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PLUS YOUR GUIDE TO SHARJAH

UAE DHS15

FINE DINING, CASUAL SPOTS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - ALL TRIED & TESTED

DANCE CLASSES IN THE CITY ACTIVE OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

CONTENTS

50? THAT’S THE MAGIC NUMBER P08 We’ve eaten at a lot of places this year, but these are the absolute top 50 that we would return to.

18 LET’S DANCE Put on your red shoes and dance the blues, making new friends as you do.

28 NO PLASTIC, NO PROBLEM The local activewear brand looking to make natural fibres survive a gym session.

Page 24

It’s a busy month at the Culture Capital of the Arab World.

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 3

Cover:

Sheila Deocareza

Stay in touch

WhatsOn.ae Our website is packed with news, restaurants, culture, shopping, sport and spas. It’s your online destination for stuff to do in the UAE. Get clicking.

CONSUME 32 ANA Modern Emirati cooking with a global twist, and the locals queuing at dinner prove it.

Business Bay’s new all-day Mediterranean hotspot has the looks, and the food to match.

34 AATISH Four friends, one live fire, and a menu inspired by their travels around the world.

35 PEP CUCINA

Handmade pasta, sea views and an Italian menu we’re already planning to go back for.

38 CHEF’S SOCIETY

36 S.E.A BISTROT

We run the rule over Mirdif ’s new dining enclave.

The small Jumeirah spot quietly serving some of Dubai’s best cooking.

40 BEACH STARTER PACK Go from lounger to lunch without an outfit change.

46 4 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

What’s On Digital Your essential guide to what’s happening in Dubai is also available on the App Store.

ACTIVE 56 SUMMER-STARTER October is the month to get that routine up and running. Finally.

TRAVEL 62 RIYADH, SORTED

CULTURE

Only have 48 hours in the Saudi capital? No problem - we’ve got the itinerary sorted.

46 OCTOBER EVENT GUIDE

66 STAYCATION REVIEWS

Every event worth clearing space for this month. Hint: there’s A LOT.

Two locations. One with the fam, one without. Both exceptional.

Find us on social Photo credit: Getty Images, Unsplash and supplied

33 LOOP

WhatsOnDubai

FIND US HERE

Kids go free at Saadiyat Cultural District

N AT U R A L H I S T O R Y M U S E U M A B U D H A B I

LO U V R E A B U D H A B I Z AY E D N AT I O N A L M U S E U M

scd.visitabudhabi.ae

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Obaid Humaid Al Tayer MANAGING PARTNER & GROUP EDITOR Ian Fairservice CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne GROUP CONTENT DIRECTOR Thomas Woodgate thomas.woodgate@motivate.ae

EDITORIAL

COMMERCIAL

ARTS & CULTURE FEATURES EDITOR Aarti Saundalkar

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, DUBAI & NORTHERN EMIRATES Violeta Popescu

SENIOR ONLINE REPORTER Jumira Hancock SENIOR REPORTER, ABU DHABI Shantelle Nagarajan REPORTER Lana Du SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE Steffi Sebastian ONLINE REPORTER Afrah Bari ONLINE REPORTER Rasha Hassan

violeta.popescu@motivate.ae

SENIOR SALES MANAGER Pamela Bayram pamela.bayram@motivate.ae

SENIOR SALES MANAGER, ABU DHABI Nitika Sharma nitika.sharma@motivate.ae

SALES MANAGER, ABU DHABI Lina Abdelaziz lina.abdelaziz@motivate.ae

SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Ali Mohammad ali.mohammad@motivate.ae

JUNIOR REPORTER Shifali Jain CONTRIBUTORS Alice Holtham-Pargin, Laura Coughlin, Miles Buckeridge, Sammi Barnard

PRODUCTION GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran

DESIGN

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Venita Pinto

ART DIRECTOR Sheila Deocareza

WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi

CREATIVE STUDIO CONTENT PRODUCTION MANAGER Surajit Dutta CREATIVE CONTENT ARTIST Mark Mathew CONTENT PRODUCER/STUDIO MANAGER John Melencion

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6 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

WELCOME

50? THAT’S THE MAGIC NUMBER

n news that will shock no one: we talk about food a lot in the What’s On office. And it always starts the same way: “Anyone been anywhere good lately?” This month, for once, we had a proper answer. Fifty of them. Our cover feature (starting on page 8) is the 50 places we ate at this year, and the emphasis is on ate. Not places we’ve heard good things about, and not places with the prettiest launch invite, but restaurants across Dubai and Abu Dhabi that the team has sat down in, ordered from and paid close attention to. Some entries are about the place, some about a single dish worth going back for, and a few are simply strong opinions. It runs from a nine-course tasting menu to a pastrami bagel, and every one has been tried and tested by the team. My own contributions won’t surprise anyone on the team here. I have not stopped talking about El Primo since my first visit, and I’d happily argue with anyone who orders the butter chicken at Jodhpur Bar & Kitchen when the junglee maas is right there. Fifty sounds like a big number until you try to fit these two cities into it. The shortlist debates ran long, favourites were fought for, and more than a few genuinely excellent restaurants still missed the cut. Full disclosure: I had some absolute crackers on my list that didn’t make it in. That says less about them and more about how deep the culinary scene here now runs. If your favourite isn’t in there, it isn’t because we don’t rate it. It’s because 50 wasn’t enough. Once you’ve eaten, you may need to move. Our dance feature (page 18) goes inside the weekly classes and socials, from salsa and ballroom to country line dancing, where strangers become crews and crews become second families. There’s a kids’ corner too, for budding performers. For something slower, our Sharjah guide (page 24) is a reminder that the cultural capital of the Arab world is just up the road, and this month it’s busier than usual. And if you have a weekend to spare, our 48 hours in Riyadh (page 62) covers the old city and the new, with a mandatory shawarma stop along the way. Then there’s everything else happening this month, all nine pages of it (starting on page 46 – kudos to Aarti for compiling it all): Carl Cox at Pacha ICONS, UFC 333 at Etihad Arena, Riverdance’s 30th anniversary tour and Blue marking 25 years. If you were around for Too Close the first time, that last one may make you feel old. I include myself in that. However you spend October, and wherever you end up eating, I hope this issue helps you choose well. Enjoy the issue.

THOMAS WOODGATE GROUP CONTENT DIRECTOR

IT’S AWARDS NIGHT! Last month you voted. Now it’s time to find out who won. The What’s On Nightlife Awards 2026 take place on October 28 at Bohemia Beach Club, where we’ll crown the winners in 28 categories, including six that have been voted for BY YOU: Best Ladies’ Day, Best Ladies’ Night, Best Live Music Venue, Best Happy Hour, Best Restaurant Bar and Best Cocktail Bar. Follow us across our social channels on the night for every winner as it’s announced, plus all the behind-the-scenes fun.

FOLLOW THE ACTION LIVE – OCTOBER 28

TEAM’S POV

We answer the questions you didn’t even ask.

In honour of the top 50 places we ate at this year, what’s your ultimate food-related guilty pleasure?

Steffi Sebastian Social Media Executive “It is always the tres leches and chocolate cake from Magnolia Bakery – my favourite combo I would say.”

Lana Du Reporter “I’m convinced the Brookie at Seafire, Atlantis, The Palm might be the best dessert I’ve ever had. Warm, gooey baked cookie, praline, chocolate chips, hazelnut and vanilla ice cream – basically every dessert weakness in one. I think about it far more often than I should…”

Shifali Jain Junior Reporter “Definitely the spicy pomodoro (with extra chilli oil) from Moon Slice for a chill night in with a great movie streaming.” WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 7

FINE DINING, CASUAL SPOTS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - ALL TRIED & TESTED WORDS: THE WHAT’S ON TEAM

8 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

(NOTE: The list is presented in alphabetical order)

BARRAFINA Order the escalivada and it’ll change the way you think about root vegetables. Coal-roasted and smoky, with the charred skins peeled away, it’s so good you’ll probably order it twice. Barrafina, Gate Village, DIFC / @barrafinadubai

ALICA

“This little eatery sits a short saunter from the Port de La Mer marina and all its glitzy yachts, so the views really are a fresh breath of Côte de La Mer air. It’s not just all about the looks though, the menu makes the venue just as visit worthy: warm toasted brioche topped with house-made ricotta and figs is the order to for.” - Shifali Jain, Junior Reporter Alica, Port de La Mer / @alicabakery

Lana Du

THE BARREL

ALICI Alici brings Amalfi Coast allure to Bluewaters Island, building its whole concept around Southern Italian seafood. The crudo draws people in, but it’s a pasta that keeps them coming back: homemade tagliolini tossed simply with black truffle and parmesan. Rich and earthy, it’s best enjoyed on the second-floor terrace with the Marina and JBR skyline behind you. Alici, Bluewaters Island / @alicidubai

Fine dining, casual spots and everything in between. This line-up was built from emphatic personal recommendations, and group-approved essentials. Some entries celebrate the room, others a single dish and a few are simply strong opinions, but every one was tried, tested and loved by the team in 2026.

ASHA’S RESTAURANT “As an Indian, I’m naturally picky about Indian food, and Asha’s gets it right. Steffi Familiar, flavourful and refined without losing Sebastian what makes it so comforting: a proper taste of home.” - Steffi Sebastian, Social Media Executive Asha’s Restaurant, Wafi City / @ashasrestaurant

“What stood out most at The Barrel was the quinoa salad. Boring, I know – but as someone who loves a good, nutritious, whole food option, this one was perfection. Nectarine, avocado, almonds and passion fruit dressing work so well together: salty, citrusy, sweet and crunchy all at once. It’s fresh and packed with colour, so it has to count as healthy… right?” - Lana Du, Reporter The Barrel, Vida Creek Beach / @thebarreldubai WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 9

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CARBONE

Mario Carbone’s spicy rigatoni is loved the world over, a staple of the original New York restaurant that has since travelled to London, Hong Kong and now, Dubai. This UAE version might be vodka-free, but the pasta still arrives cooked just right, in a velvety tomato sauce with a hint of spice. It’s served in one of the city’s buzziest dining rooms: jewel hues, a jellyfish tank backdrop and a soundtrack of New York jazz. Carbone, Atlantis The Royal / @carbonedxb

CQ FRENCH BRASSERIE

CHINA TANG DUBAI “Would it be too much to say I’m obsessed with the entire dim sum menu? Every bite brings a different texture and flavour – delicate, savoury, rich and comforting, without feeling too heavy. The one I’d go back for is the crispy prawn cheung fan: silky rice rolls wrapped around crisp, golden prawns, soft against crunchy.” - Lana Du, Reporter China Tang, The Lana Promenade, Dorchester Collection / @Chinatang_dubai

10 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

“My husband’s and my go-to date night is CQ French Brasserie. It’s friendly, reliable and the food is genuinely fantastic, which keeps it near the top of my favourite restaurants of the year. It has built its name on French classics, and the steak frites arrives perfectly seared and thickly cut, with a mountain of crisp, golden fries. The original in JLT is the Alice HolthamPargin place for a casual, cheerful meal; the newer Barsha Heights branch is a slightly more elevated version.” - Alice Holtham-Pargin, Contributing Editor CQ French Brasserie, JLT and Barsha Heights / @cqbrasserie

THE CRUNCH This newly opened restaurant brings a warm, golden glow and a family feel to Jumeirah. The Neighbour’s Signature – a Middle Eastern dip with a lingering garlic hit and a subtle tingle, served with crisp toasted pita – is the one to start with, and the Crunch Arab caprese of creamy quishta and juicy Uzbek tomatoes is another winner. For dessert, try the sticky date pudding, served warm with toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream and toasted pecans. We did, and we loved it. The Crunch, Jumeirah / @crunchdxb

CULTURE DELI “One of my favourite hidden gems is Culture Deli, a canal-side café doing deli favourites with a subtle Middle Eastern accent. All the best dishes start with the shokupan: ultra-soft, pillowy, slightly sweet and baked in-house daily. It’s at its best in The Culture Deli Classic, with pastramistyle beef piled high, sharp mustard labneh and the deli’s own pickles between two slices. Plenty of charging ports make it the kind of café to build a remote working day around.” - Alice Holtham-Pargin, Contributing Editor Culture Deli, Al Wasl / @culture.deli

15 FZN

FALCONE

DALIA BAGEL BAR + COFFEE

“A bagel is probably one of the last things I’d think to order, but Dalia Bagel Bar changed that. The New Yorker wannabe, loaded with 30-hour smoked pastrami, Swiss cheese and pickles, is indulgent, messy, salty-sour perfection. I’d go back for it in a heartbeat.” - Lana Du, Reporter Dalia Bagel Bar, JVC / @daliabagelbar

EL PRIMO “Literally, stop everything you’re doing. I have not stopped talking about El Primo, thinking about El Primo, and planning my return to El Primo since my first visit. Make no mistake, it is the real deal. Mexican-born chef Jonathan Colin (ex-LPM and Zuma) brings Mexico City to Al Wasl Road with a taqueria built around tacos and Thomas tostadas, ordered one at a time, and ordered by the Woodgate too-many quantity. Yet you’ll devour them all. The campechano rib eye, pastor and suadero tacos are out-of-thisworld good (they all are!), but don’t forget to save room for the vanilla soft serve with hot churros. Un-be-lievable.” - Thomas Woodgate, Group Content Director El Primo, Al Wasl Road / @taqueria_elprimo_dubai

“Whenever it’s a cheat meal, Italian is usually the answer and Falcone’s pizza is the reason. A crisp base, generous toppings, just the right amount of cheese – sorted.” - Steffi Sebastian, Social Media Executive Falcone, Al Barsha / @falconedxb

“Celebrity chef-led restaurants are nothing new in Dubai. Neither are tasting menus. But when Björn Frantzén opened FZN at Atlantis, The Palm, the two combined into one of the city’s most polished dining experiences. A knock on a wooden door off The Avenues opens onto the Living Room, a warm, residential-style space for the first few bites. The rest unfolds in the 27-seat main restaurant, where the best seats are around the open kitchen and Nordic, European and Japanese flavours meet across nine courses. The dish I dream about is the Norwegian langoustine, gently poached, deep-fried and layered with Koshihikari rice. Worth every fil of the Dhs2,000.” - Alice Holtham-Pargin, Contributing Editor FZN, Atlantis, The Palm / @restaurantfzn

FUSION CEVICHE Twenty-six seats in JLT, a self-taught chef-owner and a place on the World’s 50 Best Discovery list: Fusion Ceviche is one of the quietest success stories in Dubai right now. It took Favourite Casual Latin American Restaurant at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2026 and after one visit you’ll see why. Fusion Ceviche, JLT / @fusioncevichedxb22

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GAIA DUBAI Gaia is one of Dubai’s original homegrown success stories and for seven years has been the city’s go-to for refined GreekMediterranean fare. It has since expanded to Doha, London, Monaco and Miami, with a second UAE outpost planned for Abu Dhabi. The must-try is the sea bream carpaccio: delicate slivers of fresh fish to top with salt and a trio of flavoured dipping oils. Gaia Dubai, DIFC / @gaia__ dxb

THE GUILD

GIRL AND THE GOOSE

Nicaraguan chef Gabriela Chamorro started with a 10-seat supper club in her Dubai apartment, and Girl and the Goose is where it grew up. The Central American menu is a first for the city: the Hokkaido scallop is the one to order, the corn salad brings freshness and the hojuelas mille-feuille is a crisp, delicate finish. Chamorro was named Chef of the Year at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2026, and the food explains why. Girl and the Goose, Anantara Downtown Dubai / @girl.and.the.goose

GIGI RIGOLATTO

GOLDFISH SUSHI & YAKITORI ABU DHABI

“Step aside, Dubai chocolate: the pistachio dish I keep coming back for is at Gigi Rigolatto, one of Dubai’s most stylish beach clubs. Book the sun-soaked shores of J1 Beach for a refined pool day or a tipple at the bellini bar, or better still a long, leisurely lunch on the terrace, with fare reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. Save room for the tower of creamy pistachio gelato, a dessert designed to share.” - Alice Holtham-Pargin, Contributing Editor Gigi Rigolatto, J1 Beach / @gigi_beach_dubai

Take a homegrown restaurant out of its home city and see if it holds: Goldfish does. Chef Akmal Anuar’s Japanese concept, a Michelin Bib Gourmand holder for the third year running, arrived at Marina Mall with its standards intact. Order the Wagyu Sliders, Tuna & Guac Dip and flame-kissed yakitori, plus the Abu Dhabi-only creations. It was our Abu Dhabi Homegrown Restaurant of the Year. Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi / @goldfishabudhabi

12 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Laura Coughlin

“I came across Chef Burak Pazarlıoğlu while writing a story on the success of The Guild’s Saturday brunches. His charm as a Turkish culinary talent was clear before we’d sat down, but it was his crab legs mega dish that revealed his focus on serving only top-quality produce: Alaskan king crab, deshelled, smoked overnight in butter until impossibly rich, served with warm butter for dipping. On Thursdays, it’s all-youcan-eat for Dhs349. On vibe alone, The Guild is easily one of the best places I’ve dined at this year. The crab legs just seal the deal.” - Laura Coughlin, Contributing Editor The Guild, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC / @theguilddubai

GYMKHANA “It may only just have opened, but I’m calling it: Gymkhana is my Dubai restaurant opening of 2026. The dimly lit, ornately designed space in DIFC is made for date night, and the upstairs dining room on the left is my pick. Culinary influences traverse India’s regions, and many signatures from the two-Michelin-starred London original have made the trip, including the tandoori masala lamb chops and butter chicken. Go for the tasting menu (Dhs695), where the highlight is the makhmali king crab, bathed in rich garlic butter.” - Alice Holtham-Pargin, Contributing Editor Gymkhana, DIFC / @gymkhanadxb

HUDSON & RYE We love a great deli and Dubai’s first authentic New York deli nails the atmosphere: fat maroon booths, counter stools for the grab-and-bolt crowd and watercolours of Katz’s and Russ & Daughters on the walls – a shrine to delis of yore. The Reuben, stacked with pastrami, rye, Swiss and sauerkraut, is a must-eat. Hudson & Rye, DIFC Square / @hudsonandrye

LA PIAF

JODHPUR BAR & KITCHEN “Skip the butter chicken. I did order it at Jodhpur Bar & Kitchen, and it was fine: creamy, rich, correct in every technical sense. It was also, by a clear margin, the least interesting thing on the table, a bit like ordering a gin and tonic at a mezcal bar. Nobody will stop you, but you’ll have missed the point. Order the junglee maas instead, smoky and unapologetic, cooked in mustard oil with whole spices, then the ghewar chaat and the khobha roti. And ask the staff where each dish comes from. They’ll tell you, and it’s half the reason to go.” - Thomas Woodgate, Group Content Director Jodhpur Bar & Kitchen, Al Mina / @jodhpurdxb

Paris’s seductive piano bar has landed at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and it’s the kind of evening that starts elegant and ends with dancing on the tables. Crimson velvet banquettes, gilded mirrors and crystal chandeliers set the scene, with a pianist opening the night before a singer and band join in, and later a DJ. The menu is quintessentially French: Gillardeau oysters, escargots, sole meunière. La Piaf, Jumeirah Emirates Towers / @lepiaf_restaurant_ dubai

LITTLE LAMB MONGOLIAN HOT POT

Jun’s

This global food guide-lauded Downtown Dubai restaurant is a fitting emblem of the modern city: a captivating patchwork of international flavours, told through sensorial tasting menus and a scintillating à la carte. Chef Kelvin Cheung champions third-culture cooking – try his legendary lobster pani-puri (Dhs130), a one-bite symphony of Goan sunset. Jun’s, Downtown Dubai / @junsdubai

KINOYA

Shifali Jain

Okay, this is a must-visit if you’re a ramen fanatic like us, the kind of place you’ll find yourself craving at any hour. Order the (seriously good) umami-rich vegetarian ramen and the miso butter eggplant. - Shifali Jain, Junior Reporter Kinoya, The Greens / @kinoya.ae

“The craving for hot pot at Little Lamb can hit me at any time, Aarti Saundalkar and no bowl of spicy Buldak noodles will satisfy it. I always go for the spicy broth, loading up on noodles, chicken, mushrooms and veggies, and I swear by the plum juice to cool things down between bites.” - Aarti Saundalkar, Arts & Culture Features Editor Little Lamb Mongolian Hot Pot, JBR / @xiaoweiyang.uae

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MIDDLE CHILD

28 LPM

La Petite Maison has been one of DIFC’s most enduring tables since opening there over a decade ago. There’s plenty to love on the French-Mediterranean sharing menu, but the warm prawns are the dish nobody skips, dressed in nothing more than good olive oil and a squeeze of lemon so the freshness takes centre stage. Order them first, then work through the escargot, salt-baked loup de mer and a sweet pain perdu for dessert. LPM, DIFC / @lpmdubai

MANĀO

Five months. That’s how long it took Manāo to earn a Michelin star after opening at Wasl Vita in Jumeirah, one of the fastest in UAE history. Chef Abhiraj Khatwani also collected the Michelin Young Chef Award, and co-founder Mohamad Orfali of Orfali Bros brings the pedigree. The contemporary take on Thai cooking is precise and personal, and it was our What’s On Dubai Awards 2026 Restaurant of the Year. Incredible. Manāo, Wasl Vita, Jumeirah / @manao_dubai 14 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Lynn Hazim left a decade at Google to open Middle Child at Alserkal Avenue in 2025, and the career change has paid off. It’s part 40-seat all-day eatery, part cookbook shop, part pantry, with a personal, precise menu: labneh with yuzu kosho, cured sea bass, pappardelle Bolognese and a club sandwich that has already reached cult status. No reservations, no pretension. MENA’s 50 Best gave it the One to Watch Award within months of opening, and we named it Homegrown Restaurant of the Year. Middle Child, Alserkal Avenue / @middlechildmiddlechild

MIMI KAKUSHI

MANN MARZI “Regular is always boring,” Chef Nimesh Bhatia told us when we dined at Mann Marzi in Raffles Dubai. Dishes arrive with a side of theatrics and plenty of flavour, and the menu changes every three months, giving you (and us) a reason to return. Mann Marzi, Raffles Dubai / @mannmarzi.dubai

World’s 50 Best Bars and Michelin Guide-recognised, Mimi Kakushi was voted Favourite Bar at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2026. But it’s more than just a cocktail destination–the food is, by any measure, among the city’s best. Each. And. Every. Time. Come any night of the week, but jazz nights on Wednesday could be the city’s best date night spot, too. Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach / @mimikakushi

MOSAIC “Literally everything is a standout at Mosaic, it’s why the popular and enduring Lebanese restaurant – with locations in Al Murror and Al Nadja was crowned Favourite Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant and Favourite Business Lunch at the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026. To list the best dishes would mean reciting the menu, but the mixed grill is unlike anything you’ve tasted before. Quality produce, expertly handled, it will change your view of any mixed grill from thereon in.” - Thomas Woodgate, Group Content Director Mosaic, Al Muroor Road and Al Najda Street, Abu Dhabi / @mosaic.restaurant

