FUJAIRAH SHARJAH DUBAI ABU DHABI
UAE DHS15
LEAVE THE KEYS AT HOME. SAME EMIRATES, A COMPLETELY NEW VIEW OF THEM
PLUS: BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE | TOP BUSINESS LUNCHES | WHAT'S NEW IN JLT
CONTENTS
ON TRACK… P08 Etihad Rail’s expanding network is making the emirates more accessible than ever – we’ve mapped out the ultimate route.
16 SITTING PRETTY See the city through the eyes of an insider with some of the best seats and views.
16
24
24 30 YEARS OF LAUGHTER Staying in business for three decades is no laughter matter... unless laughter is your business.
Page 14
Build the perfect preloved wardrobe with our guide.
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 3
Cover:
Sheila Deocareza
Stay in touch
30 27
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 28 CRUNCH A neighbourhood restaurant with big flavours and an even bigger heart.
Sharjah’s first homegrown fine-dining space is here and it means business.
30 BEST BUSINESS LUNCHES The city’s lunchtime tables where the food is also doing the talking.
34 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: JLT This suburb is serving up some seriously underrated dishes. We’ve got the list to prove it.
36 DESK UPGRADES Shop these office must-haves.
53
40 39
CULTURE 40 CULTURAL LANDMARKS Awe-inspiring locations that bring renewed appreciation for our home.
46 FALCON HOSPITAL
48 4 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
60
36
What’s On Digital Your essential guide to what’s happening in Dubai is also available on the App Store.
ACTIVE 54 SEPTEMBER WELLNESS Permission to reset this month? Permission granted.
59
TRAVEL 60 SHORT-HAUL MARVELS
We go behind the scenes to discover more about the cultural icon.
We’ve got the best holiday options that are a six-hours-orless flight way.
48 COMIC-CON
66 STAYCATION REVIEW
What to expect as the pop-culture phenomenon returns to Abu Dhabi.
A RAK getaway that gets the family-adult balance just right.
Find us on social Photo credit: Getty Images, Unsplash and supplied
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EDITORIAL
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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
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SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Ali Mohammad ONLINE REPORTER Afrah Bari ONLINE REPORTER Rasha Hassan JUNIOR REPORTER Shifali Jain CONTRIBUTORS Alice Holtham-Pargin, Laura Coughlin, Leonie Wagner, Miles Buckeridge, Sammi Barnard, Yi-Hwa Hanna
DESIGN ART DIRECTOR Sheila Deocareza
ali.mohammad@motivate.ae
PRODUCTION GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Venita Pinto WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi
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6 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
WELCOME
PLACES, PLEASE
T
here’s a particular kind of chaos that hits households in the first week of September. School runs return, the schedule gets jampacked again, and we’re either back in the office in full swing or nodding at parents at drop-off, but either way there’s a lot of “so, how was your summer?” questions being thrown about. For me at least, this inevitably leads to one chain of thought: where to next? Which is why the team and I have been talking a lot more about how we’re going to be taking advantage of what’s right on our doorstep (while also planning an overseas trip as well, of course). The reason for our local focus is the Etihad Rail. As its network expands further across the emirates, we’ve mapped the ultimate route – dunes, heritage sites and all – for anyone ready to leave the keys at home for once (starting on page 8). I know I’m looking forward to staring out of the window for a change. If you want a taste of what’s waiting at the end of the line, our visit to Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (page 46) is a genuinely humbling reminder of how much of this country’s identity still lives in its skies. And speaking of taking in the views, we’ve rounded up the very best of those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that only insiders know. Not the Burj, not the beaches, not the Corniche – though those are amazing, of course – we’ve looked at the little hidden gem views and best seats in the house that only a local would know. Props to our writers Laura and Shantelle for sharing their secrets (page 16). Back on solid, familiar ground: for anyone easing back into work mode this month, we’ve done the scouting so you don’t have to – the tables across Dubai and Abu Dhabi where the business lunch actually earns its name (page 30). And for a very different kind of table, we sat down with Gail Clough as The Laughter Factory marks 30 years of making Dubai laugh – including the night 500 people showed up to a club that didn’t officially exist yet (page 24). Wherever you land this September – window seat, corner booth, or somewhere entirely new – I hope this issue points you toward the right spot. Enjoy the issue.
TEAM’S POV
We answer the questions you didn’t even ask.
The weather is cooling down (slightly). What’s the first outdoor thing you’ve got on your to-do list?
Lana Du Reporter “Counting down to perfect beach weather. Sea, sun, beach walks, a glass of wine, catchup with friends, phone forgotten somewhere in my bag – my favourite kind of therapy.” Alice HolthamPargin Contributing Editor “While there are plenty of places to play indoors, my favourite padel club in Dubai is La Cantine Sports Club. Find me there every morning as soon as the weather cools.”
THOMAS WOODGATE GROUP CONTENT DIRECTOR Sheila Deocareza Art Director
HAVE YOUR SAY! The nominations for the What’s On Nightlife Awards 2026 have been announced and now you have the chance to crown the winners in six categories:
Best Ladies’ Day, Best Ladies’ Night, Best Live Music Venue, Best Happy Hour, Best Restaurant Bar, and Best Cocktail Bar. GOT A FAVOURITE? GET VOTING!
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“Definitely cycling. I can’t wait to go back to Meydan Cycling Track, because it has an incredible track with tunnels and a beautiful view of the Burj Khalifa. Perfect for the whole family.”
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 7
FUJAIRAH SHARJAH DUBAI ABU DHABI
This season, . e m o h t a s y e rk had Rail. and leave you ti E n io rd it a n o b ig a e is th s te Turn off over the emira c is d to y a w t ect route… rf e p e the bes th d e n n And we’ve pla -PARGIN E HOLTHAM
WORDS: ALIC
8 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
E M I R AT E S B Y R A I L
Liwa, Abu Dhabi
LIWA, ABU DHABI
Begin your multi-emirate exploration in the golden dunes of the Liwa desert. The Liwa Etihad Rail station opens on November 30, just in time for the return of the cooler weather, making desert adventures all the more appealing. Stay: Amongst the golden dunes at Bab Al Nojoum Bateen Liwa (babalnojoum.com), where 55 sumptuous pool villas are tucked among the golden landscape. Villas all feature floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the breathtaking setting, a plunge pool under the stars, and a living room dotted with hand-sewn wall art, a nod to the region’s heritage. Wake up to breakfast delivered to your villa, then spend the day enjoying all that the desert has to offer. Room rates from September start from Dhs535.50. Do: The vast golden Liwa desert sits on the northern edge of the Empty Quarter, so whether you’re looking for high-octane thrills or something more low-key, there’s a desert activity for you. Hop in a buggy and go dune bashing, surf the golden slopes with sandboarding, or stay up late and admire the constellations with an evening of stargazing. Don’t miss: Liwa International Festival returns from December 11 until January 2, bringing with it entertainment aplenty, culinary takeovers, live music and cultural celebrations that make the most of the stunning desert setting.
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E M I R AT E S B Y R A I L
MADINAT ZAYED, ABU DHABI
A gateway to Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region joins the network the same day as Liwa, November 30, putting the Empty Quarter’s second desert base within easy reach of the capital – and its neighbouring emirates. Stay: If you want to make a few days of it, let Aldhafra Resort (aldhafraresort. com), be your five-star base. A grand desert retreat on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali (also known as the Empty Quarter), rooms look out over rolling dunes, there’s an infinity pool and spa, and two complimentary activities are included with every stay: think camel rides, sand artistry or Gahwa tasting. September stays start from Dhs480. Do: Arrange a desert safari that will take you to the Moreeb Dunes, among the tallest in the Middle East, and the annual stage for the Liwa dune-bashing competition for a day of epic thrills and panoramic vistas of the flame-hued empty quarter. Once you’re back at base, cosy up for stargazing and movie nights under the open sky to round out an unmissable desert evening. Don’t miss: The 20th Al Dhafra Festival runs from October 27, 2026 to January 12, 2027, with its Madinat Zayed stage playing host to camel beauty pageants, heritage markets and a range of heritage competitions with total prize money exceeding Dhs97 million.
Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi
MOHAMED BIN ZAYED CITY, ABU DHABI
Already active since the Etihad Rail’s passenger network’s June 30 launch, MBZ City station is the starting point for Etihad Rail’s introductory route to Fujairah. It’s located in the city’s industrial area, and while nearby is mostly an industrial and residential zone, the station’s real draw is what it unlocks nearby: the capital’s array of action-packed, all-star attractions. If you’re keen to linger near the station, Dalma Mall is just opposite, home to over 450 venues, as well as a cinema, VR park and Leo & Loona soft play, but we suggest hopping in a 30-minute taxi to Yas Island. Stay: W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island (marriott.com), the only hotel in the world built on top of a Formula 1 circuit. Its two towers straddle the Yas Marina track itself, with the open-air Wet Deck pool, seven dining venues and that famous illuminated Grid Shell canopy overhead. Rates in September start from Dhs579. Do: It’s impossible to cram everything Yas Island has to offer into one visit. Thrill seekers are spoiled for choice with theme parks including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld, while those looking to enjoy some retail therapy can delight in an array of shops at Yas Mall. Keen to do something more relaxed? Try a round of golf at Yas Links or chill out poolside at Café Del Mar, the pool club at Yas Bay. Don’t miss: There’s a huge calendar of upcoming events bringing the noise, theatre and drama to Etihad Arena with UFC 333 taking place in October, and Hans Zimmer making his much-anticipated return in November.
10 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
W Abu Dhabi
AL YALAYIS, DUBAI
Connecting Dubai by train to Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Sharjah from September 30, Etihad Rail’s Dubai station puts the city firmly on the national map. When you arrive in Jumeirah Golf Estates, you’re plugged straight into the emirate’s non-stop energy, with world-class shopping, dining and nightlife always just a beat away. Stay: If you want to be near the Etihad Rail station, a hotel like FIVE Jumeirah Village (fivehotelsandresorts.com) is arguably among the most convenient, providing its signature blend of glamour and party spirit. Think sky villas with private pools, seventeen dining and entertainment concepts, and DJ sets that spin from the poolside until the early hours, with affordable room rates from Dhs310 per night. But the rail network puts the rest of the city within easy reach, so you’re never far from Dubai’s newest headline stays either: pick Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai for skyline glamour beside the Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab for its striking wave-shaped silhouette on the coast, or the soon-to-open Six Senses The Palm, bringing a boutique, wellness-driven stay to Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent in the final quarter of the year. Do: If you’re looking to experience Dubai’s big-hitting highlights, plan your stop around riding the waves at Aquaventure, taking in the view from Burj Khalifa’s At the Top, or wandering around the fragrant souks in Old Dubai. Don’t miss: The DP World Tour Championship, the season’s Rolex Series finale, returns to the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 12 to 15, offering front-row access to the biggest event on the European golf calendar, right by the station.
Jumeirah Golf Estates
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E M I R AT E S B Y R A I L
Moon Retreat
AL DHAID STATION, SHARJAH
Dhaid drops you straight into Sharjah’s desert hinterland, a world away from the coast. The emirate’s city-centre station, Sharjah University City, doesn’t join the network until March 2027, so for now, Al Dhaid is your only rail gateway into Sharjah, promising a change of pace from bustling city life. Stay: Moon Retreat by Sharjah Collection (sharjahcollection.ae), tucked among the dunes near Mleiha, offers an otherworldly glamping experience to immerse you in the incredible landscape. Choose from ten domes or six private tents, each with its own terrace, a self-catering barbecue set-up, and a temperature-controlled private pool. It’s glamping in the true sense: private, unplugged, and authentic – with camels known to wander near the entrance and mountain views that turn gold at sunrise and sunset. It reopens from October 1, and rates this season start from Dhs1,757 per night. Do: Mleiha is the region’s centrepiece: a UNESCO-recognised Palaeolandscape holding more than 210,000 years of human history. Start at Mleiha Archaeological Centre, then from there a guided 4WD Archaeology Tour heads out to Faya Cave, the Palaeolithic rock shelter where the area’s earliest finds were unearthed. Animal lovers will also find themselves conveniently placed to tick Sharjah Safari off their UAE bucket list, reachable within a 15-minute drive from the station and reopening in September. Here, more than 120 species of animals await discovery, with birds, reptiles and mammals such as lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos among the residents. Don’t miss: Al Dhaid’s souqs make for an easy pairing. Souq Al Jubail is the working heart of the town: a sprawling fresh produce market with dedicated fruit, vegetable, meat and fish sections. A short distance away, Souq Sharia’t Al Dhaid is the newer arrival, a heritage market with a dedicated camel race track alongside it, its shops and cafés built around traditional crafts and local products.
12 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
AL HILAL CITY, FUJAIRAH
Active since the passenger network’s introductory launch on June 30, Al Hilal City station connects the capital to the UAE’s east coast in just 1 hour 45 minutes. Swap the skyscrapers for the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, and you’re in an entirely different UAE. Stay: Palace Beach Resort Fujairah (addresshotels.com), a palatial beachfront five-star set right on Fujairah’s Corniche Road, is just 10 minutes away. The 150 rooms and suites look out over city, pool or ocean views, while facilities include a private beach, an ocean-view pool with cabana-covered daybeds, and The Spa by Palace, with treatments inspired by Arabesque tradition and a private rooftop terrace to unwind afterwards. One-night stays start from Dhs392. Do: This coastline is made for the water. Snorkel or dive off Snoopy Island, one of the UAE’s best-known reef sites just off Al Aqah, or book a fishing or watersports excursion if you’re keen to go with a local guide. The Dibba Bay Oyster Farm makes for an unusual add-on if you’d rather stay closer to shore. Inland, the Hajar Mountains offer proper hiking with sea views, while for heritage, Al Bidya Mosque and Fujairah Fort and Museum are within easy reach. Don’t miss: Extend your trip and head a little further down the coast to Kabla, where several landmark projects are set to open later this year. From December, expect to check out Al Hiyar Lake and Rest Area, the striking Shell Theatre (entered via an underwater corridor), the Kalba Heritage Museum, a living space for traditional arts and crafts, and Above The Clouds, a two-storey venue 850 metres up on Al Deem mountain with a restaurant, viewing platforms and a children’s play area.
