Girl & the Goose - Restaurante Centroamericano

Name: Girl & the Goose - Restaurante Centroamericano
Address: Anantara Downtown Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, AE
Telephone: +97145753760

Business Bay

Restaurant Open now 04 575 3760

Girl & the Goose is a modern Central American restaurant in Business Bay, built around heritage recipes with global influences. Reviews highlight dishes such as sea bass ceviche and lobster gnocchi, alongside warm, detailed service and a lively, relaxed setting.

Reputation Score

5.0

★★★★★

1,287 ratings

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The Good Stuff

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Central American

A distinctive Central American menu with creative combinations, balanced flavours and beautifully presented dishes.

Ceviche

The ceviches are a consistent highlight, especially the fresh, vibrant sea bream and sea bass versions.

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What to Eat at Girl & the Goose - Restaurante Centroamericano

These items at Girl & the Goose - Restaurante Centroamericano got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!

Food 7

Churros Net +4

“Dessert is a fun choice from a deck of cards, and the churros did not disappoint.”
Tres leches Net +3

“My favorites are the guacamole, the sweet plantain, and the tres leches dessert.”
Duck pasta Net +2

“Duck pasta is a must try.”
Fried sweet plantains Net +2

“The Fried Sweet Plantains will always be a great comfort food. Thank you for giving us cheese to feel more like home.”
Guacamole with crispy plantain chips Net +2

“I highly recommend trying the guacamole with crispy plantain chips, heirloom tomato salad, roast grilled cauliflower, bean tostadas, beef tacos, and prawn tacos. Each dish was spectacular in flavor, presentation, and texture, beautifully crafted and bursting with taste.”
Lychee sorbet Net +2

“Absolutely the best restaurant in Dubai right now. Get the: duck confit flautas, chorizo guirila (must have!!), and lobster gnocchi. For dessert the tres leches and lychee sorbet were so so good!”
Prawn tacos Net +2

“I thought the grilled beef tacos were good until I had the prawn tacos second time round - just unbelievably wonderful!”

Honorable mentions (52)

2-Person nicaraguan steak Net +1

“But the 2-person Nicaraguan steak was awesome - a really tasty & innovative twist on a classic.”
Achiote grilled chicken Net +1

“Others had omani coastal fish, achiote grilled chicken and a prawn dish which were amazing.”
Aguachile Net +1

“The food was so good - the aguachile was amazing, same with the tacos… and the tres leches was next level.”
Bean tostadas Net +1

“I highly recommend trying the guacamole with crispy plantain chips, heirloom tomato salad, roast grilled cauliflower, bean tostadas, beef tacos, and prawn tacos. Each dish was spectacular in flavor, presentation, and texture, beautifully crafted and bursting with taste.”
Beef cheek tacos Net +1

“The scallops, beef cheek tacos, coffee and orange duck were the heavy hitters.”
Beef tacos Net +1

“I highly recommend trying the guacamole with crispy plantain chips, heirloom tomato salad, roast grilled cauliflower, bean tostadas, beef tacos, and prawn tacos. Each dish was spectacular in flavor, presentation, and texture, beautifully crafted and bursting with taste.”
Braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Business lunch Net +1

“I tried the business lunch, the corn salad, the beef, and the coconut dessert, and I have no idea how food of this quality can be offered at such an affordable price.”
Cacao fiesta cake Net +1

“The team gave us a Cacao Fiesta Cake, that made us want to come back soon. Ideal option for chocolate lovers.”
Carribean coconut flannel Net +1

“For desert we had carribean coconut flannel and churros which were nice.”
Ceviche Net +1

“We had a guacamole, ceviche, Omani fish and a steak which we upsized to 280 grams. All of them were rich in flavor and very delicious.”
Cheese buns Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Chicken dumplings Net +1

“The food was a solid 10/10. The chicken dumplings and gochujang prawn tacos were outstanding. For dessert, both the cocoa cake and the millefeuille are must-tries, offering unexpected and delightful flavor combinations.”
Chorizo guirila Net +1

“Absolutely the best restaurant in Dubai right now. Get the: duck confit flautas, chorizo guirila (must have!!), and lobster gnocchi. For dessert the tres leches and lychee sorbet were so so good!”
Churros de la casa Net +1

“The food was great especially the seabass ceviche, Omani coastal fish and Churros de la Casa.”
Cocoa cake Net +1

“The food was a solid 10/10. The chicken dumplings and gochujang prawn tacos were outstanding. For dessert, both the cocoa cake and the millefeuille are must-tries, offering unexpected and delightful flavor combinations.”
Coconut cake Net +1