NOREN “The cauliflower karaage with chilli lemon sauce is still on my mind. It’s incredibly crisp, then comes the hit of chilli and bright citrus – so much flavour in every bite, and somehow completely addictive. It’s the first thing I’ll order when I go back. The Kumamoto Wagyu steak nigiri is just as good: rich, buttery and savoury, and impossible to stop at one.” - Lana Du, Reporter Noren, JLT / @norenrestaurant

37 NOVIKOV ABU DHABI

“During Dubai’s toughest stretch this year, CarniStore – the city’s master meat purveyors – teamed up with homegrown restaurants, slinging their produce at discounted rates to help keep the industry afloat. Noble, but also delicious. My favourite collaboration was at Michelin-starred Moonrise, which halted its usual tasting menu for a season of ‘Moonrise & Friends’. The three courses opened with their cult-favourite cheese toastie, but the main event was a smashburger built from 21+ day dry-aged Angus short rib, patties charred at the edges and molten in the middle, served up like a plinth-worthy art piece. Triple-cooked masala fries and banoffee pie closed things out. It was a smash hit, and a perfect example of what friends supporting friends tastes like.” - Laura Coughlin, Contributing Editor Moonrise, Satwa / @moonrise. xyz; @carnistore

MOONRISE

THE NINTH CUT BUTCHERY & STEAKHOUSE “There’s something about choosing your own cut of steak that makes dinner feel a little more exciting. At The Ninth Cut I pick exactly what I’m in the mood for, then let the kitchen do the rest. Steak, my way – hard to argue with that.” - Steffi Sebastian, Social Media Executive The Ninth Cut Butchery & Steakhouse, Al Barsha / @theninthcut

Since opening at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Novikov has done what many high-profile arrivals don’t: earned its place on merit. The Mediterranean menu, guided by chefs Marco Lubian and Alberto Dorigo, delivers daily handmade pasta and charcoal-grilled octopus with padrón peppers, while Novikov London’s Asian signatures, the Wagyu tacos and the theatrical wasabi king crab leg, make guest appearances. It was our Abu Dhabi Newcomer of the Year. Novikov Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island / @novikov_abudhabi WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 15

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SAND & KOAL

ORIENTAL DINING Oriental Dining at Neighbourhood Food Halls has mastered nasi lemak. It’s Malaysia’s national dish, and we think it comes down to the crisp of the fried chicken and the decadent coconut flavour in the rice – oh, and the crispy ikan bilis (fried anchovies) help, too. Oriental Dining, Dubai Motor City / @orientaldining

ROWLEY’S London’s Jermyn Street steakhouse made Dubai its first overseas outpost, and the format is deliberately narrow: steak frites. The entrecôte arrives with the house herb, roquefort and butter sauce and unlimited fries, in a plush DIFC room with a hidden bar, Tap Line, for afterwards. It was voted Favourite Casual Steakhouse at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2026. Simple menu, well-executed, Rowley’s has quickly become a Dubai favourite. And ours. Rowley’s, Central Park Towers, DIFC / @rowleys.uae

Set on the sands at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, with Qasr Al Watan glowing across the water, Sand & Koal understands that a great meal is also a great night. Fire dancers perform on the beach and a DJ sets the mood as the sun goes down, while the open-fire kitchen turns out live-grilled steaks, smoked and charred seafood and crudos. Order the reef and beef, and finish with the karak tea ice cream: the taste of the UAE. It was our Abu Dhabi Restaurant of the Year this year. Sand & Koal, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi / @sandandkoal.uae

SA’CHA BY PANG

PANCITA The bricks-and-mortar Pancita in Wasl Square is exciting news for Dubai’s Argentinian community hankering for a place to eat their medialunas. This pretty little green café has a glass-walled kitchen where you can watch the bakers at work, turning out everything from cinnamon buns to our favourite: the made-fresh-daily empanadas. Order half a dozen: beef, chicken béchamel, four cheese or cheese and onion. Pancita, Wasl Square / @pancita.bakery 16 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Unless you live there, Dubai Creek Harbour can be overlooked as a neighbourhood to eat in. Sa’Cha, from Chef Pang, is your reason to visit. The licensed venue serves Latin American and Asian food in a fun, jungle-like setting, with cocktails to match. Order the 14-day aged Malaysian Perak duck, served with peanut butter sauce, Amarillo hoisin and a signature kumquat jam. Sa’Cha by Pang, Dubai Creek Harbour / @sa.cha_dxb

S.E.A. BISTROT We’ve had our fair share of duck salads, but never one served like this. Chef Mac Neill (of Nobu and Mayabay fame) presents a crispy sphere of battered braised duck atop pomegranate and plum, finished with mixed cress, celery, apple and pine nuts. The sweet-and-sour interplay of tender duck and crisp batter will stop dinner-table conversation in three seconds. S.E.A. Bistrot, Beach Road, Jumeirah 3 / @seabistrot

Paris-born Siena brings Parisian-Tuscan glamour to Gate Village 7 in DIFC: frescoed walls, marble tabletops and bird-shaped chandeliers. Chef Pasquale Costagliola’s Italian menu runs from pizzetta al salmone e caviale to linguine all’astice, but the Siena rigatoni, tossed in a spicy signature sauce, looks set to become the calling card. Finish with the tiramisu. Siena, Gate Village 7, DIFC / @sienarestaurant.dubai

Chef Jorge Rodriguez is amongst the best Mexican chefs in the city, and the tuna tostada is proof: thick ribbons of bluefin tuna piled on a crisp tostada over creamy avocado, drenched in bold, smoky salsa macha. It’s Mexican cooking that stays true to its roots. Taqueria Freedah, Beach Road, Jumeirah 3 / @taqueriafreedah

TAQUERIA FREEDAH

SIENA

THE SPANIEL

Having tried a lot of the city’s Sunday roasts – we kind of make it our mission to do so, you know? – we’d put The Spaniel at the front of the pack. If you’re not the sharing type it still serves one of the tastiest spreads around, but our favourite way to do it is the ‘All-in’: a super-sized feast for four, with tender roast beef, slow-cooked lamb and roast chicken piled high alongside all the essential sides. The only problem? Deciding who gets the final Yorkshire pud. The Spaniel, Bluewaters / @thespanieldxb

SOBREMESA “I loved the starters at this little Mexican spot so much that I’d happily skip the mains. The Mexican-style street corn, guacamole and pan con tomate with anchovy were satisfying without feeling heavy, while the barbacoa and Baja-style fish tacos were the pick of the mains. Add two rounds of tequila-based cocktails and you have the perfect Sobremesa kind of day (or night).” - Lana Du, Reporter Sobremesa, Downtown Dubai / @sobremesadubai

SUSHISAMBA Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cooking share a table at SushiSamba, which is as much party as restaurant. Order the Chilean seabass anticuchos with white miso, the Asevichado roll and the black cod, ideally with a caipirinha in hand. SushiSamba, Palm Tower / @sushisambadubai

50 TRÈSIND STUDIO

TAGOMAGO For sophisticated spot of Balearic-style sun-soaking, Tagomago is the beach club of choice. Whether it’s a day of topping up our tan by the pool with a crisp glass of rosé or dinner as the yachts pass the terrace, we always start with the padrón peppers: blistered skins, a drizzle of oil and a generous sprinkle of salt. Each bite tastes like being back on the White Isle. Tagomago, Palm Jumeriah / @tagomagodubai

“Three Michelin stars, and the first Indian restaurant in the world to earn them: Trèsind Studio is one for the bucket list. The 15-seat restaurant at The St. Regis Gardens takes you on a tongue-top tour through India with a tasting menu of unexpected forms, modernist touches and plenty of theatre – familiar flavours presented in ways you won’t see coming, with storytelling that adds to the experience rather than distracting from it. My favourites? Chef Himanshu Saini’s takes on the pani puri and medu vada.” - Aarti Saundalkar, Arts & Culture Features Editor Trèsind Studio, The St. Regis Gardens / @tresindstudio

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 17

DANCE COMMUNITIES

How weekly dance meet-ups turn into second families that fuel the rhythms of Abu Dhabi and Dubai WORDS: SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN

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here’s a distinct rhythm to every city, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai move to the soundtracks of their people. In the capital, that often looks like the shuffle of pedestrians crossing at rush hour, the jiggle of a bus as passengers climb aboard, the steady sway of traffic as one road turns into the next. Dubai is known for moving at a faster pace, metro carriages whizz by while cars on Sheikh Zayed Road make up a syncompated ensemble of pulsing break lights. You tend to learn the dance routine as you go along, and for some, the moves don’t stop here. Tucked away in studios and Latin bars, at cookouts and on stages, the people of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are kicking their heels to country music, swaying to the tunes of a waltz or spinning in a fast-paced salsa. Locals and residents from all around the world and of all ages come together to find their tribe. Strangers turn into dance crews and the cities’ people become second families as weekly classes grow into socials and community thrives. We’ve canvassed the two cities, finding vibrant spots to let loose after a long day, speaking with founders of some of these communities and hearing from the members themselves. Most of these socials are tailored to adults, so we’ve carved out a kids corner as well for up-and-coming dance enthusiasts, listing places that offer group classes so the little ones can also enjoy making connections over a shared love of dance.

Boot Scoot

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 19

DANCE COMMUNITIES

AND A 5, 6, 7, 8… SOCIALS STARTER PACK ABU DHABI

DUBAI Boot Scoot UAE Country-style line dancing, no partner needed. Weekly socials and classes in various locations in Dubai. Message @bootscootuae on Instagram for more.

Dubai Salsa Community Frequently hosts Cuban salsa socials, flamenco nights and samba socials in Dubai. Follow Dubai Salsa Community (DSC) on Facebook for more.

Salsa Bachata Abu Dhabi

Boot Scoot UAE Country-style line dancing, no partner needed. Dhs260/4-week pass for non-members. Tel: (02) 673 1111

Euphoria Dance and Fitness Studio Bollywood, Indian folk/ fusion, hip-hop, belly dance, Zumba. Tel: (054) 557 0622

Fred Astaire Dance Studios Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island. Salsa, bachata, cha-cha, rumba, tango, waltz, foxtrot, swing. Weekly group classes; Thursday practice parties.

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Ritmos Dance Community Weekly socials on Fridays, 10pm to 2am at Up and Below Rooftop, Courtyard by Mariott Hotel. Group classes held at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Corniche and Cobra Fitness Al Raha. @ritmos.dance. community_uae

Palais de Danse Cater to beginner and advanced groups, offering group classes in standard

Salsa Bachata Abu Dhabi Latin nights at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi on October 3, 17 and 31. Weekly group classes at Dee Studios, Abu Dhabi. @salsabachata.abudhabi Boot Scoot

ballroom, Latin, and weekly social dances. Tel: (050) 777 3997

House Of Dance Dubai Beginner to advanced Bollywood dance workshops in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Book workships through ClassPass. Tel: (054) 217 1837

Latin Crazy Tribe Weekly salsa, bachata and kizomba parties. Thursdays: Secret Club, Al Barsha; Fridays: Sobe Dubai, W Dubai Palm; Saturdays: TT, Grand Movenpick Dubai. Tel: (052) 779 9915

MEET THE FOUNDERS D

ancing doesn’t always need an occasion. It’s as easy as turning up the music and letting loose. However, for many in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, stepping into the world of socials and group classes added new moves to their routines. Brandon Stanley remembers what Abu Dhabi didn’t have when he opened Fred Astaire Dance Studios on Saadiyat Island last summer: a place to step out of the daily grind and reconnect through movement. Now, most weeknights, the studio fills with couples working through a foxtrot hold, beginners wobbling through a cha-cha count, and Thursday-night regulars staying late for the studio’s weekly practice party. “Our dance floor mirrors the city itself,” he says of his mixed-nationality classes, “diverse, welcoming and full of shared energy, where people from countless backgrounds share the same space and rhythm.” For Stella Hartley, it started with a goodbye. The 100+ community she now leads in line dancing sequences initially came together as a friend preparing to leave the UAE wanted a country-andwestern hoedown to send her off. A venue was booked, a playlist was ready, but no one knew the dances. Hartley stepped in with a handful of simple routines. By the end of the night, half the guests were asking where they could learn “properly.” That one-off party became Boot Scoot UAE: weekly studio classes in Abu Dhabi by the end of March, a second base in Dubai by May. Regulars progressed from

Ahmed Ritmos

Jonathan Unda

Brandon Stanley Stella Hartley

Ritmos

tentative first steps to full wardrobes of cowboy boots and hats, then started asking to take the dancing “into the wild” at bars, festivals and events. The music isn’t only country, either. Expect disco, pop, soul, R&B and – by Stella’s own count – a lot of Pitbull. The appeal isn’t really about country music at all, she says of what keeps people coming back; it’s the 40 minutes of not looking at your phone, the shared count of eight, the low-impact 400–700-calorie burn that sneaks past as fun rather than exercise and the cherry on top, meeting new people. “You start as strangers and leave as friends,” she says. Making friends is a large part of why people dance at socials. Jonathan Unda moved from Colombia to Abu Dhabi seven years ago already fluent in the two things his community Salsa Bachata Abu Dhabi (SBA) is really built on: dance and people.

He’d spent years teaching and collaborating with studios across the city before a lifecoaching certification shifted how he saw the whole exercise. Dance, he realised, wasn’t just steps – it was a tool people could use to rebalance a life that had gotten too much like work. “I wanted to create a space where, after work, people can disconnect from stress, move, listen to music, meet others, have fun and feel alive,” he says of the philosophy behind SBA. No partner or experience required – just “come as you are,” he says. To him, Latin rhythm belongs to whoever’s willing to try, and his measure of success is whether people leave the room lighter than they walked in. Similarly, Abdul Samad, the founder of Ritmos Dance Community laid the foundation of his group in finding the one thing that makes dance great. Ritmos in Spanish translates to rhythm, and finding it – in the music, in a new city, and in each other – was the whole point. Since 2020, the community has paved the way for people of all over the world to come together and enjoy the art of dance. Samad has watched a dancer from Brazil partner with someone from the Philippines, Ghana or the UAE, sharing nothing but a beat between them. It’s why Ritmos means more to him than a class roster. “Sometimes people don’t need another place to go,” he says. “They need a place where they feel they belong.”

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 21

DANCE COMMUNITIES

TESTIMONIALS – LET’S DANCE A

s people continue to gather in the masses to bust a move on the dance floor, we speak to some regulars about how finding a dance community has changed their lives. From finding new-found ‘babe-magnet’ skills to genuinely improved mental and physical health, they explain that the benefits long outlast the last dance of the night.

Anushka Nambiar MEMBER AT RITMOS

“Being part of Abu Dhabi’s dance community has been an amazing experience. I started Latin dancing and explored various salsa styles, while attending socials helped me improve, build confidence, and meet wonderful people from different backgrounds. I’ve made great friends along the way and highly recommend joining Ritmos socials!”

Gail Bernard MEMBER AT FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIOS ABU DHABI

“I have been actively seeking activities to enhance my mood and confidence. In April 2026, I joined the FADS Abu Dhabi dance studio, which has become a source of joy and motivation. Starting ballroom dance at the age of 50 has been an empowering and transformative

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experience. Despite feeling stressed, tired and experiencing menopause symptoms, I consistently attend classes because the FADS community has a positive impact on my overall well-being. FADS Abu Dhabi is my happy place.”

Dawn Raquel MEMBER AT BOOT SCOOT UAE

“A few rocking chairs and some hitch turns unite people from all walks of life, from math teachers to lawyers to humanitarians and body builders. We laugh at our mistakes, cheer when we finally catch the dance, and love every chance we get to kick up the dust and yeehaw!”

Gareth Bloomfield, MEMBER AT BOOT SCOOT UAE

“Boot Scoot line dancing has been a surprise life upgrade. Stella’s dancing keeps me moving, socialising, laughing, and clearing out the work stress. Plus for at least an hour, I get to be a Yellowstones Rip Wheeler-level babe magnet, because apparently, for a big man, I can dance. Sort of.”

Sheena Kadri, MEMBER AT BOOT SCOOT UAE

“Boot Scoot isn’t just a line dancing group, it’s family. The Boot Scoot community is where my country heart feels at home. I’ve loved country music for years, and line dancing has made that love even stronger.”

IN CONVERSATION WITH UP-ANDCOMING DANCER

TANISHA SINGHI D

ance is a powerful developmental tool and studies have long-proven the beneficial effects of regular practice on children from early ages to teenhood. We chat with Tanisha Singhi, a budding dancer based in the UAE who’s interest in the art has landed her on stages with celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan and Vicky Kaushal.

Why is dance an activity that you’re drawn towards? I’ve always loved dance because it’s the easiest way for me to express myself. It makes me feel happy, confident and free. I love learning new choreography, performing and putting my own personality into the movements. Dance is something I genuinely enjoy, and I can’t imagine not having it in my life. How has engaging in dance workshops helped build your personality as a young individual? Dance workshops have helped me become more confident and outgoing. I’ve met so many new people, learned from different choreographers and become much more comfortable performing in front of others. They’ve also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and try things I wouldn’t normally do. What qualities have you learned from dance that affect other parts of your life? Dance has taught me discipline, patience and consistency. You don’t get a step right immediately, so you learn to keep trying instead of giving up. I’ve carried that mindset into school and other activities. It has also made me much more confident when speaking or performing in front of people.

THE KID’S CORNER N

ot every dancer in this feature is old enough to drive to class. Several of the studios above run dedicated children’s programmes – smaller class sizes, simplified choreography, and a lot of giggling through the counts. You can also check these ones out:

IN ABU DHABI Dance Waves UAE Kids and teens dance classes offering ballet, pre-ballet, hip - hop, acro-ballet and Zumba across different levels. Sheraton Corniche & Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan Tel: (055) 849 1898

Melodica Abu Dhabi

Tanisha Singhi

Who is your dance inspiration and why? I don’t have one particular dance inspiration. I get inspired by all the dancers and choreographers who put their time and effort into teaching us. Every workshop gives me the chance to learn something new from someone with a different style and experience. I really appreciate the people who share their passion for dance and motivate others to keep learning and improving. What is your ultimate dance dream? My ultimate dance dream is to become a professional performer and work in the entertainment industry. I’ve already had the opportunity to perform with Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal and Sachin-Jigar, more than once in IIFA (a prominent Bollywood film awards show), which has been an amazing experience. In the future, I’d love to work with them again, perform in films and productions, and take my dancing to an even bigger level.

Young dancers can explore various styles at Melodica, with classes for different levels, plus

Melodica Abu Dhabi

opportunities to perform in showcases and events. Locations in Yas Mall, Masdar City, Dalma Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall. Tel: (04) 559 1000

IN DUBAI

Offers kids classes in Bollywood, Indian folk/ fusion, hip-hop, Zumba. Tel: (054) 557 0622

MAD: Mad About Dance Dubai

British Dance Academy An exclusive British Ballet Organisation examination centre in the UAE, offering dance exams in Dubai through its affiliation with British Ballet Organisation. Arjan, Dubai. Tel: (058) 850 3743

Euphoria Dance and Fitness Studio

MAD: Mad About Dance Dubai

This popular Bollywood dance studio in Dubai hosts regular day-long workshops for Desi dance enthusiasts to spend the day with the style they love and meet new people while learning the hottest choreography. Tel: (058) 552 4022

StudioRepublik From jazz to tap, the Junior programme at StudioRepublik is the perfect after-school place for kids to get moving. Tel: (800) 235664

StudioRepublik

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 23

SHARJAH GUIDE

This is the cultural capital of the Arab world

WORDS: SHIFALI JAIN

eyond the country’s glamorous profiles, glitzy cars, and endless sea of towering skyscrapers lies Sharjah, an emirate steeped in heritage and stories of the past. Its historic heart is filled with museums, heritage sites and cultural spaces that tell the story of the emirate’s past. It’s no wonder that the city was hailed as the Cultural Capital of the Arab Region by UNESCO in 1998. It is one that is rich in historic landmarks, literature and the fine arts, offering a cultural depth that is nearly impossible to replicate elsewhere. From contemporary art foundations and restored heritage houses to museums dedicated to Islamic civilisation, this is the Sharjah that you need to familiarise yourself with.

24 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

S H A R JA H G U I D E

Bait Elowal

Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Art Foundation isn’t just one standalone structure you can visit, but rather a set of exhibits scattered across the emirate. And that’s what art should be about. The Sharjah Art Foundation is quite literally the cornerstone for art within the region. It was built on the idea of transforming old heritage buildings and residences into spaces that showcase exhibitions, artists’ studios, workshops, community programmes and events. The rustic beige-toned buildings aren’t just a glimpse into the past, but also a vision that marries future regional talents with it. Where: Multiple locations including Al Shuwaiheen, Al Mureijah and Al Majarrah. When: Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 9pm, Fridays from 4pm to 9pm. Cost: Various. Contact: sharjahart.org

Envisioned by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Bait Elowal is a twostoreyed heritage house that sits in the heart of Sharjah, overlooking the tranquil creeks. Built in 1925, the heritage house now stands as an ode to Sharjah’s history as a trading hub and the rich Emirati heritage that came along with it. It’s a space that transports you to a period in the past, while honouring current artistic expressions of local talents. But this isn’t just an architectural marvel to gaze at, but a space that allows you to experience flavours of the Silk Road, browse books, discover regional crafts, try workshops, attend book events and more creative collaborations. And that’s the essence of it: Bait Elowal in Emirati heritage means a traveller who always comes back with stories, souvenirs and flavours from other cultures. Where: Al Merraijja Square. When: Monday to Sunday from 8am to 10pm. Contact: @baitelowal

Chedi Al Bait

Nestled amidst the historic district of Al Mareija in Sharjah, the Chedi Al Bait is more than a five-star hotel – it is a love letter to a century-old history building in the emirate. Encompassing seven heritage homes that belonged to notable families in the past, the hotel is an immersive experience of true Emirati culture. From traditional majlis to the only surviving traditional wind tunnel in the UAE, Chedi Al Bait weaves the traditional Emirati hospitality we all know and love with a fragment of the nation’s notable archives. Where: Al Merraijja Square. Cost: Prices from Dhs636. Contact: @thechedialbait WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 25

SHARJAH GUIDE

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization It’s nearly impossible to miss this massive structure spanning 10,000 square meters, featuring a massive 24-karat gold dome at its centre. What originally started off as Sharjah’s first-ever fully air-conditioned souq in 1987 was later renovated to become a sanctuary that houses over 5,000 Islamic artefacts, manuscripts, and scientific instruments. While the building itself is a remarkable feat worth looking up at, there are a few standout pieces that you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on including the gold-embroidered Kiswah for the Ka’aba and the highly detailed mosaic depiction of the night sky and zodiac. Where: Al Majarrah. When: Saturday to Thursday, from 8am to 8pm; Friday, from 4pm to 8pm. Cost: Dhs10 for adults; Dhs5 for children aged 2–12.

