Everybody knows that in Kuwait, the action is at the malls. As the summer heats up and everybody scurries indoors, we are all no doubt on the lookout for the next place to eat. When you are at the MALL 360, your options definitely abound. From the outdoor-ish sleekness of the hanging gardens section, to the food court on the highest floors, to even the high end lobby-like café’s on the bottom floor, it seems that they have a bit of something for everyone. However, what do you do when you want quality food in your own private refuge of the mall? A place where, the food is good, you are beneath a skylight big enough to make you feel that you could be outside, and yet there is still enough privacy and closed off space that you do not feel like you are on display…

The New Food Lounge aims to be just that place for you. Comprised of 6 different restaurants, all with a distinct flare and feel, they represent a huge swath of the culinary landscape and, perhaps more importantly, a completely different feel than the rest of the eateries at the mall. Located in a small little nook of an area of Level two of the MALL 360, that runs along the Eastern side of the larger food section, it is a dining oasis located purposefully between the bluster of the malls central corridor and the arching wooden spires that open down over the span of two floors below.

First, the jewel in this crown for me is Sakura. This Japanese restaurant serves the best of sushi sashimi, maki, and an array of other entrees, all with the feel of outdoor dining. Located right in the center of the new food lounge you are both, tucked in enough to not feel that you are on display, and in the middle enough to not feel like you are missing the action.

Burgerholic, located at the corner where you enter, lightens the mood with an upscale burger feel. Using all natural high quality beef, this restaurant for burger junkies prides themselves on their high-end ingredients. Meanwhile, Shabestan, by contrast, is a traditional Irananian restaurant that aims to serve you the best of the culinary traditions of the Shah dynasty. With traditional grill dishes and Iranian stews and saffron rice, they have a huge offering. They finish it off with a traditional take on Iranian desserts as well.

Figs, the Boston based casual bistro brand brought to us by none other than restaurateur and cookbook icon Todd English, gives you the best of pizzas, pastas, and salads. Ruby Tuesday, brings you a diverse American offering of burger favorites with some unique and international flair thrown in. Lastly, Wagamama offers award winning Asian-inspired fusion and noodle restaurant that combines fresh and nutritious food in an elegant atmosphere, thus giving us one more culinary treat to consider on our next visit.

So, while the main atrium, on the bottom floor, with its luxury lobby feel is good for a quick stop-in for coffee, and the Garden Zone is a great place to see and be seen, this represents something entirely different. The additional food court next door to the cinema, was created for fun with the family as you are doing other entertainment orientated things. They will also have performance of live music coming soon, so make sure to contact them and find out what dates are best.

With three of these restaurants having just opened in the last 6 months, even if you have already been to the food lounge, it may be time to head back there for a visit in the New Food Lounge.

The New Food Lounge is located on floor two of the MALL 360 which is off the Sixth Ring Road, South Surra, Al Zahra’a Area.