Jaleo Restaurant, Dubai

A ‘taste of Spain’ in a colorful, festive, and relaxed atmosphere. A project by Capella Garcia Arquitectura with Bluehaus Group , Jaleo is taken from the Spanish verb ‘jalear’, meaning ‘to cheer’; in everyday parlance, it is synonymous with noise, revelry, and fun.  The American painter John Singer Sargent’s famous El Jaleo painting portrays a spirited flamenco performance. This spirit of celebration has inspired the growing number Jaleo restaurants by award-winning chef and humanitarian José Andrés, in the USA and most recently the UAE. Jaleo is described as a place that offers a ‘taste of Spain’ in a colorful, festive, and relaxed atmosphere. Here, tradition meets spectacle: a veritable feast for the senses, Jaleo is bursting with colour and flavor.

Jaleo’s design is inspired by tapas—small sharing plates that are a customary way of eating in Spain. Recalling the traditional dishes of José Andrés’s childhood, the food has been creatively reinterpreted with much finesse. The restaurant’s menu boasts a range of authentic Spanish fare, including tapas, paella, and wine. Where Jaleo’s cuisine has adapted to ever evolving tastes, the restaurant’s interior design has also evolved, yet retains its original spirit.

The interior concept reflects Spain’s warm and welcoming character, combining a touch of Mediterranean surrealism with casual comfort. Furnishings, lighting, and objects d’art mix Spanish craftsmanship and industrial design, reflecting Spain’s passion for and history of good design. Pieces created by a number of Spain’s foremost artists and designers are represented, including: the wonderfully bizarre ‘Dali lips’ sofa by Salvador Dalí and Oscar Tusquets for BD Barcelona, and the fantastical ‘The Lover II’ figurine by Jaime Hayon for Lladró.