Bait Al Shi’er

The Literature Pavilion

Much like Sharjah’s fine arts and magnificent heritage architecture, literature is a revered form of expression that is deeply embedded in the city’s essence. As part of Al Noor Islands, the open-space literature pavilion isn’t built like an ordinary library, but rather as a peaceful retreat that allows you to curl up on the cushions with a book, all while being surrounded by lush green gardens, art fountains and some calming music playing in the background. It is here that the written word is considered more than just a mere tool of conversation – it’s poetry, knowledge and messages that hold meaning. Where: Al Noor Island, Khalid Lagoon. When: Monday to Friday from 9am to 11pm; Weekends from 9am to 12am. Cost: Various. Contact: alnoorisland.ae 26 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Many might consider poetry a lost art, but that’s not the case for Sharjah. Building its identity around performing arts, Bait Al Shi’er is just another part of its wider effort to preserve and practice Arabic poetry and pass it on to future generations. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah, the poetry house has been an institution of the literary crafts for nearly three decades now and shares its commitment by hosting year-round programmes that include poetry evenings, cultural festivals, intellectual seminars, and more. Where: Heart of Sharjah. When: Dependent on event dates and times. Cost: Various.

Emirates Fine Arts Society

Just an arm’s distance away from Sharjah Art Museum, the Emirates Fine Arts Society shares a longstanding history and foundation that began the movement in supporting the country’s visual arts scene. Founded in 1980, this is one of the oldest non-profit cultural societies in the UAE, and to date, this fine arts institution runs workshops, seminars and lectures spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphics, photography and calligraphy. It isn’t just a space that displays final pieces at the exhibit, but also one that nurtures the artists behind them through various means. Where: Arts Square, Heart of Sharjah. When: Dependent on event dates and times. Cost: Free to visit; price may be dependent on the event. Contact: @emiratesfinearts

Sharjah’s cultural events this October OCTOBER 7

12th edition of Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial: The Calligraphy Biennial is two-month long event dedicated to the breadth of Arabic calligraphy and contemporary interpretations of the written word. sdc.gov.ae OCTOBER 11

5th edition of Perform Sharjah: Perform Sharjah is a citywide movement dedicated to showcasing live performances beyond the conventional theatre. sharjahart.org OCTOBER 25

Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF): SIFF is dedicated to showcasing children’s talents across media literacy and filmmaking. siff.ae OCTOBER 30

Sharjah Film Platform: SFP is dedicated to highlighting independent cinema and experimental filmmaking. sharjahart.org

Maraya Art Centre

What truly makes Sharjah an immersive scene for all things relating to culture and arts is its continued efforts to preserve and nurture it. They don’t stop at just one dedicated space; it’s a growing ecosystem of a multitude of endeavours that celebrate and propel the emirate’s identity. Another such institution is the Maraya Art Centre, located in Al Qasba, dedicated to supporting emerging artists and designers through exhibitions, research, commissions, residencies and project development. This is where you go to see the UAE’s art scene come to life. Where: Al Qasba, Al Taawun Road. When: Saturday to Thursday, from 10am to 7pm; Friday, from 4pm to 7pm. Cost: Price may be dependent on the event. Contact: maraya.ae WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 27

Q&A

tiny plastic microfibres through wear and washing. Cotton is also softer, more breathable and absorbs moisture better. The trade-off is performance – which is why we kept 5% spandex for stretch and recovery.

ar is e w e tiv rl Ac ditching ke i G d Goo she talks ok to ma n s ’ a o r Siko otton – hat it to m sessi a n y c y w Mart organic ics, and Dubai g r 95% etic fab survive a h synt al fibres ARD r N natu AMMI BAR S DS: WOR

ounded in Dubai, Good Girl Activewear puts natural fibres at the centre of its collection: every piece is made from 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex. With the tagline “Hot girls don’t workout in plastic,” founder Martyna Sikora is hoping to spark a conversation about what we wear against our skin. What inspired you to launch Good Girl Activewear? It came from trying to solve a problem I had myself – I was searching for activewear made predominantly from natural fibres and couldn’t find it locally. I figured if I was looking for it, other health-conscious women in the UAE were too. Your tagline is provocative. What’s the thinking behind it? It’s cheeky, but there’s a real message underneath. Polyester and nylon are

28 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

essentially plastic-based synthetic fibres, and most of us don’t think about that when we get dressed. It’s our way of reminding women there are alternatives. What actually makes organic cotton different from the synthetic fabrics normally used in activewear? Cotton is a natural fibre; polyester and nylon are plastic-based, and synthetic textiles can shed

Dubai’s climate isn’t exactly forgiving. How did you make organic cotton work for it? This was the hardest part of development. Some of the fabrics I sampled looked beautiful but were far too heavy for the heat here. It took a lot of trial and error to land on something lightweight enough to be comfortable, but substantial enough that leggings and shorts don’t become seethrough when stretched. What’s in the launch collection? It’s intentionally small: one colourway, navy blue, with two tops, a jacket, leggings and shorts. Considering the name, it’s exclusively for women. Where do you want to take the brand from here? I’d love to apply the same thinking to other things women wear close to their skin – organic cotton underwear, pyjamas, maybe even bikinis eventually, though that’s a bigger fabric challenge. In a few years, what does success look like? I’d rather grow alongside our customers than launch products for the sake of it. Ultimately, I want Good Girl to be known for making natural-fibre clothing desirable, and for getting more women to look at a label and ask what it’s actually made from. @goodgirlactivewear www.goodgirlactivewear.com

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Pasta with a view

Handmade pasta, wood-ﬁred plates and Ain Dubai on the horizon: meet JBR’s new Italian favourite MODERN EMIRATI FLAVOURS WITH A GLOBAL TWIST p32 BUSINESS BAY’S NEW CROWD FAVOURITE p33 LIVE-FIRE COOKING MEETS FLAVOURS FROM AROUND THE WORLD p34 THE BEACH ROAD GEM THAT DESERVES A FULL ROOM p36 MIRDIF’S NEW DINING DESTINATION HAS LANDED p38

EAT // REVIEW

ANA RESTAURANT Explore Emirati cuisine with a twist WORDS: SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN

ften one of the first Arabic words UAE residents learn, ‘ana’ means ‘I’ or ‘me’. At Ana Restaurant, the concept takes that simple word and turns it into a celebration of what makes the UAE’s food culture so poetically collaborative. The menu features familiar Emirati flavours folded in with influences from the many communities that call the UAE home. It’s a fitting approach for a restaurant whose name is all about identity: whether it’s you, me or anyone else who has made the UAE home, Ana is for all of us.

The vibe The art of designing mall restaurants lies in creating a transitional space that allows you to forget you’re dining in a shopping centre. This Dalma Mall eatery does that with effortless flare – its beautifully designed interiors, and arched entranceway provide the most perfect sort of preconception palate cleanse. The aesthetic is true to Ana’s identity, too, and gives you a taste of the food before you even look at the menu. But the biggest signal that this spot is worth your 32 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

dirhams is the crowd of locals seated at dinner service – a true stamp of approval that Ana is where you must be for modern Emirati cuisine.

The food The menu is one of the more interesting takes on Emirati cuisine we’ve come across in Abu Dhabi recently. Ingredients from around the world make their way into regional staples, creating combinations that feel playful without losing sight of where their origin stories begin. We begin with an order of kibbeh roub, stuffed grape leaves, smoky eggplant and an Arabian Nights salad. The kibbeh benefits from the clever addition of crunchy potato wafers reminiscent of Chips Oman, adding a fun textural element to the popular comfort dish. The Arabian Nights salad comes stacked with hearty ingredients – fried chickpeas, roasted eggplant, lentils and raisins are piled together with a yoghurt dressing and pomegranate molasses. The balance of sweet, sour, creamy and crunchy makes it a standout starter. We ordered the Machbous Hessa, Ana’s ode to a Gulf classic, pairing tender lamb

with fragrant rice seasoned with the staple baharat spice mix. For those less tied to convention, the Dakkus Risotto marks a worthy excursion, where Italian tradition meets regional flavours including rose water. It’s rich, warm and comforting. For dessert, we stand by our order of Ana Oum Ali, served here generous shavings of toasted coconut that add an unexpected tropical note to the creamy, crowd-pleasing pudding. Wash it all down with the Vimto mint cooler, a masterful piece of mocktail mixology.

What’s on the bill Kibbeh Roub (Dhs49), Grape Leaves (Dhs45), Smoky Eggplant (Dhs35), Arabian Nights Salad (Dhs47), Machbous Hessa (Dhs89), Dakkus Risotto (Dhs97), Ana Oum Ali (Dhs59), Vimto Mint (Dhs39). WHAT’S ON VERDICT

The balance between tradition and experimentation across the menu that makes this one worth a visit. You absolutely can’t leave without getting the Ana Oum Ali. Location: Ground Floor, Dalma Mall, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi Times: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 10:30pm | Thursday and Friday 10am to 12am Contact: 02 565 1329

EAT // REVIEW

LOOP

With Mediterranean plates, cocktails and plenty of all-day vibes, this Business Bay hotspot has already become a crowd favourite WORDS: SHIFALI JAIN

e know we’re almost ridiculously spoilt for choice when it comes to food. So when somewhere like Loop comes along and quickly becomes a crowd favourite, you take notice. This Mediterranean all-day restaurant and lounge is made for chilled evenings, seriously good interiors and, thankfully, food that lives up to the setting.

The vibe Right off the bat, Loop sets the mood with dimly lit, contemporary interiors and plenty of attention to the finer details. Think plush lounges, oversized hanging artworks and soft lighting dotted across the ceiling. If you’re anything like us and love a good Instagrammable moment, there are plenty of corners calling for a photo. And whatever you do, don’t skip the restroom. Trust us on this one, it’s a showstopper.

The food and drinks If you’re someone who leans towards good theatrical presentation, Loop nails it. Sat in one of the cosiest booths in the restaurant, we were drawn to the drinks menu, where we spotted some pretty unique creations. Whether it’s be the fire-blazing Thor or the Casino Royaleinspired Double Six, Loop brings a side of pizzazz to each sip. Next up, appetisers. And if you had to pick just one, make it the sea bass carpaccio. Fresh thinly sliced umami filled sea bass comes topped with spicy mayo and spicy green chili – a surprising element of heat that will have you going back for more. For mains, we treated ourselves to one of the best sellers in the restaurant, Tagliolini with Truffle – a smooth, buttery feast with thinly sliced truffles sprinkled all over. We agreed at the table that it was a solid 10/10. Every meal deserves to end on a sweet note, and at Loop it comes with some traditional favourites that definitely need to be on your list. First up, the classic Baklava with delicate yet crispy layers of filo, finished with smooth, creamy maraş ice cream. If you still have room to spare, then definitely

also try the Muhallabia, a traditional milk pudding with soft, flossy halva.

The service The service? Definitely a highlight. Expect warm smiles, regular check-ins and a team that’s attentive without being overbearing. Whatever you need during your meal, they’re quick to sort it.

What’s on the bill Thor (Dhs64), Double Six (Dhs64) Eggplant Caponata (Dhs72), Sea Bass Carpaccio (Dhs84), Tagliolini with Truffle (Dhs99), Turkish Baklava (Dhs80), Muhallabia (Dhs72), WHAT’S ON VERDICT

With its laid-back atmosphere, striking interiors, thoughtful service and a menu that gives you plenty to talk about, Loop makes a strong case for a spot on your Dubai dining list. We’re certainly into it. Location: Trillionaire Residences Business Bay - Dubai Times: Open 24 hours Contact: 04 506 4500 WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 33

EAT // REVIEW

AATISH

Live-fire cooking meets flavours from around the world WORDS: AARTI SAUNDALKAR

asl 51 has become a foodie haven. And now there’s another major contender on the list: Aatish, serving up a globe-trotting menu with live-fire cooking at its heart.

The story The new restaurant was founded by four friends, aka the Strong Boys, a name that stuck after they were catcalled by women. The quartet brings together Reza Namazi and Amin Ebra, who operate Iranish, Alex Augusti of Just Food and head chef Abdul Hakim of The Meating Room. Together, they wanted to bring the memorable flavours from their travels back to Dubai. And so, Aatish was born. No frills here, just great food from four foodie adventurers.

The vibe “You eat with your eyes first,” a concept Alex is familiar with. But beneath a painted map charting their foodie travels, we mentally disagreed as our sense of smell took over. Chefs grilled and plated dishes from the open kitchen, and the smell of grilled meat greeted us the second we took our seats.

Strong Boys

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The food We began our journey curated by the Strong Boys with the Hawker’s Sup Kambing, a soup the quartet tried at a Singapore hawker stall. They loved it so much, they returned the next day. And it’s clear why. The comforting broth carries a gentle heat, while each spoonful leaves behind a subtle taste of lamb. Sinan’s Sizzling Prawns, named after the food tour guide who showed the foodies around Istanbul, packs a serious flavour punch. We cleaned the bowl with onion bread, lapping whatever we could of the garlic butter and red chilli. Next up were the psychedelic lamb chops, which Alex assured us we were going to love. And he wasn’t wrong. Smoky, seriously good and easily one of our favourites. For a little extra feed appeal, we opted for the T-Rex bone marrow, a fire-roasted bone marrow served with marrow sauce and onion jam, which Alex gladly plated up for us. You know… for the ‘Gram, and it had the flavour to back the look.

The service The team were friendly, attentive and all smiles throughout our meal. There was a relaxed warmth to the service, with staff checking in when needed without ever making us feel rushed.

What’s On the bill Hawker’s Sup Kambing (for two) Dhs55, Sinan’s Sizzling Prawns Dhs65, Psychedelic Lamb Chops Dhs130, T-Rex Bone Marrow Dhs120. WHAT’S ON VERDICT

Four foodies, years of experience and a whole lot of flavour between them? It seems the Strong Boys might just be onto something with Aatish. There’s personality behind the menu, plenty of dishes worth talking about and, most importantly, food we’d happily come back for.

Location: Wasl 51 Time: Tues to Sun 1pm to 12am Contact: 056 387 8876

EAT // REVIEW

PEPE CUCINA

A relaxed take on Italian dining, with pasta worth coming back for WORDS: LANA DU

ow open at Address Beach Resort, new Italian restaurant Pepe Cucina brings handmade pasta, woodfired cooking and all the dishes that make Italian food so hard to resist. All in a cosy yet stylish waterfront setting, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to hang around a little longer.

The service

The space

The food and drinks

Pepe Cucina is spread across four distinct spaces, giving the restaurant a little more range than your typical Italian dining room. There are cosy indoor areas alongside open-air seating overlooking JBR and Ain Dubai, making it just as suited to a long lunch as it is to sunset drinks or a lively dinner with friends. The interiors take their cues from the warmth of a traditional Italian trattoria, but with a distinctly contemporary finish. Then there’s the bar, where playful décor touches give the space a more vibrant feel, while a dedicated kids’ area makes it an easy option for families, too.

The menu leans into the kind of indulgent Italian cooking that makes choosing what to order the hardest part. We started with the yellow and red endive salad with gorgonzola, pecans and figs, followed by the beef carpaccio, thinly sliced and dressed with mustard, pickled mushrooms and parmesan. Both made a good start to the meal, but it was the pasta that really stole the show. The homemade gnocchi arrabbiata with burrata and basil comes with a spicy smoked cherry tomato sauce that packs a real depth of flavour, while the fusilloni alla genovese was the one we’re still thinking about. Made with an onion and beef ragù and finished with a pecorino sauce, it’s comforting and exactly the sort of dish you’d happily go back for. Then came the lobster linguine, the pasta cooked to a

Following the same relaxed approach as the setting, with a friendly, easy-going feel that suits Pepe Cucina’s take on Italian hospitality. You get a real sense that the restaurant is meant to feel welcoming rather than formal, with the team attentive and happy to guide you through the menu.

perfect bite and the lobster generous and sweet, with just enough sauce to coat rather than drown it. It’s a standout and one we’d happily order again. Dessert wasn’t up for debate: tiramisu, a bombolone alla crema and a mango and passion fruit sorbet all made the table. When it comes to drinks, Pepe Cucina keeps the Italian theme going with a premium wine selection that pairs beautifully with the food, alongside creative cocktails and mocktails.

What’s on the bill? For two people ordering drinks, starters, mains and dessert, expect to spend around Dhs650-700. Add a bottle of wine and the bill will naturally climb a little higher. WHAT’S ON VERDICT

When you hear about yet another Italian restaurant opening in Dubai, you have to wonder: what’s going to make this one stand out? At Pepe Cucina, it’s the pasta. We’re still craving those creamy, comforting dishes, with more of the menu already on our list for next time. Add the cosy-chic setting, laidback vibe and sea views, and Pepe Cucina is easily a new Italian favourite.

Where: Pepe Cucina, Address Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai When: Sunday, Friday-Saturday 1pm to 12am; Tuesday-Thursday 4pm to 12am; closed Mondays Contact: @pepe.cucina WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 35

EAT // REVIEW

S.E.A BISTROT

With real warmth and great cooking, this familyrun Southeast Asian restaurant on Beach Road deserves more fanfare WORDS: LAURA COUGHLIN

ver the years, we’ve come to love the smaller restaurants. It wasn’t always this way. For a long time, we assumed the whole point of a restaurant was spectacle. But somewhere along the line the neighbourhood spot overtook the flagship as the thing worth chasing. That’s what S.E.A Bistrot feels like, a small, unshowy room doing something rather lovely, but largely under the radar. The trouble with restaurants this size is they rarely arrive with a PR team and a hype reel. Without a novel smoking dessert platter or a splashy launch, they get outshouted by louder openings. Which is a shame, frankly, because the cooking here is sublime.

The space It occupies one of those narrow Beach Road addresses, gutted and rebuilt by the owners. Chef Shane Mac Neill has spent the better part of 12 years in serious kitchens (Nobu, Cipriani, Shanghai Me, most recently Mayabay) and it’s evident

36 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

in the confidence and conciseness of the menu. His French wife, Djo, runs the floor, having previously managed restaurants in Paris, including one inside the Louvre. They’ve dressed the façade in slate grey with a cream awning, tucked a four-seat counter downstairs, and laid a handful of tables upstairs beneath a couple of Ancient Asia paintings. Add the terrace and you’re looking at around 30 seats in total.

past, crisp cubes giving way to fresh, generous prawn pockets. Oh, and a word to the wise on the red prawn curry. It’s fantastic, but spicy, so pace yourself, and have your napkin handy to wipe away that incoming sweaty upper lip.

The food and drinks

What’s on the bill?

Despite the name, it is not a seafood restaurant. S.E.A is shorthand for Southeast and East Asia, a nod to the terrain of Shane’s career. What lands on the table is a likeable hybrid of Asian flavours filtered through a French bistrot sensibility. The menu is mercifully short, which is usually the surest sign that a kitchen has confidence in what it does. Highlights include the duck salad, served with micro herbs, apple and pine nuts, the duck itself impressively tender and juicy. Then there’s the wagyu beef gyoza, bursting with rich, gamey flavour. The sesame prawn toast is elevated far above the stiff triangles of Chinese takeaways

Duck salad (Dhs76); Sesame Prawn Toast (Dhs46); Beef gyoza (Dhs48); Red Prawn Curry (Dhs79). As you can see, it’s very reasonable.

The service Djo runs the room like she means it, entirely in command, with the unmistakable air of a Parisian maître d’ who has seen it all. Quite refreshing.

WHAT’S ON VERDICT

Proper technique and real warmth, S.E.A Bistrot deserves a full room every night, so go, tell your friends, and let’s give this new neighbourhood spot the fanfare it perhaps hasn’t yet had.

Where: 456 Beach Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai When: Sun to Sat noon to 10.30pm (closed Mondays) Contact: @seabistrot

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EAT // CHEF’S SOCIETY

CHEF’S SOCIETY Several homegrown restaurants move into the exciting new culinary enclave at City Centre Mirdif WORDS: LAURA COUGHLIN

atch out Dubai Hills and JLT – the city’s dining migration might just have a new postcode. City Centre Mirdif has just unveiled Chef ’s Society, a food hall-meetsrestaurant-cluster with a string of big names, from Michelinrecognised local heroes to a Roman pizza legend making his UAE debut.

38 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Bait Maryam The third outpost for Salam Daqqak’s beloved Levantine kitchen (after the original in JLT and a Sharjah branch), and fittingly, one of the largest spaces in the whole enclave. That’s proof of just how big a following the Michelin Bib Gourmand chef has built here. The room channels the same warm, homey energy as the JLT original with colourful mismatched picture frames and dining chairs. @uae.baitmaryam

Bait Maryam

EAT // CHEF’S SOCIETY

Slab

REIF Japanese Kushiyaki

REIF Japanese Kushiyaki Chef Reif Othman doesn’t do subtle openings, and Chef ’s Society was no exception – he showed up banging a drum outside his red-clad corner spot with a beaming team in tow. The menu spans from breakfast (kaya jam sando, Japanese omelettes) through hand rolls, ramen, kushiyaki grills and hearty short rib and tenderloin mains, essentially a full day’s itinerary under one roof. @reifkushiyaki

Chef Omar Rodrigues has built a reputation as a mall mainstay, with a long-time fixture at Time Out Market and the beloved original in Mercato Mall. At Chef ’s Society, rather than his usual Latin American street-food leanings, expect a more all-day, neighbourhoodfriendly menu built around avo on toast, shakshuka and acai bowls. Betting on a new, more residential crowd clearly also means betting on brunch. @slab.uae

Athar by The Q Lab

Ying Ji Dim Sum

Ying Ji Dim Sum Ying Ji first made waves with a sprawling unit inside Dubai Mall’s Chinatown district. That’s history now, but the brand has landed on its feet with one of the bigger spaces in Chef ’s Society, right alongside Bait Maryam. The open kitchen at the back is the real show with chefs steaming har gow and other signature dim sum by the basketful. @yingji.restaurant

Athar by The Q Lab

Bonci

Bonci Rome’s most-hyped pizza name has finally touched down in Dubai. Chef Gabriele Bonci, the Italian television personality and reigning king of pizza al taglio, brings his signature 48-hour fermented dough, airy inside and shatter-crisp outside, sold by weight at the counter or as fixed dine-in pies. Beyond the pizza, expect fresh pasta, Italian mains, breakfast plates, salads and desserts. @bonciuae

The Q Lab has built its name as a speciality coffee roastery sourcing rare, exclusive beans, and Athar (Arabic for “trace” or “legacy”) is its ode to Emirati heritage cooking. Lamb majboos and chicken madrouba sit next to premium burgers, and suave sandwiches, which is a smart move for group tables where not everyone’s in the mood for a full heritage spread. Finish with date pudding or umm ali. @atharbytheqlab

Anara by Kunal Kapur If the name rings a bell, it’s because Kunal Kapur has spent years as a judge on MasterChef India, guest-starring on MasterChef America alongside Gordon Ramsay along the way. He’s no stranger to Dubai either, already running Pincode in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Hills Mall. Anara is his newest chapter, with a menu split into sections: Curry Corner for the classics (think butter chicken and a lamb curry), From the Grill for gunpowder chicken skewers, fire-roasted okra and tandoori salmon, plus rice dishes and breads anchored by an Old Delhi sourdough kulcha. @anarakitchen.uae

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 39

CONSUME // SHOP

POOLSIDE READY

The pieces for when your plans involve a pool, a lounger and nowhere else to be WORDS: LANA DU

each club season is calling, and your wardrobe should be ready. We’re talking good swimwear, a bag that fits the essentials, a cover-up, accessories and the little extras that take you from the lounger to lunch without a full outfit change.

SANDALS Shell Sandals, FARM Rio, Dhs1,000, levelshoes.com A statement shell charm and slim 5cm kitten heel push these leather sandals past basic. Ankle-tie straps hold them steady from a beach brunch through to dinner.

