'Magical' Liverpool city centre restaurant promises to transport customers to 'a whole new world'

A brand-new restaurant promising to bring ‘a flavour of the Middle East to Merseyside’ will open its doors this weekend.

The Gulf House Restaurant on Tradewind Square, just off Duke Street, has been designed to look like a traditional 1970s’ bazaar in Dubai, complete with terracotta mud-effect walls, Arabic script decoration and woven rugs and furniture.

Claiming to be ‘the first of its kind in the UK’, the city centre eatery will feature tables and chairs but, in some areas, guests will be asked to take off their shoes before sitting on the floor to enjoy a sharing feast.

‘Earthy-sounding music of the Arab world’ will be played throughout the restaurant and spices imported from Yemen will see chefs replicate genuine tastes of the Gulf and offer authentic dishes.

Speaking about the new opening, a spokesperson for the Gulf House Restaurant said: “We have recreated all those magical memories from holidays and trips to the Middle East, so that the minute you walk through the door it’s like you’ve left Liverpool behind and entered a whole new world.

“People don’t just want to dine today, they want an experience, and we can guarantee to give them a wonderful one. Many people travel to Dubai and wonder what it used to look like before the high-rise luxury buildings and designer shops – and this is what they would have found 50 years ago, and still in some places today.”

The menu includes the likes of Lamb Fahsah, freshly-made naan bread, chicken Mandi, salmon, burgers, wraps and even a whole lamb (to serve 15 people) priced at £290. Dishes will be served on large plates to encourage sharing and prices are described as ‘competitive’.

The Gulf House Restaurant will officially open its on Saturday (September 7) and operate between 9.00am and 11.00pm daily. Sites are also set to launch in Manchester and London in the coming weeks,