WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

LÁZARO ROSA-VIOLAN’S RAINFOREST-INSPIRED AMAZÓNICO OPENS IN DUBAI

- SHALAKA PARADKAR

Originally opened in 2010 by husband-and-wife restaurateur team Sandro Silva and Marta Seco, Amazónico quickly became one of Madrid’s most-popular restaurants. Now the Spanish icon has landed in Dubai, with all the gloriously lush foliage and hot design flourishes you would expect.

Amazónico Dubai, situated in the heart of the business district in DIFC, is the couple’s second restaurant to open outside of Spain – the first was in Mayfair, London – and has been similarly inspired by the cultural diversity and gastronomic heritage of the Amazon region. The couple chose Dubai for its multicultural vibe; it helps that the city has already embraced Latin American cuisine through several standout restaurants.

“To create Amazónico, we truly delved into the foundations of South American culture and explored the elements of their cuisine, their eating rituals and how they enjoy meals,” says chef Sandro Silva, also the co-founder.

That journey down the Amazon involves navigating three storeys of a joyful, jungle-themed interior designed by Catalan artist-interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violan.

While the menu pays tribute to a rich culinary heritage that blends influences from South America, Europe and Asia; the interiors – already an Instagram sensation in a city that has no dearth of gorgeous venues – are a symphony of emerald green and gold, warmed up by natural wood tones. This more-is-more aesthetic works well in the space, as the materials and finishes are all supremely luxurious.