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SUNGLASSES Rio – Honey Tortoise, Karen Wazen, Dhs698, karenwazen.com Honey tortoise acetate, 100% UV protection, and a frame bold enough to anchor a whole outfit — swimwear, linen or otherwise. One pair doing the work of several.

BRACELET Multi-Colour Organic Stone Beaded Bracelet, Casablanca Paris, Dhs880, casablancaparis.com Pearls and organic stones in multicoloured tones, strung on gold-plated brass with an adjustable chain and lobster clasp. Layers easily into whatever else you’re already wearing.

BEACH TOTE

ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT

Medium Tote Bag in Metallic Paper-raffia, Cooperative Studio, Dhs875, ounass.ae A metallic finish updates the classic woven beach bag without losing the point of it: room for sunscreen, a change of clothes and whatever else the day demands. Twin handles, unlined, no fuss.

Portofino – Noir, Lea, Dhs716, leathelabel.com Ultra-smooth Italian Lycra, an asymmetric crossover front and adjustable back straps make this double-lined one-piece look more considered than a plain black swimsuit has any right to. Minimal, but not boring.

MAXI DRESS Manon Dress, Rat & Boa, Dhs1,600, bloomingdales.ae A minimalist neckline and dramatic low back keep this abstract tribal-print column dress sleek rather than busy. Built to go from the pool to sunset drinks without a costume change.

SUNSCREEN ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF50 Mineral Milk Sunscreen, Summer Fridays, Dhs195, sephora.me Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide handle the SPF50 broad-spectrum coverage; ceramides, glycerin and antioxidants keep skin from drying out. Milky, not chalky, and works across skin types – the one non-negotiable in the bag.

SARONG Mosaic-Print Sarong with Silver Beads, FARM Rio, Dhs1,095, farmrio.ae FARM Rio’s tropical instincts are in full force here — a palm-andparrot print in blue, green and earth tones, with silver beads catching the light along one side. For anyone whose beachwear needs volume.

CAP Ami de Coeur Cap in Cotton Gabardine, AMI, Dhs825, ounass.ae Breathable cotton gabardine with AMI’s Ami de Coeur embroidery at the front, built to finish a look rather than compete with it.

AFTER-SUN LOTION Nuxe Sun After-Sun Lotion, Nuxe, Dhs122, sephora.me For skin that’s had enough sun for one day. This moisturising lotion refreshes and hydrates, leaves a natural sheen, and claims to help a tan last up to two weeks longer. WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 41

We’ve seen every “next big thing” since 1996.

2026 – Etihad Rail

2023 – COP28

2016 – Saudi Vision 2030

2010 – Burj Khalifa

2003 – Saudi Joins WTO

1996 – Qatar’s First LNG Export

SCAN TO READ THE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

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ART | THEATRE | FILM | MUSIC

PA G E 46

Stacked high

Your ultimate October event guide WHATSON.AE | MONTH 2022 43

BOOK EXTRACT

AN AUDIENCE WITH SHEIKH ZAYED

ublished by Motivate Media Group to mark 80 years since Sir Wilfred Thesiger’s first crossing of the Empty Quarter, Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia brings together his remarkable photographs with authoritative essays exploring his journeys, his encounters with Bedouin communities, and a rapidly changing Arabia. Edited by Ian Fairservice and Alexander Maitland, it also features contributions from Sir David Attenborough, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Frank Gardner, Benedict Allen, Elizabeth Edwards and Dr Peter Clark. These essays offer a multifaceted portrait of Thesiger as explorer, photographer, traveller, and observer. They trace his celebrated crossings of the Empty Quarter and his years in Arabia; examine the relationships he forged and the cultures and ways of life he sought to understand; consider the extraordinary photographic record he created; and reflect on his character, influence, and enduring legacy. Personal recollections sit alongside historical and photographic perspectives, revealing both the man himself and a region undergoing profound transformation during his lifetime. The following extract offers a glimpse into this remarkable volume. Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group and co-editor of Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia, recalls the private meetings between Thesiger and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – encounters that ranged from an offer of land in Al Ain to a request for a second-hand Land Rover.

44 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

We were honoured on several occasions to be received privately by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These meetings were never hurried, never ceremonial; they were conversations in the truest sense, often lasting far longer than protocol required. Sometimes we were joined by Edward Henderson, the retired British diplomat who had known the Sheikh since the early days, or by Dr Peter Clark of the British Council. But always present was Zaki Nusseibeh – adviser, interpreter, confidant – whose quiet intelligence and gentle manner ensured that the exchanges flowed with complete naturalness. By then, Wilfred no longer attempted to speak Arabic. Too many years in Africa had muddled his memory of the language; Swahili came more readily to him, and the two became hopelessly entangled. Zaki handled this with effortless grace, translating Wilfred’s words into Arabic and the Sheikh’s replies back into English, always preserving tone, nuance and warmth. The result was a dialogue that felt seamless and completely natural. On our first reunion, after much reminiscing, Sheikh Zayed asked Wilfred if there was anything he might offer him – a personal gift in honour of past times. Wilfred demurred, as he always did, but the Sheikh persisted. By way of example, he suggested that a home and

Above image: Wilfred Thesiger’s last visit with Sheikh Zayed, who is leafing through Motivate’s latest book, Crossing The Sands, in 2000.

M E E T I N G S W I T H S H E I K H Z AY E D small farm might be built for him in Al Ain, to be stocked with camels and goats and staffed for any future visits to the Emirates. It was an astonishing offer, made with genuine affection. Wilfred thanked him with deep sincerity, and we took our leave. Only a few minutes later, as our car pulled away from the palace, he leaned towards me and said, “I’ve had a think about Zayed’s offer.” I turned, surprised. “When next you see him,” he continued, “will you mention that I’d appreciate a Land Rover to replace my old model in Maralal? Doesn’t have to be new – something second-hand would do.” It was said quite matter-of-factly, as though I were in regular attendance at the palace and could simply drop the request into conversation. I put him right on that score, though I admired the practicality of the idea. It was entirely characteristic of him: no interest in luxury, no thought for grandeur – just a dependable vehicle for the rugged slopes of Samburuland. On a later visit, when the Sheikh once again asked if there was anything he might arrange for Wilfred, I was better prepared. Knowing how much Wilfred admired Sir Bani Yas – the Sheikh’s extraordinary wildlife sanctuary – I expressed his respect for what Zayed had created there. At the time the island was reserved solely for the Sheikh’s personal guests. Zaki translated my words, and I watched the Sheikh’s face light up. He was plainly delighted. Within moments he had given instructions for us to be flown there on one of his private aircraft, together with a small party who we thought would enjoy the day. We flew to the island two days later, spent the day photographing herds of oryx, gazelle, zebra, ostrich and other wildlife he had gathered and protected “like a modern-day ark,” as Wilfred put it. We were hosted at the guest palace with immense generosity, and flew back to Abu Dhabi at sunset, carrying with us a memory that neither of us ever forgot. On our last visit to Sheikh Zayed, we were accompanied by three of Wilfred’s old companions: bin Kabina, bin Ghabaisha and Amer. The meeting was warm and full of recollection, the Sheikh visibly moved to see the men who had walked the great journeys with Wilfred half a century before. Towards the end, when he again asked if he might offer anything in honour of Wilfred’s visit, I mentioned that we were planning a celebration in London to mark his ninetieth birthday the following month – and that Wilfred would be deeply touched if his companions could join him.

The Sheikh’s reaction was immediate and wholehearted. He thought it a wonderful idea and instructed his staff to make every arrangement. The three men travelled first class on British Airways and stayed at the InterContinental Hotel, Hyde Park, as guests of the UAE Embassy in London, under the generous care of the UAE Ambassador at the time, Easa Saleh Al Gurg. It was a remarkable sight – the three Rashid companions in full traditional attire, each carrying a khanjar, walking through Hyde Park Corner and accompanying Wilfred to interviews, broadcasts and public appearances. Passers-by stared, photographers hovered, journalists took notes. Yet the men themselves were utterly unfazed. They had, after all, crossed deserts on foot and lived lives of struggle and endurance; London presented no challenges to these hardened travellers. To see them together again, was to witness something profoundly moving. It was not simple nostalgia. The desert had shaped all of them, and here they were in the heart of a modern city, bound by memories no one else could fully understand. Through it all, Wilfred remained as he had always been: direct, amused, grateful yet unassuming. He never asked for anything grand. He accepted the Sheikh’s kindness not as an honour to himself, but as a gesture towards the world they had once known together – a world of desert wells, dunes and, most important of all, companionship.

Above image: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with, from left to right, Edward Henderson, Sir Wilfred Thesiger and Ian Fairservice at Rawdat Al Reed. Bottom left image: Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia book published by Motivate Media Group.

Published by Motivate Media Group, Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia is available through leading bookstores across the UAE and online on Booksarabia.com

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 45

CULTURE // OCTOBER EVENTS GUIDE

OCTOBER IS FULLY BOOKED

Live shows, sport, comedy and theatre: here’s everything worth clearing space for WORDS: AARTI SAUNDALKAR

46 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

DUBAI

WHAT’S ON STAGE

ABU DHABI

UAE National Orchestra When: Oct 10 Abu Dhabi Festival kicks off this October, with the UAE National Orchestra opening the 2026 season with a stirring programme of classical favourites, led by award-winning conductor François López-Ferrer. Georgian pianist David Khrikuli performs Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto No. 2, before the evening closes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. Oct 10, from Dhs225, Etihad Arena

KPopz LIVE When: Oct 2 and 3 This tribute act celebrates the biggest acts in the genre including BLACKPINK, BTS, NewJeans, ITZY, Stray Kids, TWICE, Jung Kook and more. Expect high-impact choreography and immersive visuals. Go armed with your light sticks! Oct 2 and 3, from Dhs80, Theatre by QE2

Beyond Limits by Sergey Vorontsov When: Oct 4, 10, 17 and 24 Watch the impossible come to life at Beyond Limits, an interactive illusion show at TODA at Madinat Jumeirah. Led by Merlin Award-winning illusionist Sergey Vorontsov and his team of performers, the 75-minute show features vanishings, teleportation, transformations and plenty of audience participation. Oh, and you’ll also learn some magic tricks along the way Oct 4, 10, 17 and 24, from Dhs109, Theatre of Digital Art

PLUMA – Circus Spectacular by Cirque du Liban When: Until Dec 31 PLUMA is returning to the big white top at Dubai Festival City this month packed with gravitydefying aerial acts and thrilling acrobatics. It follows the tale of a girl who dreams of flying and it’s a journey that is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. Until Dec 31, from Dhs100, Dubai Festival City Mall

The Amy Winehouse Band When: Oct 8 Celebrate Amy Winehouse’s music and legacy with The Amy Winehouse Band, led by her long-time musical director, bassist and close friend Dale Davis. The original band returns to Dubai Opera on October 8 for a live celebration of her timeless songbook, including Rehab, Valerie and Back to Black. Oct 8, from Dhs300, Dubai Opera WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 47

CULTURE // OCTOBER EVENTS GUIDE

NOSTALGIA LANE God Save The Queen When: Oct 5 One of the world’s acclaimed Queen tribute bands is making its Dubai debut with a live celebration of the legendary rock band’s biggest hits. Led by Pablo Padín, whose resemblance to Freddie Mercury has wowed audiences worldwide, the show will feature classics including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and Somebody to Love. Oct 5, from Dhs295, Dubai Opera

World Hits About Love When: Oct 24 Performed by Tenors of the XXI Century, an ensemble of leading tenors from major opera houses around the world, World Hits About Love moves between operatic masterpieces, romantic classics, Italian and Latin American melodies and famous hits including My Way and Can’t Help Falling in Love. Oct 24, from Dhs299, Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi

Blue When: Oct 25

Gipsy Kings by Andrea Reyes – Symphonic When: Oct 22 Led by Gipsy Kings founder André Reyes, the group brings its firstever symphonic project to Dubai, reworking fan favourites with a full orchestra. Expect Bamboleo, Djobi Djoba, Volare and Un Amor, with new arrangements giving the songs a cinematic feel. Oct 22, from Dhs395, Dubai Opera

Candlelight Concerts: Queen vs The Beatles When: Oct 30 Queen and The Beatles meet in this candlelit concert at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Performed by The Gulf String Quartet, the 60-minute show puts a classical spin on hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Yesterday, and Here Comes the Sun. Oct 30, from Dhs245, Emirates Palace

48 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Blue celebrate their 25th anniversary with a special Dubai tour stop this October. Expect plenty of fan favourites, from Too Close and If You Came Back to Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, as the British boy band brings their biggest hits Dubai. Oct 25, from Dhs299, Expo City Dubai

ON THE DECKS Lost Frequencies When: Oct 3

Black Coffee When: Oct 24

Belgian superstar Lost Frequencies kicks off the new beachfront season at Bohemia, returning to the venue after previous sold-out shows. He’ll bring his signature tropical house sound and global hits, including Are You With Me and Black Friday, with Sam Oui joining him on the decks. Oct 3, from Dhs100, Bohemia Beach Club at FIVE Palm Jumeirah

Deep, soulful Afro-house will take over Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour as Black Coffee steps behind the decks on Black October 24. Coffee Expect layered rhythms, deep grooves and soulful melodies, alongside an entirely new visual production created for the night. After a sold-out show at the venue last year, this should be a big one. Oct 24, from Dhs250, Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience ALSO: If you want more, on the Afro-house radar, Themba brings his signature Africaninfluenced sound to Bohemia at FIVE Palm Jumeirah on Oct 17. Prices from Dhs100. Berlin-based electronic artist Jan Blomqvist is set to bring his atmospheric blend of melodic techno, deep house and indie-inflected vocals to Bohemia at FIVE Palm Jumeirah. Prices from Dhs100.

Robin Schulz Lost Frequencies

Robin Schulz When: Oct 10 Robin Schulz takes over Bohemia at FIVE Palm Jumeirah on October 10, bringing his signature electronic sound to Dubai’s beachfront. The German DJ, known for hits including Sugar, has racked up more than 12 billion streams worldwide. Expect a sunsetto-late set featuring his latest release, Arizona. Oct 10, from Dhs100, Bohemia Beach Club at FIVE Palm Jumeirah

Sonny Fodera

Adam Port When: Oct 31 After winning over Dubai crowds with the iconic Keinemusik sound, Adam Port heads back to Pacha ICONS on Saturday, October 31. Expect the deep, melodic grooves and genre-blending sets he’s become known for, all set against the openair backdrop of Playa Pacha. Oct 31, from Dhs225, Playa Pacha at FIVE LUXE JBR

Carl Cox

Carl Cox When: Oct 9

Sonny Fodera When: Oct 10 Fresh off another huge Ibiza season, Sonny Fodera returns to Dubai for a night of feel-good house music at Pacha ICONS on Saturday, October 10. With tracks like Somedays, Think About Us and All This Time under his belt, it’s set to be another huge night at Playa Pacha. Oct 10, from Dhs160, Playa Pacha at FIVE LUXE JBR ALSO: For fans of underground house and techno, Toman takes over Penthouse at FIVE Palm Jumeirah on the same night. Prices from Dhs200.

Adam Port

Pacha ICONS is kicking off the season with legendary DJ Carl Cox at FIVE LUXE JBR. Known for marathon sets and the electric vibe he creates with the crowd, expect a night of big techno energy that will keep the dancefloor moving all night long. Oct 9, from Dhs210, Playa Pacha at FIVE LUXE JBR WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 49

CULTURE // OCTOBER EVENTS GUIDE

SPORTS

WHERE THE ACTION IS

AUH UFC333 When: Oct 24 Dubai Basketball When: Various dates Dubai Basketball has four home games at Coca-Cola Arena this October. First up is EuroLeague action against Crvena Zvezda on October 8, followed by an ABA League clash with SC Derby on October 19. The team then returns to EuroLeague action against Paris Basketball on October 27 and Hapoel Tel Aviv on October 30. Expect plenty of European basketball as Dubai takes on some of the continent’s top clubs. Various dates, tickets on Coca Cola Arena website

World Championship of Legends (WCL) When: October 3 to 18

Halloween Cup 2026 When: Oct 26 to 31 Watch top polo players and their horses take to the field for the Halloween Cup, the first tournament of the new polo season at Al Habtoor Polo Club. Head along to watch the action and enjoy an afternoon of fast-paced polo in the club’s grounds. It’s a great chance to get up close to the sport and soak up the atmosphere.. Oct 26 to 31, from Dhs50, Al Habtoor Polo Club

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WCL returns to the UAE this October for its third season. Running from October 3 to 18, the tournament brings together seven teams representing India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, the West Indies and Bangladesh, with familiar names including Yuvraj Singh, AB de Villiers, Shahid Afridi, David Warner and Moeen Ali. India Champions and Pakistan Champions meet on October 10, making this one big date for cricket fans. Sharjah Cricket Stadium, tickets go on sale on district.ae

Fight fans, get ready. UFC 333 lands in Abu Dhabi this October with two championship fights on the card. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends his title against undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev, while bantamweight champion Petr Yan takes on former champion and No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili. Oct 24, from Dhs1,368, Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi Power Slap When: Oct 23 Power Slap is back in Abu Dhabi for another night of competitive slap fighting. The headline rematch sees ‘Da Hawaiian Hitman’ take on ‘Dumpling’ for the Super Heavyweight Title, with plenty of hard-hitting action and knockout potential. Consider this your warning: it’s not for the faint-hearted. Oct 23, from Dhs150, Space42 Arena

LAUGH YOUR HEART OUT

DUBAI COMEDY FESTIVAL

ubai Comedy Festival returns October 9 to 18, bringing 10 days of laughs to venues across the city. With more than 40 shows spanning multiple languages, there’s everything from big-name international stand-up to regional and local comedy. Here are some of the top comedians worth spending your dirhams on.

Vir Das One of India’s bestknown international comedians, Vir Das blends sharp observations, storytelling and plenty of cultural commentary in his stand-up. He heads to Coca-Cola Arena on October 18 for an evening of English-language comedy. Expect a mix of big laughs, smart commentary and stories from his life on the road. Oct 18, from Dhs195, Coca-Cola Arena

Katherine Ryan The Canadian comedian is known for her sharp one-liners, deadpan delivery and no-filter takes on everything from dating to family life. Catch her live at Dubai Opera on October 12. Expect plenty of brutally honest observations and her trademark dry humour. Oct 12, from Dhs195, Dubai Opera Mo Gilligan Expect big energy and plenty of laughs from the British comedian, actor and former host of The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan. He brings his larger-than-life stand-up to Dubai Opera on October 12. His comedy mixes personal stories, pop culture and plenty of audience interaction. Front row seats, anyone? Oct 12, from Dhs250, Dubai Opera Zarna Garg The Indian-American comedian has built a huge following with her hilarious takes on marriage, motherhood and family life. Her sharp, relatable comedy comes to Dubai Opera on October 16. If you’ve ever wondered what family life looks like through the eyes of a very funny mum, this one’s for you. Oct 16, from Dhs195, Dubai Opera

COMING UP Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam (Oct 9 and 10), Munawar Faruqui (Oct 11), Alexander Merkul (Oct 15), Shane Todd (Oct 16), Zarna Garg (Oct 16), Abbas Bukhari (Oct 16), Rafi Bastos (Oct 17), John Achkar (Oct 17), Neema Naz (Oct 17), and Amit Tandon (Oct 18).

ABU DHABI COMEDY

bu Dhabi Comedy brings some of the biggest names in stand-up to the capital, with a packed line-up of comedians ready to keep audiences laughing. Russell Peters Canadian comedy heavyweight Russell Peters returns to Abu Dhabi with his observational humour, impressions and plenty of crowd work. He’s one of the biggest names in the line-up and has sold out major venues around the world. Oct 25, from Dhs275, Etihad Arena Morgan Jay Morgan Jay brings his viral brand of musical comedy to Abu Dhabi, mixing stand-up, live music, improvisation and plenty of audience interaction. Expect him to get the crowd involved, with his guitar very much part of the act. Oct 11, from Dhs275, Etihad Arena COMING UP: Mo Amer (Nov 6), Maz Jobrani (Nov 7), Paul Smith (Jan 31), and Whitney Cummings (Jan 31). The Laughter Factory In October, The Laughter Factory is flying in Marlon Davis, George Zach, Denisa Alexe and John Hague to the UAE. Four comedians with very different backgrounds, styles and stories, but one thing in common: they know how to deliver a proper stand-up show. The Laughter Factory’s latest comedy tour takes place across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. thelaughterfactory.com

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CULTURE // OCTOBER EVENTS GUIDE

CULTURAL PERFORMANCES Abu Dhabi Festival When: Oct 10 to Dec 19 Abu Dhabi Festival returns from October 10 to December 19, bringing a packed programme of music, opera, performances and cultural events to venues across the capital. One highlight to look out for is a special recital on October 30 by Emirati cellist Elham Al Marzooqi, the UAE’s first professional female cello soloist, alongside pianist Sooyeon Jun at Zayed National Museum. The programme moves from Baroque works by Bach and Vivaldi to Romantic pieces by Brahms, alongside music by Schubert, Saint-Saëns and Rachmaninoff, before wrapping up with beloved cinematic melodies by Ennio Morricone and George Gershwin. Oct 10 to Dec 19,

Elham Al Marzooqi

Sharjah Film Platform When: Oct 10 to Nov 8

Sharjah Film

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Sharjah Film Platform returns from October 30 to November 8, bringing close to 30 feature-length and short films to Sharjah. The programme spans award-winning titles and UAE-based films by filmmakers from India, Mauritania, Egypt, Indonesia, Lebanon and beyond. Highlights include a selection of films by acclaimed Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, Larissa Sansour and Søren Lind’s An Incomplete Drowning (2026), Ashtar Muallem’s Land of Denied Rituals (2025), and Sharjah Art Foundation Short Film Production Grant-supported films I Broke a Vase (2025) by Asim Abdulaziz and White Musk (2025) by Fatima Wardy. Oct 10 to Nov 8, Mirage City Cinema in Al Mureijah Square

GAME.SET.MATCH When: Oct 16 to 18 A homegrown theatre production with a multicultural cast of local actors, Game.Set. Match puts seven friends in a room, their phones on the table and their secrets up for grabs, one message at a time. Inspired by the hit film Perfect Strangers, the play sees private messages, hidden relationships and uncomfortable truths come to light, with plenty of laughs along the way. Oct 16 to 18, from Dhs105, The Junction Alserkal Avenue

What’s On spoke to Asad Raza Khan, co-producer, and the lead actor and his co-stars ahead of the performance in October. What’s On (WO): What made “Perfect Strangers” the right format to adapt for a UAE stage? Asad Khan (AK): This is a story which has been converted to movies many times all over the world. It has never been adapted for stage, nor was done with a multi-cultural palette (cast/characters). Where else to start rather than the hub for different nationalities. WO: The decision to make the couples multinational (Arab, European, Indian) – was that a deliberate tie-in to Year of Community, or did the timing just line up? AK: It was very deliberate. We want to celebrate community, residents, and everyone who calls Dubai home. All of us have friends and family from different cultures, and we wanted to make it relatable for everyone here and celebrate our diversity. WO: The show was first performed back in 2025, and we heard it was a massive success. What has changed, if anything, based on how the first run landed? AK: We have changed a bit of the script and execution just to make it fresher! However, the heart and soul of the production remain the same which was a sold-out smash success last time. There is a slight change in the cast as well.

