Panos, one of Europe’s largest award-winning sandwich shop chains, has opened the region's first café and restaurant at Dubai Investments Park (DIP), one of the largest integrated commercial, industrial and residential community in the Middle East.

Panos, which boasts of over 30 years’ expertise, has 240-plus outlets across Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Taiwan.

The top European food chain is planning to open 25 such outlets across GCC in seven years, as part of its expansion strategy at an investment of Dh31 million ($8.43 million).

Panos will be opening its café at Sahara Centre, Sharjah, followed by another one in Jumeirah Lake Towers Cluster X.

Panos Restaurant and Café in DIP, spread across 5,575 sq ft and located on the Ground Level of Dubai Investments (DI) House, features a full-service restaurant, café kiosk, as well as specialist pastry, cake and bakery lines.

Omar Al Mesmar, the general manager of Dubai Investments Park, said: "The opening of Panos Restaurant and Café in DIP is a great value addition to the development, offering wider choice of international cuisine to the diverse population mix within DIP’s residential complexes, and adding to the unique attractions that it offers as an integrated community hub."

Alaia Lakkis, the general manager at Panos, said: “Panos is thrilled to open its first outlets in the UAE as part of its strategic growth plans in the region. Every detail – from menu to the décor – of our restaurants and cafés across the UAE has been meticulously planned."

According to hiem, the DIP outlet offers both indoor & al fresco seating for 144 guests and an authentic Belgian fare.

"The food is classically Belgian, served with finesse and complemented by Belgian warmth in a relaxed but sophisticated ambience. Panos is happy to bring its famed reputation to the region and we are confident that consumers will respond enthusiastically to our menu and exceptional service," he added.-TradeArabia News Service