy tones, handcrafted details, greenery and soft lighting, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
From the archway-lined dining area to the open kitchen and birdcage-style bar, every corner feels thoughtfully designed. It has that rare balance of feeling elevated while still being relaxed and inviting.
The interiors are beautifully done, with thoughtful details throughout and gorgeous warm lighting (although, I have to admit, not the easiest for food photography, haha).
Starters
The food is undoubtedly the highlight here. It’s fresh, well presented and, most importantly, very tasty. There’s also plenty of choice, with a menu that makes it easy to order a selection of small plates if you don’t fancy committing to a large main course.
We started with warm bread served with homemade butter before sharing a selection of starters.
The ceviche was the standout dish (and not my normal choice). Fresh, tangy and full of flavour.
The guacamole with crispy plantain chips was another favourite, while the chicken dumplings disappeared from the table in no time.
Mains
Our waitress was excellent throughout the evening and suggested my friend swap her original choice for the lobster gnocchi. She was so glad she listened. Gabriela even told us this dish is her “baby“, and after trying it, it’s easy to understand why. If you’re visiting for the first time, I’d definitely recommend ordering it.
The duck pasta was another excellent choice, served with a rich blue cheese sauce. It’s a generous, indulgent dish, so worth bearing in mind if you don’t love stronger cheeses.
The steak frites also impressed. The steak was well sized, cooked well and served with a delicious sauce, so there’s absolutely no need to pay extra for a larger cut. The only thing I’d change would be the fries, which were a little over-fried for my taste, but that’s a minor point.
Desserts
Dessert was a fun way to end the meal. Rather than handing you a traditional dessert menu, you’re given dessert cards that look like playing cards, making choosing your final course a little more interactive.
We finished with the restaurant’s famous cacao cake, served with “Welcome Home” written across the plate, a lovely touch that reflects the warm, welcoming atmosphere. And the cake itself? Absolutely heavenly.
Girl & The Goose Happy Hour
The cocktails were excellent. I tried the Flor de Jamaica, a tequila-based cocktail that was tart, tropical and really refreshing. Even better, during Happy Hour we paid just AED 37 per cocktail,
Happy Hour runs until 7.30 pm, even on Saturdays, with several starters available for AED 25 to AED 47. It’s definitely worth arriving early to make the most of it. We paid just AED 37 per cocktail, and a bottle of wine was only AED 159,
Service
Service matched the quality of the food. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely helpful with her recommendations, and every suggestion she made was spot on.
Despite the restaurant being busy, Gabriela still made time to visit every table to introduce herself, explain the inspiration behind the dishes and chat with guests. It’s a lovely personal touch and shows just how much she cares about the experience people have in her restaurant.
Girl & The Goose you stole our hearts!
Girl & The Goose should definitely be on your Dubai restaurant go-to list. It has already been recognised on the MENA 50 Best Restaurants list and Gabriela has received the Best Chef award from What’s On, so it’s clear the restaurant is getting the attention it deserves.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Michelin is keeping an eye on this one too. My advice? Book it while you still can.
Disclosure: I paid for my own meal and this is my honest review. If you would like to visit Girl & The Goose, you can book a table here just like we did. Booking is highly recommended.