There are only a few places in Dubai that have stood the test of time and have been around for a while. Century Village at Garhoud Dubai has been a dining hotspot for quite some time, offering a myriad of culinary experiences from around the world in a very unique and quiet setting.

Far from the hubbub of the crowd, right next to the Irish village, Century village offers the best Al Fresco dining options in Dubai. With multiple venues from 10 global cuisines in a family-friendly outdoor setting, it is the place dedicated to the idea of good food and good times together. We recently visited Century Village to discover one of its many famed restaurants Zorba, offering authentic Greek and international cuisine.

With the weather being great in Dubai, we headed to Zorba, located right inside at the heart of the Century Village. From far off the restaurant exuded with Grecian charms, with an open terrace for Al fresco dining and the huge windows gave a very airy and open feel to the restaurant. As soon as we stepped in the place it felt like a Mediterranean haven. With a dominant nautical theme, there were elements of Greek mythology everywhere as part of the décor there. Inscribed Greek letters, mythological images and more all added to the appeal of the restaurant. A cluster of broken dishes also caught our eyes. The time-honored tradition of smashing plates as a mean of celebration was the reason behind the piled up broken plates and we were immediately told by the restaurant’s manager that when the night climaxes guests are welcome to participate in the traditional act; Opa!

The restaurant has its very own live music band that plays popular and traditional Greek Music. And as we settled in we were instantly transported to a Mediterranean / Greek island with the soft music and warm and inviting vibes. Our food came in three servings. Before the starters, we were severed with Greek Dip Platter, with three types of dips, Tzatziki yogurt, Melitzanosalata roasted eggplants, and Tirokafteri feta cheese puree, with slices of Peta bread and olives. The dips tasted refreshing and wholesome and added a welcoming flavor to the experience.

For starters we tried, Chicken Soup, Greek Salad, and Kadaifi Prawns. The chicken soup was nice but pretty regular. The Greek salad, however, was although common but tasted rich with olive oil dressing and feta cheese on top. Kadaifi Prawns was a very interesting started. Wrapped in Kadaifi Fillo and served on a bed of fruit ratatouille, the fillo gave a crunchy texture the succulent prawns and the fruit ratatouille prefixed the zest of the flavors. It is a must try when you visit the restaurant.

For mains, we went for the Platter for 2, Greek style mixed grill, complete with beef, chicken, lamb chops and vegetables, grilled to perfection. The meat was tender and smoky and required no extra sauce. The flavors were spot on and came with a side of French fries and pita bread. If you prefer a sharing menu then the platter is enough for two hungry people.

We also tried two different mocktails Faux-jito and Mojito Virgin. The Mojito virgin was very sweet so those who want a subtle taste should make a note or better request for less sugar. The Faux- Jito was a delicious concoction of Raspberry, lime, Sprite, and mint, very refreshing and uplifting.

Our last course was dessert. We tried the ‘Yourity Me Meli’ a typical Greek Yogurt with honey and roasted walnut. The dish was simple and had a tarty, creamy taste. It was perfect to end the meal with.

With an unpretentious Mediterranean/ Greek cuisine, live music and lovely ambiance, Zorba is a sort of place to enjoy a cozy meal with family and friends without a worry in the world…