OPA is one of those restaurants you don’t forget, and reservations are essential because it is always full. On a Friday at 8pm, we stepped into a room of crisp white walls covered in twisting mock bougainvillaea, a gorgeous backdrop to what was coming.

Located within Fairmont Dubai, OPA delivers traditional Greek dishes alongside unexpected entertainment. Waiters twirl through the dining room performing the Zorba, diners smash plates, and Greek music echoes across the tables. The experience keeps you on your toes from start to finish.

The highlights

As we settled into our seats, we ordered a delightful array of cold starters. The Grilled pita with olive oil and oregano served as the perfect prelude, awakening our senses for the feast that awaited. The Tyrokafteri, a blend of feta cheese, harissa, and roasted red peppers, provided a spicy kick, while the OPA hummus stole the spotlight with its tableside presentation and an array of garnishes including crispy duck, pine nuts, parsley, and red peppers.

For the main course, we went for the Mixed Grill platter, perfect for four to six people. It arrived on a massive wooden board and truly looked like a feast. Six marinated lamb chops were joined by chicken kontosouli threaded on a long skewer. Our server made the experience interactive, pulling the chicken down with a cheerful “OPA!” after each swipe. The platter also featured wagyu souvlaki, stuffed pita, grilled vegetables, Greek-style potato chips, and creamy tzatziki. The dish is an experience in itself.

Waiters twirled through the packed restaurant performing the Zorba dance while diners smashed plates at their feet, shouting “Opa!” Music, laughter, and clinking cutlery filled the air, turning dinner into a joyous, high-energy experience.

We ended the night with the famed OPA sundae. Served in a crisp phyllo cup, it combined pistachio cream, homemade pistachios, caramel, and Greek yoghurt ice cream. Topped with baklava, a drizzle of caramel, and crushed pistachios, each bite offered a mix of creamy, crunchy, and sweet textures. The tower of phyllo, pistachio, caramel, and ice cream was as impressive to look at as it was to eat.

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Visit opaworld.com/dubai.