Social

Initially opened by Heinz Beck, Social has been led by chef Carmine Faravolo since 2022. Each year, the young Italian refreshes the menu, focusing on hearty home-style dishes from the heart. The restaurant feels less like a traditional culinary destination and more like a cherished family secret, set at the far end of Palm Jumeirah. Faravolo brings not showmanship, but the hand-me-down recipes of home. The menu is devoted to Italian comfort: sauces simmered with care, pastas with the bounce of Nonna’s loving handshake and desserts that recall the warmth of family gatherings. Social’s charm lies in Faravolo’s storytelling, for example, lovingly recreating his grandmother’s Parmigiana for Sunday dinner. La Parmigiana di Nonna Maria is the signature dish: layers of tender eggplant, creamy mozzarella and nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano. A simple tomato sauce – slow-cooked ripe tomatoes, fruity olive oil and aromatic fresh basil – completes the dish. It is a classic childhood memory for Faravolo, with the smell of his nonna’s tomato sauce now filling his kitchen. The menu showcases specialities from across Italy, extending far beyond pizza and pasta, while Faravolo remains inspired by his childhood in Naples. For example, the lobster tagliatelle combines freshly made pasta with a rich tomato sauce, enhanced by the sweetness and firm texture of poached lobster meat. While others pursue trends, Social quietly serves the food guests crave – familiar, soulful and presented with understated confidence. Amid the city’s ever-changing scene, Social gently reminds that enduring favourites are cherished for a reason.

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