Liam Collens

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Translating Trèsind Studio

On distilling philosophy.
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Periodicals

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Amused Bouche 03
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue: a two-Michelin-starred shrug, delivery butchers, a "seven-starred" beach club, black sriracha and a…
 • Liam Collens
Amused Bouche 02
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue, disappointment and delight in Dubai and the UK, and one of the best meals to ever pass these lips.
 • Liam Collens
2025’s Best Dishes: Hearts Across The Board
Restaurants, floors, kitchens and cheffing is a hard, brutal business. Send them your love.
 • Liam Collens
Amused Bouche 01
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue: a collection of eats, stays and sips across Singapore, an absolute jewel in Asia.
 • Liam Collens
Something for the Weekend #23
Bringing in some structure. Are Saudi and Michelin perfect for each other? Instagram Channels. A bumper week for Eats, Writes & Substack Reads. So sit…
 • Liam Collens
Something for the Weekend #22
Market Island openings. The Italian Project *deep sigh*. UAE levels up with Michelin Key properties. This Week’s Eats, Writes and Reads. So sit back …
 • Liam Collens
Something for the Weekend #21
The UAE wins BIG at the 2025 The Best Chef Awards. Kraken is coming. The Italian Project hits the bricks. Eats, writes and more. So sit back & enjoy a…
 • Liam Collens
Something for the Weekend #20
Heading back to Dubai. North America’s Inaugural 50 Best List. Ruché: Piemonte’s Little Red Secret. This Week’s Great Substack Reads. So sit back …
 • Liam Collens

Restaurant Reviews

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Kraken, Dubai restaurant review: "There is Real Skill Beneath the Theatre".
Pull back the maximalism to discover Kraken’s familiar tricks, but it does not want for ambition. Dive deeper and, perhaps, the best is yet to come.
 • Liam Collens
Middle Child, Dubai restaurant review: “Calm Cooking, Loud Opinions and a Bistro Caught in the Noise.”
The food is good. Sometimes very good, but the noise around Middle Child is hard to swallow.
 • Liam Collens
Hashmi Barbeque, Dubai restaurant review. "Where nyama choma meets the tandoor."
Uninvited Opinion. Elbows-on-the-table casual and finger-suckingly good. You’ll need to be rolled out the door.
 • Liam Collens
Osip, Bruton: restaurant review. “The food is lost-for-words good.”
Osip steps into its better self with confidence and aplomb, going from local-produce champion to a world-class restaurant in waiting, but one thing…
 • Liam Collens
Amused Bouche 02
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue, disappointment and delight in Dubai and the UK, and one of the best meals to ever pass these lips.
 • Liam Collens
Restaurant Fiz, Singapore: restaurant review. "It makes me want to walk the Earth."
Chef Hafizzul's refined plating of Nusantaran dining thoughtfully presents this region's heritage plate by plate.
 • Liam Collens
Lolla, Singapore. “It’s a deliciously good time.”
Uninvited Opinion. Lolla’s easy-going spirit and capable, crowd-pleasing dishes just delighted me. It is a neighbourhood restaurant for which I had to…
 • Liam Collens
Al Muntaha, Dubai. Restaurant review.
Sharper cooking, gentler décor, lunch is the move here.
 • Liam Collens

