Dalia Dogmoch presents a unique menu where memory and flavours create dishes that are comforting, with a touch of originality and familiarity
Dubai, UAE – – Amidst the myriad of events unfolding in our region, it is disheartening to announce and celebrate the launch of a new business. Dalia Dogmoch, seasoned chef and cookbook author, who has continued to remain highly vocal across her platforms to raise awareness, is now introducing her concept, Zinn Cafe & Bistro, to Dubai’s culinary landscape, presenting a unique dining experience that seamlessly blends French Mediterranean influences with an Arabic Flair.
The Concept
Zinn Cafe & Bistro is a true labour of love by its founder and is a culmination of Dalia Dogmoch’s culinary journey so far. The concept celebrates her multicultural upbringing, coming from a Syrian-German family living in France, and her current life in the UAE. Her passion for serving ‘food that is both comforting and refined’ has resulted in a casual, but elevated dining concept where every dish is a canvas for the culinary senses. The name “Zinn” (meaning “Sinn” sense in German) itself represents the essence of sensory discovery, where each meal artfully blends in Dalia’s rich culinary background. With its welcoming atmosphere, Zinn is also an ideal coworking F&B destination that professionals from across the city can utilize alongside culinary masterpieces freshly prepared on a daily basis.
Storytelling Through Food
Every dish at Zinn Cafe & Bistro narrates a unique story, bringing together the aromas, textures, and flavours that define Dalia’s multicultural background. As a bistro elevated by a touch of Dalia’s Arab background, Zinn creates a sense of home away from home, where every table becomes a sanctuary for culinary exploration. Welcoming guests to enjoy a wholesome variety, the bistro has introduced a thoughtfully crafted menu. With select breakfast items served until 12 PM, diners can savour a range of options from the flavourful Eggs Benedict with Sumac Hollandaise, to the hearty Farmer’s Breakfast Batata Harra-Style. Complemented with options from the All-Day Breakfast, the menu features indulgent savoury and sweet Crepes to cater to varied dietary inclinations. For health-conscious diners, the Salads & Bowls section offers a diverse array of choices, including vegan selections such as the Tomato Parsley Freekeh Bowl and the Charred Roasted Veggie Bowl & Zaatar Chimichurri, seamlessly complementing the restaurant’s meat and poultry variety. Dietary preferences are also thoughtfully addressed with Tartines (open-faced French-style sandwiches) available on multigrain, sourdough or gluten-free bread. A menu standout are the 7h-braised Lamb Shoulder with Homemade Crispy Gnocchi, Chicken Taouk served with Dalia’s mother’s Syrian Moutabbal, and for those seeking a heartier fare on the move, the Arabic bread wraps and Schnitzel burgers are the go-to house favourites. As a satisfying conclusion to any meal, diners can also explore an array of desserts, complemented by a range of premium teas and single-origin brews from Harvester Coffee. Dessert choices feature Labneh Cheesecakes in lemon, chocolate, and blueberry varieties, a classic Sticky Date Cake with an original salted tahini toffee, and an assortment of treats, including the signature Banana French Toast with Whipped Labneh and more.
Zinn is also launching a special item thoughtfully crafted to reflect Dalia’s emotional connection with Palestine and the region. As an homage to tradition, the dish is her grandmother’s Megdo’s Musakhan Roll which is a symphony of braised chicken cooked with Palestinian spices, sumac, onions and pine nuts accompanied by a side of crisp cabbage salad. This special item captures a piece of Palestine, transcending mere dishes to evoke a heartfelt connection, with Zinn’s core ethos of being a conscious brand.
Two Distinct Locations
Zinn Cafe & Bistro has found its home in two vibrant locations, each an integral part of the Republik family. At Studio Republik, Zinn’s presence resonates with the neighbourhood of Umm Al Sheif, where it has established itself as the go-to spot for grabbing a wholesome bite on the go and as a laid-back, ‘come as you are’ space for family and friends alike.
In the heart of Dubai Sports City, resides Zinn Cafe & Bistro’s second outlet at Fit Republik, welcoming members as well as the neighbouring community with the same inviting embrace. Offering a consistent menu across both locations, Zinn has seamlessly integrated into both communities.
While the same thread of elevated clean comfort food runs across both outposts, each Zinn Cafe & Bistro venue has the ability to seat 80 guests at once. At Studio Republik, diners can choose to settle in the cosy, cushion-clad sofas or the cafe-style seats and bask in the abundance of natural light streaming in from the glass roof. Zinn’s second outlet at Fit Republik redefines ‘community integration’ with members enjoying easy access to the restaurant through direct entry from the fitness studio and gym.
Zinn’s distinctive ambience was crafted to establish itself as the ultimate co-working F&B destination, drawing professionals from all corners of the city. Looking ahead, the space will come alive to host a diverse range of vibrant community events, reinforcing its focus on fostering a sense of community and engagement.
Speaking about the launch, Founder Dalia Dogmoch said, “Food is memories made real. The dishes and the flavours we grow up with, remind us of moments we’ve cherished, of the places we call home or discovered, and of the people we shared those meals with. Every dish has a story from the salad my Syrian mother used to make for us growing up, to the Croque Monsieur at our neighbourhood bistro in Paris I was obsessed with, the fall off the fall-off-the-bone braised lamb we still serve at home for dinners, or my Megdo’s Musakhan Rolls. I combined memory and flavours to create dishes that are comforting, with a touch of originality, but familiar enough for guests to wish to eat casually, every day. Food should make you feel good, in every sense.”
Zinn Cafe & Bistro, now open at both Studio Republik and Fit Republik from 7 AM to 9:30 PM, is inviting guests to experience its world-inspired menu where every dish shares a story. Offering a quick bite on the go, a productive workspace environment, or even a laid-back gathering spot for friends and family, Zinn Café Bistro makes every table a home away from home.
