Elevate to level 23 in Riyadh

Chef Solemann Haddad

Born and raised in Dubai, 26-year-old chef Solemann Haddad is passionate about curating distinctive, chef-driven dining experiences in the emirate.

Having attended culinary school in Tokyo and London and with little mentorship in the field, he followed his instincts and opened Moonrise, one of Dubai's hottest restaurants, in 2021.

Though of Syrian-French descent, Dubai is where his heart is, and he takes diners on a culinary journey through the many and varied influences of his third-culture upbringing. Haddad offers his customers an "omakase experience", a concept where the chef selects and serves his specialities, with a delectable blend of Japanese and Middle Eastern cuisine.

His menu features a strong focus on hot dishes. While he might use Japanese recipes or French techniques for his dishes, the ingredients and their pairings are often regional, such as yuzu, a citrus fruit from Syria, and spices, honey, and flour from local Dubai neighbourhoods. The exceptions are beef and hamachi from Japan and Kaluga Caviar from China. There is only one dish of raw fish on his menu.

He extends his hospitality by offering customers a sneak peek at the idea behind the dish he serves, allowing them to leave with positive thoughts.

At just 26, Haddad has been named Gault&Millau UAE’s Future Great.