Reform Social & Grill has added an ambitious new dish to its weekend repertoire, rolling out what it’s calling Mega Schnitzels every Friday through Sunday at its Lakes location.
The gastropub, which bills itself as Dubai’s first authentic British pub-restaurant hybrid, is now serving four varieties of the enlarged schnitzel, each designed to push the boundaries of traditional comfort food portions. Diners can opt for chicken, Dingley Dell pork loin, Black Angus beef, or veal, with each cut crumbed and fried before being plated alongside parsley butter and chips.
Pricing begins at AED 99 for the base offering, positioning the dish as an accessible weekend indulgence for the venue’s regular clientele in the Emirates Living District. The schnitzels are available exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, creating what the restaurant hopes will become a weekend dining tradition.
For those seeking additional flourishes, Reform has introduced several topping options. Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, anchovies, and a fried egg are all available as extras, whilst the restaurant suggests pairing the dish with one of its draught beers.
The new menu item represents a departure from dainty portions, with the venue emphasising the substantial size of each serving. According to the restaurant, these aren’t designed as sharing plates, despite their considerable dimensions.
Reform Social & Grill has established itself as a fixture in The Lakes since positioning itself as a family-oriented dining destination. The venue draws inspiration from London’s gastropub scene, attempting to recreate that atmosphere in Dubai’s residential districts.
Beyond the bar and main dining area, the property features outdoor garden space with lakeside views and a dedicated children’s playground, catering to families who make up a significant portion of its customer base. This family focus sets it apart from many of Dubai’s more adult-oriented British-style establishments.
The restaurant operates from 8am until late every day of the week, offering a menu that spans traditional British fare throughout the day. Full English breakfasts anchor the morning service, whilst weekend roasts have become a signature offering for Sunday diners.
Pork dishes feature prominently across Reform’s menu, reflecting traditional British gastropub cooking. The addition of the Mega Schnitzels, including the Dingley Dell pork loin option, extends this focus on heartier European preparations.
The schnitzel’s Friday-to-Sunday availability appears calculated to capture weekend traffic, when families and groups gather for more leisurely meals. By restricting the offering to three days, Reform creates a degree of exclusivity around what might otherwise be considered standard gastropub fare.
Each schnitzel undergoes the same preparation process regardless of protein choice: breaded coating applied before frying to achieve what the venue describes as a crispy exterior. The parsley butter accompaniment adds a Continental touch, whilst the chips remain firmly in British territory.
The Emirates Living District location in The Lakes provides Reform with a captive audience of residents seeking local dining options, though the venue also attracts visitors from across Dubai. Its positioning as a neighbourhood local gives it a different character to the high-profile restaurants clustered in the city’s central districts.
Whilst Dubai’s dining scene has seen numerous international chains and celebrity chef establishments open in recent years, Reform has carved out its niche by focusing on approachable British classics rather than chasing culinary trends. The Mega Schnitzels fit this philosophy, offering familiar flavours in generous portions rather than reinventing traditional preparations.
The weekend-only availability may also serve practical purposes, allowing kitchen staff to manage the preparation of oversized portions during the venue’s busiest service periods when additional hands are typically scheduled.
With the new schnitzels now on rotation, Reform continues its strategy of building a reputation around substantial, crowd-pleasing dishes that appeal to its core demographic of families and groups seeking reliable weekend dining options in a relaxed setting.