Tasca by Jose Avillez: Portuguese Menu, Prices & Oceanfront Dining at Mandarin Oriental

Tasca by Jose Avillez is a one-star Portuguese restaurant on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai. The menu is built for sharing, with small bites, seafood, grilled dishes and pastéis de nata for dessert. Recent price guides put a full meal at roughly AED 500 to 700 per person with drinks, while a set lunch menu has been listed at AED 440. Dress smart casual and book ahead. Opening days have changed recently, so confirm the schedule when you reserve.

Tasca Dubai and Its Portuguese Culinary Identity

If you have eaten Portuguese food in the UAE, there’s a decent chance it was somewhere casual: a grilled chicken counter, a bakery with custard tarts. Tasca by José Avillez does something different. It treats Portuguese cooking as a serious cuisine and serves it with the confidence of a restaurant that holds a Michelin star.

The word tasca means tavern in Portuguese. It’s the sort of small, unfussy place where families and neighbors share plates of clams, grilled fish and salt cod, usually with a bottle of wine on the table. José Avillez, one of Portugal’s best-known chefs, took that spirit and gave it a modern edge. This is his first restaurant outside Portugal, which tells you how much weight he put on getting it right. His better-known flagship is Belcanto in Lisbon.

The idea is simple: honest, generous Portuguese flavors, cooked with care, in a lively room. One travel writer’s take, repeated in several reviews, is that Tasca sits somewhere between a serious restaurant and a fashionable Dubai destination. That’s a fair summary. You’ll see couples on date night, friends sharing plates, and the occasional business lunch, all in the same room.

What makes it feel specific to the UAE is the lack of competition. Dubai’s Portuguese dining scene is small, so Tasca ends up defining what the cuisine means to many residents and visitors here. That’s a lot of responsibility, and it’s one reason the restaurant keeps refreshing its offer, including a recent seasonal menu built around Porto.

This guide covers what you actually need to decide whether to go: where it is, what the room looks like, what to order, what it costs in dirhams, and the practical details around booking and dress code.

How this guide was put together: it draws on the restaurant’s official pages, the Michelin Guide, dining directories and published reviews, not a personal visit. Prices and hours change, so confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Where to Find Tasca at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira

Tasca is on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, on Jumeirah Beach Road in Jumeira 1, Dubai. The hotel is a beachside property, and the restaurant sits high enough to look out over both the Arabian Gulf and the city skyline.

Address: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeira 1, PO Box 62092, Dubai, UAE.
Phone: +971 4 777 2231
Email: modub-tasca@mohg.com

You do not need to be a hotel guest to dine here. Most diners are residents or visitors coming for the evening.

Getting there:

• By taxi or ride-hailing: The simplest option from most parts of Dubai. Tell the driver “Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Road.”
• By car: Ask the restaurant or hotel about valet and parking arrangements when you book. Jumeirah Beach Road gets busy on Thursday and Friday evenings, so leave extra time.
• Inside the hotel: Take the lift to the sixth floor. The hotel has several other dining options, so double-check you are heading for Tasca.

A local timing tip. Evenings along Jumeirah Beach Road can slow down, especially at weekends and during school holidays. If you have a 7 PM reservation, leaving 30 to 40 minutes ahead of the drive time usually saves stress. Arriving a little early also lets you start with a drink at the bar.

Ocean Views and Contemporary Restaurant Design

The first thing people mention about Tasca is the view, and it’s easy to see why. Floor-to-ceiling windows look toward the Downtown Dubai skyline on one side, and a terrace faces the Arabian Gulf on the other. One reviewer put it well: Tasca doesn’t choose between views.

The interior. The room is bright and relaxed, with a natural color palette and a lot of daylight. Reviewers have mentioned greenery and potted plants hanging from the ceiling, which softens what could otherwise feel like a hotel dining room. The Michelin Guide describes a bustling yet relaxed space built around an open kitchen, which means you can watch the team work.

The terrace and infinity pool. The terrace has an infinity pool that appears to merge with the sea, and a bar area that suits sundowners. The Michelin Guide lists the restaurant as good for outdoor dining.

A fair caveat. Not every diner loves the style. One Tripadvisor reviewer found the furnishings closer to a tavern than a luxury hotel, with tables without tablecloths and a casual feel. That’s an intentional choice. Tasca is playing with the idea of a tasca, after all. If you want white tablecloths and hushed formality, adjust your expectations. If you want a relaxed, social room with good food, this is the right fit.