“To finish, the coconut cake was the ideal dessert - light, indulgent, and full of flavour.”
Coconut fish ceviche Net +1

“I definitely can recommend Coconut fish ceviche and Watermelon one. And then we come to the mains - Omanian fish, Lobster bisque gnocchi and Steak, OMG. Tried all the dishes and can't even select, which one is the best, as the taste of all is absolutely next level.”
Coconut lychee kingfish ceviche Net +1

“The coconut lychee kingfish ceviche was creamy and zesty, finished with a lychee sorbet that worked flawlessly, total plate-licker.”
Coffee and orange duck Net +1

“The scallops, beef cheek tacos, coffee and orange duck were the heavy hitters.”
Duck confit flautas Net +1

“Absolutely the best restaurant in Dubai right now. Get the: duck confit flautas, chorizo guirila (must have!!), and lobster gnocchi. For dessert the tres leches and lychee sorbet were so so good!”
Dumplings in broth Net +1

“The tuna tartare tostada had the perfect crunch with clean, well-seasoned tuna, and the dumplings in broth were rich, comforting, and quietly impressive.”
Fish with mesoamerican sauce Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Flor de jamaica Net +1

“For the Tranquilo (Happy) Hour, the two cocktails that caught us the most were Macuá and Flor de Jamaica, Macuá being our favorite. The guava hint is smooth.”
Gigi guacamole Net +1

“I also loved the tacos and the Gigi guacamole, both absolutely delicious.”
Gochujang prawn tacos Net +1

“The food was a solid 10/10. The chicken dumplings and gochujang prawn tacos were outstanding. For dessert, both the cocoa cake and the millefeuille are must-tries, offering unexpected and delightful flavor combinations.”
Grilled beef tacos Net +1

“I thought the grilled beef tacos were good until I had the prawn tacos second time round - just unbelievably wonderful!”
Hamachi aguachile Net +1

“I can see why the Hamachi Aguachile is another best seller! The hamachi by itself is so good! Great quality! The dried olives enhance every single bite. The jalapeño sorbet was unexpected, but it blends perfectly with the freshness of the aguachile sauce.”
Heirloom tomato salad Net +1

“I highly recommend trying the guacamole with crispy plantain chips, heirloom tomato salad, roast grilled cauliflower, bean tostadas, beef tacos, and prawn tacos. Each dish was spectacular in flavor, presentation, and texture, beautifully crafted and bursting with taste.”
Honduran style refried beans tostadas Net +1

“The Honduran Style Refried Beans Tostadas are a nice contrast to the other two. These are on the slightly sweet side, but paired with the salsa verde, it creates a nice harmony.”
Horchata Net +1

“The desert cards were a nice touch and must I say the Horchata and Churros were the best we've ever had.”
House sourdough Net +1

“Oh! I almost forgot, the house sourdough and THAT arbol chili butter! Are to die for!”
Lobster bisque gnocchi Net +1

“I definitely can recommend Coconut fish ceviche and Watermelon one. And then we come to the mains - Omanian fish, Lobster bisque gnocchi and Steak, OMG. Tried all the dishes and can't even select, which one is the best, as the taste of all is absolutely next level.”
Lobster bisque yuca gnocci Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Macuá Net +1

“For the Tranquilo (Happy) Hour, the two cocktails that caught us the most were Macuá and Flor de Jamaica, Macuá being our favorite. The guava hint is smooth.”
Panipuri Net +1

“At the beginning of the meal, a Panipuri is brought, it's adviced to take it all in one bite and it surprises you a lot.”
Passionfruit ceviche Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Plantain and guacamole Net +1

“Our favourites were the plantain and guacamole, which was absolutely delicious, followed closely by the perfectly cooked steak.”
Plantain chips Net +1

“The plantain chips and caramel used onions however were A mazing!!”
Pupusas Net +1

“The Pupusas! Were one of our best menu choices! We were about to go for the Güirilas, but thank you to one staff, he suggested the Pupusas instead and woooow. Heavenly bites! The chorizo is so present! The texture of the "gordita" is excellent. Just no words to describe it.”
Red snapper ceviche Net +1

“Would highly recommend the red snapper ceviche and duck pasta. Great portions too.”
Refried beans tostada Net +1

“We’ve been twice and been blown away both times. Even the bread & butter was excellent! Refried beans tostada - yum.”
Roast grilled cauliflower Net +1

“I highly recommend trying the guacamole with crispy plantain chips, heirloom tomato salad, roast grilled cauliflower, bean tostadas, beef tacos, and prawn tacos. Each dish was spectacular in flavor, presentation, and texture, beautifully crafted and bursting with taste.”
Sea bream passion fruit ceviche Net +1

