These are the very best things to enjoy in Dubai during the first weekend of 2025.
New year, new start! The first weekend of 2025 is upon us, and while the return to work following the festive season may have been difficult, we have plenty of inspiration for a weekend full of fun and adventures. Read on for our picks of the best things to do in Dubai this weekend.
Friday 3 January
Have lunch at La Petite Maison
The FACT award-winning La Petite Maison has elevated its Business Lunch menu, crafting dishes that showcase the freshness of European produce. The lunchtime menu rotates periodically to reflect the ebb and flow of seasons. Dishes include Crispy Squid, Grilled Sirloin, Marinated Half Baby Chicken, Salmon Carpaccio, and Risotto with seasonal mushrooms. A tomato set at each table allows diners to customize their tomato salad alongside their meal. Available Monday to Friday, from 12pm to 3pm. AED 135 per person (one starter and one main course) or AED 180 per person (one starter, one main course and one dessert).
GO: Visit https://lpmrestaurants.com for reservations and more information.
See Saint Levant live in Dubai
Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate shopping extravaganza, entertainment galore, and irresistible food experiences as the 12th edition of MOTB kicks off. Expect unique retail finds and entertainment. The Palestinian-French sensation Saint Levant will kick start the festivities. His music uses a mix of English, Arabic, and French, creating a unique sound. He first caught the public eye in 2020 through viral social media videos but broke through with his hit single Very Few Friends, which shot him to global glory.
GO: Visit www.visitdubai.com for more information.
Dine at the new Thai restaurant Manāo
Dubai is home to world-class restaurants, from celebrity chefs to MICHELIN-starred venues. Now, it has welcomed a new Thai restaurant, Manāo. The homegrown concept is brought to life by Chef Abhiraj Khatwani of Yellow Monkey and his mentor, Chef Mohamad Orfali of the FACT award-winning Orfali Bros. The restaurant reimagines Thai cuisine through the lens of Abhiraj’s personal journey. After leaving the fine-dining world, the chef spent time in Udon Thani, learning from Thai locals and shaping his interpretation of Thai cuisine. The restaurant has adopted a reservations-only policy during its opening phase.
GO: Follow @manao_dubai on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 4 January
Try the new brunch menu at TATEL
TATEL, Dubai’s FACT award-winning Spanish dining hotspot, has refreshed the menu for its popular Entre Amigos Brunch. Showcasing signatures that are perfect for sharing, you can expect Croquetas de Pollo, Gambas al Ajillo, Ceviche de Lubina and Spinach Salad to start. The main courses feature the flavourful Arroz Meloso de Gambas, a creamy seafood rice with shrimp, and the succulent Solomillo de Ternera con Chimichurri, a beef fillet served with mashed potatoes and chimichurri. End your meal on a sweet note with TATEL’s signature cheesecake. Available on Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm. AED 355 (soft beverages), AED 455 (house beverages) and AED 725 (premium beverages).
GO: Email reservations.dubai@tatelrestaurant.ae for reservations and more information.
Party with Dimitri Vegas at Bohemia
Bohemia, Dubai’s day-to-night beach party, returns with a fresh twist. Now a standalone beach club, the venue promises a vibrant haven where music reigns supreme. As one-half of the legendary duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, you can dance with Dimitri Vegas on the sand this weekend. Renowned for platinum hits and collaborations with Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Diplo, his electrifying remixes for artists such as Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez have cemented his status as a global phenomenon. Saturday 4 January. AED 150 for ladies (including two drinks) or AED 250 for gents (including three drinks).
GO: Follow @bohemiabyfive on Instagram for more information.
Enjoy an unforgettable performance at La Perle
La Perle is an immersive live performance and the first permanent show in the region. Located in Al Habtoor City, the show takes place in a unique purpose-built aqua theatre that holds 2.7 million litres of water. Get set for an evening packed with inspiring stunts, stunning artistic displays, special effects and dazzling imagery.
Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Sunday 5 January
Hit the beach at Gitano
Born amidst the lush tropical jungles of Mexico and having ventured across the globe with branches in Miami, New York, Tulum and Dubai, Gitano offers an elevated fusion of dining and dancing. Here, you can relish signature mezcal cocktails, savour a contemporary Mexican menu, take a dip in the pool or hit the sand on the shoreline at the beautiful beach club. Expect an eclectic and imaginative destination for those in search of a captivating beachside experience.
GO: Visit www.gitano.com for more information.
Dine at chef Akmal Anuar’s new restaurant
Acclaimed chef Akmal Anuar has launched Harummanis in Dubai. Located on Al Wasl Road, the new restaurant shines a spotlight on Singaporean Malay cuisine. The menu promises a mix of traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, while more modern interpretations include Beef Cheeks Rendang, cooked in coconut stew and Ketoprak, an Indonesian salad reimagined with a Japanese twist. Akmal Anuar’s mother’s dishes, such as sambal, also grace the menu. Harummanis takes inspiration from the chef’s childhood, including the name, which is a beloved mango in Malay culture.
GO: Follow @harummanis.51 on Instagram for more information.
See Dubai in full bloom
Walk into a blossoming euphoria of colour and elegance at Dubai Miracle Garden. More than 50 million natural flowers are arranged into impressive displays, including horses, aeroplanes, elephants, and more. The new season at this family-friendly attraction introduces a large waterwheel, floral tunnels, innovative 3D water and lighting installations, and more blooms in abundance.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