Choosing where to sit:

• Indoors by the windows: Best for skyline views and air conditioning, which matters from June to September when Dubai’s outdoor heat is intense.
• Terrace: Best from roughly October to April, when evenings are comfortable outdoors. Ask when you book whether terrace seating is available on your date.
• Bar seats: Good for solo diners or a quick, informal visit. The Michelin Guide also lists the restaurant as good for solo dining.

Seating size. One restaurant guide lists 68 seats, which is small enough that tables fill quickly on weekends. Book early.

Tasca Dubai Menu: Traditional Portuguese Flavours

The menu is designed for sharing, in the spirit of a traditional tavern. Plates arrive when they’re ready, and the whole table dips in. The Michelin Guide notes there is something for everyone, with plenty of dishes to share. The restaurant’s own description promises genuine Portuguese flavors with a contemporary twist.

How the menu is organized:

• Small bites: Light starters to share, such as tartare cones and seafood morsels.
• Seafood: A strong section, which makes sense given the coastal setting and Portuguese cooking traditions.
• Meat and grilled dishes: Including chicken and steak preparations, with some cooked in the Josper oven.
• Vegetarian dishes: A directory listing notes vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options.
• Daily specials: Reviewers mention a rotating selection.
• Desserts: Portuguese classics and a few inventive modern ones.

What “traditional with a twist” really means. Take salt cod, Portugal’s national ingredient. The classic Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá is a Porto dish layering cod with potatoes, onions, eggs and olives. At Tasca, it’s treated with sous vide techniques and finished with care, according to one local newspaper review. That’s the formula: familiar dish, cleaner execution.

Seasonal specials. The restaurant occasionally launches themed menus. A recent example is Taste of Porto, a three-course menu featuring the Francesinha, Porto’s famous layered sandwich. Ask if a seasonal menu is on during your visit.

Brunch. Tasca has hosted a Portuguese-style brunch, described as Dubai’s first. Reviews mention tapas-style starters, mains like sea bass and Wagyu, and a Portuguese dessert spread. Current brunch details have shifted, so check below under reservations.

Signature Seafood, Grilled Dishes and Specialities

Here’s what to look for, based on the restaurant’s own descriptions and published reviews. Menus change, so treat this as a guide rather than a guaranteed list.

Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. The dish most people mention. Salted cod layered with potatoes, onions, parsley, egg and olives. One review praised the way it was finished at the table, and another called the textures divine. One blogger felt the cod itself was the weakest part of the dish while loving everything around it, so opinions vary. If you want to try Portugal’s signature ingredient, this is the dish to order.

Bulhão Pato clams. Listed on the World’s 50 Best Discovery page as a standout, these clams are cooked in olive oil, garlic, white wine and coriander. Simple, fragrant, and good for scooping up with bread.

Tuna and Wagyu tartare cones. Served in crunchy brick pastry cones. A review praised the tuna version, made with bluefin tuna, truffle, mustard and pickles, saying they could have eaten ten. They’re a good opener, though portions are small.

Piri-piri chicken. Chicken leg cooked sous vide with the house chili sauce, served with smoked avocado cream and spicy mayo. It’s a dish with a casual soul, dressed up slightly.

Prego à Tasca. A refined take on Portugal’s beloved steak sandwich, named as a must-try by a restaurant guide.

Bacalhau à Brás. Shredded cod with crispy potatoes and eggs, another classic from the same family of cod dishes.

Josper-roasted dishes. The grill gives meat and seafood a smoky edge. Reviewers also mention garlic prawns, grilled scarlet shrimp and blue lobster with prawn rice, though these come from older menus and may not be current.

Desserts. The pastel de nata, Portugal’s custard tart, is baked fresh and served with coffee ice cream, according to several reviewers. The rose pavlova arrives wrapped like a gift. One local foodie also praised the strawberry and lime cheesecake.

How to order for two or three people. Start with two or three small bites. Add one seafood dish and one grilled or meat dish. Order a cod dish if you want to try the national favorite. Share one side, then leave room for dessert. For four or more, double the mains and add a second cod or seafood dish so everyone can taste.

Tasca Dubai Prices: What Diners Can Expect

Tasca is a premium restaurant, and prices in dirhams reflect that. The challenge is that published figures come from different years, so here is the clearest picture available, with dates and sources noted.