“I highly recommend the Sea Bream Passion Fruit Ceviche – it was fresh, vibrant, and easily one of the highlights of the meal.”
Steak tartare & wasabi sorbet tostada Net +1

“The Steak Tartare & Wasabi Sorbet Tostada, it's a delicacy. The combination is quite unique and intriguing that might feel intimidating at first, but if you're able to enjoy the tangy and rich flavor from the wasabi sorbet, you'll enjoy it a lot.”
Steak with chimichurri Net +1

“The tacos were also very good, and the steak with chimichurri was cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious.”
Sweet yoltamal Net +1

“The Sweet Yoltamal was a perfect nostalgic dessert. As a Mexican , we're used to having sweet corn tamales, but this version was impeccable! The chilli oil actually made sense!”
Three-course set menu Net +1

“Visited this Central American restaurant during Eid and had their special three-course set menu — it was fantastic from start to finish. Each course (starter, main, and dessert) was well thought out and full of flavour.”
Tuna akami tartare tostada Net +1

“The Tuna Akami Tartare Tostada, one of the best sellers, is perfect the way it is. Could be spicier, yes, but it's defined well seasoned.”
Tuna tartare Net +1

“Extraordinary items: lobster gnocchi - tuna tartare - everything again!!”
Tuna tartare chalupas Net +1

“Onto the food. Creative, balanced, with choices to suit everyone. We got tuna tartare chalupas, cheese buns, passionfruit ceviche, fish with mesoamerican sauce, and the lobster bisque yuca gnocci. We were also served a complimentary dish for tasting; braised cabbage with smoked yogurt and coriander oil. Lest this becomes a 2-page review, suffice to say that we would (and will) order every single dish again.”
Tuna tartare tostada Net +1

“The tuna tartare tostada had the perfect crunch with clean, well-seasoned tuna, and the dumplings in broth were rich, comforting, and quietly impressive.”

Drinks 4

Margarita Net +2

“And the margarita was absolutely delicious.”
Old fashioned cocktails with woodford reserve whiskey Net +1

“We started with few cocktails and Mike at the bar made excellent old fashioned cocktails with Woodford Reserve whiskey.”
Raspao cocktail Net +1

“The Raspao cocktail presentation was nice, professional, with flare, yet subtle.”
Rosé wine Net +1

“I also really liked the rosé wine, which paired beautifully with the meal.”

What to Avoid (1)

Food 1

Gigi's steak and frites Net −1

“Main course I has the gigi's steak and frites. Honestly the steak was less than satisfactory and the sauce didn't work for me, considering it is a signature dish. Steak quality is questionable. It screams for peppercorn sauce. I had Chimichurri to balance the richness of the meat. Fries were ok.”

Tips for a Better Visit

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Try Ceviche. Start with the sea bass ceviche; one reviewer called it the best they had tried and praised its freshness and flavour.

Share Small Plates. You can build a meal from small bites if you do not want a full main, making sharing a practical way to explore the menu.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Anantara Downtown Hotel

Business Bay, Dubai

04 575 3760

Mon	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Tue	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Wed	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Thu	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Fri	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Sat	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Sun	12:00 PM – 1:00 AM

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Common Concerns

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Steak Variation

Steak reviews are mixed: some diners loved it, while one found the quality and signature sauce unsatisfactory.

Course Timing

One visit had poor coordination, with food arriving before welcome drinks and courses feeling rushed despite requests to slow down.

DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

Girl & the Goose is a Central American restaurant in Business Bay for diners who want heritage-led food with unusual modern touches rather than familiar Latin staples. The menu is built for exploring: reviewers repeatedly mention the sea bass or passion fruit ceviches, tacos, lobster gnocchi and the business lunch. Portions and quality on the lunch menu were described as particularly good value.

The experience is as much about guidance and atmosphere as the food. Staff often explain each dish in detail and help first-time guests choose, while the colourful room feels busy and lively without making conversation difficult. A bar seat facing the open kitchen gives you a closer look at the cooking.

Desserts arrive through a deck-of-cards concept, and cocktails, especially margaritas and tequila- or mezcal-based creations, are another strong part of the visit. There are a few caveats. Steak opinions vary, with one reviewer unhappy with the quality and sauce, and another found some desserts too sweet.

One busy service felt rushed and poorly coordinated, while another guest found the tables close together. The restaurant can fill up after 8pm. Drivers can use the complimentary valet, and the menu clearly marks dishes that contain alcohol.