The Best of Local and International Gastronomies at Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi

Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi invites all gourmands to an exciting gastronomical experience across an array of award-winning dining venues. Savor the finest sensations of distinctive Arabic and international cuisines crafted by a team of cuisine experts headed by Executive Chef Chris Dodds.

Bringing over 20 years of culinary excellence to the capital, Chris Dodds began his career as an apprentice in a number of luxury hotels, with his first role in King Reef Resort and eventually landing a position as a Sous Chef in Palazzo Versace in the Gold Coast. Dodds headed overseas to cities including Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and on to Abu Dhabi where he was a member of the pre-opening team in Yas Island Rotana.  

His career in the Marriott Hotels began in Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa located in Thailand where he was able to learn more about Thai cuisine. He then returned to Abu Dhabi to join the pre-opening team of Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi.

Chef Chris said, “Here at Marriott Downtown, we offer something for everyone. Whether you want to relax by the pool and enjoy a sharing-style menu at Grill@25, indulge in one of our signature Wagyu beef burger in Velocity, or enjoy our theme nights in Kuzbara, we incorporate the best gastronomies with the fresh ingredients to give guests a unique dining experience.”

He continued, “We also strive to include a Middle Eastern touch in all of our outlets as I think it is important to have a local influence in our menus.” Among the culinary highlights for this season is the Arabic Seafood Night every Wednesdays at the main outlet, Kuzbara. Designed together with Arabic Chef Abdel Fattah, the evening buffet features delicacies including hot and cold mezzes, grilled meats, Arabic and Levant cuisines, and traditional sweets.

Chef Chris also notes that a must-try in Marriott Downtown is the signature JW Steakhouse, which features a sumptuous menu of premium cuts of Wagyu beef, Australian cuts and certified prime Angus beef. Each offering is paired with bourbon cocktails, along with the famous New York cheesecake to top off the experience.