Kricket, the London restaurant group known for its contemporary take on regional Indian cooking, is set to open its first international location in Dubai, with FAB Group securing the rights to introduce and operate the brand across the GCC.
The Dubai outpost will be housed at Vida Emirates Hills, serving as the regional flagship. FAB Group, led by Chairman and Founder Abdulla Mohamed Al M’heri, will handle everything from site selection and restaurant development to day-to-day operations, working closely with Kricket’s founders to preserve the brand’s identity.
Founded by Rik Campbell and Will Bowlby in 2015, Kricket started as a 20-seat concept inside a shipping container at Pop Brixton before expanding into four London neighbourhood restaurants. Its Soho location earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in its first year.
“When evaluating international restaurant brands for the region, we were looking for more than an established name. Kricket stood out for its distinctive interpretation of Indian cuisine, strong identity and success in London’s competitive restaurant market. The brand’s experience in expanding and evolving its restaurant concept, while maintaining its distinctive identity, makes Kricket a compelling addition to our portfolio. Securing the Kricket rights reflects FAB Group’s ambition to introduce established brands with genuine potential in this market. Vida Emirates Hills is an ideal setting for Kricket’s regional flagship, at the heart of a thriving community where we believe it can become a regular favourite,” Abdulla Mohamed Al M’heri, Chairman and Founder of FAB Group said in a statement.
The menu will be developed by Bowlby alongside Colin Clague, FAB Group’s Global Culinary Director and Partner, whose regional experience includes executive chef roles at Burj Al Arab, Zuma Dubai and Rüya. The collaboration aims to carry over established London dishes while broadening the offering to suit the Dubai market.
Al M’heri said Kricket’s track record in London’s competitive dining scene was central to the decision to bring it to the region. “The brand’s experience in expanding and evolving its restaurant concept, while maintaining its distinctive identity, makes Kricket a compelling addition to our portfolio,” he said.
The Dubai restaurant will adopt the sharing-led format of its London counterparts, with an extended bar and beverage programme intended to make it as relevant for drinks and light bites as for a full dinner. The Emirates Hills location gives the restaurant access to a mixed audience: hotel guests, residents from surrounding communities and visitors to the nearby golf club.
