Review: Winter Menu at Couqley French Brasserie Downtown Dubai

Celebrate the holiday season with a limited-time festive feast in one of Dubai's most popular French restaurants

Posted on

13 December 2022

Posted by

Clarice

Couqley French Brasserie Downtown Dubai review

Have a holly jolly festive time out at this casual-premium French bistro in Downtown Dubai.

The holiday season is a time for catching up with friends and family, treating the kids, or even getting better acquainted with the in-laws. A delicious meal out complete with warm interior and even warmer service can really tick all the boxes.

After we had the chance to review their JLT branch, the ExpatWoman team visited Couqley's second location in Pullman Dubai Downtown - and there's no better place to go for a leisurely lunch or indulgent dinner whilst surrounded by stunning French garden vibes.

This year, the bistro is offering a winter menu with a wide selection of starters, mains, and desserts, perfect for a festive feast with the family, a seasonal celebration with colleagues, or a wintery date with a loved one. Here are our honest thoughts.

The Downtown Dubai Venue

The soulful bistro in Dubai, popular for its authentic French dishes, fairly-priced drinks, Parisian décor, and warm service, saw a brand new redesign for its Downtown spot thanks to the genius of renowned artist Ana D’Castro.

Gorgeous and classily cosmopolitan, their sunny French garden-inspired branch offers the same culinary experience as its JLT sibling, but glammed up with egg yolk seating, indoor and outdoor greenery, olive trees, marble tables, booth seating, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wooden floors. It's hard to believe that you're still in the UAE!

A large golden rooster sculpture flies high and proud above their central bar, with cosy seating and lights hanging down from triple-height ceilings. For those seeking al fresco dining, this month is the perfect time for it.

The Food

Tuck into authentic French cuisine with a festive twist, from pan-seared foie gras and shell-baked snails cooked with butter, to Christmas turkey roasts and Couqley's signature tenderloin steak frites. Then end it all on a sweet note with a delightful crème brulee, maybe a refreshing fruit sorbet, or perhaps their chocolate fondant that's well worth the wait!

We opted for the truffle brie en croute, which was a delicious freshly baked puff pastry with brie cheese. For the main event, we enjoyed a mouthwatering traditional roast; a perfectly cooked turkey breast roulade with sweet potato puree, vegetables, creamy spinach, and wild mushroom gratin. You can also add a fairly-priced glass of red to accompany your meal.