The bulletproof concept from Singapore takes aim in Business Bay.
When a restaurant takes its name from a firearm, expectations are naturally loaded. Revolver, a dining import from Singapore, arrives in Dubai’s Business Bay with a bang, bringing a high-calibre approach to dining. Helmed by Chef Jitin Joshi (previously of the MICHELIN-starred Gymkhana in London’s Mayfair), the concept blends bold, spice-laden flavours with intricate South Asian-inspired techniques, all served in a space as striking as its name suggests.
The first thing that hits you upon entering Revolver is the sheer theatricality of the space, with its moody lighting, embossed ceiling, burnished metallics and a light fitting that resembles a bandolier of bullet casings. The open kitchen is framed in the sights of the cylinder of a gun, which is mounted on the wall above the bar, brandishing a chamber beneath which gleaming bottles, beckon diners to indulge in inventive cocktails. It’s a restaurant designed for drama, and the menu follows suit.
Revolver’s menu is locked and loaded, offering South Asian flavours reimagined with finesse and fire. Like a culinary arsenal, the menu offers a selection of dishes divided under playful subheadings such as Love Bites, Small Bullets and Big Guns. The spice and fire-driven menu is a tribute to South Asia’s rich culinary heritage, crafted with world-class ingredients. At the heart of it all lies the charcoal grill, brazier, and tandoor, around which this culinary concept revolves.
The Lamb and Kaffir Lime Arancini (AED 30) offers a textural contrast between crisp exteriors and robust interiors, with the rich lamb giving way to the aromatic kaffir lime, adding an unexpected twist to the classic Italian dish. The Goan Prawn Balchao (AED 75), an ode to the fiery coastal cuisine of Goa, is a punchy delight, brimming with heat and depth that resembles an open temaki.
The Courgette Flower stuffed with crab and tomato chutney (AED 135) is an elegant play on flavour, the sweetness of the crab harmonising with the tangy tomato chutney in a crisp and comforting bite. Meanwhile, the Wagyu Scotch Egg with Caviar (AED 75) is a signature showstopper that elevates the British picnic classic. Expect wagyu beef encasing a soft, golden yolk that is topped with caviar for an indulgent finishing touch.
Seafood lovers will appreciate the Snapper on Fire (AED 190) with spiced tamarind. The dish lives up to its name, arriving dramatically amidst burning embers before revealing a beautifully cooked piece of fish wrapped inside a banana leaf and infused with a smoky yet tangy complexity. The Seafood and Tender Coconut Claypot Rice (AED 140) follows suit, delivering fragrant grains infused with a sweet velvetiness from the coconut, plump prawns and delicate scallops.
For those seeking indulgence, the Garlic Butter Crab Kulchette (AED 75) is a bite-sized delight that packs an umami-rich punch, with buttery, garlicky crab enveloped in a pillowy cheese-stuffed kulcha that is impossible to resist. There’s a kick to most dishes, and a subtle warmth that grows with each bite like the embers flickering to life in the hearth of the open kitchen.
Desserts at Revolver are far from an afterthought. The Coorg Filter Coffee Milk Cake (AED 55) is a fitting final shot, marrying the deep, caramel-like bitterness of Coorg’s famed filter coffee with the comforting softness of a soaked tres leches cake. It’s rich yet refined and a dish that hits the mark.
Revolver arrives in Dubai with the confidence of a concept that has already proven its mettle. Located inside The Opus, Revolver is in good culinary company alongside Japanese hotspot ROKA, homegrown favourite The Maine Land Brasserie, and hip nightlife destination Salmon Guru.
The restaurant offers a menu that balances nostalgia with innovation, a terrific terrace (sans Burj Khalifa view), and a private dining room that radiates sophistication. Revolver aims, fires and hits the mark with precision.
GO: Visit https://revolverdubai.ae for reservations and more information.