Asad Raza Khan

WO: Did the script need any local rewriting, or is it a fairly faithful adaptation? AK: Once the characters were changed to multicultural (and locally relevant) there was a lot of re-writing involved specially in terms of the character and dialogues and the way to interact with one another. Overall, we have kept the plot and pacing true to the original.

With the production’s multicultural cast at the heart of this adaptation, we also spoke to the actors about stepping into their characters and finding moments of familiarity in the story.

WO: A moment in the show that hits closer to home than they expected. Jenni Rasheed Hattab (Emirati playing a Lebanese): There’s a moment in the show where my character reacts in a way that immediately reminded me of someone I used to be very close to. It was almost unsettling how familiar it felt. I wasn’t trying to figure out how this character would behave, because I have seen it before. Jenni (German playing a European Socialite): Every time the phone rings the audience’s anxiety raises. The Alerts are an integral character in this play! This reminded me of times when you have an argument with a friend, co-worker, or partner and are going back-and-forth on text where each ‘notification’ raises your blood-pressure! WO: What it’s like performing a Dubai-specific version of a story told everywhere from Italy to India. Rasheed Hattab: I think the fun part is seeing what changes when a story travels. The foundation is the same, but the humour lands differently, the characters feel different, and even certain moments suddenly mean something else here. Jenni: Game.Set.Match. has a little sprinkle of everything: friendship, love, life, drama AND phones. Our mix of nationalities and cultures make this play relatable for everyone and so much fun to watch!

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY, RESIDENTS, AND EVERYONE WHO CALLS DUBAI HOME - Asad Raza Khan WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 53

CULTURE // OCTOBER EVENTS GUIDE

GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT Marilyne Naaman When: Oct 6 Marilyne Naaman is a Lebanese singer-songwriter known for her distinctive blend of Arabic pop, indie and alternative sounds. She first gained wider attention through her original music and covers shared online, before building a growing audience across the region. Her music explores love, identity and everyday emotions, delivered with an intimate, contemporary sound.. Oct 2, from Dhs295, Dubai Opera

Bloodywood

Bloodywood When: Oct 24

Marilyne Naaman

New Delhi’s genre-defying folk metal band Bloodywood are bringing their explosive live show to Jubilee Park at Expo City Dubai. Expect thunderous riffs, pounding dhol, flute and Hindi and Punjabi lyrics as the band blends Indian folk traditions with heavy metal. Oct 24, from Dhs125, Expo City Dubai

Shaan

Najwa Karam

Najwa Karam When: Oct 2 Lebanese superstar Najwa Karam is bringing her powerful vocals and much-loved Arabic hits to Dubai for a special live performance. Known for her distinctive voice and energetic stage presence, the celebrated singer is set to deliver an evening of classic favourites and crowd-pleasing hits for her UAE fans. Oct 2, from Dhs150, Coca-Cola Arena

Nancy Ajram When: Oct 24

Shaan When: Oct 25

Nancy Ajram

Lebanese pop superstar Nancy Ajram is bringing her much-loved hits to Coca-Cola Arena this October for a special live show. Expect an evening packed with nostalgic favourites, feel-good pop and plenty of singalong moments as one of the Arab world’s biggest stars takes to the stage in Dubai. Oct 24, from Dhs210, Coca-Cola Arena

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Indian playback singer Shaan is set to light up the stage with a nostalgic night of Bollywood favourites and some of his biggest hits. Known for his smooth vocals and instantly recognisable sound, the singer will take fans on a musical journey through the songs that defined a generation. Oct 25, from Dhs150, Coca-Cola Arena

SPORT | FITNESS | WELLBEING

PA G E 56

Summer starts here Time to kick-start that routine THE HOTTEST WORKOUTS. LITERALLY. p59 WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2022 55

BACK IN THE

Dubai Fitness Challenge turns 10

GAME

Ten years in, the premise hasn’t changed: 30 minutes of movement a day, for 30 days, in whatever form you like. A free class, a community run, a yoga session on the beach, or just an extra half hour of walking – the challenge fills the calendar; what you do with it is up to you. Dubai Fitness Challenge 2026 Where: Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, community parks, beaches and participating shopping malls across Dubai When: October 31 to November 29 Cost: Free Contact: @dubaifitnesschallenge

The city is getting busier, and so is its wellness calendar

KORE Theory

WORDS: LANA DU

ctober in this city means one thing: everyone’s suddenly training for something. Between the dinners you’ve already committed to and the ones you haven’t

cancelled yet, here’s where the fitness and wellness calendar is heading this month – races to run, festivals to wander, and one very good excuse to book that massage.

KORE Theory opens in Mirdif The Commons in Mirdif has a new Pilates studio, combining Microformer and Mat Pilates with heated and non-heated classes. Its KORE Reset side adds private sauna and cold plunge suites, including Ember, a contrast therapy room for up to four. KORE Theory Where: The Commons, Mirdif, Dubai When: TBC Cost: Dhs1,995 for the Founding Membership, including unlimited classes, monthly recovery sessions and member perks for one year Contact: koretheory.com 56 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

Dubai Active packs a decade into three days Also turning 10, this one crams three days into Dubai Exhibition Centre: live workouts, competitions and sessions spanning Pilates, HIIT, HYROX, boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. There’s a women’s lifting event, talks and workshops, and kids under 15 get in free. Dubai Active 2026 Where: South Halls, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, Dubai When: October 30 to November 1, 10am to 7pm Cost: From Dhs50 Contact: @dubaiactiveshow

WELLBEING // OCTOBER FITNESS Dubai Muscle Show goes big on strength Strength sports take over Dubai Exhibition Centre for three days, with 450+ fitness and strength brands, live competitions including the Binous Classic, and meet-and-greets with bodybuilding names. HYROX 365, boxing, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Strongman Games fill out the rest. Dubai Muscle Show 2026 Where: Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, Dubai When: October 30 to November 1, 10am to 7pm Cost: From Dhs50 Contact: dubaimuscleshow.com

A new race lands in Al Dhannah This new race debuts with 10km, 5km and 2.5km distances, a race village, refreshments and a finisher medal. It also counts as an official build-up race for the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon – training with a medal attached. Al Dhannah Flat Out Where: Al Dhannah City, Abu Dhabi When: Saturday, October 24 Cost: From Dhs59 Contact: adnocabudhabimarathon.com

Dubai South’s run comes with a family sideshow This Sunday morning run offers 2km, 4km and 6km routes. Cross the line and the Race Village turns into a family event – face painting, balloon twisting, inflatables, games and photo spots, plus music and refreshments. Dubai South Run 2026 Where: Dubai South Headquarters, Dubai When: Sunday, October 18, from 6am Cost: Dhs51.45 Contact: premieronline.com

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WELLBEING // OCTOBER FITNESS

Yas Bay gets its first waterfront race Three distances mark this waterfront debut: the 10-miler for a genuine endurance test, the 5-miler as a middle ground, or the 2.5-miler, open to younger runners and families. Yas Bay 10-Miler Where: Arena Plaza, in front of Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi When: Sunday, October 18, from 6am Cost: From Dhs105 Contact: premieronline.com

HYROX Abu Dhabi gets a women’s day Three days of running and functional fitness return to the capital, in the format that turns a road race into interval training: run, hit a workout station, run again, repeat until you’ve earned the finish line. New this year, Friday belongs entirely to women, with female athletes and spectators getting their own day before the full two-day race programme. HYROX Abu Dhabi 2026 Where: ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Al Khaleej Al Arabi St, Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi When: October 23 to 25 Cost: From Dhs65 Contact: @hyroxme

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Heart & Soul Spa lets the view do the work Massages, hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi rooms sit under one roof in Al Barari, with a relaxation room for after and a nail spa, salon and barber if you’re making a day of it. The pool looks out over Al Barari’s greenery, which does most of the relaxing for you. Heart & Soul Spa Where: Wadi Al Safa 3, Al Barari When: Daily, 10am to 9pm Contact: @heartnsoulspa

ACTIVE // HOT RECOVERIES barre and Reformer, meaning there are several different ways to discover just how much sweat the human body is capable of producing. The temperature brings an added challenge to already controlled, muscle-burning movements, with classes ranging from full-body barre to heated Reformer sessions. Opt in via individual class passes, packages or memberships. BRRN Barre, Al Quoz, mat Dhs155, Reformer Dhs160. @brrnbarre

Heat Map It might be cooling down outside, but these studio sessions are still hot for a spot of mercury-maxxing

REVOLUTION STUDIOS

WORDS: MILES BUCKERIDGE

Reformer gets the headlines honours here at this Scotland-born studio, but the perspiration invitation we’re really interested in is Infrared Sculpt. It’s a fullbody resistance workout under infrared heat, blending strength work, controlled movement and water-bottle-bothering ambient temperatures. There’s currently a three-class introductory pack for Dhs225, should you fancy finding out exactly how water-resistant your activewear truly is. Revolution Studios, JVC, individual sessions from Dhs150. @revolutionstudios.ae

ubai has spent the last few months doing everything in its power to stop us feeling the communal burn. Air-con on full blast, taxis door-todoor, and iced coffee in commercial frate quantities. Now things are cooling down out there, naturally, we’re paying good money to do the exact opposite. Because sweating, it turns out, isn’t just your body being aquatically dramatic. Beyond its important job of stopping you from cooking from the inside out, repeated exercise in the heat has been linked to physiological adaptations including, but not limited to, improved heat tolerance, lower heart rates, and increased VO2 max. And Dubai’s fitness studios are really leaning into it. Hot yoga, it seems, was just the warm-up. Now Pilates, barre, sculpt, core workouts and even Microformer sessions are getting the thermostat-battering treatment. Things are about to get unnecessarily sweaty.

BOOST If regular Microformer wasn’t quite spicy enough for you, Boost has decided to add a little red light spectrum heat to proceedings. Its Infrared Micro Burn class takes the slow, controlled resistance work of a Microformer session and turns up the temp, while Infrared Sculpt swaps the machine for a heated, low-impact strength workout. Expect shaking limbs, serious core work and a slightly damper aesthetic than the one you walked in with. Villa Boost, Al Safa 2, trial classes from Dhs330 for three. @boostdxb

YOFIT HOT STUDIOS

DRYP

DRYP Out of the frying pan and into the drier, less humid months, right? The theory holds until you step through the threshhold of Dubai Marina’s DRYP. This OG of the ºC has been making us voluntarily exercise in hot rooms long before it became fashionable, but its programme now extends well beyond traditional hot yoga. Hot Yoga Sculpt throws weights, cardio and core work into the mix, while Hot Barre and Hot Body Sculpt offer similarly sweat-patched routes to questioning your recent life choices. DRYP Fitness and Yoga Studio, Dubai Marina, single classes from Dhs125. @dryp.ae

Operating at temperatures of around 35 to 40°C, YOFIT has taken the hot-studio rule manual and turned it into a burn book. Alongside traditional yoga you’ll find Hot YoPilates, YoHIIT, YoLates and YoFIIT, hardcore heated hybrid sessions combining everything from Pilates and cardio to strength and resistance work. Essentially, whatever your workout of choice – they’ve found a way to make it hotter and harder. We strongly advise that nobody mention Hyrox to them. The good news, they do have ice baths to balance it all up. YOFIT Hot Studios, DIFC and The Greens, single classes from Dhs125. @yofithotstudios

BRRN BARRE The clue is very much in the name. BRRN Barre specialises in infra-heated workouts spanning Pilates,

BRRN Barre

YOFIT Hot Studios

WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 59

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DESTINATIONS | STAYCATIONS

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Taking residence

The family staycay that takes the notion of home away from home to a new level ONLY HAVE 48 HOURS IN RIYADH? THIS ITINERARY HAS YOU COVERED p62 AN ABU DHABI STAYCATION WHERE STYLE AND SUBSTANCE MEET p65 WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2022 61

TRAVEL // 48 HOURS IN RIYADH

HOW TO SPEND

48 HOURS IN

Riyadh In the Saudi capital for work or play? Make every minute count

W Riyadh – KAFD

WORDS: JUMIRA HANCOCK

link and Riyadh has changed again. There’s a new restaurant to book, another coffee shop everyone’s talking about and entire neighbourhoods that somehow look different from your last visit. Coming from Dubai or Abu Dhabi? The flight is short, and two days is plenty of time to get a feel for the city. Just don’t get too ambitious. Riyadh is sprawling, and the traffic has absolutely no interest in your itinerary. At all. So, choose where you stay wisely and group your plans by area. Here’s our insider’s guide to spending 48 hours in Riyadh.

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Get into the coffee culture

W Riyadh – KAFD

DAY ONE Check in: W Riyadh – KAFD

First things first: drop the bags. W Riyadh – KAFD makes a convenient base, particularly if you want to stay somewhere central without spending half the weekend sitting in traffic. It’s the first W Hotels property in Saudi Arabia, with 210 rooms and suites and plenty of Saudi references throughout the interiors, including Najdi textiles, Al Sadu patterns and a six-metre tapestry by Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem in the lobby. It also puts you straight into KAFD, so have a quick look around before heading out.

Riyadh takes its coffee very seriously. Homegrown cafés and independent roasters are everywhere, and after a couple of days here, ordering a V60 will start to feel completely normal. Camel Step is a Saudi name worth knowing, with several branches around the capital. Stop for a coffee or pick up some beans to take home. And while you’re here, try Saudi coffee, too. Lightly roasted and usually flavoured with cardamom, it’s traditionally served in small cups, often with dates on the side.

Lunch: make it a good one You could spend the entire 48 hours eating your way around Riyadh. Tempting, but there is more to see. For contemporary Japanese, Kuuru and Myazu are both established Riyadh favourites. Or head to MAMO Michelangelo for Italian and Provençal dishes in a grander setting.

Get arty at JAX District Next, head towards Diriyah and JAX District. The former industrial neighbourhood is now packed with galleries, studios and creative spaces. SAMoCA is the main stop for contemporary art, while The Warehouse hosts gigs and live performances. Beast House, MDLBEAST’s members’ club and creative space, also has a regular programme of music and events.

Spend the afternoon in Diriyah From JAX, head to At-Turaif. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was the birthplace of the First Saudi State. Wander through its mud-brick palaces, courtyards and winding pathways – a very different Riyadh from the KAFD skyline you started the day with. Give yourself time to explore before heading across to Bujairi Terrace as the sun starts to go down. Then make your way to Samhania. If you want souvenirs, pop into Bonjour Arabia for contemporary Saudi gifts that are much better than whatever you’ll panic-buy at the airport.

Dinner at Doulmt Omy

Stay in Diriyah for dinner at Doulmt Omy. Set inside a traditional Saudi house, it’s cosy, nostalgic and a nice change from the city’s shinier dining rooms. The menu focuses on Saudi and Najdi dishes, so order a selection for the table. Then call it a night. Kuuru

Beast House

Al Masmak Palace

DAY TWO Breakfast at Lunch Room

Ignore the name. Lunch Room opens for breakfast. The popular spot serves everything from pide bread with honeycomb and gaymar to French toast and plenty of egg dishes. This is very much an order-several-things-for-thetable situation.

Explore old Riyadh

From there, head to Al Masmak Palace, the historic mud-brick fortress in old Riyadh. Today, it houses a museum that explores the capital’s history and its place in the story of modern Saudi Arabia. Then browse Al Mugliah Market and the nearby Souq Al Zal, where you’ll find carpets, oud, incense, antiques and traditional pieces. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, you’ll probably end up buying something.

Kingdom Centre

Stop for a shawarma After yesterday’s restaurant lunch, let’s keep things simple today. Mama Noura has been feeding Riyadh for decades and remains a local institution. Grab a shawarma – chicken or meat, we’re not getting involved in that debate – and move on.

See Riyadh from above

Next, head to Kingdom Centre and take the lift up to the Sky Bridge. From 99 floors up, you get a proper sense of just how far Riyadh stretches. You may also find yourself being slightly more forgiving about the traffic. Slightly.

See Riyadh after dark For your final evening, head to Boulevard Riyadh City. It’s big, bright and busy, with restaurants, shops, games, entertainment and plenty happening, showing you another side of Riyadh entirely.

Have you seen everything? Absolutely not. You’d need considerably longer for that. But you’ll have done old Riyadh and new Riyadh, eaten extremely well, seen contemporary Saudi art, strolled through Diriyah, had the obligatory shawarma and consumed an unreasonable amount of coffee. Not bad for a 48-hour trip. At-Turaif

For more Riyadh-and-beyond-recommendations and insider tips, follow What’s On KSA @whatsonksa WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 63

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From expertly chargrilled meats to elegant mezze spreads, every dish is crafted with time-honored recipes, premium ingredients, and a passion for authentic Lebanese flavors. Proudly serving Abu Dhabi and now bringing our signature culinary experience to Dubai, offering an exquisite journey through the heart of the Levant.

TRAVEL // STAYCATION

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

A polished city escape where the room alone is worth the trip WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE

here’s something satisfying about checking into a hotel for a work trip and realising you’ve accidentally given yourself a staycation. That was me at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. I was in Abu Dhabi for business, which meant I could lean into the quieter side: downtime between meetings, a room with a view, the pool and beach downstairs, and the feeling that everything is taken care of without you having to think too hard about it. We all know Etihad Towers is impressive from the outside, but staying high up inside gives you a different appreciation of its scale.

THE SETTING The location is hard to fault. Sitting on the western end of the Corniche, the hotel is close to Qasr Al Watan and the Presidential Palace, while still feeling removed enough to provide a proper escape. There are three outdoor pools and a 2,200-square-metre private beach, making it instantly clear why families and leisure guests return. It has the facilities of a resort without losing its connection to Abu Dhabi.

THE ROOM This was the real wow factor. I stayed in a King Club Room on Level 45, and the

sea view was the sort that makes you stop when you walk through the door. The Gulf stretches out below, the Corniche runs along the coastline and the sheer height gives the room a real sense of occasion. The room is sleek, modern and properly comfortable, but it’s the view that stays with you. Coming back after meetings and gazing out on the vista is your own private sanctuary that’s hard to beat. Then morning comes, the curtains open and the day starts with the Gulf spread out below.

happened when they needed to happen, requests were handled and spaces stayed immaculate. It felt effortless. It’s also what made me want to return with the family. I saw plenty of families using the pools and moving around the property, and it felt genuinely welcoming rather than like a business hotel that happens to tolerate children.

THE FOOD & DRINK

THE FINAL SAY

The dining line-up is a major draw, with more than 12 restaurants and bars, including SUSHISAMBA, José by Pizarro, Li Beirut and SOLE. Then there’s Ray’s Bar on Level 62, while the Observation Deck reaches the 74th floor and offers a 360-degree view of the capital. In other words, you don’t need to get back in the car to make an evening of it.

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers occupies an interesting middle ground: part city hotel, part beach resort, with enough dining and leisure options to make staying in feel like a choice rather than a necessity. For me, the room and that extraordinary sea view were the highlight. Add the service, location and sheer amount to do on site, and it’s a property I’d happily return to – this time with the family in tow.

THE ACTIVITIES The private beach and three pools are the obvious draw, while the fitness facilities and spa offer a quieter alternative. Being there without the family made me appreciate the property’s quieter side. With no need to rush between activities, there was plenty of space to slow down and enjoy the downtime.

THE PACKAGE

THE EXPERIENCE

Room rates vary according to room type and dates. Check current rates when booking.

The standout was the service. Everything felt polished without becoming overly formal, and the property never gave the impression that you needed to be wearing a suit or carrying a business card to belong here. Most importantly, the service never felt like it was trying too hard. Things

Day passes for the pools and private beach start at AED 250 on weekdays and AED 350 at weekends, including F&B credit. Family Escape packages cover two adults and two children, with Kids Club access included.

THE COST

THE DETAILS

Location: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi Contact: (02) 811 5555; @conradetihadtowers WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2026 65

TRAVEL // STAYCATION

There was music and dancing, too. My three-year-old followed the dancers around, attempting to copy their moves. They encouraged her to join in, she was delighted with herself and, importantly, tired enough for bed afterwards. Breakfast at the InterContinental’s buffet hit all the right notes, while Bistro 81 back at the Residences offered elevated but relaxed fare that we happily devoured.

InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi A beautifully elevated home away from home that makes a family feel instantly at ease WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE

“Wow. This is so much nicer than our home.” My eight-year-old delivered that verdict within minutes of walking into our two-bedroom suite. Bless the innocence of children. For the record, we don’t live in squalor, but his reaction actually sums up what makes InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi work so well. It has serious wow factor, with beautiful finishes, huge sea views and a sense of indulgence, yet somehow feels warm and immediately comfortable. And with an eight-year-old and threeyear-old in tow, that matters.

THE RESIDENCE Walking into the suite feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being handed the keys to an exceptionally nice apartment. The separate kitchen leads into a dining area and then a huge living room with uninterrupted sea views. The two bedrooms sit at opposite ends of the suite, which gives mum and dad a little distance from the kids – at least in theory. (Small feet inevitably made their way across the suite in the night and into our bed. The kids had clearly decided they were home.) The design is sleek and sophisticated without feeling remotely stuffy. Everything 66 OCTOBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE

feels considered around comfort, and the space is generous without ever feeling OTT.

THE SETTING & ACTIVITIES Staying at the residences also gives you access to the neighbouring InterContinental Abu Dhabi, effectively opening up two properties to explore. For us, that meant plenty of buggy rides between the two, heading to the family pools, the kids’ pool and the larger pool down by the beach. The children loved the freedom of darting around between the properties, and getting there was part of the fun. We spent plenty of time in the water, but some of my favourite moments were the simplest: playing catch together in the pool while the pool bar was close enough for mum and dad to order a drink. My wife also managed a spa treatment and returned looking like she was floating. Happy wife, happy life may be a cliché, but nobody was complaining.

THE FOOD & DRINK Chamas was the standout. Quite possibly one of the best churrascaria experiences I’ve had. Yes, there’s plenty of meat, but this was juicy, tender and varied enough to keep the tastebuds interested. Add the huge salad bar and unlimited sides and the whole thing becomes wonderfully indulgent.

THE EXPERIENCE The service was perhaps the biggest difference-maker. At every opportunity, we felt like we were being made to feel at home – staff naturally engaged with the children and included them rather than simply directing everything towards mum and dad. There’s a lovely balance here: the residence provides tranquillity and space when you want to retreat, while the neighbouring hotel gives the family plenty to do. Most tellingly, the kids have been asking to go back. A lot.

THE FINAL SAY “Home away from home” is one of those phrases hotels use liberally. Here, it feels appropriate. The difference is that your home probably doesn’t have floor-to-ceiling sea views, beautifully finished interiors, multiple pools, a private beach and a buggy waiting to take you to breakfast. It’s familyfriendly without feeling like a family resort. For us, that was the sweet spot.

