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There’s something quietly disarming about walking into a restaurant that doesn’t want to overwhelm you. But instead, wants you to stay a while. That’s exactly what Chez Wam does. Tucked into the lush corners of St. Regis Gardens on The Palm, this new addition to Dubai’s dining scene is less about spectacle and more about presence.
The name says it all. “Chez Wam,” is a play on words, rearranged from Chez Moi (pronounced mwa) which means “at mine” in French. The name in itself is a gentle invitation. Step inside and you’ll find a space that feels more lived-in than staged: soft lighting, a generous terrace wrapped in greenery, and music that floats rather than blares. There’s elegance, of course, but it’s the kind that knows how to relax its shoulders.
At the centre of it all is Chef Hadrien Villedieu. French, yes. Trained by culinary giants like Robuchon and Alain Passard, yes. But the kind of chef who clearly enjoys breaking his own rules just as much as writing them. His menu moves with ease between memories of his travels and invention. One dish might evoke his time in Morocco, another a morning in Paris. There’s comfort, but also quiet confidence, nothing fussy, everything thoughtful.
The food lands somewhere between high-end bistro and soulfully global. Plates are meant to be shared, passed across the table, remembered. There’s room for lightness and indulgence, for unexpected textures and deeply familiar flavours.
But Chez Wam isn’t only about what’s on the plate. It’s an experience shaped entirely by Chef Hadrien’s own rhythms, right down to the playlists and the bar menu. On Sundays, Chez What? brunch takes over from 1 to 5 PM. It’s relaxed and joyful, with a live DJ spinning ‘80s, ‘90s, and R&B favourites, while guests are offered a DIY Bloody Mary station and generous dishes that make you rethink what brunch can feel like.
Tuesdays offer a more intimate pace. At the Chef’s Table, only six guests are seated each week for an 11-course tasting menu served directly in front of the open kitchen. Each plate carries a story, from playful creations like the “Vegetable Oyster” to more nostalgic moments like “Morning in Paris.” The effect is less like dining at a restaurant, and more like being invited into someone’s inner world.
As the weekend approaches, the energy shifts again. From Thursday to Saturday, Chez Wam leans into its more playful side with Throwback Nights. DJ Semm curates a soundtrack of classic hits while the open kitchen keeps the energy grounded and genuine. There’s no minimum spend, no velvet rope. Just good music, good food, and a sense that you’re meant to be exactly where you are.
Even the beverage menu tells a story. A tight rotation of cocktails, each one a little vignette. The “Not Bloody, Still Mary” arrives with a fresh oyster. “Purple Rain” nods to Prince with a bold splash of Peruvian chicha morada. There’s a lightness to the curation here too: quality over excess, feeling over formality.
Chez Wam doesn’t need to prove itself. It simply invites you in, and then quietly surprises you. With its rhythm of ritual and spontaneity, it’s the kind of place you don’t just visit… You return to.
