and i thought i didn't like beer

The Belgian Beer Café in Dubai smartly hides like cultural and social treasure from the din of glamour and glitz that envelops the city. We stepped through the doors, and given how packed it was, no way we could be seated without a wait. This is the sort of place though, that no matter how hopping, where there is always room for more. The ambiance was comparable to an impressive niche bar you might find in Chicago, making the Belgian Café a rare find in the Gulf. Norah Jones crooned softly in the background, while men and women (mostly 20-40 somethings) milled causally. At the bar, couples met and chatted remarkably un-creepily—it was a breath of fresh air to see respectful and healthy male-female interaction in the Gulf. The drink list was just another pleasant surprise after soaking up the surroundings. Dozens of Belgian beers, strong enough to knock you off your feet, were complemented by tasty and authentic snacks. The pork sausages and deep fried mussels we ordered were needed to absorb some of the massive steins of beer brought to the table. The kicker was a beer I’d never heard of before, Cherry Kriek. The color of cherry soda and the taste of sweet sparkling wine, I could hardly believe it was actual beer I was enjoying. I might still pick wine over beer on any old night, but the Belgian Café’s atmosphere and fantastic selection made it a place to remember and revisit. As always, Dubai-pricey, but this time, well worth it.