Jones the Grocer

While we envy the residents of Al Muneera because they have a private beach, it’s the great selection of eateries that keeps us slightly obsessed with this peaceful area.

Australian café Jones the Grocer has several branches dotted throughout the city. Perhaps more popular as a breakfast or lunch spot, the Al Muneera outlet is fairly quiet when we arrive for our evening meal.

There’s a stripped back feel to the interior, and we happily browse the products for sale (including huge blocks of French cheese and Australian jam).

But before we’ve had chance to properly clean out the chocolate samples, our starters arrive.

We kick things off on a healthy note (if you ignore the chocolate), and try the goat’s cheese freekah and the saffron pearl couscous with chargrilled broccolini salads.

Both are filled with wonderful flavours and colourful vegetables. The combination of the beetroot, sweet roasted pumpkin and goat’s cheese is absolutely sensational. If we have one small criticism it’s that the honey balsamic dressing on the couscous is just a tad too sweet.

The mains are also made with high-quality ingredients and great care and attention.

The grilled Atlantic salmon is finished with a smear of fantastic baba ghanoush, while the chargrilled harissa chicken is amazingly succulent. It’s both sweet and spicy and totally delicious. We scrape up every last bit.

WHAT IS IT...
Homemade Australian-style dishes

WHY GO...
For a healthy evening meal that won’t leave you filled with guilt