Beluga Dubai Redefines the Art of Lunch at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah

Dubai, UAE, 26th November 2025: Tucked inside the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Beluga’s new ‘The Business of Pleasure’ lunch menu by Executive Chef Giovanni Papi redefines what a midweek meal can be - polished yet easy, elegant without the fuss.

Guests can enjoy two courses for AED 130 or three for AED 160, with a menu that’s both grounded in traditional Italian classics, yet full of individual flair. Selected wines are available for 

Diners can start with something light and elegant - either the Beluga Bruschetta, where crisp focaccia meets girolle mushrooms, truffle cheese mayo, and a touch of Royal Baerii caviar, or the Golden Burrata Salad, paired with grilled artichoke and almond-anchovy dressing. The Wild Smoked Salmon brings bright, citrusy freshness, while the Hokkaido Scallop with chestnut purée and Brussels sprouts feels quietly indulgent.

Mains are soulful and satisfying. The Handmade Lorighittas di Sardegna - a Sardinian pasta with meat ragout and pecorino - feels like pure comfort, while the Branzino, served with Sardinian artichokes and saffron sauce, leans light and refined. The Beef Tagliata - steak marinated and served with arugula and datterino tomatoes, is hearty yet balanced. For something a little more fun, there’s the Beluga Steak Slider with A5 Wagyu and Imperial caviar, or pizzas like the Mamma Giovanna and Queen Margherita, made with 24-hour fermented dough for that perfect crust.

Dessert is where Chef Papi shows his softer side - there’s the Tiramisu, light and velvety with Arabica coffee, mascarpone mousse and tonka bean, or the Torta Marianna, where apple caramel and kumquat meet in a golden, light-yet-sweet finale.

Pair it all with a glass of wine from a specially curated selection (AED 50) or Champagne (AED 99), and the midday break suddenly feels like an appointment worth extending.

The Beluga Business of Pleasure Lunch is an invitation to slow down, talk, taste, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s lunch the way it should be: simple, beautiful, and just a little bit indulgent.

Reserve Your Seat at Beluga

Experience The Business of Pleasure menu at Beluga now. Reservations can be made through https://www.opentable.ae/, with lunch service running from 12:00PM to 2:30PM Monday - Friday.

About Chef Giovanni Papi: 

Born in Bosa, Sardinia, Chef Giovanni Papi grew up surrounded by the simplicity of Italian ingredients and traditions. At just 16, he entered the kitchen as a commis chef, sparking a passion that carried him across France, Luxembourg, Australia, China, and now the UAE.

Over 16 years, Giovanni honed his craft not in classrooms but in kitchens, most notably at Dubai’s Armani Hotel, where he spent nearly seven years rising from Sous Chef to Speciality Head Chef in Charge. Under his leadership, Armani/Ristorante earned accolades including Rising Star of the Year (Hospitality Excellence Awards 2020), a Michelin star in 2022, and three toques from Gault&Millau, honours retained through 2025.

Today, Giovanni embarks on a new era as Executive Chef at Beluga Restaurant & Lounge, part of UAE’s Gourmet House Caviar. His mission: to redefine modern Italian cuisine through the elegance of caviar, and position Beluga among Dubai’s most coveted dining destinations.

Beyond the accolades, Giovanni is also a husband and proud father to a two-year-old son, a daily reminder of legacy and purpose. For him, food is more than craft - it is identity, evolution, and the pursuit of timeless distinction.

About Beluga Bar & Restaurant 

Located within the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Beluga is a refined dining destination led by Executive Chef Giovanni Papi. Rooted in Italian tradition yet elevated through restraint and precision, Beluga approaches modern Italian cuisine with quiet confidence. Here, caviar is not merely an embellishment - it is a signature language woven into classic formats with finesse. Using premium global ingredients and time-honoured Italian techniques, Chef Giovanni crafts plates that are familiar in form yet elevated in expression. Guests can expect cuisine that honours authenticity while embracing innovation, challenging expectations of what Italian fine dining can be in Dubai. With its intimate, softly lit setting and its devotion to detail, Beluga offers more than indulgence, it delivers a study in craftsmanship and culinary poise.

For reservations, please visit https://www.opentable.ae/ or contact 04 340 8882

Where: Beluga, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Jumeirah, Dubai

When: Monday - Friday, 12:00PM - 2:30PM