Restaurant Review: The Guild

When we got the invitation to check out the new menu at The Guild, we didn’t hesitate. After all, this isn’t just any restaurant—it’s the Michelin Guide’s Opening of the Year!

If you’ve been to The Guild before, you’ll notice a fabulous new twist as soon as you walk in. The coffee shop at the front is now a wine bar! Sure, you can still grab your caffeine fix. But now, the shelves are brimming with wine bottles, and the Coravin program means you can sip on something extra special by the glass. We indulged in the Vigna Rionda Riserva Barolo DOCG for AED 700 and the Penfolds RWT for AED 450. If you’re not feeling splurgy, they’ve got wines starting from AED 35 per glass, plus wine by the carafe, which is perfect when one glass isn’t enough but a whole bottle feels like a bit much.

They’ve also got a wine cocktail program served under Coravin. We tried the Super Tuscan Negroni and the Leaf Pop, a gin cocktail sweetened with Sauternes. Add some live jazz on a Friday night, and this little wine bar has officially become one of my favorite spots in DIFC.

We are partial to a good wine program, but this is just the beginning of what makes The Guild such a gem. The layout of this place is like stepping into a series of movie settings.

The Nursery is a lush, overgrown garden. Hidden inside is a champagne room and a cute little greenhouse that feels like stepping into a glamorous 1940s railcar.

Then there’s The Rockpool, and yes, it has an actual rock pool with live seafood. An array of raw and cooked dishes make this a haven for seafood lovers. It feels a bit more relaxed to dine in compared to The Saloon, which is where the fine dining magic happens. It’s got this cool, old-school New York vibe where waiters in crisp white jackets buzz around a red brick open-plan wood-fired grill station.

Tucked away behind The Saloon, (and if you’re not looking for it, you might just walk right past) is a cosy cocktail bar and a fully-private dining room. Both are perfect for those who want a little extra exclusivity.

We dined like absolute royalty, starting with Poached King Crab dripping in citrus butter, Chicken Liver Parfait with cherry marmalade, and Charred Padron Peppers with sea salt and sherry vinegar. We paired it with a glass of Cuvée Prestige, Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta.

Next up was the Goat’s Cheese Pie with caramelized onions, local honey and sesame, and the Crispy School Prawns, served with red chimichurri paired with the Capensis Chardonnay 2016 from South Africa.

For the main event, we had the USDA Prime 400g Rib Eye, which, at AED 410, felt like a total steal for the quality. We paired this course with the Vigna Rionda Riserva Barolo DOCG and the Penfolds RWT.

If that all sounds indulgent, it’s because it was. My closing thoughts are that I love how festive and magical the whole experience felt. The Guild’s seasonal decor is dripping with nostalgia and grandeur, making it the perfect place for a holiday feast or any occasion where you want to be wowed.