Item	Reported price (AED)	Source note
Tuna tartare cones (2 pieces)	70	Dining review
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá	80 to 140	Varies by review and year
Pastel de nata	55 to 58	Dining reviews
Rose pavlova	65	Dining review
Set lunch menu	About 440 per person	Listed by an events directory
Saturday brunch	450, 550 or 750 per person	Depends on drink package
Tasting menu	Roughly AED 750 per person (listed at about US$204)	World’s 50 Best Discovery page

What a full meal costs. The numbers vary by source, so here are the ranges:

• A Dubai newspaper review noted that, without a set signature menu, a meal for two could cost upwards of AED 700.
• A restaurant guide estimates AED 500 to 700 per person for a full experience with drinks.
• The World’s 50 Best Discovery listing gives an average of about US$118 per person, or roughly AED 430.
• An older dining directory lists AED 600 for two without alcohol. That figure is dated and is likely lower than today’s real cost.

Sample budgets for two (estimates from the figures above):

Scenario	Rough total
Light lunch, a few shared plates, no alcohol	AED 600 to 800
Full dinner, shared plates, dessert, one drink each	AED 1,200 to 1,600
Dinner with wine and a more generous order	AED 1,800 to 2,400

These are calculations, not quoted bills. Drinks make the biggest difference.

What the final bill includes. Dubai restaurants typically add a service charge, a municipality fee and VAT, but arrangements vary. Ask whether menu prices include them.

Where the value is. If you want to try Tasca without a big spend, a set lunch or a few small bites at the bar is the cheaper route. If you want the full experience, plan on a dinner with drinks at the top end of the range. A Tripadvisor reviewer called it reasonably priced compared to similar-quality restaurants in Dubai, which is a useful comparison point.

The Tascas of Portugal

To understand Tasca, it helps to know what a real tasca is.

In Portugal, a tasca is a small neighborhood eatery. It might be a few tables, a counter, and a handwritten menu on the wall. The food is traditional and unpretentious: grilled sardines, bread, olives, stews, salt cod prepared a dozen ways, house wine poured without ceremony. Families have gone to the same tasca for generations. It’s the kind of place where the owner knows what you’re going to order.

José Avillez has said the idea behind the Dubai restaurant is to represent that spirit, with a modern twist. A review quoting the chef puts it this way: a tasca is a place where you can find real, typical dishes, and the aim is to bring that to Dubai. The restaurant’s reviewers often use the word “soulful.”

Why does this matter for you as a diner in the UAE?

• It explains the format. Sharing plates are not a gimmick. They are how tascas work.
• It explains the room. The relaxed, slightly rustic style is deliberate.
• It sets expectations. Portuguese food at its best is generous and straightforward, not delicate or fussy. Dishes rely on good ingredients and clear flavors.

For a UAE audience used to a wide mix of global cuisines, Portuguese cooking sits somewhere between Spanish tapas and Mediterranean seafood cooking. If you enjoy either, you’re likely to enjoy Tasca. The difference is the heavy use of salt cod, olive oil, garlic, coriander and chili, and the strong tradition of grilling.

From Day to Night

One of Tasca’s strengths is that it works at more than one time of day, and each has its own mood.

Lunch. Daylight makes the most of the sea and skyline views. The Michelin Guide lists lunch service at 12:30 PM to 3 PM on weekdays, and a set lunch menu has been listed at around AED 440 per person. Lunch is a good option if you want a calmer meal and a lower total spend. In the UAE’s hot months, it also means you avoid heat on the terrace by staying indoors.

Sunset. This is when the terrace comes into its own, particularly from autumn to spring. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for a drink at the bar, then move to your table.

Dinner. Evening service, listed at 6:30 PM to 11 PM, is livelier, with a more social energy. Lights from the city add atmosphere through the windows. Sharing plates and wine are the natural fit.

Brunch. The restaurant has offered a brunch described as bright and vibrant, with lively tunes and a sun deck. A directory lists a Saturday brunch with set packages (AED 450 soft, AED 550 house or AED 750 champagne). Older sources mention Friday, so check the current day when you book.

Which to choose:

• For value: lunch or a set menu.
• For romance: sunset into dinner.
• For groups and celebrations: brunch or a weekend dinner.
• For a first visit: dinner, because it shows the full menu and atmosphere.

Tasca Bar

The bar deserves its own mention. It’s a good reason to visit even if you are not planning a full meal.

The Tasca bar counter sits inside the restaurant, and an outdoor bar by the infinity pool, sometimes called the Infinity Bar in reviews, offers a more relaxed, romantic setting. Together they give you options: a pre-dinner drink, a post-dinner nightcap, or an evening of cocktails and small bites.