THE DETAILS

Location: InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi Contact: (02) 599 9333; @intercontinentalresidencesad

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TAT T U R E STAU R A N T D U BA I . M E TAT T U , L E V EL 74 , L E V EL 8 1 , CU ISINE IN STUNNING SU RROU NDINGS

C I EL TOW ER , D U BA I M A R I N A , UA E

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LE CLOUD BRUNCH DINE 122 FLOORS ABOVE DUBAI Gather for a sky-high brunch brimming with exceptional flavors, captivating music, and unforgettable skyline views. Every Saturday | 1.00pm to 4.30pm Level 122, At.mosphere Restaurant and Lounge & Bar, Burj Khalifa From AED 350 per person Lounge afterparty with Sunset Package AED 155 per person

+971 4 888 3828

atmosphereburjkhalifa.com

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Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

WELCOME

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DESIGN Art Director Sheila Deocareza

COMMERCIAL

Though its form has evolved over the years, brunch remains a vital thread within the UAE’s culinary fabric. It’s a format the country has metabolised into a masterclass, built on a rich tradition of communal dining. The UAE brunch scene celebrates the incredible diversity of international and local cuisine found within its borders, one where the palatepleasing runs the full gastronomic gamut from Michelin Star-spangled tables to street food phenomenons, fun-fuelled fiestas to slow and graceful grazing, but never compromising on exceptional standards of hospitality. Wherever you choose to drop your fork on the map we’ve assembled the best concepts, the latest trends, and the most important players. In this season’s guide, you’ll find 135 brunches from across the UAE – from long-standing favourites to exciting new arrivals, offering plenty of inspiration for the weekends ahead. Enjoy.

Commercial Director, Dubai & Northern Emirates Violeta Popescu | violeta.popescu@motivate.ae Senior Sales Manager Pamela Bayram | pamela.bayram@motivate.ae Senior Sales Manager, Abu Dhabi Nitika Sharma | nitika.sharma@motivate.ae Sales Manager, Abu Dhabi Lina Abdelaziz | lina.abdelaziz@motivate.ae Senior Sales Executive Ali Mohammad | ali.mohammad@motivate.ae

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Bar du Port

BAR DU PORT The French Riviera lands on Yas Marina every Saturday at Bar du Port, where a resident DJ keeps the energy high and Mediterraneaninspired plates keep coming. Brunch du Port remains a firm fixture on the capital’s party circuit, though packages now start from a slightly steeper Dhs320. Come for the harbour views, stay for the after-brunch dancing. Yas Marina, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs320 soft, Dhs410 house, Dhs510 prosecco, Dhs680 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 354 8088. @barduportabudhabi

CENTRAL Family brunching gets a serious upgrade at Central, where burgers, shakes and arcade games collide inside Yas Bay’s ultimate fun factory. Every package comes loaded with Dhs100 of game credit, so bowling lanes, simulators and gaming machines are all fair game between courses. It remains one of the capital’s most reliable weekend outings for kids and grown-ups alike. Yas Bay Waterfront, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs250 soft and teens 12 to 21, Dhs350 house, Dhs200 children five to 12. Tel: (0)4 423 8311. @central_uae

Central

COOPER’S BAR & RESTAURANT Cooper’s keeps things hearty with an unlimited spread of roasted prime rib, braised brisket and shepherd’s pie, backed by bottomless drinks and live music from the resident DJ and band. It’s a proper feast for those who like their Saturdays loud and their plates full. Keep the party going after brunch with a drinks package from Dhs139. Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Sat, Dhs249 soft, Dhs339 house, Dhs389 premium. Tel: (0)2 657 3325. @coopersabudhabi

Crust

CRUST Four Seasons Abu Dhabi’s Crust remains the go-to for a globe-trotting gourmet buffet, with executive chef Christian Buenrostro and pastry chef Rasika Weerasinghe curating dishes that span continents. The family-friendly Saturday spread runs from 1pm to 4pm and serves as a dependable, elegant choice for a laid-back weekend feast. Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs345 soft, Dhs445 house. Tel: (0)2 333 2444. @fsabudhabi

FAIRMONT BAB AL BAHR The Grand Brunch remains one of the capital’s most comprehensive weekend feasts, pulling together CuiScene’s all-day dining with the elevated flavours of Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Marco’s Italian. Expect a world tour of cuisine: think Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, Japanese and Italian, set to live vocals every Saturday afternoon. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs345 soft, Dhs495 house. Tel: (0)2 654 3333. @fairmontbabalbahr

DINO’S BISTRO ITALIANO

JUMEIRAH AT SAADIYAT ISLAND

Pearl Rotana’s Italian favourite Dino’s hosts brunch every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, which now features cheese and antipasti stations as well as assorted desserts for the table to share. Whichever day you choose, expect warm, unfussy hospitality and the finest flavours of Italy on every plate. Little ones under five eat free, with kids six to 11 getting half off. Pearl Rotana, Sat and Sun, noon to 4pm, Dhs220 soft, Dhs280 bubbly. Tel: (0)2 307 5555. @dinosbistroitaliano

White’s Saturday brunch returns to Saadiyat’s shores on October 17 after its summer breather, and it’s worth the wait. Live cooking stations roam the globe, from sizzling grills to delicate Asian bites, while percussion and live music keep the terrace buzzing. Kids are well looked after too, making this an easy pick for a lazy weekend feast by the water. Jumeirah At Saadiyat Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs415 soft, Dhs535 house, Dhs675 premium, Dhs200 children five to 11. Tel: (0)2 811 4342. @jumeirahsaadiyatisland

LOCK, STOCK & BARREL Saturday Night Live Brunch brings Lock, Stock & Barrel’s signature live music to Yas Island every Saturday evening. A crowd-pleasing sharing menu and unlimited beverages backdrop a night built around continuous entertainment, so bookmark this for a fun night out with your mates. Yas Bay, Yas Island, Sat, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs200. @lockstockabudhabi

MCCAFFERTY’S Proper Irish craic lands at Hilton Abu Dhabi – Yas Island every Saturday courtesy of McCafferty’s. The four-hour package brings sharing starters, a choice of main and non-stop live entertainment, all at a price that won’t wreck the weekend budget. Not ready to call it a day? Stick around for the three-hour drunch that follows, taking the party through to 8pm for Dhs199. Hilton Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Yas Bay, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs219. Tel: (0)58 598 3623. @mccaffertysyas

McCafferty’s

Dino’s Bistro Italiano

MIKA

MIKA MIKA’s Riviera Brunch keeps the Mediterranean dream alive on the Yas Marina waterfront. Chef Mario Loi’s small plates and sharing platters showcase the coast’s best flavours, poured alongside seasonal cocktails and boutique wines while a live DJ keeps the afternoon breezy. It’s refined without being fussy, making it exactly the vibe a marina-side Saturday calls for. Yas Marina, Yas Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs299 soft, Dhs449 house, Dhs595 Champagne. Tel: (0)56 433 1422. @mika.abudhabi

NALU RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Family and pet-friendly Nalu invites you to discover a vibrant spread of coastal-inspired, fresh dishes, designed to be shared and savoured for the perfect outing with friends, family, and pets, set within a lively and vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Surf Abu Dhabi. It’s a sunsoaked, unfussy way to spend an afternoon by the water. Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs235 soft, Dhs299 house. Tel: (0)2 419 8509. @nalu_restaurant

Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

PARADISO Dolce Vita spirit meets marina views at Paradiso, where a duo of Italian-leaning brunches run back-to-back on Saturdays and Sundays. Indoor and outdoor seating both do the Yas Bay setting justice, whether you’re after a leisurely lunch in the shade or peoplewatching on the waterfront. Mediterranean plates and easy sparkling packages make it a weekend regular for good reason. Yas Bay Waterfront, Sat and Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs350 house, Dhs450 sparkling. Tel: (0)50 437 2869. @paradisoabudhabi

RIXOS PREMIUM SAADIYAT ISLAND Turquoise Restaurant’s Garden Brunch stretches Saturday indulgence to three-anda-half hours of international and Turkishinspired specialities. The abundant buffet is built for grazing at your own pace, making it a solid pick for a long, unhurried afternoon on Saadiyat Island. Saadiyat Island, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs525. Tel: (0)2 492 2222. @rixospremiumsaadiyat

SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB Enjoy a sun-soaked day at the Farm to Beach brunch, which pairs a gourmet menu with unlimited drinks in one of Saadiyat Island’s most breathtaking seaside settings. Extend the afternoon further once brunch ends at 4pm, with pool and beach access for Dhs200 per person. Saadiyat Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs375 soft, Dhs475 house, Dhs575 sparkling. Tel: (0)2 656 3500. @saadiyatbeachclub

SIDDHARTA LOUNGE Sensory Brunch turns Siddharta Lounge’s rooftop into an after-dark playground every Saturday. Pan-Asian dishes flow alongside unlimited drinks as a DJ builds the energy through the evening, making this the go-to pick for anyone who wants their brunch to run straight into the night. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Sat, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs259 soft, Dhs359 house, Dhs459 sparkling. Tel: (0)50 601 1194. @siddhartalounge_abudhabi

SOFRA BLD Sofra bld’s Gardens of Babylon brunch remains one of Abu Dhabi’s most theatrical Saturday outings, with the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri setting lending itself to over-thetop indulgence. Unlimited drinks and live entertainment keep the energy high across a genuinely lavish spread. It’s the kind of brunch built for going all afternoon. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs378 soft, Dhs478 house, Dhs578 sparkling. Tel: (0)2 509 8555. @shangrilaabudhabi

SUSHISAMBA Bringing the spirit of Rio to Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad towers is SUSHISAMBA’s highoctane party brunch that unfolds with vibrant flavours, energetic entertainment and drinks packages that keep the ambience high. Begin in the restaurant or out on the waterside terrace, before the afternoon energy takes over and guests move up to the Samba lounge and terrace. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs495 soft, Dhs595 house, Dhs695 Champagne, Dhs200 children four to 12. Tel: (0)2 811 5882. @sushisambaabudhabi

Siddharta Lounge

Sushisamba

Sofra bld

TEATRO Teatro’s GuiltyFish brunch keeps Abu Dhabi’s sushi lovers coming back every Saturday. Expect bold Pan-Asian flavours, generous sharing platters and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere with activities for the little ones that all come together for an unforgettable weekend experience. Park Rotana, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 premium. Tel: (0)2 657 3317. @teatroabudhabi

TIKI PACIFICO Tiki Pacifico trades in tropical escapism every Saturday with its Aloha Brunch, a Polynesianinspired set menu served against Al Bandar Marina’s waterfront backdrop. Expect freeflowing drinks, hula dancers and a live DJ keeping the energy up from the terrace to indoors. It’s the easiest way to feel like you’ve left the city without leaving Al Raha. Al Bandar Marina, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs199 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 premium. Tel: (0)50 696 9298. @tiki.pacifico

Teatro

Tiki Pacifico

Zuma

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

W ABU DHABI – YAS ISLAND Every Saturday, Garage Restaurant turns up the volume with one of the liveliest weekend fixtures in the capital, the B.I.G Brunch. Guests can indulge in five distinct culinary stations offering a diverse range of flavours. From Asian-inspired dishes to Indian specialties, classic Italian fare, and authentic Japanese-Peruvian creations. Expect delights like the sizzling Thai Green Curry alongside shareable treats such as Foie Gras Kibbeh and Avocado Chaat. Complementing the feast, 11 taps flow with an extensive selection of beverages, while skilled mixologists craft signature cocktails and a DJ keeps the vibes on track. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs390 soft, Dhs475 house, Dhs590 sparkling. Tel: (0)2 656 0000. @wabudhabi

THE WB™ ABU DHABI The Directors’ Club turns Saturday into a three-hour feast, with premium cuts leading a spread built for serious appetites. Start

with dishes like burrata and beef tartare followed by a choice of mains – although it would be a mistake not to try the char-grilled tomahawk, served theatrically tableside for an additional Dhs40. It’s all backed by live entertainment that keeps the afternoon moving. It’s brunch with a bit of Hollywood swagger, Yas Island style. The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs320 soft, Dhs399 house, Dhs460 premium. @thewbabudhabi

ZUMA Zuma’s Baikingu Brunch is still the benchmark for a Saturday done right, opening with shrimp tempura and crispy squid before the robata station takes over with miso black cod and wagyu ribeye. Sashimi, nigiri and maki flow throughout, and the eclectic dessert display closes the show. Live cooking, sharp cocktails, zero compromises. Al Maryah Island, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs495 soft, Dhs595 Prosecco, Dhs695 Champagne, Dhs195 children four to 12. Tel: (0)2 401 5900. @zumaabudhabi

KAI BEACH BRUNCH 3AL LEBNANY The four-time Michelin-selected restaurant invites guests to settle in for a vibrant Lebanese brunch filled with generous flavours, authentic dishes and flowing beverages, all served with the warmth of true Lebanese hospitality and paired with the sounds of a one-man show. Byblos Sur Mer, Sun, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs185 soft, Dhs285 house. Tel: (05) 721 1079. @byblos_sur_mer

CAPILA SPLASH BRUNCH The table fills with loaded tacos, tostada bites and nachos, followed by chargrilled anticuchos, sizzling chicken fajitas and waffle fries, with churros and tres leches to finish. Margaritas, palomas and the signature Capila Colada keep things holiday-ready, while pool, beach and Kids’ Club access make a full day of it. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs185 soft, Dhs265 house, Dhs350 sparklingt. Tel: (0)2 208 6974. @hiltonabudhabiyasisland

DAI PAI DONG Dai Pai Dong’s Yum Cha Brunch remains the Sunday standard for modern Cantonese dining, opening with light salads and soups before a parade of dim sum — steamed shrimp, beef short rib — takes the stage. Canton roasted duck and a live BBQ station anchor the mains. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs298 soft, Dhs398 house, Dhs528 premium. Tel: (0)2 813 5550. @rosewoodabudhabi

ILIOS Ilios’ Aegean Brunch is built around chargrilled seafood, slow-cooked meats and a generous mezze spread. Set right on the beach, it trades marble columns for sea breeze and does so without losing an ounce of polish. Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs325 soft, Dhs450 house. Tel: (0)2 419 8508. @ilios.abudhabi

Kai Beach’s Family Table Brunch keeps Sundays easy and sun-drenched, with a lemonade bar for the kids and sharing plates of mussels, prawns and beef tenderloin for the table. Beach access comes with every package, so the day can run straight into a lounge-and-swim afternoon. Saadiyat Island, Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs360 soft, Dhs460 house, 50% off children five to 11. Tel: (0)50 2835 795. @kaibeachsaadiyat

LA PETITE MAISON LPM’s Sunday brunch keeps its French Riviera credentials fully intact, opening with a viennoiserie basket before eggs and sundrenched tartines carry the meal through to mid-afternoon. Drinks flow freely and unhurriedly, in keeping with the restaurant’s Mediterranean unhurried spirit. The Galleria Al Maryah, Sun, 12pm to 4.30pm, Dhs390 soft, Dhs465 house, Dhs640 Champagne, Dhs195 children. Tel: (0)2 692 9600. @lpmabudhabi

SONTAYA Sontaya’s Himalayan Brunch continues to chart the culinary route between the Ganges and the Mekong every Sunday, layering succulent kebabs and aromatic curries with wok-fired plates and vibrant street food. It’s a spice-led, soulful spread that feels equally at home on a beachfront terrace as it does at altitude. . The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 sparkling, Dhs175 children five to 12. Tel: (0)2 498 8443. @sontayaabudhabi

UMI SOCIAL BRUNCH Named for the Japanese word for “sea”, Umi Social Brunch at Catch at St Regis Abu Dhabi gives Sundays a distinctly coastal edge. Things kick off with freshly shucked oysters and sashimi before the theatrical Tuna Ritual takes centre stage, followed by grilled seafood, Wagyu ribeye and refined Japanese-inspired plates. Cocktails flow, a live DJ spins Afrobeat and a live calligrapher adds a personal touch. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs425 soft, Dhs575 house, Dhs675 Champagne. Tel: (02) 694 4615. @catchatstregis

#REVUP YOUR RACE WEEKEND 3rd - 6th December 2026 Enjoy iconic views of the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixTM with surprises at every turn. Discover epic brunches, exciting culinary activations and an unforgettable stay at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island Reserve now at wrevup.com 971 50 642 0893 | 971 2 656 0000

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BA Boldly Asian

the Thai pomelo and crab salad, a selection of maki rolls, Indonesian beef rendang and a miso caramel chocolate tart for dessert. Fairmont The Palm, Fri, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 premium. Tel: (0)4 457 3388. @ba.boldlyasian

THE BEACH GRILL

Ammos

AMMOS Escape to the Aegean without leaving JBR at Ammos’ Thalassa Brunch, a sun-kissed Friday night ritual of sharing starters, a la carte mains and sweet finales built for the table. Gavin and the Supernovas keep the energy roaming all night, turning dinner into an impromptu dance floor. It’s coastal Greece, minus the flight. Rixos Premium Dubai JBR, Fri, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs355 house, Dhs395 sparkling. Tel: (0)52 777 9473. @ammosgreekdubai

BA BOLDLY ASIAN Fairmont The Palm’s refined Pan-Asian restaurant BA Boldly Asian has recently reopened, and while it’s culinary identity may have evolved, its much-loved Friday night brunch returns. Every Friday night, enjoy a leisurely spread that includes highlights like

Brunchissimo at The Beach Grill is all about generous dining, live entertainment and a proper beachfront atmosphere, with all the crowd-pleasers you’d expect on the menu, coupled with a vibrant atmosphere that helps set the tone, makes for a fun Friday night. Address Beach Resort, Hotel, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Fri, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs275 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs475 prosecco and Aperol Spritz, Dhs775 Champagne. Tel: (04) 879 8866. @thebeachgrill

THE BLACK SHEEP Ease into the weekend at this JLT favourite, where a hearty main like sausage and mash, fish and chips or the daily pie comes paired with three hours of unlimited house drinks. Live music keeps things easy and unpretentious; no fuss required. A dependable Friday reset for the JLT crowd. Pullman Hotel, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Fri, 8pm to 10pm, Dhs265 house, Dhs315 premium. Tel: (0)58 599 5664. @theblacksheepdubai

Gallery 7/40

THE CITRONELLE CLUB

THE PENTHOUSE DUBAI

Every Friday and Saturday, embark on a flavour-flight of bold Asian flavours served with theatrical flair at SO/Uptown. Threehour packages from 7pm until midnight pair free-flowing drinks with a set menu designed to share, all served up to live entertainment. SO/Uptown, Fri and Sat, three-hour packages 7pm to 12am, Dhs299 soft, Dhs349 house, Dhs499 premium. Tel: (0)50 421 0753. @citronelle.dxb

The Penthouse does Friday nights right with a three-hour evening brunch that gets the party started. A sundowner-into-nightfall affair for those who like their brunch with a party pulse, SKINNYLOOP and Jax are on deck duties, spinning high-energy rhythms and feel-good energy as the room builds from laidback arrival to full dancefloor takeover. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Fri, 8.30pm to 11.30pm, Dhs299. Tel: (0)52 900 4868. @thepenthousedubai

GALLERY 7/40 Secret Parties’ sellout Big Fat Greek Brunch keeps the plates smashing every Friday at Gallery 7/40. Expect a full spread of Greek delicacies, unlimited pours and a room that tips from dinner into full-blown party within the hour. It’s 3.5 hours of controlled chaos that regularly rolls into an afterparty for those not ready to call it a night. Gallery 7/40, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Fri, 7pm to 10.30pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs475 house, Dhs575 premium. @secretpartiesdxb

SANTÉ RIA Santé Ria’s Azucar Brunch turns Friday night into a Latin-fuelled fiesta at The First Collection JVC, now at a friendlier price point than before. Three hours of zesty bites and free-flowing drinks come set to Latin beats that keep the energy high until midnight. A later-starting, wallet-easier option for those who like their brunch to run into the night. The First Collection, JVC, Fri, 9pm to 12am, Dhs199 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 sparkling. @santeriadubai

ULA Ula’s Candlelit Boho Brunch remains Palm Jumeirah’s most relaxed Friday hangout, all flickering candlelight, bohemian styling and a laid-back three-course spread spanning the Mediterranean. Pricing has ticked up a little this season, but the languid, unhurried mood that made it a favourite hasn’t changed a bit. Come for the ambience, stay for the slow-drip evening. Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Fri, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs375 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 sparkling. @uladxb

ZETA SEVENTY SEVEN Sun, fun and skyline views come together at Zeta Seventy Seven, with not one – but three brunches taking place at the record-breaking infinity pool on Fridays. Whether you book the afternoon, sunset or night slot, expect three-and-a-half hours of alfresco bliss gazing out over the city, with sips, bites and cool tunes. Note that pool access isn’t included with the soft package, and is subject to availability with the house package. Address Beach Resort, Fri, 1pm to 4.30pm, 5pm to 8.30pm or 9pm to 12.30am, Dhs327 soft, Dhs427 house, Dhs527 premium. Tel: (0)4 879 8866. @zetaseventyseven

Ula

Zeta Seventy Seven

Santé Ria

Above Eleven

5 IRON

ABOVE ELEVEN

Five Iron Golf ’s double-header Saturday brunch, Kiss My Putt, packs three hours of private-bay simulator time into both an afternoon and evening sitting, with bites, free-flowing drinks and a full arcade of darts, shuffleboard and billiards on the side. It’s part sports bar, part brunch, entirely built for groups who’d rather swing than sit still. Pick your slot and settle in. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Sat, 2pm to 5pm and 8pm to 11pm, Dhs245 soft, Dhs345 house, Dhs445 draught beer. Tel: (0)4 396 6867. @fiveirongolf.uae

Fourteen floors above Palm West Beach, the Yunza-11 Brunch keeps Above Eleven’s Saturday crowd well fed on Nikkei favourites: think sushi rolls, zesty ceviches and prawn tempura, against a backdrop of Marina, Harbour and Palm views. Hourly surprises punctuate the afternoon, and dessert brings the room’s favourite gimmick: find the gold coin and your whole brunch costs just Dhs11. Stick around for the 4pm to 6pm afterparty, where drinks packages start from Dhs199. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 Prosecco, Dhs650 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 666 1420. @aboveelevendubai

African Queen

AFRICAN QUEEN African Queen turns up the heat on J1 Beach every Saturday with its Riviera-meetsrainforest ‘Call of the Jungle’ brunch. Expect a three-act culinary journey through FrenchMediterranean plates, free-flowing drinks and a live DJ keeping the energy high through the afternoon. It’s confirmed running into late November, so there’s no excuse to miss it before the season winds down. J1 Beach, Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs450 soft, Dhs580 house, Dhs690 premium, Dhs850 Champagne. Tel: (0)52 778 0760. @africanqueen_dubai

AKIRA BACK Candypants’ Brunch Refined at Akira Back remains one of the Palm’s most reliable Saturday bookings, pairing Japanese cuisine with Korean and international flourishes against W Dubai – The Palm’s postcard views. The Candypants crew bring their trademark high-energy hosting to the afternoon, and an SoBe Rooftop afterparty extends the fun with drink vouchers. Package pricing appears to have crept up since our last check, so it’s worth confirming the top tier when you book. W Dubai – The Palm, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, from Dhs399 soft, Dhs449 house, Dhs549 premium. Tel: (0)58 177 9831. @candypantsdxb

Alici

ALICI Alici’s Bluewaters Island brunch remains a breezy weekend fixture, with the same easy seafood-forward format running Saturdays and Sundays alike. Crudo, antipasti and Italian mains flow through the afternoon, backed by a well-stocked wine and sparkling list. It’s the sort of low-key, high-quality double brunch that rewards regulars. Bluewaters, Sat and Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs595 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 275 2577. @alicidubai

AMARU Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s Latin American favourite claims Saturdays with Amigos Brunch, a fire-led feast of ceviches, tacos, arepas and the restaurant’s celebrated 36hour asado negro, all building toward sunset as live DJs blend Latin beats with Afrobeats, Amapiano and R&B tunes. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sat, 3pm to 7pm, Dhs350 house, Dhs499 premium. Tel: (0)4 227 5881. @amarudubai

AMAZÓNICO DUBAI Amazónico’s DIFC jungle transforms into full carnival mode every Saturday, with a Nikkeiinflected menu, pulsing Latin house and live percussion driving the room. The brunch now rolls straight into an afterparty in the lounge until 6.30pm, so it’s one for when you’re looking for a fun-filled afternoon that rolls into the evening. DIFC, Sat, 12pm to 4.30pm, Dhs445 soft, Dhs545 house, Dhs745 bubbly. Tel: (0)4 571 3999. @amazonicodubai

Amaru

Akira Back

Attiko

ANANTARA THE PALM DUBAI RESORT Crescendo’s Fork and Cork brunch still holds court every Saturday at Anantara The Palm, spinning cooking stations and sizzling grills into a relaxed, Palm-view feast. Live entertainment keeps the afternoon moving, and the dessert table remains the talking point long after plates are cleared. It’s a dependable all-you-can-eat classic, though it’s worth double-checking the latest price tiers when booking. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs449 soft, Dhs549 house, Dhs749 Champagne, Dhs150 children five to 11. Tel: (0)4 567 8304. @crescendodubai

At.mosphere

AT.MOSPHERE

ATTIKO

Few brunches can claim a view quite like this one. Le Cloud Brunch takes over At.mosphere on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa every Saturday, pairing refined plates with a well-judged soundtrack and skyline views you won’t find anywhere else in the city. When the brunch winds down, the party doesn’t have to: the Sunset Package carries things into the lounge for an afterparty. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, from Dhs350, lounge afterparty with Sunset Package Dhs155. Tel: (0)4 888 3828. @atmospheredubai

High above Mina Seyahi, Attiko’s rooftop terrace still throws one of the city’s slickest Saturday soirees, pairing a pan-Asian sharing menu with free-flowing drinks. A live DJ and roaming saxophonist keep the energy up through the afternoon, with those panoramic Marina views doing plenty of the heavy lifting. It’s brunch with a party-terrace edge rather than a sit-down affair. W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs290 soft, Dhs490 house, Dhs590 sparkling, Dhs790 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 350 9983. @attikodubai.