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ETIHAD RAIL 01 Passenger trains can travel up to 200 km/h. 02 When complete, the full network spans approximately 900 km, and will connect all seven emirates from Ghuweifat on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast. 03 Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Oman rail is also set to expand train journeys between the UAE and Oman, targeting a 2030 launch. 04 A separate high-speed line is planned to eventually cut the Abu Dhabi–Dubai journey to just 30 minutes at speeds up to 350 km/h. 05 It required 593 bridges and crossings and nine tunnels totalling 6.5 km to build.
Fujairah
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THRIF T SHOP GUIDE
GET THRIFTY
A guide to building the perfect preloved wardrobe in Dubai and Abu Dhabi WORDS: SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN
THRIFT SPOTS IN DUBAI Best Kept Shared They’re the region’s first peer-to-peer fashion rental platform. As a seller, you can list your designer clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories that are less than five years old. bestkeptshared.com
Digg It This vintage and thrift store is all about that streetwear swagger, and stocks vintage, pre-loved and reworked clothing. @digg.it Best Kept Shared
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
THRIFT SPOTS IN ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi Flea Market La Suite
Abu Dhabi Flea Market This weekend pop-up is the perfect treasure hunt to embark on if you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe. Dig through pre-loved finds, vintage gems and seriously good bargains. @auh_fleamarket
Books R Us
Endless Wardrobe
Digg It
Endless Wardrobe A second-hand buying and selling platform in the UAE that accepts all premium, contemporary, and luxury brands. You can shop and sell women’s clothes, shoes, and accessories as well as homeware and children’s items. @endless.ae
Fashion Rerun More for vintage, retro and Y2K fashion, Fashion Rerun is perfect for those looking for throwback pieces. You know the drill – they’re affordable, authentic and the website ships to your home. @fashionrerun_vintage
La Suite Fashion meets sustainability in a vibrant mix of style and conscience at La Suite. This spot hosts a curated selection of premium and luxury fashion brands, carefully sourced from the fashion capitals of Europe effortlessly blending cool and elegance. @lasuite.ae
Thrift For Good Your dirhams support circular fashion and children in need through this spot’s partnership with Gulf for Good. With locations around Dubai, swap out fast fashion for unique pieces at this spot. @thriftforgood
If you love collecting books, this store has hidden literary gems you can score without wrecking your bank account. Spend an evening looking through the shelves for pre-loved reads and new favourites. @booksrus_bookshop
Bounce Back Vintage Clothing Serving vintage fits with main-character energy. Dig through throwback pieces, find your next obsession and make retro seriously relevant. @bouncebackvol.1vintageclothing
Hello and Good Buy Say hello to sustainable shopping and goodbye to boring wardrobes. Expect vintage gems, cute finds and major secondhand serotonin. This shop in Al Zeina is open to those with booked appointments only, so you’ll have the space to dig through the racks instead of crowds. @helloandgoodbuy.uae
Kawaii Art UAE For anyone whose personality is basically cute overload. Discover playful art, adorable finds and pieces guaranteed to brighten your closet. Keep an eye on their socials as the store does frequent pop-ups in Abu Dhabi if you prefer shopping in person. @kawaiiart.ae
Sam’s Store Ukay Ukay The bright, buzzing red and yellow Sam’s Store Ukay-Ukay sign means you’ve hit the jackpot for serious thrift flexes. This spot typically offers by the kilogram deals and frequently updates its stock so you can grab the coolest pieces sustainably and at a bargain. @samsstoreukayukay
Sam’s Store Ukay Ukay
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The same venue can be a completely different experience depending on where you land. We tested the tables, scouted the sightlines and found the precise spot to request to ensure the best seat in the house WORDS: LAURA COUGHLIN & SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN
16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
B E S T S E AT S I N T H E H O US E
DUBAI
FOR SEEING AND BEING SEEN
FOR ENJOYING AN INDIE FILM There’s nowhere better to watch an indie film or classics alike than at Cinema Akil. Its Summer of Classics runs until September 17 at the flagship Alserkal arthouse, with a fresh lineup rolling out month by month. Last month it spotlighted the storybook worlds of Wes Anderson among other film legends. We’re not sure what’s in store come September, so keep an eye on their socials for what’s next. But a word to the wise, where you sit makes or breaks the screening. Come early, or you’ll be stuck up front bearing the brunt of a crick in your neck from awkwardly looking up. Instead, head for the couches right in the centre back of the cinema. It’s the comfiest spot in the house, and the best angle on the screen. @cinemaakil
Table 15 in Carbone’s dining room sits close enough to the entrance that everyone walking in catches a glimpse of you before they’re shown to their own seat – not centre-stage, but not hiding either. You and your date sit at 90 degrees rather than across from each other, close enough for real conversation, open enough to still take in the theatre of the room without missing a beat of who’s arriving. Bonus: the table runs slightly larger than the other two-tops, which we’re choosing to interpret as more room for food. @carbone.dxb
FOR WRITING YOUR NOVEL When it’s time to focus, there are two places that do the job. The first is Zerzura Rare Books in Alserkal Avenue – up a flight of stairs at the back of Maison Éthérique, where frankincense mixes with the smell of well-thumbed pages, and a small private space at the rear waits for those in the know. Roasteries and cafés next door mean caffeine is sorted, and there’s no shortage of galleries nearby for a hit of inspiration instead of words. The second is Al Safa Art and Design Library – communal rooms, quiet corridors of books, or a private booth, depending on the mood that day. Coffee’s covered here too, courtesy of Forma, the onsite café. @zerzurabooks; dubaiculture.gov.ae
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FOR HAVING A MINDBODY RESET FOR REKINDLING A ROMANCE Row on 45 doesn’t try too hard at romance, it just is: with its low lighting and a room that feels intimate. Chef Dan Birk’s tasting menu unfolds across three acts: Act I sees you settled into a lounge with snacks and an aperitif, Act II puts you in full view of the open kitchen for the main event, and Act III winds things down in the chef ’s library with one last drink and little treats. Watching the kitchen work from a few feet away, it genuinely feels like they’re cooking just for you and your beloved. Michelin-calibre food, and one of the most memorable date nights in the city. @rowon45dubai
FOR A JAW-DROPPING WATER SPECTACLE La Perle is Dubai’s resident aqua-theatre spectacular at Al Habtoor City, where 65 performers fly, dive and dance across a stage that floods with 2.7 million litres of water and drains again in seconds. It’s genuinely one of the most technically wild things you’ll watch in this city. For front-row perks to La Perle without splashzone worries, try Gold Section 205. Plant yourself in row D upwards – that’s one row back from the splash zone, meaning you can actually dress up – for a Dhs330-per-seat ticket. You’ll get a dead-straight view of the water action and sit close enough to the tunnel to watch performers disappear into it mid-air. @laperledxb 18 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
Paus Club has everything you need to break away from the bustle of the city and reconnect with what powers your soul. The mid-city escape brings you into a remodelled villa in Jumeirah that’s thriving with nature. You can enjoy soundhealing, yoga, pilates and more to get your balance back. It’s quite literally a breath of fresh air as soon as you walk in. @pausclub
B E S T S E AT S I N T H E H O US E
FOR STELLAR DUBAI FOUNTAIN VIEWS Everyone wants to see the Dubai Fountain – new to the city, or just showing friends around, it’s nonnegotiable. The question is how you watch it. Option one is to jostle the crowds at the lake’s edge, craning for a gap. Option two is seated, one floor up, with a dead-straight view of the Burj Khalifa and the fountains doing their thing right in front of you. Head into Souk Al Bahar, make for Time Out Market, and push through to the front of the space. Through the side door is a balcony with roughly eight high tables and, frankly, the best sightline in the building. Order the steak frites from CQ Brasserie, a pizza from Pitfire, something crisp in your glass, and let the water show do the rest. Beats standing, every time. @timeoutmarketdubai
FOR A DRIVE-BY HISTORY LESSON Board the Heritage Express from SMCCU in Al Fahidi and settle into a retro trolley car dressed in arched windows and brown wood-panelling, with an Emirati Cultural Ambassador as your guide. Before you even leave, there’s Arabic coffee and dates in a goat-hair Bedouin tent, and a stop to feed camels just steps from reception. Then it’s onto the road proper, past Al Seef ’s waterfront and the coral-stone walls of Al Fahidi Fort, through Al Shindagha, and along Beach Road towards Union House and the Etihad Museum, your guide sharing his own story and answering whatever you throw at him along the way. There’s a pause at Jumeirah Mosque to wander the majlis and its pocket-sized museum, before you’re back at SMCCU for a courtyard lunch alongside an open Q&A where nothing is off the table. You’ll get a full lesson in Emirati culture in one air-conditioned morning, no walking required. @heritageexpress
FOR HIDING OUT IN A TINY SPEAKEASY If you want the speakeasy experience without sharing it with strangers, head to Tezukuri. This is easily the smallest speakeasy in the UAE – it apparently seats eight but five is comfortable. The tiny room has a brilliant listening bar setup, with a martini-making bartender working from a tiny counter who has almost certainly heard things they shouldn’t have. Access is quietly rationed. Dinner guests get first dibs but the space can be booked privately, which only adds to the feeling you’ve stumbled into something intentionally exclusive. @tezukuridubai
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B E S T S E AT S I N T H E H O US E
FOR ENJOYING A BURGER AND BEER BEFORE A FLIGHT Terminal 3, Concourse B, isn’t where you’d expect a hidden gem, but there it is – a 6,200 sqft Five Guys… that’s licensed. That means that alongside your 100 per cent premium beef burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese and skin-on fries, you can order an ice-cold beer to go with it, the first and only licensed Five Guys in the region. It’s open 24/7 and runs a branch-exclusive breakfast menu too, so whether you’ve just landed at 6am or you’re killing three hours before a red-eye, they’ve got you covered. Slump into those famous bright red booths, beer in one hand, burger in the other, and let the departures board wait. @dxb; @fiveguysuae
FOR VIP TREATMENT IN A SALON FOR PULLING UP A (VERY COMFORTABLE) STOOL At Barrafina in DIFC, bagging a counter seat feels like scoring a front-row ticket to theatre. Plush, ruby-red leather stools and an open kitchen that puts the chefs dead centre of the action – this is counter dining done properly, and the counter really is the only seat worth having. Plonk yourself directly in front of the Josper oven (that’s smack bang in the middle of the room) and watch the whole show unfold from inches away: pans lathered, tortillas flipped, prawns given a perfect char, plates fired out fast and hot. The hiss of the oven and the clatter but calm choreography of chefs make it such an all-encompassing experience. @barrafinadubai 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
Sure, there are many fabulous salons in Dubai. But one where you can get your nails done, your hair styled into the perfect up-do, and your brows shaped to perfection – all while being properly looked after from a plush, cosy chair? That’s Twice. Tucked into BLVD Heights in Downtown, this sanctuary is designed exclusively for women who want the full VIP treatment, and then some. Best of all, Twice Café sits right next door, serving up coffees, light bites and signature mocktails so you can indulge in the whole shebang while you’re getting pampered. @twicesalon
B E S T S E AT S I N T H E H O US E
ABU DHABI
TO GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING
FOR ENTERTAINING YOUR TASTE BUDS Dinner with a show becomes very literal at Benihana Restaurant at Beach Rotana Hotel, with fiery flames out of onion-made volcanos and sake shots across the counter. Each seat points you directly towards the action, serving up freshly cooked fried rice, mouthwatering stir fries and more straight off the cook top. These seats bring you all the action and a tasty meal. @benihanaabudhabi
Third Place Café in Abu Dhabi hosts cozy, quiet corners with delicious treats to fuel your creative thinking. Pick a seat that tickles your fancy whether it’s a comfy couch or table hidden in between bookshelves. You can bring your watercolours or finally get around to finishing the last bits of your groundbreaking fiction. Whatever the creative task at hand, you can spend the whole day here getting lost in your imagination. @thirdplaceuae
TO CATCH A CLASSIC FILM If you’re in Abu Dhabi, Cinema Space at Manarat Al Saadiyat brings you the glamour and charm of Old Hollywood and culturally moving Arab film, and it’s all free. The volunteerled community initiative is dedicated to celebrating and preserving cinematic heritage through free public screenings of restored classics, contemporary world cinema and award-winning films. Stay tuned to Manarat Al Saadiyat’s socials for monthly screenings. @manaratalsaadiyat
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 21
B E S T S E AT S I N T H E H O US E
SELF-CARE, SORTED For days when the noise gets too loud, find your safe haven at The Bridge at Al Qana for unique unwind experiences. From meditating with the fish to getting the endorphins flowing with a work-out, this is the reset your mind and body is craving. A day at the Al Qana waterfront is the best break from your daily routine. And while a yoga mat doesn’t quite fit in the chair category, at The Bridge, it’s still a seat with one of Abu Dhabi’s winning views. @thebridgehub
FOR A COMFORT MEAL BEFORE YOU TRAVEL If you’re flying out from Abu Dhabi, Todd English Market and Pub has a hearty meal waiting for you in Terminal A at Zayed International Airport. This is the spot for classic pub grub to keep you fuelled for your flight. Get to the airport early to ditch the customary scarfing en route to your airplane and settle down for a beer and burger before jetting off to your destination. @cheftoddenglish, @abudhabiairport
22 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF
Cat STevens
READ HIS BESTSELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY THAT’S MAKING WAVES AROUND THE WORLD A v A i l A b l e At A l l m A j o r b o o k s t o r e s A n d o n b o o k s A r A b i A . c o m
www.motivatemedia.com
MOTIVATEBOOKS
MOTIVATE_BOOKS
MOTIVATEBOOKS
L AU G H T E R FAC TO R Y
30 YEARS OF
LAUGHTER
Gail on stage
As The Laughter Factory turns 30, co-founder Gail Clough looks back on the night 500 people showed up unannounced, when a 20-year-old Jack Whitehall looked like a “deer in the headlights”, and why lockdown nearly finished the club for good WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE
You went from touring the world as a DJ to co-founding a comedy club in Dubai. How did those dots connect? I think I was one of the world’s first diversity hires – there were no women DJs in the 80s. Day jobs were what people wanted back then; nobody fancied working nights. I was too dysfunctional for that life, so I spent seven years travelling the world as a DJ before settling in the UAE. Take us back to that first night at the Hyatt Regency Deira. We expected nobody and almost 500 people turned up. There was no online ticketing, so I was counting cash on the
24 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
door before hosting. My business partner Duncan was putting out chairs, one act had a meltdown and started shouting at the crowd, and I accidentally walked on stage with my handbag – old DJ-booth habits. It was 1996, and it was very raw. You’ve hosted Jack Gail & Duncan Whitehall, Kevin Bridges, Joe Lycett and Jason Manford. What was Dubai comics here from around the world felt like as a gig for them? like people-smuggling, but nothing beats Jack Whitehall and Kevin Bridges both a room laughing together. came in 2008, aged 20, on their first shows What does success mean to you now? outside the UK – deer in the headlights, Bringing in the funniest acts, and getting but they took to our audiences fast. We strangers talking again. We host an aftertend to catch acts just as their TV careers party with the comics and hide all the take off, while they’re still playing small chairs, so people have to stand and mingle. venues, which is the best way to watch Comedy fans are the best people in the comedy. Jason Manford still plays here world – they see themselves in the jokes after 30 years; he loves a comedy-literate and take life a little less seriously. crowd, and a regular audience makes all Any surprises for the 30th anniversary? the difference to a set. An incredible line-up, including Kelsey De What almost ended The Laughter Almeida and Aiden McQueen, both tipped Factory? for arena shows. Catch them here first. Lockdown. We lost everything and are still Details at thelaughterfactory.com recovering financially. At one point, getting
Lebanese Comfo in Every Bite At Nazira’s Kitchen, we bring you the authentic taste of Lebanese home-style food, made with love and passion. For over 10 years, we’ve been serving the heart and soul of Lebanese cuisine in Abu Dhabi, and now we’re bringing the same traditional flavors and homemade warmth to Dubai.
