DiningCulinary adventures for food lovers

Gastronomic tourism is a travel trend that sees no sign of abating, and who can blame culinary-curious tourists for wanting to experience the finest foods a destination has to offer? From enjoying sun-ripened organic vegetables in Mallorca, to the best fine dining Dubai has to offer; tasting local produce and delicacies is a fast track to the soul of your destination. Whether you’re seeking healthy food or haute cuisine, these three distinct culinary adventures whisk you around the world, one sumptuous bite at a time.

Healthy eating in Mallorca

For a gastronomic adventure that nourishes and satisfies, look to Mallorca. The alluring Balearic island is surrounded by sea teeming with fresh seafood, while its Mediterranean terroir produces a cornucopia of citrus fruits, almonds and olive oil. Spend a morning sourcing tasty ingredients at Palma’s first 100% organic market, Mercat Ecológic de Palma. You’ll find hand-harvested vegetables, local honeys and sustainably caught fish. Later, take lunch at one of Palma’s vegan or organic cafes or restaurants like Ziva-to-Go or Vegan and Raw. Then, for something healthy with a fine dining twist, head west for dinner in the picturesque Port de Soller at Es Fanals by Javier Soriano. Using the bounty of the island, Chef Javier Soriano creates mouth-wateringly nutritious dishes like fresh Soller prawns with black olive crumble.

Haute cuisine in Dubai

From shopping to architecture, Dubai is a place that does everything, bigger, better and flashier. Its culinary scene is no exception; with a dazzling array of fine dining restaurants where you can taste every national cuisine from around the world in haute cuisine form. For something special, take Afternoon Tea on the top floor of the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah at Skyview Bar & Restaurant. From Cornish clotted cream to caviar from Russia, its exceptionally sourced ingredients make it the finest Afternoon Tea in Dubai.

When on the gourmet trail in Dubai, picking up some local artisanal souvenir treats is a must. At Dubai Mall, call into Arabesq Sweets for exquisite Middle Eastern confectionary or pick up the best cakes and pastries in the city at Yamanote Atelier. Another essential buy are local dates from Bateel. Complete your adventure with an extraordinary dinner at KAYTO. Harmonising the flavours of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine to create his unique Nikkei fusion, Chef Cristian Goya’s artfully plated dishes are served in the most elegant of surrounds.

Contemporary Chinese in Shanghai

No city in China is pushing boundaries when it comes to elevating Chinese cuisine to something truly outstanding than Shanghai. Leading the way are a group of cutting-edge restaurants, driven by chefs that are taking the culinary codes of classic Chinese cooking and reimagining it with 21st century innovation and style. Getting acquainted with contemporary Chinese cuisine is easy. Start by immersing yourself through a cooking masterclass with Cook in Shanghai which takes visitors to shop for produce in the markets, before showing how to cook dishes with the ingredients.

Have lunch at the Michelin starred Fu He Hui, awarded number 29 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for its modern take of Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Headed up by chef Tony Lu, who specialises in Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine, Fu He Hui has elevated Chinese vegetarian to a new level. Alternatively, take dinner at Shang-High. Here, Chef Frank Hu masterminds an East-meets-West menu filled with imaginative dishes from pigeon eggs with cuttlefish to braised beef cheek with truffles. As Shanghai’s ever-changing skyline twinkles beneath you, the atmosphere at this Michelin starred restaurant is as sublime as the food.

From enjoying sun-ripened organic vegetables in Mallorca to contemporary Chinese cuisine in Shanghai, experience the finest foods a destination has to offer at Jumeirah's hotels and residences.