BAR DU PORT Bar du Port’s Saturday ‘Brunch du Port’ still turns Dubai Harbour into a lively indoor party, its Mediterranean menu of burrata, lemon-butter shrimp and pan-seared seabass playing very much a supporting role to the DJ set and an impressively deep cocktail list. Waterfront views and a buzzy crowd make it a solid pick for those who want their brunch to double as a night out. Just double-check the current booking number before you call. Pier Club, Dubai Harbour, off Dubai Marina, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs430 wine, Dhs560 sparkling and cocktails, Dhs780 premium. Tel: (0)4 328 7158. @barduportdubai

Bar Du Port

BRASSERIE 2.0 The ‘Voyage Brunch’ at Brasserie 2.0 oozes wow-factor from start to finish, with a globetrotting menu that features fresh seafood and meat cooked exactly to order. Dancers, acrobats and a live DJ set now build out the entertainment into more of a full ‘journey’ than a simple sit-down. The early-bird 20% discount for Thursday bookings remains one of the better value tricks in town. Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, JBR, Sat, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs545 sparkling, Dhs795 Champagne, Dhs225 children. Tel: (0)4 316 5555. @brasserie2.0

Brewdog

BREWDOG

Brasserie 2.0

BrewDog’s Bluewaters taproom keeps its Saturday brunch refreshingly unfussy: sharing starters, a choice of main and a communal dessert, backed by the brewery’s own beers alongside wine, spirits and cocktails. Halfprice darts and duckpin bowling round out the afternoon for anyone not ready to leave. It’s brunch for people who’d rather be at the bar than the buffet. Bluewaters, Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs350 house, Dhs450 premium. Tel: (0)52 956 5688. @brewdogbluewaters

Bubbalicious

BRASS MONKEY Bluewaters’ favourite blast-from-the-past keeps the Saturday nostalgia rolling, with a soundtrack pulled straight from the ‘90s and ‘00s and a menu of easy-going bar bites finished off with old-school treats like banana splits. Bowling lanes and arcade games get a 50% discount for anyone keen to turn brunch into a friendly rematch. It’s unpretentious, playful, and exactly the kind of low-key Saturday Dubai does best. Bluewaters, Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs350 house, Dhs425 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 582 7277. @brassmonkeysocial

Brass Monkey

BUBBALICIOUS Still the reigning heavyweight of Dubai’s beachfront brunch scene, Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi throws everything in: three restaurants, a run of live cooking stations, roaming drinks trolleys and entertainment for every age bracket. It’s the kind of brunch that swallows an entire afternoon happily, whether you’ve come with the kids, the in-laws, or out-of-town guests who need convincing that Dubai brunch culture lives up to the hype. A genuine institution, and it shows no sign of slowing down. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Beach Resort & Marina, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs485 soft, Dhs625 sparkling, Dhs715 premium, Dhs325 children six to 11. Tel: (0)4 511 7373. @westindubai

Bussola

BUSSOLA Brunch takes place every Saturday and Sunday at this much-loved Italian restaurant in Mina Seyahi, with Arrosto del Sabato the name of the Saturday soirée. The feast begins with an Italian charcuterie board, followed by a slow-roasted porchetta served with traditional vegetables, and a gelato cart rounding out the afternoon. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Beach Resort & Marina, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs320 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs650 Champagne, Dhs140 children six to 12. Tel: (0)4 511 7373. @bussoladubai

CÉ LA VI

High above Downtown, CÉ LA VI’s Skyline Brunch pairs elevated modern Asian plates with some of the city’s most photographed views. The premium package ups the ante further with oysters and tender grilled baby chicken for anyone determined to make a proper occasion of it. It’s polished, panoramic, and unmistakably CÉ LA VI. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs390 soft, Dhs490 house, Dhs690 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 582 6111. @celavidubai

CHINA TANG

Canary Club

CANARY CLUB Tiki’s Rituals Brunch keeps the rooftop at Canary Club buzzing every Saturday, with resident and guest DJs, dancers and a threecourse spread that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s an open-bar, all-singing affair with JLT skyline views thrown in for free. Don’t rush off when the last course lands — the after-party keeps going, with drink packages from Dhs275. Banyan Tree Residences, Hillside, JLT, Sat, 2pm to 5pm, Dhs325 soft, Dhs425 house, Dhs525 bubbly, Dhs625 premium. Tel: (0)4 584 5999. @canaryclubdxb

China Tang’s Grand Tier Brunch channels the flamboyant spirit of Sir David Tang’s own dinner parties, pairing a five-course sharing menu with three hours of free-flowing drinks and live music that sets the tone for the whole afternoon. It’s tableside theatre as much as it is a meal, with storytelling built into every course. A Business Bay favourite for anyone after a bit of glamour with their Saturday. The Lana Promenade, Business Bay, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs398 soft, Dhs598 house, Dhs798 premium. Tel: (0)4 295 7464. @chinatang_dubai

CAFÉ NIKKI Café Nikki’s Saturday spread leans into everything Nikki Beach does best: an international buffet with sharing mains finished tableside, a soundtrack from the resident DJ and live musician, and beach access afterwards for anyone not ready to call it a day. It’s relaxed rather than raucous, ideal for a long, easy Saturday by the water. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeira, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs500 house, Dhs700 premium, Dhs175 children three to 12. Tel: (0)56 545 4039. @nikkibeachresort

China Tang

City Social

Clap

CITY SOCIAL Jason Atherton’s City Social keeps its Saturday brunch sharp: the food remains close to flawless, the drinks flow steadily through the afternoon, and the energy builds as the hours go on. It’s on the house for the birthday guest of honour, provided the table numbers six or more. A reliably chic way to start the weekend in the Marina. Grosvenor House Dubai, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs495 sparkling, Dhs795 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 402 2222. @citysocial_dubai

CLAP Clap’s Buranchi Saturday Brunch pairs a sprawling spread of Japanese delicacies like sushi, sashimi and sharing platters, included with the kind of decor built for a scroll-stopping

Claw BBQ

photo. Expect inventive cocktails, a lively DIFC crowd, and an afternoon that doesn’t let up. Gate Village Building 11, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs279 soft, Dhs419 signature, Dhs598 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 871 8500. @clapdxb

CLAW BBQ Claw BBQ’s All-American Brunch at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah is Dubai’s best answer to a proper American dive bar, right down to the mechanical bull daring guests to hang on. Expect fan-favourite dishes such as chilled seafood, whole roasted turkey and beef among them, alongside a genuinely playful, games-filled afternoon. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs199 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 premium, Dhs99 children six to 12. Tel: (0)4 230 0054. @clawbbqthepalm

DEMON DUCK

Demon Duck

Chef Alvin Leung’s fire-forward showcase at Banyan Tree Dubai keeps its Saturday residency, sending out a three-hour parade of sharing towers, dim sum and smoky BBQ plates. Free-flowing drinks and a live DJ keep the energy high across the Bluewaters terrace. Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs495 soft, Dhs595 house, Dhs795 premium, Dhs120 children. Tel: (0)4 556 6466. @demonduckdubai

EVA Boho-chic Eva turns its Palm West Beach terrace into a full-blown Saturday soiree, where oysters, burrata and truffle pizza share the spotlight with a soundtrack built for dancing. When the main event wraps at 5pm, the after-party rolls on until 8pm for those not ready to call it a day. The Club, Palm West Beach, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs575 premium. Tel: (0)4 510 4800. @evabeachclub Clay

CLAY Clay’s Nikkei Brunch brings Bluewaters’ Japanese-Peruvian favourite to Saturday afternoons, with live music, dancing and an after-party that carries the energy well past the final course. Terrace tables come with prime Ain Dubai and JBR views – reason enough to arrive early. The Wharf, Bluewaters, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs445 signature, Dhs545 premium. Tel: (0)4 422 5600. @clay_dubai

Eva

COYA A fixture of Dubai’s brunch scene for over a decade, Coya’s Saturday brunch remains one of the city’s most popular party brunches where the food is as much the draw as the ambience. Guests can expect a Peruvian feast of bold, flavour-packed dishes matched with bottomless cocktails, Pisco sours included, live music and a DJ keeping the room moving. Four Seasons Village, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs329 soft, Dhs459 house, Dhs629 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 316 9600. @coyadubai

Coya

Felicita

FAIRMONT THE PALM Flow Kitchen’s Golden Ticket brunch spins Fairmont The Palm’s all-day diner into a Willy Wonka fantasy, complete with chocolate fountains and playfully theatrical plating. For families, this one’s hard to beat. Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 premium, Dhs595 Champagne, Dhs150 children six to 12. Tel: (0)4 457 3388. @fairmontthepalm

FELICITA The celebration masters Secret Parties are turning their attention to a new destination in Downtown Dubai from October 17 with the launch of the Secret Italiano Brunch at Felicita. Expect a line-up of modern Italian flavours, from freshly prepared pasta and antipasti to signature desserts served with flair. A life singer, dancers and DJs give the whole thing a Dolce Vita feel. Felicità, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 sparkling, Dhs700 Champagne. Tel: (0)50 318 2396. @secretpartiesdxb

FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar

FIRELAKE GRILL HOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR The backyard-grill energy of Deep South Social is what to expect at Radisson Blu’s Business Bay favourite, which fires up live BBQ and wood-oven plates every Saturday, seafood towers and all. Southern soul food meets a lively soundtrack, making it as much a hangout as a meal. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs595 sparkling, Dhs110 children six to 12 (children under six complimentary). Tel: (0)56 404 4169. @radissonbludubaiwaterfront

GARDEN ON 8

Garden on 8

Media One’s rooftop pub throws a weekly garden party every Saturday, keeping things unpretentious with a laid-back crowd and easy sharing plates. Graze on tender chicken skewers, nachos with guac, marinated grilled prawns and five-spice-rubbed pork ribs, all washed down with house or premium beverages. Media One Hotel, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 premium. Tel: (0)52 144 7438. @gardenon8

GITANO

Gallery 7/40

THE FORE

When the disco balls at Gitano start spinning on Saturday nights, expect flavour with theatre attached. Crispy chilli chicken and hamachi tostada open the show, live-station signatures and hearty mains keep it rolling, and a churros-and-tres-leches finale seals the fiesta. Fire, flair and a serious party atmosphere on the sand at J1 Beach. J1 Beach, Jumeirah, Sat, 8pm to 11pm, from Dhs420 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs595 premium, Dhs795 Champagne. Tel: (0)58 566 2320. @gitano.dubai

Four of Marsa Al Arab’s headline kitchens: Umi Kei, Madame Li, Mirabelle and The Bombay Club, join forces for Dubai’s most ambitious multi-concept brunch, terrace views and all. Note it’s now a fortnightly fixture rather than a weekly one, so it’s worth locking in a date well ahead. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, every other Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs500 soft, Dhs750 Premium Wine, Dhs350 children over four. Tel: (800) 323232. @jumeirahmarsaalarab

GALLERY 7/40 Secret Parties’ Saturday spin-off, Big Fat Greek Day Brunch, keeps the plate-smashing spirit alive at Gallery 7/40, trading Friday’s evening theatrics for a sun-soaked daytime version. Gourmet live stations and freeflowing drinks come with singers, dancers and DJs, before the after-party takes over from 4.30pm. The Club, Palm West Beach, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs475 house, Dhs575 premium. Tel: (0)52 394 8098. @secretpartiesdxb

Gitano

Gloria Osteria

GLORIA OSTERIA

HUTONG

Gloria Osteria brings its larger-than-life Milanese energy to a sun-splashed DIFC terrace every Saturday. Settle into a booth for bold, generous sharing plates and free-flowing pours, then watch the theatrical, oversized tiramisu come together tableside. It’s Italian brunch turned up to full volume: glamorous, indulgent, and noisy in the best way. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs400 soft, Dhs550 house, Dhs800 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 577 8546. @gloriaosteria.dxb

Hutong’s Imperial Brunch is a nod to one of Chinese history’s grandest feasts, the Manchu-Han Imperial Banquet, reimagined for a DIFC Saturday. Unlimited starters and delicate dim sum lead into a main of your choosing, before a sharing dessert platter closes things out on a sweet note. Refined, generous and unmistakably theatrical. DIFC, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs288 soft, Dhs448 house, Dhs488 Prosecco, Dhs688 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 220 0868. @hutongdubai

THE GUILD Brunch Society at The Guild has become so popular that there’s not one – but three sittings of this high-octane party brunch. Each four-hour session opens with an hour of Champagne and canapés before the main event kicks off, where guests can expect brasserie classics from the live stations and drinks that don’t stop flowing, with dancing on the table guaranteed. ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, 4.30pm to 8.30pm and 9pm to 1am, Dhs549 soft, Dhs649 house. Tel: (0)4 321 9142. @theguilddubai

The Guild

IL GATTOPARDO Il Pranzo turns Saturday into an Italian long lunch done properly: fresh antipasti, ovenbaked lasagna, seafood and cuts of meat land family-style while a live DJ keeps the room lively, all building to a nostalgic Italian dessert finish and a toast to la dolce vita. ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC, Sat, 12pm to 3pm, Dhs198 food only, Dhs326 soft, Dhs466 house. Tel: (0)4 498 1727. @gattopardo.dubai

JOSETTE Josette’s Saturday brunch is French brasserie glamour distilled into one long, sharing-style feast. Freshly baked viennoiseries lead into entrées, hearty mains and decadent desserts, all served with the DIFC hotspot’s signature flair. Book a three-hour window and let the afternoon unfold at its own indulgent pace. ICD Brookfield, DIFC, Sat, noon to 5pm (three-hour packages), Dhs395 soft, Dhs550 house, Dhs750 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 275 2522. @josettedubai

JOU JOU BRASSERIE Freshly relaunched for the new season, Jou Jou Brasserie’s Saturday brunch is pure Mediterranean escapism at Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach. Live carving stations send out premium fish and aged meats to order, backed by generous buffet spreads and a dessert table curated by the resort’s awardwinning pastry chef. Elegant, family-friendly and unmistakably resort-grade. Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs485 soft, Dhs715 house, Dhs850 Champagne, Dhs240 children three to 11. Tel: (0)4 270 7803. @joujoudubai

Josette

Jou Jou Brasserie

JUMEIRAH AL QASR The Al Qasr brunch remains a benchmark for old-world Arabian grandeur, its live cooking stations laden with dishes from across the globe. Returning on November 14, new drink stations keep the seasonal offering feeling fresh without losing the sumptuous, sprawling character regulars come back for. A polished, all-ages Saturday spent in one of Dubai’s most photogenic settings. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs595 sparkling, Dhs795 premium, Dhs250 children four to 11. Tel: (800) 323 232. @jumeirahalqasr

KAYTO Indulge in Kayto’s coastal-inspired Nikkei brunch from November 7, where bright, balanced flavours take centre stage through curated ceviches, handcrafted sushi, robatastyle grills and refined desserts. Set against iconic views of the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, this leisurely Saturday experience is designed to be savoured. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs450 soft, Dhs600 house, Dhs795 Champagne. Tel: (800) 323232. @kaytodubai

La Brasserie Sur Le Boulevard

La Niña

Lock Stock & Barrel, JBR

LA BRASSERIE SUR LE BOULEVARD

LOCK STOCK & BARREL, JBR

Le Brunch at La Brasserie Sur Le Boulevard remains Downtown Dubai’s love letter to France, staged against the Burj Khalifa with a spread that roams from shucked oysters and pan-seared foie gras to pasta off the parmesan wheel and a live grill of beef, lamb and chicken. Dessert brings it home with warm waffles and Crêpes Suzette. Kempinski The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs320 soft, Dhs450 house. Tel: (0)4 561 8888. @kempinskitheboulevard

Lock Stock’s Saturday brunch is a high-energy affair with live entertainment from arrival, a sharing menu of bites you graze over and unlimited drinks for three hours. It’s fuss-free and a reliably good time. Rixos Premium JBR – The Walk, Sat, 5pm to 8pm, Dhs375 soft, Dhs425 house, Dhs525 sparkling. @lockstockuae (currently branded ‘Old Is Gold’)

LA NIÑA La Comida turns La Niña’s DIFC dining room into a slice of Spain every Saturday, with a sharing-style spread of truffle croquetas, garlic prawns and a langoustine paella built for lingering over. Live music nudges the afternoon into full swing as the tables fill and the sangria flows. ICD Brookfield, DIFC, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs235 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 premium. Tel: (0)4 395 1300. @laninadubai

MAIDEN SHANGHAI Saturdays at FIVE Palm Jumeirah still belong to the Naughty Noodles Brunch, an unlimited spread of gourmet Chinese dishes paired with inventive cocktails, roaming performers and a DJ who doesn’t let up. Stick around past 4.30pm for the after-party, where three drinks for Dhs120 keep the weekend rolling. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 premium. Tel: (0)4 455 9989. @maidenshanghaidubai

THE MAINE OYSTER BAR & GRILL Overboard is the name of the new weekend brunch that takes over The Maine’s stalwart JBR location every Saturday and Sunday. A spread that goes all out, there’s two seating options, and both feature an expansive seafood spread, premium cuts, stone-fired pizzas and live cooking stations. Be sure to save room for the roaming gelato trolley. DoubleTree by Hilton, JBR, Sat and Sun, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm, Dhs440 house, Dhs540 prosecco, Dhs790 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 457 6719. @themainedxb

The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill

MAYABAY

MCGETTIGAN’S JLT

Tucked into Jumeirah Al Naseem’s turtle lagoon, Mayabay’s weekend brunch remains an Asian feast of free-flowing sushi, sashimi and dim sum alongside a rotating cast of starters, mains and desserts. It’s an easy, lagoon-side escape that runs both Saturday and Sunday for anyone chasing a low-key finish to the week. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Sat and Sun, 12pm to 3pm, Dhs299 soft, Dhs399 house, Dhs450 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 275 2500. @mayabaydubai

The Grafton Street Saturday Brunch keeps its promise of unlimited carvery, buffet and drinks alongside live music and pub games at McGettigan’s JLT. Those not ready to call it a day can roll straight into the after-party from 5pm, with packages starting from Dhs149. Cluster I, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs279 house, Dhs349 premium. @mcgettigansjlt

MCGETTIGAN’S SOUK MADINAT Make the most of Saturday with a threecourse brunch, free-flowing drinks and live music at McGettigan’s Souk Madinat, a picturesque spot for laidback afternoons of good old Irish craic by the waterways. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs199 soft Dhs349 house, Dhs449 premium. Tel: (0)56 548 1652. @mcgettigansmadinat

Mayabay

Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen

MEZZANINE BAR & KITCHEN Saturday afternoons are for British classics and live music at Mezzanine in Souk Madinat. Three-hour packages from 12pm to 4pm, and the set menu includes fish and chips, chicken and mushroom pie, beef bourguignon, chicken tikka masala and a selection of desserts including sticky toffee pudding and apple crumble. Madinat Jumeirah, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, threehour packages, Dhs395. Tel: (0)58 599 4659. @mezzaninedubai

NETSU Netsu’s Warayaki-style brunch still holds its title as Dubai’s original straw-fired feast, sending out tuna tataki, Korean fried chicken and salmon tacos ahead of mains like Australian Wagyu ribeye and miso Chilean sea bass. A live DJ and musician keep the energy humming through the Mandarin Oriental’s sleek Japanese steakhouse. Mandarin Oriental, Jumeira, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs450 soft, Dhs595 house, Dhs650 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 777 2232. @netsudubai

PAI THAI

Mimi Kakushi

MIMI KAKUSHI Mimi Kakushi’s marathon Saturday-andSunday sitting remains one of the sharpest sushi sessions in town, pairing razor-precise Japanese plates with sake, wine and cocktails over a leisurely three hours. A live pianist and singer keep the soundtrack suitably polished inside the Four Seasons dining room. It’s unhurried, confident, and still the weekend standard-bearer for the city’s Japanese brunch scene. Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort, Sat and Sun, noon to 4pm, Dhs400 soft, Dhs599 house, Dhs765 premium. Tel: (0)4 379 4811. @mimikakushi

MOTT 32 Saturdays at Mott 32 mean Brunch No.32, an assured spin through contemporary Cantonese and pan-Asian favourites 74 floors above the Marina. A newly added premium sparkling tier now joins the soft and house packages for anyone after extra fizz with the view. Terrace seats carry a premium, but given the panorama, they’re worth chasing. Address Beach Resort, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, from Dhs375 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs795 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 278 4832. @mott32dubai

Pai Thai’s waterside Saturday brunch remains one of the prettiest settings at Madinat Jumeirah, with tables set right along the resort’s waterways. A sharing-style spread of Thai signatures moves at an easy pace, well suited to the tranquil backdrop. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs425 house. Tel: (800) 323232. @paithaidubai