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EAT | DRINK | SHOP
PA G E 28
Neighbourhood soul
Introducing the restaurant with big flavours and an even bigger heart SHARJAH’S FIRST-EVER HOMEGROWN FINE-DINING SPACE IS MAKING WAVES p29 THE CITY’S BEST BUSINESS LUNCHES p30 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: JLT p34 SPRUCE-UP YOUR DESK WITH THESE p36
EAT // REVIEW
CRUNCH
A neighbourhood restaurant with big flavours and an even bigger heart
Mukhtar Kosbayev and Anastassiya Kosbayeva
WORDS: AARTI SAUNDALKAR
J
umeirah has welcomed plenty of new restaurants over the years, but The Crunch stands out with its mix of bold flavours, warm hospitality and a distinctly personal feel. Founded by partners Mukhtar Kosbayev and Anastassiya Kosbayeva, the casual-chic eatery puts clever twists on familiar dishes, all served with the kind of warmth that makes you want to linger.
The story There’s a rather sweet story behind The Crunch. Co-founders Mukhtar and Anastassiya met through a shared love of food and exploration and have since turned their culinary adventures into a restaurant of their own. With experience spanning acclaimed kitchens, including Noma and Frantzén, and travels from Kazakhstan and Iceland to London, Moscow and Dubai, The Crunch brings a little piece of their journey to Jumeirah.
The vibe The Crunch is warm, cosy and just the right amount of chic. Copper and amber tones give the space a gorgeous golden glow, while marbletopped tables, soft velvet seating and hand-blown glass details add a polished touch. But it’s the statement wall you’re drawn to first, with hundreds of tiny amber blocks creating a striking caramelised effect. There’s a lovely buzz to the place, too. On our visit, tables were full, waiters moved around with smiles on their faces, and Mukhtar seemed to be everywhere at once, greeting guests as they walked through the door and checking in on tables in between. The team calls The Crunch a second home, and there’s a warmth to the place that makes you understand why. And then, of course, there’s… 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
The food The menu takes familiar favourites and gives them a clever little twist, with influences from across Europe and beyond. During our (second) visit, we tried the Neighbour’s Signature Dip which was one we almost overlooked, but it quickly became a favourite, with a lingering hit of garlic, a subtle tingle on the tongue and deliciously crisp, toasted pita for scooping it all up. Oh, and while marinated olives may be a staple on Lebanese and Middle Eastern tables, The Crunch somehow makes them feel special. Fresh, citrusy and incredibly moreish, we found ourselves reaching for them long after we said we were done. The Arab stracciatella, or qishta, pairs creamy cheese with incredibly fresh Uzbek tomatoes, basil and a pomegranate molasses glaze. We’re told the fresh ingredients are flown in especially, and it shows: the tomatoes are bursting with flavour, while the qishta pairs beautifully with the warm shlepek bread. For mains, we tucked into a flavourful grilled chicken kofta, juicy and nicely charred, served over a silky potato purée. The creamy orzo was another highlight, topped with smoky beef pastrami, Parmesan and fresh herbs for a rich, comforting finish.
The mocktails are excellent too, and worth lingering over as you make room for dessert. The sticky date pudding is our pick, warm and indulgent with buttery toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream and toasted pecans.
The service The hospitality at Crunch Restaurant is just as memorable as the food. The team is warm and genuinely friendly, with smiles all around and a level of attention that makes you feel more like family than a diner. The owner is equally welcoming and present, taking the time to chat and ensuring guests feel completely at home. There’s a genuine warmth to the whole experience that makes you want to return.
What’s On the bill For two people, drinks, starters, mains and desserts round up to Dhs500 for two. WHAT’S ON VERDICT
We came for the food, but it’s the combination of memorable flavours and heartfelt hospitality that will bring us back. And we’ve already got our eye on the breakfast menu… Where: Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1 When: Daily, 8am to 12am Contact: @crunchdxb, crunchdxb.com
EAT // REVIEW
MURMUR ALJADA Sharjah’s first-ever homegrown fine-dining space is already making waves WORDS: SHIFALI JAIN
N
estled within the lush green enclave of Aljada, Murmur stands out as the emirate’s first-ever finedining space. It is a place made for people looking to escape the everyday and turn a casual catch-up with friends into a fullblown three-course meal. While the space is still in its soft-opening phase, it has already drawn in much of the local crowd. And we can see why.
The vibe Murmur isn’t about the theatrics. There are no tall, towering statues with large fountains to welcome the guests. It’s simple and inviting. Complementing its placid outdoor foliage, Murmur’s interiors are grounded in rich red tile-clad walls, plush earth-toned booths, and warm wooden shelving for the bar. But for us, what truly stole the show was the long hallway leading straight to the restrooms. Somewhere between the pops of colour is this mirrored hallway that makes for the perfect photoop. And yes, we managed to snag a few great pictures for the grid as well.
The food and drinks Just as we sat down by the booths, we were served an amuse-bouche: a smooth carrot
hummus served with crispy light chips. Much to our delight, the dish struck just the right balance of sweetness and tang. Up next for our appetisers was the Murmur Salad, a leafy green salad topped with crispy shreds of beetroot and a tart dressing that was a delightful blend of savoury flavours. This certainly isn’t just any boring-healthy salad; it actually has the flavours to back it up. Following the appetisers, we were served a variety of mains that all had some element of global flair to it. The Halloumi Arrabiata, in particular, was a stand-out dish. Pan-seared halloumi dusted with sumac came paired with tangy marinara sauce and slices of olives, bringing a salty yet sharp contrast that we kept going back for. Also safe to say we were in for a serious pasta affair at Murmur, because our next dishes were the Truffle Mac-n-Cheese and the Za’atar Linguini. Much like the name suggests, the Mac-n-Cheese is a cult classic among comfort foods – elbow macaroni dipped in gooey béchamel sauce and umami-filled truffles.
Next up on the list is the Za’atar Linguini, a generous bowl of pasta that marries herbaceous pesto with earthy za’atar, adding a Middle Eastern twist that we never knew it needed. Then came the dessert that closed the meal on its highest note: the Karak San Sebastian. It takes the rich, creamy San Sebastian cheesecake and gives it a distinctly karak-inspired twist that also surprisingly didn’t feel too heavy after we managed to clear the plate clean.
The service If you are anything like us and find yourself in a bind as to what to order, don’t worry – the pros at Murmur will list out all of the ingredients and help you decide on what’s best on the menu.
What’s on the bill Murmur Salad (Dhs69), Halloumi Arrabiata (Dhs72), Truffle Mac-n-Cheese (Dhs89), Za’atar Linguini (Dhs75), Karak San Sebastian (Dhs60). WHAT’S ON VERDICT
Murmur in Aljada brings a genuinely different spin on traditional flavours – well worth the trip out to try it.
Location: Murmur, Aljada, Sharjah Times: daily, 4pm till late Contact: @murmur.ae WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 29
Whether you’re closing a deal, easing into a Friday, or simply escaping the inbox for an hour (or two), these are the tables across Dubai and Abu Dhabi getting the business lunch right – where the food does the talking long before the bill arrives WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE
30 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
BEST BUSINESS LUNCHES
La Petite Maison (LPM) DIFC · DUBAI & AL MARYAH ISLAND · ABU DHABI Few restaurants have built the following LPM commands – and the impressive part is that it holds across both cities. The warm baguette and the tomato salad are non-negotiables at either address, the FrenchMediterranean cooking unmistakably LPM whether you’re in DIFC or on Al Maryah Island. It’s less a single business lunch than a rule of thumb: wherever you’re doing business, if there’s an LPM nearby, that’s lunch settled. DIFC, Dubai Where: LPM Restaurant & Bar, Gate Village No. 8, DIFC When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-3pm (excluding public holidays) Cost: Dhs135 for one starter and one main; Dhs185 for one starter, one main and one dessert (or two starters and one main) Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi Where: La Petite Maison, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-3pm Cost: Dhs135 (Le Petit Menu) or Dhs180 (Le Grand Menu)
La Petite Maison (LPM)
Kata
Mosaic
Mosaic AL MUROOR & AL NAJDA · ABU DHABI Winner of Favourite Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant and Favourite Business Lunch at the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026, Mosaic has built its reputation on doing Lebanese food properly rather than flashily – the raw kibbeh and the chicken shawarma saj plate are the dishes regulars steer newcomers towards, alongside a fatteh eggplant that rarely makes it off the table before it’s gone. It’s casual by design, which is exactly what makes it work for a lunch that needs to be quick, good and unpretentious. Plus, the mixed grill will leave any guest impressed. Fact. Where: Mosaic, Al Muroor or Al Najda, Abu Dhabi When: Saturday to Thursday, 8am-11.30pm; Friday, 1.30pm-11.30pm Cost: À la carte – no fixed set menu, but a regular weekday pick for client lunches.
