Dubai’s F&B scene gets a bold new flavour as Rodeo Drive Ibn Battuta Gate, the city’s highly anticipated all-American dining and entertainment destination, welcomes Chef Walter Melo as its Head Chef. With over two decades of international culinary experience and a flair for transforming comfort food into culinary artistry, Chef Walter is set to lead the venue’s dynamic kitchen with bold innovation and Latin soul.
Slated to open this August 2025 at the Oaks Hotel, Rodeo Drive Ibn Battuta Gate will bring together live-fire grills, Tex-Mex flavors, retro arcade energy, and vibrant entertainment across 14,000 sq. ft. of immersive space. At the heart of it all is a menu curated and executed by Chef Walter — a Mexico City native who brings a rich tapestry of global influences and signature flair.
“Rodeo Drive is not just a restaurant, it’s a movement — and Walter Melo is the perfect culinary captain to drive it forward,” says Rahul Shetty, Managing Director of Peninsula Hospitality. “His vision, depth of experience, and passion for flavour align perfectly with the spirit of Rodeo Drive: bold, unfiltered, and unforgettable.”
Chef Walter’s journey from his family’s humble kitchen in Mexico to the helm of high-profile kitchens around the world has shaped a unique culinary philosophy. Trained at Mexico’s renowned Colegio Superior de Gastronomía, he has honed his expertise across French, Japanese, Mediterranean, and Latin American cuisines, blending them into his signature style: Cocina de Autor — deeply personal, fusion-driven, and endlessly creative.
Notable past roles include his time at Maravilla Los Cabos in Mexico, where he crafted bespoke menus for celebrities and dignitaries; The Grill at Leon Springs in Texas, where he masterfully combined French haute cuisine with Tex-Mex flair; and Peyote Dubai, where he was instrumental in redefining the standards of modern Mexican fine dining in the UAE. At Yamanote Atelier in Dubai, he led the brand to earn the title of “Favourite Bakery in Dubai 2022.” Most recently, at Falla Hospitality across the UAE and KSA, he oversaw operations across eight kitchens and 155 staff members, implementing cost-saving strategies and spearheading the launch of successful cloud kitchen ventures.
Chef Walter’s menus will feature flame-grilled steaks, Cali-Mex classics, smoky briskets, and house-made sauces crafted with fermented elements like black garlic and chili paste — designed to excite palates and create emotional resonance. His hands-on leadership and mentorship promise to shape a kitchen culture rooted in precision, creativity, and passion.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this bold new chapter,” says Chef Walter. “Rodeo Drive Ibn Battuta Gate is about much more than great food — it’s about bringing people together through energy, nostalgia, and flavours that feel like home but taste like an adventure.”
With Rodeo Drive set to open its doors this August, guests can expect a show-stopping experience where American comfort meets Latin fire, under the culinary direction of one of the region’s most compelling chefs.