What to expect:

• Craft cocktails: The restaurant promotes a tempting array of craft cocktails alongside its wine list.
• Portuguese flavors: Cocktails and drinks often take cues from Portuguese ingredients and traditions.
• Small bites at the bar: You can order from the small bites section without committing to a full table meal, which is a smart way to try the restaurant on a smaller budget.

Solo diners. The Michelin Guide lists the restaurant as good for solo dining. Bar seats work well if you are on your own or want a quieter, more casual visit.

A practical note. Alcohol is served in licensed hotel venues in Dubai, including this one. If you don’t drink, ask about mocktails and non-alcoholic options.

Portuguese Ingredients and Modern Cooking Techniques

What separates Tasca from a simple Portuguese grill is the care in how ingredients are handled. The Michelin Guide notes that the chef and team understand the importance of great-quality produce and show a passion for Portuguese culinary traditions.

Ingredients you’ll meet often:

• Salt cod (bacalhau): The backbone of Portuguese home cooking, prepared in many ways.
• Seafood: Clams, prawns, shrimp, octopus, sea bass and lobster.
• Olive oil, garlic and coriander: The flavor base for many dishes.
• Piri-piri: The chili sauce associated with Portuguese cooking. Tasca makes its own.
• Olives, potatoes and eggs: Humble ingredients that carry a lot of flavor in dishes like Gomes de Sá.
• Custard and eggs in desserts: The basis for pastéis de nata and many sweets.

Techniques that add the modern layer:

• Sous vide: Used for dishes like the piri-piri chicken and the cod in Gomes de Sá, according to a local newspaper. It gives tender, consistent results.
• Josper oven: A charcoal-fueled closed grill that adds smoke and char.
• Open kitchen finishing: Some dishes, like the cod, are finished at the table, adding theater.
• Playful presentation: Tartare served in crisp pastry cones, and a pavlova wrapped like a gift.

The result is food that tastes recognizably Portuguese but looks and feels more polished than you would find in a village tavern. For many diners, that balance is the appeal.

Drinks, Wine Pairings and Dessert Options

Wine. Tasca’s wine list focuses on Portugal and is described by the restaurant as the largest selection of Portuguese wines in Dubai. That’s a notable claim in a city with hundreds of wine lists. Portuguese wines are underrated, and the range is wide: crisp, mineral whites like Vinho Verde, structured reds from the Douro and Dão regions, and Port for dessert.

How to choose without being an expert:

• Tell the server what you usually drink. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, they can point you to a similar Portuguese white. If you like Rioja or Chianti, there are Portuguese reds that match.
• Pair by dish. Crisp whites suit seafood, clams and tartare. Medium reds suit grilled meat and chicken.
• Order by the glass first. It lets you explore without committing to a bottle.

Cocktails. The craft cocktail list is worth a look, especially at the bar.

Non-alcoholic drinks. Water, soft drinks, juices and mocktails are available. A blogger noted bottled local water around AED 25 in an older visit, so even simple drinks add up.

Desserts. Don’t skip them. The standouts from reviews:

• Pastel de nata: Fresh-baked custard tart, served with coffee ice cream. Reported around AED 55 to 58.
• Rose pavlova: Delicate and photogenic, around AED 65.
• Cheesecake: A reviewer enjoyed a version with strawberry and lime.
• Portuguese dessert spreads: At brunch, reviewers mention olive cake and crème brûlée-style sweets.

Pastéis de nata are the dessert most associated with the restaurant, and the Michelin Guide specifically suggests leaving room for them.

Tasca Dubai Reservations, Hours and Dress Code

Reservations. Book directly with the restaurant through its page on the Mandarin Oriental website, by phone (+971 4 777 2231) or by email (modub-tasca@mohg.com). The Michelin Guide also offers a reservation link. For weekends, holidays and special occasions, book as far ahead as you can. A restaurant with around 68 seats fills quickly.

Opening hours: check before you go. This is where sources disagree, so read carefully:

• The Michelin Guide listing shows lunch from 12:30 PM to 3 PM Monday to Friday, and 12:30 PM to 4 PM on Saturday, with Sunday not listed.
• A Dubai nightlife directory lists dinner from 6:30 PM to 11 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, plus a Friday brunch from 12:30 PM to 4 PM.
• A venue guide updated in July 2026 mentions a temporarily adjusted schedule: dinner daily from 6:30 PM to 11 PM, with Saturday brunch from 12:30 PM to 4 PM.
• The TripAdvisor listing shows lunch and dinner service.