DUBAI MALL, DOWNTOWN DUBAI · DUBAI Ask for a table by the window and you get one of Downtown’s best views thrown in for free – the Dubai Fountains right there mid-negotiation. But it’s the food doing the heavy lifting: the mushroom truffle rice pot is the dish regulars order on repeat, alongside a chicken katsu curry built for comfort rather than fuss. Three courses with a choice of starter, main and dessert – polished enough for a client lunch, quick enough that you’re back at your desk before too long. Where: Kata, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai When: Monday to Friday, 11am-3pm Cost: Dhs88 for three courses
Kata
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 31
BEST BUSINESS LUNCHES
The Guild
The Guild ICD BROOKFIELD PLACE, DIFC · DUBAI One of DIFC’s most talkedabout newer tables, The Guild’s business lunch pairs a starter and a main built for impact rather than filler – Wagyu beef carpaccio, woodfired prawns, roasted baby chicken, porcini mushroom risotto. It’s the pick for when the lunch needs to double as the pitch. Where: The Guild, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC When: Weekdays Cost: Dhs119 for one starter and one main
Mare Mare
Mare Mare JUMEIRAH SAADIYAT ISLAND · ABU DHABI This is a business lunch that starts with coffee in The Majlis and ends, if you let it, with a Pilates class. In between: an al fresco Italian lunch by the sea built around handmade pasta – the maltagliati all’anatra, fresh pasta with duck ragù and mint, is the dish worth planning the visit around. Add a gym or wellness upgrade and a working lunch becomes something closer to a proper reset. Where: Mare Mare, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island When: From 8am, lunch timings vary Cost: Dhs200 two courses, Dhs230 three courses; Dhs100 gym upgrade
Novikov
Jun’s
Jun’s DOWNTOWN DUBAI · DUBAI Chef Kelvin Cheung’s Third Culture Cooking has made Jun’s one of Downtown’s most talked-about tables – the char siu short ribs and the wagyu beef and shrimp potstickers are the dishes people come back for, each one blurring the line between Cheung’s ChineseCanadian roots and the Middle East he now calls home. The business lunch is a two- or three-course edit of that same menu, built for a lunch that still leaves room for the rest of the afternoon. Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai When: Weekdays Cost: Dhs125 for two courses; Dhs145 for three courses
32 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
THE GALLERIA, AL MARYAH ISLAND · ABU DHABI When the lunch needs to impress, Novikov delivers scale as well as flavour – a beef carpaccio to start, then a mushroom risotto rich enough to make the rest of the afternoon feel optional, from a weeklyrotating menu that shifts with the season. It’s a little indulgent by business-lunch standards, which is exactly the point when the occasion calls for it. Where: Novikov Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-3.30pm Cost: From Dhs148
CÉ LA VI
Bushra by Buddha-Bar
ADDRESS SKY VIEW, DOWNTOWN DUBAI · DUBAI Best Business Lunch winner at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2026, and it’s easy to see why – 54 floors up with the Burj Khalifa filling the window, the three-course Summer Lunch Menu is built around dishes like the black truffle ‘sushi rice’ risotto, a modern Asian menu that backs up the view rather than coasting on it. Where: CÉ LA VI, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai When: Sunday to Friday, 12pm-5pm Cost: Dhs125 for three courses
YAS BAY, YAS ISLAND · ABU DHABI Middle Eastern and North African flavours with a confident, modern edge – chef Greg Malouf ’s braised chicken in crispy filo pastry is the dish that keeps regulars coming back, alongside a slow-cooked lamb shoulder built for sharing. It’s bold rather than loud and is a lunch that breaks the usual rotation without breaking the afternoon’s schedule. Where: Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay, Yas Island When: Monday to Friday, 1pm-4pm Cost: Dhs109 two courses, Dhs129 three courses
CÉ LA VI
High Society
Eugène Eugène
High Society THE LANA, DORCHESTER COLLECTION, BUSINESS BAY · DUBAI Thirty floors up at The Lana, with the kind of view that turns a midday meeting into something closer to an occasion. D.O.P burrata, a Wagyu katsu sando that’s become something of a signature, and a Japanese roll cake worth saving room for. Two or three courses, water and coffee included, and a room that does a fair share of the impressing for you. Where: High Society, The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Business Bay When: Weekdays, 12pm-3pm (June 1 to September 30) Cost: Dhs150 for two courses; Dhs175 for three courses
Eugène Eugène
Shang Palace
Shang Palace SHANGRI-LA QARYAT AL BERI, ABU DHABI Freshly crowned Favourite Fine Dining Asian Restaurant at the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026, Shang Palace’s weekday Yum Cha lunch is all-you-can-eat dim sum done with real technique – hand-folded dumplings, crispy wontons and Cantonese classics turned out with the kind of precision that earned the award in the first place. Go hungry, and go with people who don’t mind sharing. Where: Shang Palace, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-3pm Cost: Dhs168 per person (food only); Dhs338 per person including unlimited house wine, beer and spirits.
KEMPINSKI HOTEL, AL BARSHA · DUBAI Greenhouse-style interiors and a menu with genuine range – the crozets à la truffe, a tiny square French pasta finished with truffle, is worth ordering on its own merits, alongside a lighter seabream à la plancha. Two courses with proper choice across starters, mains and dessert, plus a vegetarian selection substantial enough that it doesn’t read as an afterthought. Where: Eugène Eugène, Kempinski Hotel, Al Barsha When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-4pm Cost: From Dhs115 for two courses
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 33
EAT // NEW IN JLT
WHAT’S NEW IN JLT? Mama B
Ca Phin Vietnamese Café
JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS
Noren
Mama B
Ca Phin Vietnamese Café
Shiogensui
Mama B is only months old but has already earned its buzz on socials. It’s a crash course in Taiwanese cooking: blistered scallion pancakes, egg crepes, congee, and dumplings in every form – boiled, souped into xiao long bao (order these), seared into potstickers, folded into buns – sit alongside noodles, rice and century eggs. The signature order here is a schnitzel-thin, night-market-style chicken cutlet, fried crisp and offered four ways, from classic to za’atar, cheese or Korean glaze. The room matches the energy with neon, raw metal, and a chandelier built from kitchen tools and bulbs. Order at the counter, sit down and dig in. Mama B, Cluster F, Jumeirah Lakes Towers. @mamab.dxb
The UAE’s first dedicated Vietnamese specialty coffee house – a small JLT space built around coffee, the country’s most misunderstood export. The menu runs from the familiar (lattes, cortados and matcha) to the signature cà phê trứng, a Vietnamese egg coffee made with espresso, pasteurised egg, condensed milk and cocoa powder. Food covers bánh mì, fresh spring rolls, and a coffee-infused Basque cheesecake. The space itself is stripped back and simple, with shelves of books and board games, merch by the counter, and bags of beans and bottled cold brew for those taking the ritual home. Ca Phin Vietnamese Café, Cluster F, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (0)54 509 2189. @caphin.uae
Founder Hiroshi Takahashi spent years working in ramen shops from the inside out before deciding, at 30, to dedicate his life to the craft. Seven years of training later, he opened his first shop in Osaka on a simple mission: to create ramen that’s both pure and balanced. That single shop grew into more than 30 locations across Japan, and just a few months ago, Shiogensui made its first move outside its home country, landing in the UAE with comforting bowls of ramen alongside crispy karaage and gyoza. Even in peak summer heat, the queues haven’t budged. That’s how good the bowls are. Shiogensui, Cluster Y, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 11.30am to 9.30pm. Tel: (0)4 566 3862. @shiogensui_dxb
34 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
EAT // NEW IN JLT
An Osaka import, ferociously good xiao long bao, egg coffees and more additions to the city’s favourite foodie neighbourhood WORDS: LAURA COUGHLIN
Napoletano Pizza The Mad Greeks
Shiogensui
COMING SOON!
Napoletano Pizza
The Mad Greeks
Noren
Last we checked, Dubai had roughly a million places to get great pizza. But ready to make a play for one of the best is Napoletano Pizza. Tucked into Cluster Q, this newcomer serves true Neapolitan pizza – hand-stretched, topped with the freshest ingredients, and baked in a woodfired oven roaring past 400°C. Don’t miss The Pizza Makers’ Pizza, the pie pizzaioli order for themselves: a Margherita twist swapping mozzarella for smoky, melting Provola cheese. Oh, and those pan pizza slices look seriously good, too. Napoletano Pizza, Cluster Q, Saba 3, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 10.30am to 10.30pm. Tel: (0)55 668 7796. @napoletanopizza
There’s a new style of Greek food on the menu in JLT. The Mad Greeks operates like a casual sandwich shop, taking the pillars of traditional Greek cuisine and pushing them somewhere entirely new. The grilled chicken souvlaki wrap – loaded with tzatziki and the brand’s own Mad Greek sauce – has become something of a signature, alongside filo pies stuffed with braised chicken or wagyu beef, smashed burgers with a distinctly Greek edge, and stuffed-crust pizzas piled high with feta and kashkaval. Mad? A little. Delicious? Very. The Mad Greeks, Cluster Q, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Sun to Thur noon to 11.30pm, Fri and Sat noon to midnight. Tel: (0)4 257 0520. @themadgreeksdubai
Coming soon to the Pullman Hotel in JLT is Noren, and if the names behind it are anything to go by, this is one to watch. Ilir and Pawel – former Managing Director and Executive Chef, respectively, of Zuma Middle East, Turkey & Asia – spent nearly 15 years together at the helm of one of the region’s most influential restaurant groups, and Noren marks their first venture since going out on their own. Details are being kept characteristically close to the chest, but word is it’s an allday Japanese concept, licensed given its address, with a pedigree that’s already got the industry talking. Stay tuned to @whatsondubai for updates. @norenrestaurant WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 35
CONSUME // SHOP
WORKING IT
From first coffee to final meeting – 15 desk upgrades that make going back to work feel less like going back to work WORDS: LANA DU
S
eptember has a way of feeling like a second January. The holidays are over, routines return, and there’s something quietly satisfying about marking the moment with a fresh
notebook, a tidier desk or a bag that finally fits everything. Wherever you’re working – office, café or kitchen table – these are the upgrades that make the day run smoother.
REUSABLE COFFEE CUP Lidded mug with band, Zara Home, Dhs109, zarahome.com The first coffee of the day is too important to trust to a flimsy takeaway cup. Stainless steel with a secure lid and a comfortable wraparound handle, this one keeps things hot from kitchen to desk – and looks the part in both places.
36 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
BOOK STAND Lumbra book stand, SIN, Dhs526, revolve.com Equal parts sculpture and shelf, this stone stand props a book, tablet or coffee-table hardback at exactly the right angle. The kind of object visitors pick up and ask about – which is at least half the point.
DESK LAMP
LAPTOP STAND Lucy wooden laptop stand, Homelves, Dhs219, homelves.com Working from the sofa is only a treat until your neck files a complaint. Made from sustainably sourced mango wood in a warm walnut finish, this stand gives you a stable, ergonomic surface wherever in the house you’ve set up shop.
Luster reading table lamp, Crate & Barrel, Dhs349, crateandbarrel.me Overhead lighting is nobody’s friend. This compact reading lamp puts proper task lighting exactly where you need it, fits the smallest of desks, and does more for late-afternoon focus than a fourth coffee.
HEADPHONES QuietComfort headphones, Bose, Dhs899, virginmegastore.ae The open-plan office’s greatest enemy. Bose’s noise cancellation is still the one to beat, backed by rich sound, up to 24 hours of battery and a fit light enough that you’ll forget you’re wearing them by the third meeting of the day.
WATER BOTTLE Sky travel bottle, Georg Jensen, Dhs325, tanagra.me Hydration, but make it Danish. Georg Jensen’s stainless steel bottle keeps drinks properly cold – essential in a city where September still means summer – while the sculptural silhouette and leather strap earn it desk space on looks alone.
NOTEBOOK Medium notebook in sartorial leather, Montblanc, Dhs355, montblanc.com Some ideas deserve more than the notes app. Handcrafted in Italy and bound in leather, this is the home for the meeting notes and big-idea scribbles that ought to outlast your phone battery.
WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 37
CONSUME // SHOP
TABLET HOLDER HAVREHOJ holder for tablet, IKEA, Dhs49, ikea.com The cheapest thing on this page and arguably the most useful. Sturdy metal, an adjustable viewing angle, and small enough to disappear into the desk clutter it’s helping you avoid. Video calls, recipes, secondscreen duty – all handled for less than the price of two flat whites.
DESK CHAIR Libby natural cane desk chair, Crate & Barrel, Dhs3,900, crateandbarrel.me Proof a desk chair doesn’t have to look like gaming equipment. Solid wood with a natural cane back and a cushioned linen-blend seat, plus adjustable height and smooth-rolling castors – so the good looks don’t cost you your posture.
LAPTOP BAG Raised commuter laptop bag, Calvin Klein, Dhs850, ounass.ae Smart enough for the boardroom, tough enough for the Metro. A padded compartment keeps your laptop out of harm’s way, multiple pockets keep chargers and cables where you can actually find them, and an adjustable strap spares your shoulder on longer commutes.
PENCIL CASE Leather pencil wrap, Harrods, Dhs190, harrods.com For anyone whose good pens keep vanishing into the bottom of a bag. This pebbled leather wrap keeps them scratch-free and in one place – and unrolling it at the start of a meeting is a small but genuine power move.
MOUSE PAD Kensington ErgoSoft wrist rest mouse pad, Kensington, Dhs85, uae. microless.com Not glamorous, hugely worthwhile. The ultra-soft gel wrist rest takes the strain out of an eight-hour scroll, while the smooth surface and non-slip base keep every click where you meant it. Your future wrists send their thanks.
CUSHION Soft cushion mini, Muji, Dhs90, muji.ae Possibly the cheapest ergonomic upgrade you’ll make all year. Muji’s compact cushion adds soft support to an office chair, a dining chair pressed into home-working service, or an economy seat – no fuss, no branding, just comfort.
LETTER RACK Leather Brennan letter rack, Ralph Lauren Home, Dhs910, harrods.com Yes, it’s a lot of money for somewhere to put post. But finely grained calfskin and handstitched detailing turn the paperwork you’ve been ignoring into something that looks intentional. File under: things that make a desk look like a decision rather than an accident.
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DESK ORGANISERS 2-piece small solid brass studio storage box set, CB2 x Fred Segal, Dhs261, cb2.ae Solid brass boxes for the things that usually live loose in a drawer – paper clips, charging cables, the SIM tool you’ll need exactly once. Handsome enough to sit out on the desk, useful enough to earn the space.
ART | THEATRE | FILM | MUSIC
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Uncovering our greatest stories The landmarks that define us TAKING FLIGHT AT ABU DHABI FALCON HOSPITAL p46 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMIC-CON p48 HOW ONE AUTHOR IS CHANGING THE CONVERSATION WITH KIDS p52
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CULTURE // CULTURAL DUBAI CENTRES
STORIES WORTH DISCOVERING
From ancient treasures and remarkable relics to unexpected experiences, there are fascinating stories waiting to be uncovered across the UAE WORDS: AARTI SAUNDALKAR
Etihad Museum
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here’s no shortage of incredible cultural landmarks across the UAE, but sometimes it’s the stories behind them that make them truly worth discovering. Look a little closer and you’ll find extraordinary objects, unexpected experiences and fascinating glimpses into the country’s past. From touching a piece of the moon to walking through a village slowly being swallowed by the desert, here are some of the stories worth seeking out.