Travel Reviews

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The Chedi Muscat, Oman: It Was Well Worth The Wait (Archives)
We waited 10+ years to experience The Chedi Muscat. It was worth it. The Chedi Muscat’s tasteful luxury is a benchmark for other Middle Eastern resorts.
 • Liam Collens
The Greatest Dining Spaces
Of views, history and art, you could come here to eat nothing and leave utterly satisfied. These are some of my most memorable dinings rooms.
 • Liam Collens
Ascending God's Rooftop, Pt 2: The Journey to Himachal Pradesh, India’s Himalayas
Ascending God's Rooftop is a multi-part series about my recent travels to India, particularly Himachal Pradesh. This time I talk about Kasauli and…
 • Liam Collens
Ascending God's Rooftop, Pt 1: A Journey to Himachal Pradesh, India’s Himalayas
A multi-part series about travelling to India over the years and, most recently, to Himachal Pradesh.
 • Liam Collens
The St Regis Abu Dhabi
The St Regis Abu Dhabi's Grand Deluxe Suites overlook sweeping views of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche within moments of the city’s most-loved sights.
 • Liam Collens
13 Unconventional Travel Destinations to Consider this Eid
There are MANY travel guides recommending the same places, but this guide finds some of the best and unique options out there.
 • Liam Collens
48 Hours in Copenhagen: Where to Eat, Sleep and Play
The land of Carlsberg, mermaids and Hans Christian Andersen offers more than enough for a weekend getaway.
 • Liam Collens
Maldivian-Style Villa Stays at the Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah
A brand-new weekend waterfront stay in Ras Al Khaimah challenges you to ask: do I need to go to the Maldives?
 • Liam Collens

Recent posts

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Kraken, Dubai restaurant review: "There is Real Skill Beneath the Theatre".
Pull back the maximalism to discover Kraken’s familiar tricks, but it does not want for ambition. Dive deeper and, perhaps, the best is yet to come.
 • Liam Collens
Amused Bouche 03
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue: a two-Michelin-starred shrug, delivery butchers, a "seven-starred" beach club, black sriracha and a…
 • Liam Collens
The Middle East & North Africa 50 Best Restaurants List 2026
Here are my first impressions a few hours into the afterglow.
 • Liam Collens
Middle Child, Dubai restaurant review: “Calm Cooking, Loud Opinions and a Bistro Caught in the Noise.”
The food is good. Sometimes very good, but the noise around Middle Child is hard to swallow.
 • Liam Collens
Translating Trèsind Studio
On writing the book "The Rise of Indian Food. Recipes Reimagined by Trèsind Studio."
 • Liam Collens
Hashmi Barbeque, Dubai restaurant review. "Where nyama choma meets the tandoor."
Uninvited Opinion. Elbows-on-the-table casual and finger-suckingly good. You’ll need to be rolled out the door.
 • Liam Collens
Osip, Bruton: restaurant review. “The food is lost-for-words good.”
Osip steps into its better self with confidence and aplomb, going from local-produce champion to a world-class restaurant in waiting, but one thing…
 • Liam Collens
Amused Bouche 02
Bite-sized if not biting commentary. In this issue, disappointment and delight in Dubai and the UK, and one of the best meals to ever pass these lips.
 • Liam Collens

Featured In

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Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Dubai Hills: We Deserve This (Archives)
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki Dubai Hills expands Reif Othman’s success, reminding imitators that he’s still the yardstick to beat.
 • Liam Collens
Consorzio, Turin restaurant review: "Fergus Henderson's doppelgänger is an Italian woman."
Consorzio tastes bold and edifying in modern times, making light work of unsexy, overlooked cuts. The squeamish will still eat well, and eat you should.
 • Liam Collens
The Greatest Dining Spaces
Of views, history and art, you could come here to eat nothing and leave utterly satisfied. These are some of my most memorable dinings rooms.
 • Liam Collens
Potong, Bangkok: restaurant review. "No One Should Cook Duck This Well"
Potong is Chef Pam’s ode to her family and heritage; skilfully cooked, wrapped in class and served with charm. The storyteller all families would want.
 • Liam Collens
Tasca restores joy in Dubai's brunches
It took the Portuguese, a birthday and a slather of sophistication to Make Brunch Great Again.
 • Liam Collens
Tresind Studio x Gucci Osteria
Dubai continues to show the world that it's a world-class destination for creative cooking, eye-catching collaborations and a progressive melting pot…
 • Liam Collens
The St Regis Abu Dhabi
The St Regis Abu Dhabi's Grand Deluxe Suites overlook sweeping views of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche within moments of the city’s most-loved sights.
 • Liam Collens
Gaggan, Bangkok: restaurant review
Weeks later, I cannot decide how I feel about Gaggan, but that seeded, restless stir is precisely where Chef Gaggan Anand wants me. Welcome to one of…
 • Liam Collens
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