Urban Seafood, one of Dubai’s most popular eateries for quick and casual bites of delectible seafood, has opened a brand new branch in the heart of The Beach, JBR. Under a week old, this branch has a condensed version of the menu that is available at its predecessors (located in Ibn Battuta Mall, Outlet Village and Last Exit).

I don’t know about you, but after a leisurely day at the beach, I always tend to crave good old fish & chips! This was my very first visit to an Urban Seafood branch, and I was looking forward to a greasily satiating F&S combo, but what we ended up having was a far more ‘urbanized’, posher alternative, loaded with lobster!

The restaurant is chic and casual, with options to sit indoors and out. Given the gorgeous weather we are enjoying right now, I’ve been opting for alfresco wherever I possible.

We started off with a serving of Dynamite Chili Shrimp Pops. PF Chang’s may have been the pioneers with this ever-popular serving of shrimps, smeared in creamy chili sauce infused mayo, but not everyone who has been following suit seems to get it right. These beauties at Urban Seafood will definitely give steep competition to the original, and we scoffed them down in no time.

The second appetizer on our table was Urban Seafood’s Crispy Breaded Shrimps. These deep-fried golden brown beauties gave us the much promised ‘crunch’ we were anticipating given the dish’s name. The coating also included a local-inspired hint of cumin. I enjoyed this novelty in the first few bites, but by the time I reached out for my second shrimp I tired of the cumin already. I would much rather have the classic taste of shrimp shine through, the cumin was killing it for me.

Through all this, we sipped on freshly squeezed glasses of orange juice. I really appreciate places that do freshly squeezed juices.

For our mains, we tried Urban Seafood’s Classic Lobster Roll and the Surf & Turf burger.

Hubby ordered the Classic Lobster Roll, but soon swapped for my beefy big burger. He found the roll too ‘fishy’ for his liking, but I for one absolutely loved it! The roll is soft, fluffy and toasted with butter, and the filling tasted like a condensed version of a very delicious seafood chowder to me.

Going back to the Surf & Turf burger, this one is definitely better suited to the burger munchers. This burger features Maine lobsters, seated atop a hefty beef patty, and smothered in a special lobster sauce. You get a bite of beef, seafood and creamy sauce in every bite. Monstrously delicious!

Overall, Urban Seafood is definitely worth a visit. The service here is fast and friendly, the menu compact yet varied, and most of their menu options feature lobster at unbelievably low prices.

Visit Urban Seafood’s newest branch on The Beach (JBR). They also have branches in Ibn Battuta Mall, Outlet Village and Last Exit.