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DUBAI 01
Etihad Museum: Stand where the UAE was born Set in Jumeirah, Etihad Museum takes you back to the events that led to the formation of the UAE all the way back in 1971. Through photographs, films, interactive displays, documents and personal artefacts belonging to the Founding Fathers, the museum traces the journey towards unification and introduces you to the people who helped shape the nation. The striking white building itself has a story to tell, with its curved design inspired by the manuscript of the UAE Constitution. Don’t miss: After exploring the museum, it will be hard not to feel even more connected to the country you call home, especially when you step inside the historic Union House. This is the exact spot where the rulers of the emirates gathered in 1971 to sign the UAE’s Constitution and establish the country as we know it today. You can also get a closer look at original documents, photographs and personal artefacts that tell the story of the Union and the people who helped shape it. Where: Jumeira First, Dubai When: Open daily, 10am to 8pm Cost: Single ticket Dhs10 Contact: etihadmuseum.dubaiculture.gov.ae
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Al Shindagha Museum: Go pearl diving in Dubai’s past
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Mohammed Bin Rashid Library: Come face-to-face with centuries of literary history Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is home to more than 1.5 million printed books, spread across several floors and nine specialised libraries. It’s free to use the library, and the options span from children’s literature to art, media, maps, Emirati literature and so much more. A standout of this vast library is the building itself which is designed in the shape of an open book on a traditional rehl. Don’t miss: Want more? Beyond reading you can even go and visit an impressive collection of rare books, manuscripts and historic maps, with some pieces dating back centuries. Highlights include Shakespeare’s Second Folio from 1632, a first edition of Don Quixote and a hand-coloured and gilded Ptolemaic map from 1482. Another standout is the beautifully detailed Astronomicum Caesareum, a 16th-century astronomy book featuring intricate moving paper instruments once used to map the skies. Where: Near Obeid Juma Bin Suloom Shipyard, Al Jaddaf When: Open Mon to Sat 9am to 9pm (Friday from 2pm to 9pm) Cost: Free but book your spot via the MBRL app Contact: 800 627523, mbrl.ae
Sitting along the banks of Dubai Creek, Al Shindagha Museum isn’t your typical one-building museum – it’s a sprawling heritage experience spread across historic houses and pavilions, each revealing a different chapter of Dubai’s story. Wander through Perfume House to discover the role fragrance plays in Emirati culture, explore traditional crafts and local food, learn about life growing up in Dubai at Children of the Creek, and discover how people lived, travelled and adapted to the UAE’s desert environment at Life on Land. Don’t miss: Located to the very end of the district, you’ll find the Culture of the Sea pavilion. Here, you can enjoy an immersive VR experience that takes you beneath the waves to discover what life was like for Dubai’s pearl divers, who once plunged into the Arabian Gulf in search of the precious gems. It’s a fascinating way to dip into the city’s maritime past, without actually having to get your feet wet. Tip: Allow at least two to three hours, or half a day if you want to explore the museum complex properly. Where: Jumeira First, Dubai When: Open daily, 10am to 8pm Cost: Single ticket Dhs10 Contact: etihadmuseum.dubaiculture. gov.ae
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Quranic Park: See stories from the Quran brought to life Spanning 64 hectares in Al Khawaneej, Quranic Park brings stories and teachings from the Holy Quran to life through nature and interactive experiences. Wander through 12 orchards filled with plants mentioned in the Quran, including dates, olives, figs, grapes and pomegranates, or step inside the Glass House, where you can discover more of the plants and learn about their uses and significance. There’s also the Cave of Miracles, where stories of seven miracles are brought to life through immersive displays, holograms and 3D mapping. Don’t miss: One of the most striking spots at Quranic Park is Moses Lake, inspired by the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the parting of the Red Sea. A pathway runs straight through the centre of the lake, with water on either side, allowing you to walk through the installation and experience a symbolic representation of one of the Quran’s most well-known stories. Where: Al Khawaneej, Al Khawaneej 1 When: Open daily, 10am to 8pm Cost: Dhs5 per indoor attraction, Moses Lake free Contact: dubaiculture.gov.ae WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 41
CULTURE // CULTURAL DUBAI CENTRES
DUBAI
05
Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum: See the ancient ring behind the Expo 2020 Dubai logo The Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum may be small, but it’s one of the most fascinating museums in Dubai. The treasures on display were unearthed at the ancient Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site deep in Dubai’s desert, which came to attention after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, spotted unusual patches in the dunes while flying over the area. During your visit, you’ll come across everything from bronze, pottery and stone vessels to ancient daggers, swords, axes and arrows, alongside intricate gold jewellery, beads, seals and even mysterious metal models of snakes. Don’t miss: If you still get a little nostalgic every time someone mentions Expo 2020 Dubai, there’s one tiny treasure you’ll want to seek out. Among the discoveries from Saruq Al Hadid is an intricate gold artefact dating back thousands of years, whose distinctive circular design went on to inspire the nowiconic Expo 2020 Dubai logo. It’s a lovely little connection between Dubai’s ancient past and a moment in the city’s history many of us still remember so fondly. And yes, you can also say the stunning Al Wasl Dome at Expo Dubai (Expo City) is also inspired by the logo which showcases designs from the ring. Where: Al Shindagha, Al Fahidi When: Open daily, 10am to 8pm Cost: Single ticket Dhs20 Contact: dubaiculture.gov.ae 42 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
ABU DHABI
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Zayed National Museum: See 300,000 years of UAE history There’s a lot to take in at Zayed National Museum, which tells the story of the UAE through 300,000 years of human history, while celebrating the life, values and legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Across six permanent galleries, you’ll find everything from personal objects connected to the Founding Father to archaeological treasures discovered across the Emirates. Keep an eye out for an 8,000-year-old natural pearl discovered on Marawah Island, considered among the oldest known pearls in the world, as well as a stone tool dating back an astonishing 300,000 years. Don’t miss: At 18 metres long, the Magan Boat will be pretty hard to miss, but it’s the story behind it that makes it worth a closer look. The full-scale vessel was reconstructed using ancient techniques dating back to around 2100 BCE, with its hull made from a whopping 15 tonnes of reeds, tied together using date-palm-fibre rope and waterproofed with bitumen. There are absolutely no nails, screws or metal holding it together, and this wasn’t simply an experiment built for display. Researchers even put the boat to the test, successfully sailing it for 50 nautical miles (around 93km) across the Arabian Gulf. This very same vessel now sits inside Zayed National Museum. Where: Zayed National Museum, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island When: Daily, 10am to 8pm; last entry one hour before closing Cost: Dhs70 per adult (Dhs49 UAE residents summer offer), free for under 18s and senior citizens Contact: zayednationalmuseum.ae
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Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: Touch a piece of… the moon The museum takes you on a journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history, beginning with the Big Bang and moving through the formation of our planet, the age of the dinosaurs and the natural world we know today. Among the big hitters are Stan, one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons ever discovered, meteorites containing material older than our Solar System, and so much more. You can even get a fascinating look at Abu Dhabi seven million years ago in the The Lost World of Abu Dhabi – at a time when the landscape was a lush savannah roamed by prehistoric animals.
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Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: Get up close with one of the UAE’s most treasured birds
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Qasr Al Hosn: Step inside Abu Dhabi’s oldest building Sitting right in the heart of the capital, Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, and has witnessed the city transform around it. Once home to the ruling Al Nahyan family and the seat of government, the historic complex comprises the Inner Fort and Outer Palace. You can wander through rooms once used by the ruling family, exploring photographs, personal possessions and exhibits that trace Abu Dhabi’s journey from a small coastal settlement built around fishing and pearling to the capital we know today. Don’t miss: Among the grand architecture and centuries of history are some surprisingly personal pieces. Look out for the original passports of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, offering a rare glimpse into the life of the UAE’s Founding Father. Where: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Al Hosn When: Sat to Thurs 9am to 8pm; Fri 2pm to 8pm Cost: From Dhs30 per person, House of Artisans and outdoor areas are free to enter Contact: qasralhosn.ae
Don’t miss: Okay, you may not be expecting to touch the Moon during a day out at a museum in Abu Dhabi, but that’s exactly what you can do here. The museum is home to a huge 45.8kg lunar meteorite, discovered in Libya, and visitors are actually encouraged to reach out and place their hands on its polished surface. It’s not every day you get this close to something that once formed part of the Moon, so this is one exhibit you definitely don’t want to walk past. Where: Jacques Chirac Street, Saadiyat Island When: Mon to Thurs 10am to 6.30pm, Fri to Sun 10am to 8.30pm Cost: Dhs70 per adult (Dhs49 UAE residents summer offer), free for under 18s and senior citizens Contact: nhmad.ae
It may not technically be a cultural centre, but the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital offers a fascinating look at a tradition deeply rooted in Emirati heritage. Opened in 1999 as the world’s first public hospital dedicated to falcons, the working facility welcomes visitors on guided tours where you can learn more about falconry. You’ll be able to head behind the scenes in examination rooms, learn how injured or damaged feathers are repaired, explore traditional falconry equipment and even see how these prized birds are cared for. Don’t miss: A rather unusual highlight, and one you definitely don’t want to miss? A falcon pedicure in action. Depending on the treatments taking place during your visit, you may get to watch as the hospital’s specialists carefully trim and file a falcon’s talons and tend to its feet, an important part of keeping the bird healthy and comfortable. You’ll also head to the free-flight aviary to see the falcons spread their wings up close. And have your camera ready, as the experience includes the chance to hold a falcon on your arm, too – a photo you will definitely want to share on your Instagram. Where: Near the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Shamkhah When: Mon to Thurs 8am to 2.30pm, Fri 8am to 12pm, closed Sat and Sun Cost: Prices from Dhs178 per person Contact: falconhospital.com
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CULTURE // CULTURAL DUBAI CENTRES
05
Emirates National Auto Museum: See one of Abu Dhabi’s wildest car collections Calling all petrolheads, because this one is worth the drive. Sitting out in Al Dhafra inside a rather fitting giant pyramid, the Emirates National Auto Museum is home to more than 200 vehicles from the wonderfully eclectic private collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family with a serious love for cars. Expect everything from classic American cars and military vehicles to monster trucks and the famous Rainbow Mercedes collection, seven MercedesBenz 500 SELs in different colours of the rainbow, which helped earn Sheikh Hamad his nickname, the “Rainbow Sheikh”. Don’t miss: It’s pretty difficult to choose just one standout here, but the giant Dodge Power Wagon certainly makes for a strong case. Built at around eight times the size of the original, the enormous replica weighs more than 50 tonnes and is so big that there are four bedrooms inside. And no, it isn’t simply an oversized sculpture: the mammoth vehicle was built to actually move. If that somehow doesn’t impress you, keep an eye out for the enormous globe-shaped caravan and supersized Willys Jeep, too. Where: Hameem Road, Al Dhafra When: Daily, 9am to 5pm Cost: Dhs50 per person; free for children under 10 Contact: enam.ae
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Qasr Al Watan: Step inside the UAE’s Presidential Palace Ever wondered what the inside of a palace looks like? Head to Qasr Al Watan to get your answer. But it goes beyond just being a spectacular palace to wander around. The palace is part of the UAE’s working Presidential Palace complex and offers a fascinating look at the country’s heritage, governance and diplomacy. Step beneath the enormous dome of The Great Hall, peek inside the Presidential Banquet, explore rare manuscripts and artefacts at the House of Knowledge, and wander through a library home to tens of thousands of books. Don’t miss: Ever wondered what you give a country that seemingly has everything? Head to the Presidential Gifts exhibition, where you can see some of the extraordinary diplomatic gifts presented to the UAE by countries and dignitaries from around the world. The collection includes everything from Japanese samurai armour and a traditional rifle from Kuwait to a Korean moon vase, gold wreaths, medals and coins. Where: Qasr Al Watan, Al Ras Al Akhdar When: Daily, 10am to 6.30pm (timings can change on official-event days) Cost: Dhs70 adults; Dhs35 children aged four to 17; under-fours free Contact: qasralwatan.ae
SHARJAH
RAS AL KHAIMAH
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Al Qasimi Palace: Step inside one of RAK’s most mysterious palaces
Hidden among the dunes near Al Madam in Sharjah is a small abandoned settlement slowly being reclaimed by the desert. Built as a public housing project following the formation of the UAE, the village was eventually abandoned, leaving behind two rows of homes and a mosque. Today, dunes spill through doors and windows and fill the once-lived-in rooms, creating one of the UAE’s most unusual sights. Don’t miss: Peek inside the abandoned homes, where traces of their former lives remain amid the sand, including colourful wallpaper and decorative details still visible on the walls. Then head towards the mosque at the end of the settlement, one of the village’s most recognisable surviving structures. Where: Al Madam When: Best to visit during daylight Cost: Free Contact: visitsharjah.com
Perched on a hill in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Qasimi Palace, now known as Al Qasr Al Ghamedh, is a four-storey, 35room mansion that hs been empty for decades. Built in the 1980s for Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Qasimi, the lavish palace has long been surrounded by local legends, adding to its air of mystery. Today, it has been restored and opened to visitors, revealing interiors that blend Islamic, Indian, Moroccan and Persian influences. Don’t miss: Head to the top floor to see the enormous glass pyramid, designed to channel natural light through the palace to the floors below. Elsewhere, look out for European crystal chandeliers, marble floors, unusual sculptures and paintings of the 12 zodiac signs decorating the walls and ceilings. Where: Al Qasr Al Ghamedh, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Road When: Daily, 9am to 8pm Cost: Dhs75 per person; Dhs50 per person for groups Contact: @alqasralghamedh
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Buhais Geological Park: Walk across a 93-million-year-old landscape
Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village: Walk through the Gulf’s last remaining historic pearling village
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Al Madam: Walk through a village being swallowed by the desert
Travel millions of years into the past at Buhais Geological Park, set on what was once an ancient seabed in Sharjah. The landscape here holds evidence of how the region formed at least 93 million years ago, including fossilised remains of marine creatures that once lived in the shallow seas covering much of the UAE. Inside, interactive exhibits explore the origins of the mountains and dunes surrounding you. Don’t miss: Head outside for the geological trail, which takes you through 12 different stops including 93-million-year-old ophiolite, fossils in the desert, unusual mushroom-shaped rocks and even a Bronze Age tomb. There are also archaeological sites in the area that reveal evidence of human settlement dating back more than 125,000 years. Where: Buhais Geological Park, Al Madam When: Sun, Mon, Wed and Thu 9am to 7.30pm; Fri 2pm to 7.30pm; Sat 11am to 7.30pm; closed Tue Cost: Dhs15 for ages 13+; free for children under 13 Contact: buhaisgeologypark.shj.ae
Step back into the UAE’s past at Al Jazeera Al Hamra, considered the last remaining historic pearling village in the Gulf. It was once home to a thriving community built around fishing and pearling, with narrow lanes lined with old courtyard homes, mosques, a souq and watchtowers – many of which were constructed using coral stone, mangrove beams and date-palm trunks. There are trained volunteers who give a one to two hour guide and they will pick the best route for you. Don’t miss: Look out for Ahmed Al Omran House, once home to a wealthy pearl merchant. The upstairs majlis features clever concealed openings designed to catch passing breezes and naturally cool the room. Also worth spotting are the remains of the village’s 20-domed mosque, which appears on a British map from the 1820s. Where: Just off the E11 highway, Ras Al Khaimah When: Tues to Sun: 9am to 5pm, closed Mon Cost: Free but guided tours available Contact: ajah.ae WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 45
CULTURE // ABU DHABI FALCON HOSPITAL
DESERT WINGS
Get up close and personal with the birds that have shaped the heritage of the UAE at Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital WORDS: SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN
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he falcon steps onto your gloved forearm before you’re quite ready for it. The weight of the majestic bird of prey pushes down on your arm, and as you sway to get the balance right, your attention remains fixated on the magnificent creature before you. Dr. Margit Gabriele Müller, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH), has watched this moment play out thousands of times. She fondly says the moment is one of her favourite things to witness at the hospital. “It is impossible to describe it fully as this has to be experienced,” she says, recounting reactions as a mix of surprise and pure delight. It’s a moment wherein language and culture cease to exist, and all that’s left is a person looking at the falcon sitting on their arm and thinking ‘I cannot believe I am actually doing this.’ ADFH opened its doors in 1999, dedicated to providing advanced veterinary care for falcons. It was created at a time when falconry remained an immensely important part of Emirati heritage but lacked specialised veterinary services for these birds. From its beginnings as a specialist falcon hospital, ADFH progressively
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developed into a much broader institution encompassing veterinary medicine, research, conservation, education, animal welfare and tourism. The hospital is open to the public during the week, offering visitors a special look into the rehabilitation of falcons and a learning experience like no other.
