Food that’s worth the drive – Bystro Mleiha
Over the weekend, we drove almost 1 hour outside of Dubai in search of an archaeological oasis in the heart of Mleiha and the restaurant at the heart of theis oasis – Bystro Mleiha. I probably underestimated the time and distance we would have to travel, but once we got there, the journey seemed so much worth it. We even had to off road for a bit and dodge a few camels, which made it so much more enthralling.
Discover Mleiha is an archaeological spot that features the tomb of Umm Al Nar along with a museum that offers great insights into the history of the area along with exciting tours and day & night activities.
As we walked around the property, we stumbled upon the stables where we met a bunch of attractive and well groomed horses – all awaiting the riding season. After all that driving and walking, it was time for a treat.
Adjoining the museum is Bystro Mleiha. The only food spot located literally in the middle of nowhere, this restaurant serves up a brilliant and healthy selection of continental favorites – right from Mediterranean to American to Asian. Supporting the global cuisine is a wonderful choice of smoothies, mocktails and some refreshing colas, as well as a few indulgent desserts.
Here’s all the food we tried and loved:
Falafel bites with beetroot hummus and mint labneh
These were not at all dry. In fact had a mushy moist lentil filling which didn’t stale up even after a few hours.
Superbowl salad with grilled chicken
One of the best salads I have eaten in a long time, this was everything healthy in one big bowl. If only I could eat this everyday, I would be the healthiest soul on earth.
Chicken ‘n waffles
The right mix of sweet and savory, this is one item on the menu I can never ignore. I simply loved the addition of a sunny side up and the little maple syrup on the side.
Malay chicken curry with rice
This was wow! Seriously WOW! The curry was coconut based (my favorite) and the rice was dotted with lots and lots of cumin (my favorite again). Together they made a brilliant curry and rice combination – something that I would refer to as the perfect comfort food.
Coffee
We had this beautiful cup of latte before leaving from Bystro Mleiha just so we could prep-up for our drive back home. Also, how sassy is that caption on the cup?!
All in all, Bystro Mleiha is the perfect place to satiate your hunger before or after your museum tour. And it is also a great breakfast or lunch stopover if you’re heading in for a long cross-country drive.
Bystro Mleiha
- Food
- Drinks
- Ambience
- Pricing
- Service
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Honestly, I was quite impressed with how beautiful this restaurant is, given that it’s located in the desert. But well, that’s UAE for you. The open space, airy ambiance and tons of sunlight make Bystro in Mleiha a very pleasant and welcoming sight. They also have a library and kids play area, so you’ve got it all sorted.
In terms of food, they have got a little of everything, so you will definitely find something you like. I strongly recommend their Malay Curry with rice. That one was really comforting. Also, Fentiman’s rose lemonade 🙂
Location: Mleiha Cultural Park, Sharjah
Contact: 06 883 1849
