Smoked Room *
- Kira Jabri
- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Dubai, UAE
December 27th, 2025
Smoked Room Dubai is one of those dining experiences that feels immersive from the moment you step inside. Tucked discreetly within Leña Dubai, this intimate 14-seat fire omakase concept has been airlifted directly from Madrid to Dubai, now onto the rooftop of St. Regis Gardens.
Chef Dani García, whose Smoked Room concept earned its Michelin star in Dubai in 2024, a well-deserved recognition for a restaurant that is both technically precise and unapologetically theatrical. Guests are seated in a tight circle around live fire, creating an experience that feels more like a performance than a meal.
If there were an award for most on-theme restaurant, Smoked Room would win it effortlessly. The aroma of smoke is constant but refined, never overpowering, and thoughtfully woven into every course. One of the most striking design elements is the suspended mirror above the counter. It’s one thing to have a front-row seat at a chef’s table, but seeing every cut, stir, and finish reflected from above adds an entirely new dimension. It’s mesmerizing and unlike anything we’ve experienced before.
The standout dish of the evening was the cold-smoked sturgeon with nitro tomato, horseradish cream, and caviar, a signature for good reason. That said, the citric dashi tomato delivered a surprising, electric burst of flavor that lingered long after the plate was cleared. Each course showcased a different expression of smoke, proving how nuanced and delicate the technique can be when handled with restraint.
Dessert was equally impressive. The chocolate and miso dish stood out for its extraordinary texture and balance. Even with Emma’s phenomenal photography skills, this was one dish that simply refused to be fully captured on camera; it must be experienced in person to be appreciated.
And in true Smoked Room fashion, the drama doesn’t end with dessert. Even the bill arrives cloaked in smoke. A final, playful reminder that every detail here is intentional.
Smoked Room Dubai isn’t just dinner; it’s a tightly choreographed sensory experience, where fire, smoke, and precision come together in a way that feels both daring and deeply refined.
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