The heritage of Emirati skies To understand why ADFH is so significant to the UAE, one must first know what falcons mean to the country. For centuries, falconry was closely connected to survival in the desert and became part of the relationship between people, animals and the environment. Today, falconry remains a vibrant living tradition, passed down from one generation to the next. For Emiratis whose heritage is deeply rooted in Bedouin culture, it offers a precious connection to their ancestors, their desert traditions and their cultural identity, helping to preserve this heritage in a rapidly changing modern world. The skill of being a falconer is not easy to achieve. A captive-bred falcon can’t be domesticated in the way a dog is. It retains its wild instincts.
“The bond is built through patience, trust, consistency, love, and mutual understanding,” says Dr. Müller. An experienced falconer learns to recognise very small changes in the bird’s behaviour, posture, and temperament. And the falcon, in turn, learns to trust and respond to its falconer who considers it as his family member like a child. “This mutual love is precisely what makes the relationship so remarkable,” she explains. For centuries, the migratory Saker Falcon and Peregrine Falcon have passed through the Arabian Peninsula, preserving the ecological order in the region. Since its establishment, ADFH has extended beyond its primary function of veterinary care for hunting falcons. Through the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Program, wild Saker and Peregrine falcons undergo comprehensive veterinary examinations, treatment and rehabilitation at ADFH. Falcons that are healthy and suitable for release are subsequently returned to the wild along their natural migratory routes. In this way, ADFH contributes to the conservation of wild falcon populations while continuing an important principle at the heart of the UAE’s falconry heritage: respecting the falcon and being responsible for its future.
Getting up close and personal Falcons are extraordinary birds of prey, but to truly appreciate them you need to understand and feel them. This is why ADFH opened tours to the public in 2007. During the tour, visitors quickly learn that there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to falcons. They are highly intelligent birds that possess the powers of
Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller
acute vision, flight speeds up to 320 kmph and exemplary hunting abilities from great distances. This education contributes to one of the most effective forms of conservation. “Once people have stood close to a falcon, looked into its amazing magic black eyes and understood something about its life and its relationship with humans, they tend to care differently about protecting these birds,” says Dr. Müller. The tour also offers something fundamentally different from a conventional tourist attraction. ADFH is a working veterinary hospital, and tours take visitors on a journey into an authentic environment in which falcons are cared for by specialists. The tour begins with a walk through the venue’s falcon museum, where visitors get deep insights into the traditional heritage of falconry, with displays of special tools and equipment. The guide then explains how falcons are registered to the country’s records and presents key information about their unique falcon passports. After this, the tour takes a technical turn into the examination room, where visitors can see procedures such as feather repairs or talon pedicures. Getting a first-hand look into what real-world care for these birds is a profound experience, unique to ADFH in the country. After soaking in the history, visitors stop by ADFH’s free-flight aviary to witness the birds’ true majesty. Finally, each member of the group gets a chance to capture the memory of bearing a falcon on their arm for a picture-perfect moment. Tours run Sunday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm, and on Friday at 10am. The programme has quietly become one of Abu Dhabi’s most decorated cultural experiences: a two-time winner of the World Responsible Tourism Award, and a 13-time recipient of the Middle East Responsible Tourism Award.
More than 185,000 visitors have come through since 2007, including former US President George W. Bush and Queen Camilla – though the appeal isn’t really about star power. It’s about handing ordinary visitors, of every nationality, a genuinely authentic slice of Emirati identity.
Where tradition meets medical marvel Falcons are deeply embedded in the history and identity of the UAE. Providing advanced veterinary medicine for these birds goes beyond an animal-health service; it supports the continuation of an important element of Emirati heritage while demonstrating how traditional practices can coexist with modern science, conservation and high standards of animal welfare. ADFH has seen a patient influx of more than 170,000 patients since its opening, going beyond falcon care to help rehab birds and animals of various species. The hospital also serves as the UAE reference laboratory for avian influenza on behalf of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). This adds an important national animal-health and biosecurity dimension to the hospital’s work, supporting the surveillance and diagnosis of a disease of major importance to animal and public health. Furthermore, the establishment of its Pet Care Centre in 2007 has treated more than 130,000 and its management of Abu Dhabi Animal
Shelter since 2011 has rescued more than 9,000 dogs and cats. The hospital aims to live by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s understanding, long before sustainability became a global conversation, that preserving heritage must go hand-in-hand with protecting nature. The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Program is one of the clearest expressions of that philosophy. Wild falcons are medically examined, rehabilitated, and prepared for release so that they can return to nature and continue their natural life cycle. While these are extremely technical facts and figures to digest, if you were to ask Dr. Müller what ADFH ultimately represents, she reaches past the clinical terminology to speak on behalf of falcons through their voice. She says: “I think a falcon might say: ‘I am not just a bird of prey to you. I am part of your family, like your child. I know how deeply you care for me, and I trust you. I recognise your voice, your touch, and your presence. I love you in my own way, just as you love me.’” That’s the case ADFH quietly makes through its two-hour tour: that preserving heritage paves the way forward to the future, and that the easiest way to understand Abu Dhabi’s history, is to stand and marvel at the falcon on your arm for a few minutes.
Plan your visit Tours must be booked in advance, up to 1 week prior for groups, and at least a 2 days prior for individuals. The twohour tour takes visitors through three interconnected falconry worlds: falconry and heritage; falcon medicine and the falcon interaction.
Where: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, Sweihan Road, Al Shamkah. Near the Abu Dhabi International Airport. When: Tours run from Sunday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm and on Friday at 10am Cost: Tours start from Dhs178.50 Contact: 02 885 8100
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Fourteen years on, Comic Con in the Middle East has grown from a gathering of fans to one of the region’s biggest celebrations of pop culture, creativity and community WORDS: SHANTELLE NAGARAJAN
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he halls of Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) hold decades of legacy for fandoms in the region – more than superheroes and lightsabers, it has become home to the region’s dreams and storytellers. What began in 2012 as a pop-culture convention has evolved into a movement that inspires generations to create, compete and build their own worlds, championing imagination, craftsmanship and community. As we gear up for its return in 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from September 11 to 13, here’s a bird’s eye view of one of the region’s most iconic events.
KEY MILESTONES THE MOVE TO ABU DHABI A new home in the capital, bigger and better than ever.
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Partnered with Informa Connect and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism to host MEFCC through 2027.
CREATIVITY ACROSS MEDIUMS Grew to include everyone at the intersection of entertainment, culture, tourism and creative industries.
BUILT BY FANS More than an event – where fandom becomes family.
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CULTURE // MIDDLE EAST FILM & COMIC CON
MEFCC
BY THE NUMBERS 2012
THE ORIGIN STORY Hosted in Dubai at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi.
ATTENDEES 8000+ First celebrity lineup at the convention.
BEHIND THE COSTUME
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ne of the most celebrated crafts at Comic Cons is the art of cosplay. Often mistaken for make-believe dress-up, at its best it’s performance art, engineering, textile work and character study rolled into one –practised by fans who spend months, sometimes years, building a single costume from scratch. We spoke to judges of the 2026 Cosplay Competition to find out more. For cosplayer and judge Kalypso, the conversation has shifted away from a single obvious skill and toward range. “Now I feel like the global conversation has to do with the variety of techniques a cosplayer can put into their costume,” she explains. “It’s the conversation around ‘the master-of-one versus a jack-of-all-trades.’” A costume that draws on sewing, prop-making and performance shows judges a willingness to step outside the comfort zone. Vin, judging alongside Kalypso this year, traces great craft back further – to research. “Deep and thorough research on the character you’re cosplaying is the hidden skill fans overlook”, Vin says, whether that means studying how professional costumers construct superhero suits or how a historical dress was actually sewn. “These things can add so much depth and story to even the smallest details of your cosplays.” At MEFCC, cosplay takes on a regional flavour – costumes adapted for summer comfort and modesty norms alike. For Emirati cosplayer Fatma Coser, craft and identity are inseparable – as a hijabi cosplayer, she adapts every costume to her own values without losing the character underneath.
2016
THE EXPANSION PACK ATTENDEES 25,000+ Comic legend Stan Lee attends as a guest. 20+ celebrity guests
2018
INTEGRATED WITH INFORMA CONNECT, ELEVATED TO A GLOBAL SCALE EVENT 250+ artists, collectors &
“Character truth is about entrepreneurs. getting the character’s identity, silhouette, personality and key details, THE NEW FAN ECONOMY but not copying it exactly,” MEFCC finds a new home in she says. “Modesty has no Abu Dhabi. limitations. For me, I see it as a chance to be creative and add my touch to the BREAKING RECORDS character.” Authenticity in ATTENDEES cosplay was never about 46,000+ fans over three days. exact replication – it’s about 400 international brands and interpretation. celebrities. Diversity runs through regional cosplay, too: Kalypso’s recent build of Queen Sonia from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom incorporated traditional Filipino craftwork – T’boli bells and Capiz shells – developed with Vin. “I like to see this as a positive sign that our community is so welcoming and open-minded,” she says of the UAE’s multicultural cosplay scene. Vin frames the same instinct as a kind of preservation: leaning on culturally specific fabrics and design motifs “helps keep these wonderful art forms alive in the modern world.”
2022
2025
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CULTURE // MIDDLE EAST FILM & COMIC CON
PARTING ADVICE
Ayman Akaily
As cosplayers prep for the 2026 Cosplay Competition, we asked judges Vin, Kalypso and Fatma Coser for their best advice to entrants. Fatmacoser: “Cosplay takes time to learn – sewing, prop-making, makeup, performing. Be proud of who you are. Don’t copy – find your own style.” Kalypso: “Take the plunge. Don’t see competitions as a chance to win – see them as a chance to show what you bring. You never really lose with that mindset.” Vin: “Be confident and practise. Use all the space you’re given – a well thought-out performance is memorable. Whatever the outcome, competing is invaluable.”
