Paros // Indulge your inner Greek at this refreshed Dubai high-rise gem

Evoking the spirit of a famous Greek island on the 46th floor of an Indian-branded hotel may seem an unlikely prospect on the face of it.

But achieving that has helped make Paros a consistently popular high-rise hangout.

Late last year it underwent a refresh - and the good news is, the rooftop venue still delivers Aegean vibes and flavours to great effect.

Okay, so you don’t get white-washed cottages and idling fishing boats, indicative of the Cyclades.

But Paros does showcase the island’s vibrant, trendy nightlife and convivial atmosphere - and delivers it with panoramic views from the rooftop of Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers.

The revamp has arguably made better use of outdoor space without diminishing any of the venue’s charm and Mediterranean-inspired chic.

Pass through the glass entry doors and you could be arriving into a trendy resort in Paros, or maybe Mykonos.

Turning right takes you indoors to the main restaurant and bar area with its mellow decor, relaxed lighting and partial hanging plant ceiling.

Go left and you pass the hotel swimming pool onto the rooftop terrace for which Paros is reputed.

There’s a mix of high and regular tables for drinks and dining, all indulging city views beyond glass walls.

The central DJ booth now faces a remodelled bar area with plenty of space for group gatherings, while pockets of seating cater to casual dining, as a couple or with friends.

The place feels larger, but still with a sense of intimacy and a subtle Grecian theme.

Of course, the superpower of any Greek-leaning venue is usually its food.

And this is where Paros has - and still - channels its namesake to great effect.

A varied ‘small eats’ selection includes coastal gem, prawn saganaki, backed up by vegetable fritters, four cheese croquettes, chicken skewers, lamb kofta, calamari, a Paros baked feta, and scallops.

Our choice of savoury Greek classic spanakopita (AED60) - beautifully crispy filo pastry triangles filled with feta and spinach, laced with herbs, and enlivened with a spicy tomato dip - proved wise.

You can also begin with a mezzedes menu that includes salads of the Greek, Paros or burrata variety, skyline ceviche or island crudo, and traditional dips such as tzatziki, feta and bell pepper-based tyrokafteri, and melitzanosalata, powered by smoky aubergine.

We can vouch for the silky taramosalata (AED50) while the Paros mezzedes platter (at AED120) covers a few of the above.

Sliders, wraps and flat breads include a classic chicken souvlaki pita pocket while main courses embrace land, sea and fields.

Choices on the meat and poultry main page include grilled baby chicken, a 10oz Wagyu beef rib eye, and an 8oz prime beef fillet.

Herb-roasted lamb chops arguably best fitted our Greek quest. Cooking preference wasn’t sought, but what arrived was perfect, served with light herb salad, a subtle jus, and a winning choice.

Among seafood mains, arroz ahi amarillo - a Peruvian risotto-style yellow chili sauced dish given a Med spin with calamari, prawns, and mussels - stood out among options also featuring ubiquitous grilled sea bass and pan-seared salmon, or tiger prawns.

Our perfectly grilled octopus (AED165) rightly won the vote this time, tasting as good as it looked with fava purée and sourdough slithers.

For the indecisive, there are sharing options at AED395 such as a mixed grill seafood platter, or a signature mixed grill. And for vegetarians, four dedicated choices include tagine and moussaka.

And, if your appetite is up to it, Paros has a mercifully brief range of desserts to challenge your calorie count.

It includes Jivara passion fruit pastry with chocolate Jivara mousse and passion fruit crémeux, baked cheesecake with Greek yoghurt ice cream, cheese kunafa, a mango manouri dome - manouri being a salty Greek cheese - and Dubai chocolate choux with vanilla bean ice cream, all at AED65.

So, if you find Greek thrills on your mind in the coming months - but would rather stay closer to home - give this cloud-tickling venue serious consideration.

Paros also serves business lunch weekdays, hosts a Ladies’ Night on Thursdays, 8pm-1am, while Saturdays in the Sky is its newly-launched high-altitude night brunch, happening 8pm-11pm on Saturdays.

For Paros enquiries, call or WhatsApp + 971 58 178 2468 or email parosdubai@tajhotels.com

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Words by David Dunn.