Because of this, the safest advice is to confirm the schedule directly for your date. Opening times also commonly shift during Ramadan and the summer season in the UAE, so check for seasonal changes.

Dress code. There is no strict published code. A venue guide describes the dress code as smart casual appropriate for a luxury hotel restaurant, and advises avoiding beachwear at dinner. Because the hotel sits on the beach, some guests arrive in resort wear for lunch, but dinner tends to be a notch smarter. Collared shirts, nice trousers, dresses and smart sandals all work.

Families. A published children’s menu can be requested, according to a venue guide.

Dietary needs. A directory notes vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options. Mention allergies when you book and again at the table.

Practical checklist:

• Confirm hours for your exact date.
• Ask about terrace availability and weather.
• Request a window or terrace table.
• Mention special occasions and dietary needs.
• Ask about parking or valet at the hotel.
• Check for seasonal menus or brunch packages.

Is Tasca Dubai Worth Visiting?

For most diners, yes, with a few caveats worth knowing.

What it does well.

• A distinct cuisine. Portuguese fine dining is rare in the UAE, and Tasca is the most prominent example.
• Recognition. It holds one star in the Michelin Guide Dubai.
• Shareable food. The sharing format makes it easy to try many things and suits groups.
• The setting. Sea and skyline views, a terrace and an infinity pool give the meal a sense of occasion.
• Value compared with peers. A reviewer called it good value compared with similar-quality Dubai restaurants. The Michelin Guide’s price category is the highest ($$$$), but real spend is often below that of the city’s priciest tasting-menu restaurants.

Where it can fall short.

• Casual feel. One reviewer found the decor too tavern-like for a hotel of this level and was disappointed overall, citing ordinary service and a flat atmosphere.
• Price creep. Small bites and drinks add up quickly, especially with wine.
• Variable cod. One reviewer loved everything about the signature cod dish except the fish.

Who will enjoy it most:

• Couples and friends who like sharing plates.
• Wine lovers curious about Portuguese bottles.
• Visitors who want a sea-view meal without the formality of a tasting menu.
• Anyone who wants a taste of Portugal in the UAE.

Who might prefer something else:

• Diners who want a formal, quiet tasting menu experience.
• Guests on a tight budget, though lunch and bar bites help.

Our verdict: Worth visiting if you go for the full spirit of the place: shared plates, good wine, a view, and a relaxed pace. Order cod, clams or tartare, finish with a pastel de nata, and treat it as a long, sociable meal rather than a quick dinner.

FAQs About Tasca Dubai

1. Where is Tasca by José Avillez in Dubai?
On the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeira 1, Dubai.

2. Does Tasca Dubai have a Michelin star?
Yes. It holds one star in the Michelin Guide Dubai.

3. What kind of food does Tasca serve?
Contemporary Portuguese cuisine, with shareable small bites, seafood, grilled dishes and traditional desserts.

4. What should I order at Tasca?
Popular choices include Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Bulhão Pato clams, tuna tartare cones, piri-piri chicken, Prego à Tasca and the pastel de nata. Menus change, so ask your server for current recommendations.

5. How much does Tasca cost?
Published guides suggest about AED 500 to 700 per person with drinks. A set lunch has been listed at AED 440, and brunch packages at AED 450 to 750. Confirm current prices.

6. What are the opening hours?
Sources vary, with lunch and dinner service reported and a recently adjusted schedule. Confirm hours for your date by phone or email.

7. Is there a dress code?
Smart casual. Avoid beachwear at dinner.

8. Does Tasca have a terrace?
Yes, a terrace with an infinity pool and sea views. It’s most comfortable outdoors from roughly October to April.

9. Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options?
A directory lists vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options. Tell the restaurant about dietary needs when you book.

10. Do I need a reservation?
Booking ahead is strongly advised, especially for weekends and brunch.

Final Thoughts

Tasca by José Avillez is one of the more interesting restaurants in Dubai because it does something specific and does it well. It brings the spirit of a Portuguese tavern, with its sharing plates, seafood, salt cod and custard tarts, into a polished hotel setting with ocean views and a Michelin star.

It’s not the most formal meal in the city, and it isn’t the cheapest. Expect a sociable, relaxed room, generous plates and a final bill that depends heavily on how much wine and how many small bites you order. Go at lunch or sunset for the best light, ask about terrace seating in the cooler months, and save space for dessert.

Before you book, confirm the current hours, check the menu and prices, and mention any dietary needs. Do that, and you’re set for one of the UAE’s most distinctive Portuguese dining experiences.