THE NEXT GENERATION
F
andom usually starts small – a poster on a bedroom wall, doodles in a sketchbook – and grows to shape who we become. MEFCC aims to celebrate that influence. From humble beginnings in April 2012 – two days on the sands of Mina Seyahi – to an audience of more than 45,000 in 2025, people keep coming back to a community that grew up with them. Ayman Akaily, MEFCC’s Lead Content Manager, puts it simply. “We didn’t create the fandom,” he says. “The fandom was already there. We created a place for it to gather.” MEFCC’s DNA is rooted in listening before building – even as the event has grown into a mega-event across ADNEC, scale hasn’t replaced intimacy. That shows up physically, in districts built for discovery rather than spectacle – Otaku District, Artist Alley, Gaming Arena, Cosplay Central – where fans wander from a Hollywood name to an Emirati illustrator’s booth without noticing the shift. In Akaily’s world, there shouldn’t be one. The clearest expression of that philosophy in 2026 may be the Short Film Competition: 83 submissions, 37 qualified entries, 10 films that will finally reach a screen and an audience. Behind every number is a young filmmaker who once sat in that audience, quietly building a story of their own. Akaily calls this the real ambition. “We want them to leave thinking; I could make something like that.” Encouraged by MEFCC’s 2024 judges to compete as a team, Kalypso and Vin spent a year stitching, sanding and rehearsing – then became the youngest cosplayers ever to represent the UAE at the World Cosplay Summit in Japan, placing tenth, the highest any Middle Eastern country has climbed. While the 2026 edition will continue to feature celebrity guests, trading floors and exclusive drops, this year’s MEFCC aims to tell the story of young Emirati and expat creators learning that a costume can become a craft, a short film can become a calling, and a convention floor can become a launchpad to the big leagues. 50 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
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CULTURE // AUTHOR PROFILE Q&A
“WE’RE TAUGHT TO BE GENEROUS, BUT NOT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES” Children’s book author Rawan Alyahmadi explains how she turns complicated adult emotions into picture books kids actually understand WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE
Athba’s Gift tackles burnout in a children’s book. How do you translate something so adult into a story kids can actually connect with? Burnout is a complex feeling many people come across, young and old. I find it easiest to break a complex idea down into its basic parts. For Athba, that meant showing her joy in giving gifts, her confusion at feeling tired, then the guilt and sadness once burnout fully takes hold.
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You’re currently working on new stories dealing with anxiety and self-esteem. What’s drawing you back to these themes? I struggled with anxiety and self-esteem as a child, but I didn’t have the words for what I was feeling. It only got harder to unpack the older I got. I believe stories that reflect these confusing feelings matter – for kids going through them now, and for the adults still working them out. As both writer and illustrator, how do you decide what a feeling like anxiety or burnout should actually look like on the page? I draw from my own experience, then research whenever I feel stuck or need more depth. Anxiety is jittery, so I use wobbly, uneven lines, or short bursts of words. Burnout feels hollow and down, so I reach for pale colours and flat, undynamic lines.
This year’s Emirati Women’s Day theme was “We Emerge Stronger and Better”. What does that phrase mean to you personally, beyond the tagline? It acknowledges the hardships we go through, and the role they play in shaping us. It’s a message of hope – that the hardship will pass, and things will be okay. Do you write with a specific reader in mind – a child going through something, or a parent trying to explain it to them? I write around a feeling rather than a specific age. I hope readers, children and parents alike, find something in the story they recognise in themselves. What’s one response from a reader that’s stuck with you? At the Frankfurt Book Fair last October, with ELF Publishing and the National Media Authority, I met H.E. Ahmad Al Attar. After reading Athba’s Gift, he spoke about how our culture teaches generosity but rarely teaches self-care. I heard the same reflection from people of different cultures, who recognised that toll of selfneglect in their parents, or in themselves. What’s next for you – any themes you haven’t tackled yet that you want to? A children’s book on time management, procrastination and distraction – written with kids who have ADHD in mind.
SPORT | FITNESS | WELLBEING
PA G E 54
Healthier September Give yourself permission to hit ‘reset’ A SLOWER, SOFTER KIND OF LUXURY AT THIS ABU DHABI SPA p57
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WELLNESS // HEALTHIER SEPTEMBER
BACK TO YOU
A healthier September starts here
Kintsugi Space Abu Dhabi
WORDS: LANA DU
S
eptember is the month of the comeback. Holidays wrap up, school starts, work picks up and Dubai settles into the stretch of the year when there’s more to do, see and get back on top of. Summer is still around, but the promise of cooler days makes it easier to commit to the things you kept meaning to do. Wellness is still largely an indoor affair for now – studios, gyms, recovery rooms and quiet corners of the city – but that’s no bad thing. Here’s where to make September count.
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A whole day out, reimagined Seven floors, a women-only setting and enough going on that you could genuinely spend a full day here without running out of things to do. Kintsugi Space Abu Dhabi covers yoga, dance and strength training alongside sound healing, water healing massage and hormone-focused treatments. The signature Quantum Assessment helps build a more personalised programme – useful if you’re not sure where to start. When you need a break, A Love Affair with Food handles the plant-based Italian side of things. Movement, meals and meditation in one building; the Abu Dhabi drive is worth it. Kintsugi Space Abu Dhabi Where: Villa 19, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi When: Daily, 9am to 9pm (Friday until 10pm) Contact: kintsugispace.com
The Thursday facial worth booking now
Akari
Refuel after your workout Need a pick-me-up that does more than just taste good? In Dubai, Brain Bar at Akari takes your coffee break up a notch, with adaptogen-infused organic coffee, nootropic lattes, ceremonial matcha and wellness elixirs designed with focus and sustained energy in mind. Over in Abu Dhabi, Alkalime puts a healthier spin on familiar favourites, from BBQ teriyaki salmon and zucchini noodles Alfredo to nourishing smoothies and juices, with plenty of guiltfree desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Alkalime
Akari Where: One Central, Precinct Building 2, The Offices 2, One Central, ground floor, Dubai When: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm Cost: Daily Reset Membership, Dhs1,250 per month Contact: @akariwellness Alkalime Where: Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi When: Daily, 9am to 9pm Contact: @alkalime_uae
Every Thursday until December, facialist Rosie Osborne takes over The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Downtown – and given her background in advanced skincare and medical aesthetics, it’s a residency worth booking ahead for. There are five 75-minute facials to choose from: the Rosie Glow Ritual works through lymphatic drainage, facial sculpting and LYMA laser, while The Skin Architect combines fascia release, sculpting and EMS toning for a more defined, lifted result. Stay on afterwards for the vitality pools and experience showers. A proper Thursday treat. Rosie Osborne at The Spa Where: The Spa, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai When: Every Thursday, 11am to 7pm, until December 2026 Cost: From Dhs1,700 per session Contact: @mo_downtowndubai
The one that earns your weekend Ten workout zones, a 500m run between each one, and the kind of Saturday morning that earns the rest of the weekend. DEKA FIT returns to Coca-Cola Arena this September with the full lineup – air bikes, farmer’s carries, rows, sled pushes and pulls – across solo and team categories that work whether it’s your first time or your fifth. If you’ve been looking for a reason to actually train this summer, this is it. DEKA FIT Dubai 2026 Where: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk When: Saturday, September 26, from 7am Cost: From Dhs340 Contact: arabia.spartan.com WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 55
WELLNESS // HEALTHIER SEPTEMBER The afternoon off you didn’t know you could afford For the days when you need a proper reset but can’t quite stretch to a full weekend away. The Day Reset Pass at Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach starts with a 60-minute Pearl Bespoke Massage, then opens up access to the fitness centre, indoor lap pool and thermal facilities for the rest of the afternoon. It’s a weekday-only offer, runs 11am to 4pm, and at Dhs500 per person it sits in the sweet spot between a spa treatment and a full staycation. Quietly one of the better-value things going in the city right now. Four Seasons Where: Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeira St, Jumeirah 2 When: Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm Cost: Dhs500 per person Contact: @fsdubai
Take it to the water
Seven classes, one very good studio What makes Swell worth knowing about is the range – seven classes covering enough ground that you can actually programme your week here rather than supplementing it elsewhere. The Swell blends cardio, sculpt and mobility; The Form is precision-led mat Pilates; Hot Set brings infrared heat to a barre-inspired sculpt session. There’s also Bodywork for strength and endurance, The Rhythm for dance-led sculpt, and The Practice and The Release for slower, more restorative movement. Finish in the private recovery space with Clearlight infrared saunas and cold plunges. The first-timer package – two class credits, two facility credits — is a sensible way in. Swell Where: Warehouse 25, 4th St, Al Quoz When: Monday to Friday, 7am to 9pm; Saturday to Sunday, 8am to 9pm Cost: Dhs350 first-timer package Contact: @swell.dubai 56 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
A swim-and-run on the Abu Dhabi coastline – and a genuinely good reason to set an early alarm on a September weekend. Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Mamsha Al Saadiyat Aquathlon offers open-water swimming and running distances across multiple categories, from 400m to 3.2km swims, through to the 200m Splash & Dash for younger participants. Age categories run up to 60+, with a dedicated category for People of Determination. One of those events that tends to feel better than you expected it to. Mamsha Al Saadiyat Aquathlon Where: Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi When: Saturday, September 12, from 6.30am Contact: adsc.ae
ACTIVE // SPA REVIEW
The Pearl Spa A slower, softer kind of luxury at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi WORDS: LEONIE WAGNER
T
here is a moment at The Pearl Spa at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi where the noise in your head finally quiets down. It happens somewhere between the icy welcome towel, the low lighting and the unmistakable scent that follows you through the space. Not overpowering. Just soft, calming and instantly familiar by the time you leave. Tucked inside Four Seasons on Al Maryah Island, the spa feels worlds away from the city outside. The lobby downstairs hums with business meetings, polished shoes and people rushing between lunches. Upstairs, everything slows down.
The setting The Pearl Spa is all about understated luxury. No gold overload. No dramatic wellness theatrics. Just warm lighting, soft neutral interiors and treatment rooms designed to make you exhale the second the door closes behind you. The atmosphere feels deeply personal and intentionally quiet.
There is something very satisfying about treatments that deliver visible results without turning your face bright red afterwards. My skin looked fresher, brighter and noticeably more hydrated by the end. Before the treatment begins, therapists take the time to understand exactly what your body needs. No rushed consultations or scripted questions. The experience feels tailored from the start.
The treatment I booked the Pearl Bespoke Massage, a 60-minute treatment that allows therapists to customise the experience according to your preferences and pressure needs. It combines oils and massage techniques from the spa’s UAE collection, creating something that feels less routine and more intuitive. From the beginning, the therapist worked with calm confidence, adjusting pressure where needed and instinctively finding tension spots without me needing to explain much at all. It never felt mechanical. Every movement felt considered. The standout detail, surprisingly, was the scent. The spa carries a signature fragrance that lingers gently throughout the experience and somehow becomes part of the memory of the treatment itself. Even after the massage ended, that smell stayed with me. I also experienced the HydraFacial Deluxe, a 45-minute facial designed to deeply cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate the skin while targeting specific concerns with a booster treatment. Unlike harsher facials that leave your skin feeling tight or irritated afterwards, this one felt cooling, calming and deeply nourishing.
The service What makes The Pearl Spa stand out is how intuitive the service feels. Staff members are warm without hovering. Therapists listen carefully. Every interaction feels calm and intentional. Luxury here is not about excess. It is about attention. WHAT’S ON VERDICT
Some spa treatments help you relax for an hour. Others genuinely make you feel better afterwards. The HydraFacial Deluxe at The Pearl Spa falls firmly into the second category. By the end of the treatment, my skin looked brighter, fresher and noticeably more hydrated, but more than that, I walked out feeling like a completely new person. Rested. Reset. Like someone had quietly pressed pause on the noise for a while. In a city that moves as fast as Abu Dhabi, The Pearl Spa gives you a rare excuse to properly slow down. And honestly, sometimes that is exactly what you need. Location: The Pearl Spa and Wellness, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island Time: 11am to 10pm Cost: Pearl Bespoke Massage from Dhs790; HydraFacial Deluxe from Dhs950 Contact: 02 333 2500 WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 57
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DESTINATIONS | STAYCATIONS
PA G E 60
Keep it short 30 international destinations. All a 6-hours-or-less flight away. Your next trip awaits. A RAK FAMILY STAYCATION WHERE BOTH ADULTS AND KIDS LEAVE HAPPY p66 WHATSON.AE | OCTOBER 2022 59
SHORT AND SWEET 30 BRILLIANT GETAWAYS FROM THE UAE, ALL WITHIN A SIX-HOUR FLIGHT WORDS: YI-HWA HANNA
T
he suitcases are unpacked, the out-of-office is off, and September has arrived with a bump. The best cure for the post-holiday blues? Getting the next trip in the diary – and with Dubai International (DXB) crowned the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in 2025, welcoming a record 95.2 million travellers, the options on our doorstep are endless. With cooler months and a run of public holidays ahead, these quick-flight escapes are proof you don’t need a long-haul odyssey for a total change of scene. Bookmark this lot – your next adventure is closer than you think.
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TRAVEL // SHORT FLIGHTS
Armenia Est. travel time: 4.5h
Yerevan stands out for its vibrant, highly walkable centre, where an active outdoor café culture lines the streets alongside the striking Cascade complex. It’s a highly scenic and exceptionally easy destination to navigate for first-time visitors. Just beyond Armenia’s capital city, you’ll also find incredibly well-preserved ancient landmarks that make for easy day trips, including the iconic first-century pagan Temple of Garni and the famous rock-cut Geghard Monastery. flydubai offers direct flights to Yerevan from Dubai, and Air Arabia runs direct flights there from Sharjah.
Austria Est. travel time: 6h
Famous for its grand imperial palaces and historic classical music heritage, Vienna offers exceptional museums and a vibrant café culture. Beyond the capital, the country features dramatic alpine landscapes, pristine lakes and world-class skiing. Emirates and Etihad Airways both offer direct flights to the country.