PALAZZO VERSACE HOTEL DUBAI Giardino’s Into the Jungle remains the reigning family brunch at Palazzo Versace, pairing a DJ set and magician with enough kids’ activities to buy parents a proper sitdown meal. Complimentary pool access after brunch seals the deal for anyone making a full day of it. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs570 sparkling, Dhs810 premium, Dhs165 children four to 11. Tel: (0)4 556 8888. @intothejungledubai

Netsu

Pepe Cucina

PAPAS

PEPE CUCINA

Papas’ Nonna’s House brunch true to its Italian roots: an Aperol spritz start, sharing-style pasta made table-side in cheese wheels, and a dessert table worth a second visit, all set to a soundtrack built for a fun-filled Marina afternoon. Limoncello top-ups and free-flowing drinks keep the energy high InterContinental Dubai Marina, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs425 soft, Dhs545 house, Dhs600 sparkling. @papasdubai

Set against a breathtaking backdrop of Ain Dubai and JBR, newly opened Pepe Cucina’s Saturday brunch is an ode to quintessential family afternoons in Italy, where meals and moments are best shared with loved ones. A four-hour package: you’ll get a selection of appetisers, pass-around pizza and a selection of Italian-style mains. A DJ keeps the energy going for the adults, while a dedicated kids’ area keeps little ones occupied. Address Beach Resort, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs350 house, Dhs450 prosecco, Dhs 650 premium, Dhs75 children four to 11. Tel: (0)58 118 9179. @pepe.cucina

PARADISO Barcelona-born Paradiso might be known as one of the world’s best bars, but it’s about to become the destination of choice for party people looking for a circus-inspired brunch. From Saturday October 3, enter a circus like no other, where award-winning food, exceptional cocktails and nonstop entertainment collide. Expect jaw-dropping performances, unexpected twists, outrageous moments and plenty of surprises along the way. FIVE LUXE JBR, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs440 house, Dhs550 premium, Dhs750 Champagne. Tel: (0)50 318 2396. @secretpartiesdxb

THE RITZ-CARLTON DUBAI, JBR The Ritz-Carlton’s London Social Garden Brunch remains a firm JBR fixture, laying out a spread of international dishes against front-row Ain Dubai views. Quintessentially British drinks and live entertainment round out an alfresco Saturday afternoon that delivers on food, drinks and fun. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, JBR, Sat, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs399 soft, Dhs599 house, Dhs249 children six to 11. Tel: (0)4 399 4000. @ritzcarltondubai

SEXY FISH London’s glamorous Sexy Fish has planted its most Instagrammable outpost yet in DIFC’s Innovation One, and Saturdays here mean an all-inclusive afternoon of elevated seafood, craft cocktails and a soundtrack of live music, DJs and roaming performers. Expect polished plates and even more polished people-watching. Innovation One, DIFC, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs399 soft, Dhs550 house. Tel: (0)4 381 9000. @sexyfishdxb

SHANG PALACE

Sexy Fish

ROKA ROKA’s Saturday Family Brunch turns the Business Bay favourite’s signature robatayaki flair into a laid-back weekend affair. Live cold and hot stations lead into table-served mains like sea bream fillet and cedar-roast baby chicken, while games and activities keep the youngest guests entertained. It is contemporary Japanese dining at its most sociable, built for long tables and little ones alike. The Opus by Omniyat, Level 1, Business Bay, Sat, 12pm to 3pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs495 Prosecco, Dhs150 extra for Champagne. Tel: (0)4 439 7171. @rokadubaiofficial

Shang Palace’s Dim Sum Brunch remains a Cantonese classic at Shangri-La Dubai, rolling out an ever-generous dim sum trolley alongside soups, spring rolls, pan-fried shrimp and a lively wok-fried selection. It is a weekend fixture for dumpling devotees, finishing on a sweet note with a rotating dessert spread. Refined, unhurried and reliably excellent. Shangri-La Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Sat and Sun, 12pm to 3.30pm, Dhs228 soft, Dhs388 house, Dhs588 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 405 2703. @shangpalace.dubai

Roka

SALMON GURU On the terrace of this brilliantly creative cocktail bar, Saturday brunch is a full-blown party. With a DJ on the terrace, pass-around bites, and house music blaring from start to finish, it’s a lively affair – and well worth upgrading to the cocktail package to sample some top master mixology. The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay, Sat, 1.30pm to 5.30pm, from Dhs275 soft, Dhs375 premium. Tel: (0) 52 814 9537. @salmongurudubai

SHI

Shanghai Me

SOBREMESA

Sobremesa

SHANGHAI ME Inspired by the Maneki Neko, the Japanese symbol of prosperity and good fortune, Maneki Brunch brings a fresh addition to Shanghai Me’s weekend calendar. Guests can enjoy a sharing menu featuring starters, dim sum, sushi platters and signature dishes, followed by a choice of main course and a dessert platter. Gate Village, DIFC, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs348 soft, Dhs498 house, Dhs648 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 564 0505. @shanghaimedubai

SHI SHI’s Dynasty Brunch continues to draw the Bluewaters crowd every Saturday and Sunday, ferrying out Peking duck rolls, sweet and sour chicken and beef in black pepper sauce against a backdrop of skyline and marina views. A live saxophonist adds a touch of theatre to the free-flowing drinks. Bluewaters, Sat and Sun, 1pm to 4pm or 2pm to 5pm, Dhs325 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs650 premium. Tel: (04) 393 99 90. @shi.dxb

Sobremesa’s Hacienda Brunch keeps Souk Al Bahar buzzing with bold, share-style Mexican plates and a live soundtrack courtesy of the restaurant’s resident DJ. Expect playful table-side moments, including the nowsignature piñata smash, layered over a relaxed Downtown backdrop. It is fiesta energy with fine-dining polish. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs275 soft, Dhs350 house, Dhs395 premium. @sobremesa.dubai

SON OF A FISH Son of a Fish turns Saturdays into an unhurried, four-hour affair at Dubai Harbour, opening with a generous mezze spread before moving into mains like chicken souvlaki, moussaka and chargrilled tenderloin. It is Mediterranean comfort food dressed up for a party, with the volume rising steadily as the afternoon wears on. A firm favourite for groups who like to linger. Dubai Harbour, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs320 soft, Dhs430 wine, Dhs560 house, Dhs690 premium. @sonofafish

SOUL KITCHEN Soul Kitchen’s Big Bad Brunch keeps its Lebanese-Latin fusion menu loud and messy on Saturdays at Marasi Drive, with four package tiers to choose from and entertainment that rarely lets up. Expect flavour mash-ups, sharing plates built for spectacle, and a room that gets progressively rowdier as the afternoon goes on. Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs225 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 premium, Dhs395 bar seating. Tel: (0)4 836 0900. @soulkitchendxb

Sushisamba

The Spaniel

SUSHISAMBA Soul St.

SOUL ST. The SoulCaliCool Brunch spills across both graffiti-splashed Soul St and Mimi’s Pool Club at Five Jumeirah Village, blending global street food with colourful entertainment and free-flowing drinks. The good times don’t stop at 4pm either — the after-party runs on until 7. A high-energy, poolside pick for those wanting brunch to bleed straight into evening. Five Jumeirah Village, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs249 ladies, Dhs299 gents. Tel: (0)4 455 9989. @soulstreetdubai

THE SPANIEL The Spaniel Brunch brings a dash of British brasserie charm to Bluewaters, pairing generous plates with a soundtrack that builds from live singer to full DJ set as the afternoon unfolds. Share rounds of crispy breaded prawns, stilton salad and sausage roll, before an à la carte choice of main (think fish and chips or beef wellington), then round out the afternoon with sharing-style desserts. The Wharf, Bluewaters, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs449 soft, Dhs549 house, Dhs649 premium, Dhs799 Champagne. Tel: (0)52 773 4874. @thespanieldxb

Be transported to vibrant Rio high above the city at Sushisamba’s now-weekly Friday brunch. A spirited celebration backdropped by some of Dubai’s most jaw-dropping views, enjoy a menu of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences, all paired with freeflowing drinks, dancers and a resident DJ who will keep the party going after brunch in the Sambaroom. There’s premium pricing for windowside tables. Level 51, Palm Tower, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, from Dhs649 house, Dhs849 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 278 4888. @sushisambadubai

TASCA José Avillez’s Michelin-starred kitchen keeps its Saturday crowd well fed with a five-course flavour flight through Portugal’s finest larder, plumped up this season with a new mid-tier sparkling package alongside the usual soft, house and Champagne pours. Settle in on the alfresco terrace or take a front-row seat by the show kitchen at Mandarin Oriental, Jumeira. Confirm exact pricing with the restaurant before booking, as packages have shifted since last season. Mandarin Oriental, Jumeira, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs450 soft, Dhs595 house, Dhs650 house + sparkling, Dhs795 premium. Tel: (0)4 777 2231. @tascadubai

TÊTE-À-TÊTE The French Riviera comes to JBR every Saturday at Tête-à-Tête, where the Bisou Bisou Brunch is all about over-the-top opulence. Think a glimmering Champagne tower, live singers, dancers and theatrical moments that are super photo-friendly. Enjoy a decadent menu that includes a viral croissant, Josper grilled prawns, lemon thyme chicken and indulgent desserts like dark chocolate mousse and crème caramel with strawberry sorbet. FIVE LUXE, JBR, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 house. Tel: (0)4 275 9989. @bisoubisoubrunch

WALDORF ASTORIA DUBAI PALM JUMEIRAH Once Upon A Brunch turns Mezzerie into a fairy-tale garden every Saturday, with international food stations, princess singers, balloon magic and enough games to keep the little ones occupied while the grown-ups linger over lunch. It’s still one of the Palm’s most family-friendly weekend outings. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Sat, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs549 house, Dhs690 premium, Dhs150 children seven to 12. @onceuponabrunch

Tête-à-Tête

XU Brunch, but make it karaoke. Every Saturday at XU, gather your favourite people for an afternoon of flowing drinks, Cantonese favourites, and mic-in-hand moments. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply the start of the weekend, you’re in for a party from the first bite to the final song. XU, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Sat, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs425 house, Dhs475 prosecco. Tel: (0)4 394 6252. @xurestaurantdubai

ZUMA

Zuma

DIFC’s reigning izakaya turns up the volume every Saturday with its Baikingu Brunch, a sweeping tour through Zuma’s greatest hits. Start with shrimp tempura, crispy squid and a glossy sashimi-and-maki spread, graze the live robata grill, then land on signature mains like miso black cod and grilled Australian wagyu ribeye before dessert closes the show. Polished, indulgent and unmistakably Zuma. Zuma Dubai, Gate Village 06, Podium Level, DIFC, Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs545 soft, Dhs645 Prosecco, Dhs795 Champagne, Dhs255 children four to 12. Tel: (0)4 425 5660. @zumadubai

Alizée

ALIZÉE On Alizée’s breezy Bluewaters terrace, Sunday means a sharing-style feast built for the whole family. Trolleys loaded with seafood platters and filet de boeuf roam between tables, a dedicated kids’ corner keeps little ones busy, and live entertainment sets the tone for a relaxed, generous afternoon with a view. Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs495 soft, Dhs595 house, Dhs795 premium, Dhs175 children five to 12. Tel: (0)4 556 6466. @alizeedubai

ANDALIMAN Now elevated to a new location at The Link, Andaliman serves up soulful Indonesian flavours and skyline views with its weekly Sunday lunch. Transporting guests to the tropical shores of the archipelago, live stations of beef brisket and grilled chicken set the tone for a relaxed, gourmet afternoon. One&Only One Za’abeel, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs260 soft, Dhs410 house. Tel: (0)4 666 1617. @andalimandubai

Arrogante

ARROGANTE La Dolce Domenica turns Sundays at Arrogante into a proper family affair, with a fresh salad station, à la carte mains and a sweet finish, all set in the heart of the Opera District. Kids get their own pizza-making station and ice-cream bar, while grown-ups work through soft, house or premium drink packages. Address Residences, Dubai Opera District, Downtown, Sun, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs425 premium. Tel: (0)4 570 3653. @arrogantedubai

Bubbalicious (The Roast)

BAOLI Sundays were made for sun-soaked afternoons at Baoli, bringing the vibes to J1 Beach with a curated package of gourmet delights, stylish vibes and the kind of ambience that makes you wish it wasn’t Monday tomorrow. Sharing plates start with fried calamari and wagyu gyozas, among others, followed by nigiri, a choice of main and a signature dessert platter, with premium upgrades available like the Wagyu striploin and spicy lobster linguine. J1 Beach, Sun, 2pm to 5pm, Dhs450 soft, Dhs650 soft, Dhs750 Champagne. Tel: (0)4 491 5500. @baoli.dubai

THE BEAM BY NICK ALVIS Chef Nick Alvis brings his European bistro sensibility to Sunday family brunching at The Beam, with a three-course menu spanning pulled burrata, grilled sea bass in beurre blanc and a comforting rhubarb crumble. Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs495 premium, Dhs145 children five to 12. Tel: (0)4 316 5555. @thebeamdubai

BUBBALICIOUS (THE ROAST) The Roast by Bubbalicious turns Mina’s Kitchen into a carvery lover’s playground every Sunday, complete with whole suckling pig, a seafood spread, shepherd’s pie, charcuterie and a fish ‘n’ chips stand. Roaming drinks carts pour gin cocktails, bubbly and espresso martinis between courses, so if you’re in the mood to celebrate, this is a solid choice. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Beach Resort & Marina, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs315 soft, Dhs385 house, Dhs485 premium, Dhs175 children six to 12. Tel: (0)4 511 7373. @westindubai

CALA VISTA Cala Vista’s Vista Brunch turns Sundays into an Amalfi-coast daydream, with Burj Al Arab views as the backdrop and generous, familystyle Italian plates built for passing around the table. A feel-good soundtrack keeps the terrace buzzing while Head Chef Luca’s dishes and a well-stocked bar do the rest. It’s the kind of long, easy lunch that makes the week ahead feel further away than it is. Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs375 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs595 sparkling and cocktails, Dhs190 children four to 11. Tel: (800) 323232. @calavistadubai

CQ BRASSERIE CQ Brasserie trades a brunch spectacle for something more civilised with its Sunday Lunch, a three-course lunch built around its signature dishes, like escargot de CQ, steak frites and crème brûlée – which comes with the option to pair with special bottles of Sancerre for Dhs276, or a free-flowing house wine package for an extra Dhs139. It’s available at both the JLT and newer Barsha Heights venues. Movenpick JLT and Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs219 food only, Dhs360 wine, Dhs398 wine and beer. Tel: (0)4 514 9339. @cqbrasserie

CQ Brasserie

EL SUR Sundays at El Sur come with a generous dose of Spanish spirit and a sharing-style package that opens with Jamón Ibérico followed by tapas, seafood paella and Cochinillo Segoviano served for the table. Churros, Basque cheesecake and crema catalana round off the menu, while freeflowing Spanish wines, sangria, beer and house spirits accompany the sounds of a live guitarist. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Sun, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs199 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs399 sparkling. Tel: (0)4 511 7373. @elsurdubai

Mare by Bussola

L’AMO BISTRO DEL MARE L’Amo channels the Italian coast every Sunday with Brunch al Porto, Chef Alessandro Salvatico’s sharing-style ode to a long Sunday lunch. Expect a seafood-heavy antipasti spread, house-made arancini and pinsa, then rigatoni al ragù, mushroom risotto and the day’s catch, finished with profiteroles and Sicilian cannoli. Dubai Harbour, Sun, 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Dhs395 soft, Dhs545 house, Dhs795 premium. Tel: (0)4 278 4800. @lamobistrodelmare

MARE BY BUSSOLA

El Sur

Mare by Bussola turns Sunday into a mini Riviera escape, with fresh seafood, homemade pasta and grilled specialities served up against the Westin Mina Seyahi’s poolside views. A DJ and live musicians keep the energy sunsoaked and unhurried. It’s laidback luxury, best enjoyed slowly. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Sun, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs370 soft, Dhs480 bubbly, Dhs590 premium. Tel: (0)4 511 7373. @westindubai

Rockfish

MIMI MEI FAIR The Dim Sum Dynasty Brunch at Mimi Mei Fair opens with a theatrical reveal of its towering dim sum basket, before settling into a choice of mains and a dessert platter worthy of the room’s Downtown Dubai polish. It’s a refined nod to Chinese culinary tradition. Can’t make Sunday? There’s now a Saturday option, too. Downtown Dubai, Sat and Sun, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs218 food only, Dhs288 soft, Dhs398 house. Tel: (0)4 570 0825. @mimimeifair.ae

Mimi Mei Fair

NIKKI BEACH DUBAI

ROCKFISH

Amazing Sundays by name, amazing Sundays by nature, the fun-filled Sunday beach club brunch at Nikki Beach is all about Mediterranean fare, high-octane entertainment, and a sophisticated poolside setting. While the brunch takes place at the beachside restaurant, pool access is available afterwards, subject to availability and an additional fee. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeira, Sun, 12pm to 5pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs175 children 6 to 11. Tel:(0)4 376 6162. @nikkibeachdubai

Launching on November 8, Rockfish’s new Mediterranean coastal brunch is a laidback yet sophisticated Sunday spread, designed around sharing. The brunch brings together fresh seafood, including lobster, prawns, rockfish, octopus and calamari, alongside thoughtfully prepared meat and vegetarian dishes. It’s all accompanied by live music from a trio for a laid-back Sunday dining experience. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Sun, 1pm to 3.30pm, Dhs490 soft, Dhs590 house, Dhs750 Champagne. Tel: (800) 323232. @rockfishdubai

TRATTORIA

Trattoria

TAMOKA Tamoka’s outdoor Sunday brunch makes the most of JBR’s beach weather, pairing hearty South American grills and fresh ceviches with live Colombian entertainment. The views and the rhythm do a lot of the heavy lifting, but the kitchen holds its own. It’s a sun-soaked, high-energy alternative to the usual indoor brunch crawl. The Ritz-Carlton, JBR, Sun, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs379 soft, Dhs499 house, Dhs299 food only, Dhs200 children six to 11. Tel: (0)4 318 6099. @tamokadubai

Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s beloved Italian spot slows things down on Sundays with La Dolce Vita, a laid-back two-hour brunch built around classic antipasti, pasta and dolci. Bookmark for an easy weekend reset for anyone craving authentic Italian without the fuss. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sun, two-hour seatings between 12pm and 6pm, Dhs195 soft, Dhs270 house. @trattoriadubai

ZEA ZEA’s Mediterranean menu goes Latin every Sunday with MESTIZOS, a sharingstyle brunch from Chef Sundeep Taucoory. Think guacamole, wagyu carpaccio and arroz con camarones, followed by DJs, live percussion and dancers who keep the energy climbing into a happy hour and after-party through midnight. Level C, Emirates Financial Tower, DIFC, Sun, 3pm to 7pm, Dhs265 soft, Dhs320 house, Dhs385 house, Dhs450 premium cocktails, Dhs650 Champagne. Tel: (0)56 402 6633. @zea.dubai

Tamoka

The Beach House

BDP BEACH BDP Beach has made a habit of keeping RAK’s newest beach club feeling fresh, and Saturdays are reserved for Brunch au Soleil. Set poolside with stretching sea views, laid-back beach club energy meets a French-inspired spread and unlimited drinks served from midday until 4pm. BDP Beach, Hayat Island, Mina, Sat, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs240 soft, Dhs370 house, Dhs490 prosecco, Dhs640 Champagne. @bdpbeachrak

THE BEACH HOUSE, ANANTARA MINA RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT Brunchella by Beach House turns Saturday afternoons into a breezy Mediterranean feast right on the Ras Al Khaimah shoreline. Choose a table on the terrace for sea views or head inside for the air-conditioned version, then tuck into family-style sharing plates and free-flowing drinks while a live DJ keeps the mood sunsoaked and easy. Anantara Mina Al Arab, Sat, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs275 soft, Dhs395 house, Dhs650 house with Champagne. Tel: (0)50 628 3087. @anantararasalkhaimah

BDP Beach

InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Resort & Spa

INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH MINA AL RESORT & SPA Levant & Nar’s Brunch & Nar is a slow, sundrenched tour of the eastern Mediterranean, from smoky mezze to garden-fresh tabbouleh, laid out against a backdrop of live acoustic duets and sea views. It’s a relaxed, sociable affair built for grazing rather than rushing. Those not ready to call it a day can carry on with the post-brunch party into the evening. InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa (Levant & Nar), Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs175 soft, Dhs275 house, Dhs375 Champagne, Dhs85 children three to 12.

Tel: (0)7 202 6666 / (0)7 202 6780. @intercontinentalrasalkhaimah

MCGETTIGAN’S FUJAIRAH A trip to McGettigan’s remains something of a UAE rite of passage, and the Fujairah outpost gives the beloved format an Irish spin every Saturday. Expect themed pub dishes, three hours of unlimited drinks and the live music this brand built its name on. It’s a properly boisterous, no-frills afternoon rather than a fine-dining affair — book ahead as it fills fast. McGettigan’s Fujairah, Fujairah Tennis Country Club, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs179. Tel: (0)9 224 4880. @mcgettigansfjr

MÖVENPICK RESORT AL MARJAN ISLAND Boons at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island keeps its Saturday brunch firmly family-first, with an international buffet spread, a dedicated kids’ buffet and an outdoor play area to burn off the sugar rush. A live band keeps the energy up while grown-ups make the most of pool and beach access included in the deal. It’s the kind of easy, all-ages afternoon that turns a Saturday into a proper day out. Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs225 soft, Dhs325 house. Tel: (0)7 246 0000. @movenpickalmarjan Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island

McGettigan’s

ULA ULA’s Boho Brunch trades the usual buffet sprawl for a breezy, Ibiza-inspired beach party, all sun, soul and sharing plates. One all-in price gets you a generous sharing menu alongside unlimited wines and crafted cocktails, with pool access stretching all the way to 10pm. It’s less a sit-down brunch than a lazy day that happens to start with food. ULA Beach RAK, Al Marjan Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs300. Tel: (0)7 246 0199. @ulabeachrak

ULA

MEKONG, ANANTARA MINA RAS AL KHAIMAH Mekong’s Sunday brunch charts a flavour-packed course from the Tibetan Plateau down to the shores of Southeast Asia, served sharing-style over mangrove views. It’s a gentle, unhurried way to close the weekend, with dishes built for passing around the table rather than queuing at a buffet. A non-alcoholic option makes it easy to bring the whole family along. Anantara Mina Al Arab, Sun, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs250 non-alcoholic, Dhs375 with alcoholic beverages, Dhs125 children six to 11 (under 6 free). Tel: (0)50 628 3087. @anantararasalkhaimah

Every Friday 8pm to 11pm Starting from AED 295

Greek

Every Saturday 1pm to 4pm Starting from AED 295 ammosgreek.com | @ammosgreekdubai +971 52 777 9473 | reservations@ammosgreek.com Rixos Premium Dubai, The Walk, Al Mamsha St, JBR, Dubai, UAE

Friday nights at Fairmont The Palm get bolder with Bā – Boldly Asian. Bold Night Brunch brings together vibrant Asian flavours, beautifully crafted dishes and creative pours for an elevated evening of dining and discovery. Starting from AED 250 | Every Friday | 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Call: +971 4 457 3457 | Email: palm.dining@fairmont.com