Azerbaijan Est. travel time: 3-3.5h
Baku has a striking mix of modern architecture and historic heritage, best seen in the city’s futuristic Flame Towers and UNESCO-listed Old City. Nearby, you’ll find unique mud volcanoes in Gobustan, and the perpetual natural fire of Yanar Dag. Air Arabia and flydubai both offer direct flights there from Sharjah and Dubai.
Armenia Yerevan
Bahrain Est. travel time: 1h 20m
This island nation blends rich history with a modern lifestyle, featuring the ancient UNESCO-listed Bahrain Fort, a vibrant culinary scene in places like the Block 338 district, and a famous pearl-diving heritage. Emirates, flydubai, Gulf Air and Air Arabia all offer direct flights to the country from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Bhutan Est. travel time: 4.5h
Known for its dramatic mountain scenery, fortressmonasteries and unique carbon-negative status, this kingdom offers a peaceful escape. Visitors can hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery and explore Paro’s traditional streets. Bhutan Airlines and Druk Air both offer direct flights there from Dubai.
Bosnia & Herzegovina Est. travel time: 6h
Tiger’s Nest monastery, Bhutan
This scenic destination has a beautiful mix of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian history, seen in Sarajevo’s old bazaar, Baščaršija, and the historic Latin Bridge. Beyond the capital, you can also explore stunning waterfalls, green valleys and old stone towns. flydubai has direct flights to Sarajevo. WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 61
TRAVEL // SHORT FLIGHTS
Croatia Est. travel time: 6h
This Adriatic destination has a stunning sun-drenched coastline, more than a thousand islands, and a deep historical heritage. The dramatic medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, the beautifullypreserved Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and the turquoise lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park are key attractions. This highly diverse country transitions effortlessly from peaceful, pine-fringed beaches to historical exploration. flydubai offers direct flights to Zagreb from Dubai, while other seasonal flight routes often open up to Dubrovnik.
Cyprus Est. travel time: 4h 15m
This Mediterranean island is rich in classical mythology, sandy beaches and pine-clad mountains. Key sites include the ancient tombs of Paphos, the Roman ruins of Kourion, and traditional stone villages in the Troodos foothills. Both Emirates and Cyprus Airways operate direct flights to the country.
Plitvice Lakes National Park waterfalls, Croatia
Ethiopia Est. travel time: 4h 15m
Georgia
This East African nation boasts diverse landscapes, from the jagged Simien Mountains to the volcanic Danakil Depression. Key attractions include the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, ancient ruins in Aksum, and traditional coffee ceremonies. Emirates, flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Arabia fly there direct.
Georgia Est. travel time: 3.5-4.5h
Ancient tombs of Paphos, Cyprus
Egypt
Giza Pyramids, Egypt
Est. travel time: 3.5-4h
Home to the famous Giza Pyramids and the treasure-filled Grand Egyptian Museum, this country is a popular bucket list destination. Sought-after activities include exploring Cairo’s historic quarters, cruising the Nile, and diving the Red Sea reefs. Emirates, EgyptAir, flydubai, Air Arabia and Nile Air all operate direct flights there. 62 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
This Caucasus nation borders the Black Sea, drawing in visitors with the cobblestone streets of Tbilisi, the dramatic Caucasus Mountains, and ancient vineyards. Key sites include the Narikala Fortress, Stepantsminda mountain, and the cave city of Vardzia. Air Arabia and flydubai fly there direct.
Greece Est. travel time: 5-5.5h
There is a distinct magic to Greece, where sun-bleached ruins meet an endless, deep blue Aegean. You find yourself wandering between the ancient Acropolis in Athens, Delphi’s mountain mysteries, and the gorgeous caldera of Santorini. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia and Aegean Airlines all fly direct.
India Est. travel time: 3-4h
India has a wide variety of destinations to offer, from the high-altitude peaks of the Himalayas to the chaotic energy of Mumbai, the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, and the historic monuments of Delhi, with centuries-old temples, local spice markets and more. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air India and IndiGo fly direct.
Jordan
Santorini, Greece
Est. travel time: 3-4h
A visit to Jordan drops you into a movieworthy part of the region, where desert landscapes meet incredible history. Float in the hyper-saline Dead Sea, trek through Petra’s sandstone canyons, and camp under the stars in Wadi Rum. Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia and Royal Jordanian all operate direct flights.
Kazakhstan Est. travel time: 4-5h
This too-often slept-on hidden gem has futuristic architecture in Astana, a leafy, European feel in Almaty, and seemingly endless wild steppes. Hike the Charyn Canyon, visit the alpine lakes, and spend a night in a yurt if you can. Air Astana, flydubai, Air Arabia and FlyArystan all operate direct flights from the UAE.
Kenya Est. travel time: 5-5.5h
Hop straight into a safari from bustling Nairobi’s national park, where you can also explore the buzzing arts scene. A hop onwards will take you to the beaches of Lamu or the wilds of the Maasai Mara and the rugged Rift Valley. Emirates, flydubai, Kenya Airways, Etihad and Air Arabia all fly there directly from the UAE.
Kuwait Est. travel time: 1h 45m-2h
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Land in Kuwait City and head straight to Souq Al Mubarakiya to get lost in the spice-scented alleyways and grab some incredible local food. Take a stroll along the Gulf Road, snap a photo of the iconic Kuwait Towers, and check out the architectural marvel that is the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre. If you have the time, take a short day ferry over to Failaka Island to wander through its ancient ruins and abandoned Gulf War-era homes. Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways all operate direct flights from the UAE. WHATSON.AE | SEPTEMBER 2026 63
TRAVEL // SHORT FLIGHTS
Kyrgyzstan Est. travel time: 4-5h
Trade the desert for Central Asia’s rugged peaks, where alpine adventure is everywhere. From Bishkek, you can head out to hike the Tian Shan mountains, horse-ride through the valleys of Song-Kul, and spend the night in a traditional yurt. Air Arabia and flydubai both operate direct flights there from the UAE.
Montenegro Est. travel time: 6h
Fly into Tivat and head straight to Kotor’s walled old town to climb the castle ruins, then grab a boat near Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks. To see the wilder side, head north to hike through Durmitor National Park’s pine forests and raft down the Tara River Canyon. flydubai operates seasonal direct flights there from the UAE.
Nepal Est. travel time: 4-5h
Touch down in Kathmandu to explore its busy, incense-scented temple streets, or, starting this month, fly direct to Pokhara with flydubai to jump straight into the Annapurnas. If you’re there for the peaks, make the classic trek to Everest Base Camp or trace the dramatic Annapurna Circuit. For something a bit more relaxed, spend a few quiet days boating across Phewa Lake, or head south to Chitwan National Park to search for wild rhinos and tigers on safari. Don’t leave without trying a plate of steaming, freshly made buffalo momos. Emirates, Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines fly direct to Kathmandu, while flydubai services both cities.
Montenegro
Oman Est. travel time: 1h 10m
Filled with dramatic wadis, wind-swept deserts and historic forts, here you can swim through the turquoise pools of Wadi Shab, camp out under the stars in the Wahiba Sands, and shop for frankincense in Muscat’s old Muttrah Souq. Oman Air, SalamAir, flydubai, Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia all run direct flights from the UAE.
Qatar Est. travel time: 1h 15m
Wander the maze of Souq Waqif to hunt for spices and eat local street food, then head to the Museum of Islamic Art to check out the collection. For a bit of adventure, drive out to the Inland Sea where the dunes slide right into the water. Qatar Airways, flydubai, Etihad and Air Arabia all run direct flights from the UAE.
Saudi Arabia Est. travel time: 1.5-3h
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Wander the historic mud-brick streets of Diriyah in Riyadh, dive into the bustling coral reefs of the Red Sea and Jeddah, or explore the towering sandstone tombs of AlUla. For a mountain escape, head to the cool, green heights of Abha. Air Arabia, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Saudia and flynas all operate direct flights there.
Türkiye Est. travel time: 4.5-5h
Straddling two continents, Türkiye offers a brilliant mix of historic culture and natural beauty. See Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia, watch hot air balloons float over Cappadocia, hike Trabzon’s mountains, or relax along the sun-drenched coast. Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus all operate direct flights there.
Uganda Est. travel time: 5.5h
Known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda is a dream destination for wildlife lovers. Trek through the misty forests of Bwindi to sit face-to-face with mountain gorillas, spot tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or explore the Nile. Emirates, flydubai and Uganda Airlines all operate direct flights to Entebbe.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Uzbekistan
Est. travel time: 4.5h
This island can offer an incredibly diverse itinerary in a short span of time. Take a train through the tea plantations of Ella, safari in Yala National Park, relax on Galle’s beaches, climb Sigiriya Rock, or explore Kandy’s ancient temples. Emirates, flydubai, SriLankan Airlines and Air Arabia fly direct to Colombo from the UAE.
Tanzania Est. travel time: 5.5h
A visit to this East African destination can make for a spectacular wilderness experience alongside beautiful coastal escapes. Here, you can watch the Great Migration cross the plains of the Serengeti, descend into the wildlifedense Ngorongoro Crater, or challenge yourself by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Afterward, head to the spice island of Zanzibar to wander the cobbled alleyways of Stone Town, relax on white-sand beaches, and see Aldabra tortoises at the nearby Prison Island. Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia operate direct flights to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
Est. travel time: 3-4.5h
The Maldives
The Maldives Est. travel time: 4-4.5h
This archipelago is famous for its crystalclear turquoise waters and vibrant marine life, where you can snorkel alongside manta rays and reef sharks, enjoy world-class dining, or simply relax in an overwater villa on a private island resort. Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and Beond all have direct flights to Malé from Dubai.
The Seychelles
Step straight into the historic Silk Road to admire some of the world’s most spectacular Islamic architecture. Explore Samarkand’s majestic Registan square, wander the mud-walled old town of Khiva, and shop for traditional ceramics in Bukhara’s bazaars. After exploring the monuments, head to Tashkent to experience its leafy parks and Soviet-era metro stations. flydubai, Air Arabia and Uzbekistan Airways offer direct flights to Tashkent and Samarkand.
Uzbekistan
Est. travel time: 4.5h-4h 40m
This Indian Ocean paradise is loved for its dramatic, lush landscapes. Explore the coco de mer palms in Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, ride bicycles around La Digue, or hike the mountain trails of Mahé. It’s also a sanctuary for giant tortoises and rare birds. Emirates and Etihad both operate direct flights to the main island of Mahé.
This article was first published in Business Traveller Middle East – the region’s leading travel magazine. businesstraveller. com/middle-east
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TRAVEL // STAYCATION
Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort
A resort that manages a genuinely rare trick: kids and adults both leaving happy, without either side having to compromise WORDS: THOMAS WOODGATE
T
here’s a particular tension that runs through most family resorts, even the good ones. Either the kids’ side wins, and the grown-ups spend the trip perched at the edge of a splash pool with a lukewarm coffee, or the adults’ side wins, and the children are politely tolerated rather than catered for. Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort, tucked into Al Hamra Village on the Ras Al Khaimah coastline, is one of the places that actually solves this. Nobody was sacrificed for anybody else’s holiday.
THE RESORT The grounds do a lot of the work here. They’re lush and properly manicured – not the box-ticking greenery you get at some beach resorts, but the kind you actually want to walk through rather than past. Someone has also thought hard about mood: music plays quietly wherever you go, so you’re never quite out of that soothed, on-holiday register, even midargument with your three-year-old about sunscreen. A small touch, but it adds up. 66 SEPTEMBER 2026 | WHATSON.AE
THE FOOD & DRINK
The design leans on French art de vivre without feeling imported – there’s a real effort to root it in Ras Al Khaimah rather than parachute in European elegance. It shows in details drawn from the emirate’s three tribes: earth, sea and mountain. Wave-inspired art ripples across the lobby ceiling, rock-textured detailing climbs the walls, and the effect is a building that nods to where it actually is. The pools are the headline act. In a market where every resort claims a standout pool, this one earns it – there’s one they bill as the longest in the Northern Emirates, and it’s genuinely photogenic, not just long for the sake of it. Between that, the swim-up bar and the general spread of water across the property, we were never queuing for our share of it.
THE ROOM Our room was well put-together and quietly did everything it needed to do – no gimmicks, no theatrical flourishes. Good bedding, a spacious balcony with plush seating to frame the view, nothing that irritated over a few days, which is its own kind of success. Not every stay needs to be a design statement; sometimes you want a room that gets out of the way and lets the resort do the talking.
This is where Sofitel Al Hamra pulls ahead of the competition. East does the all-day, easy-going stuff well – breakfast especially, which matters more than people admit when you’ve got children to feed before 9am. Reunion brings proper French brasserie energy, and everyone at our table ordered differently through the three courses – by dessert there was a grudging consensus that my combination had won: lobster soup, gnocchetti, profiteroles. A small victory, but I’ll take it. Waka is the one we talked about after we left: open-fire cooking, Polynesian-leaning plates with a Latin American streak, and enough theatre to make dinner feel like an event rather than a refuel. Even with two children in tow, we never felt like we were eating the compromise menu.
THE ENTERTAINMENT The kids’ club is well-run and, crucially, kept ours occupied rather than just supervised – the kids’ disco a particular standout, while the adults enjoyed a drink and some brief alone time nearby. Outdoor football pitches and volleyball courts burn off energy the beach alone won’t, and the ice-cream shop is exactly the kind of lowstakes bribery every parent needs. Service throughout was a genuine highlight: warm without being intrusive, and switched-on in the way that makes a stay feel easy rather than managed.
THE DETAILS Al Hamra Village, Ras Al Khaimah. @sofitelalhamra
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