Take your pick from cafés, cinemas and
Who said the UAE shuts down in the summer? Sure, the temperature is hot, but the cultural scene is heating up. So, whether you’re after new cafés, restaurants or exhibitions, there is something for everyone. Here is your UAE weekend guide.
Friday 26 July
Have lunch at Loona
Designed by chefs Artem Losev and Vitaly Istomin, Loona in Downtown Dubai has launched a neighbourhood lunch. The menu includes Beef Tartare with Parmesan Espuma and homemade flatbread, Chicken Broth with Tortellini, Risotto Parmigiano, Smoked Eel Tartare with avocado and Tagliolini with truffle sauce. To conclude the feast, guests can indulge in decadent desserts like the signature Chocolate Fudge, Lemon Sorbet or the Loona Cookie. Available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm. AED 120.
GO: Visit www.loona.ae for reservations and more information.
Celebrate the arrival of the Summer Olympics
La Petite Maison Dubai, the esteemed French-Riviera-inspired restaurant, will honour the Olympic Games with a new cocktail and a creatively reimagined cheesecake. The “Olympiade” cocktail (AED 68) is topped with Champagne and perfectly captures the elegance and excellence of the Olympic spirit. In tribute to the Olympics, LPM’s cheesecake (AED 59) has been redecorated to complement this exclusive cocktail.
GO: Visit https://lpmrestaurants.com for reservations and more information.
Experience Golden Hours at SUSHISAMBA
The FACT award-winning SUSHISAMBA Dubai has transformed its SAMBAROOM into the ultimate destination for golden hour indulgence this summer. The Dorado menu features a delightful selection of small plates and cocktails amidst breathtaking palm views. Diners can indulge in a selection of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisine, including Japanese A5 Wagyu, Chicken, Lobster, and Yellow Tail Taquitos; Salmon Tartare, and Hamachi and Salmon Tiradito. Available daily until 4 August, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
GO: Call 04 278 4888 for reservations and more information.
Saturday 27 July
Check out a matinee performance
Step behind the stage door and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of The Showhouse at the InterContinental Dubai Marina. The new Saturday matinee promises an afternoon of dining, live performances, and immersive screen technology in a Parisian-style cabaret club setting. Here, diners can enjoy a three-course menu paired with wine or classic cocktails. Saturdays from 1pm. AED 495 (standard seating) and AED 545 for (premium seating).
GO: Visit www.solutions-leisure.com for reservations and more information.
Visit Vinyl Souk
The 15th edition of Vinyl Souk at 25hours Hotel One Central brings together music fans, photography buffs, and cinema lovers to experience a curated marketplace celebrating analogue music, cinema and film photography. This edition promises an incredible lineup featuring the debut of the live music band Radish Cheddar Experience and the renowned Lebanese DJ and crate digger Back from The Crate. Attendees can explore UAE’s only analogue and music-focused marketplace with pop-ups by Metal East Records Store, Qualia Audio, The Source Distro, IndieKids, Retro House, Cavo, and Analog The Room. Saturday 27 July, from 5pm. Entry is free.
GO: Follow @vinylsoukdxb on Instagram for more information.
Take a sunset swim
Get ready to make a splash with Aquaventure World’s Sunset Saturdays, where guests can enjoy an evening featuring live DJs, record-breaking slides, the largest children’s waterpark area. Sunset Saturdays offer an exciting nighttime waterpark experience with moonlight swims and thrilling slides accompanied by performances from Mr. Shef Codes and DJ Flipp’side. Available on Saturdays from 6pm to 10pm until 24 August. Adult tickets start from AED 145, and children’s tickets start from AED 125.
GO: Visit www.aquaventureworld.com for reservations and more information.
Sunday 28 July
Tuck into a bountiful breakfast
Start your morning sunny side up with an array of continental delights, accompanied by fresh juices and a selection of hot beverages at MINA Brasserie. The breakfast dishes include Açai Bowls, Avocado Toast, Huevos Rancheros, Shakshouka and Truffle Eggs. The signature breakfast is complemented by an array of hot and cold drinks, from robust black teas and delicate white teas to a variety of herbal teas. Coffee lovers can enjoy rich espressos and smooth, creamy lattes crafted by skilled baristas. The option of unlimited mimosas or prosecco elevates the morning dining experience, priced at an additional AED 100 per person. Available daily from 7am to 11am. AED 180 per person.
GO: Visit www.minabrasserie.com for reservations and more information.
Experience the Rosé All Day brunch
Pan-Asian pop-up ASIE, located at Bastion restaurant in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, invites guests to enjoy an elegant afternoon of exotic flavours, unlimited Whispering Angel, and stunning views of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. Here, guests can indulge in a delightful three-course journey celebrating the unique blend of Asian cultures found in cities like Paris’ Chinatown and regions across Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, complemented by unlimited glasses of rosé. Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. AED 295 per person.
GO: Call 800 323 232 for reservations and more information.
Try the summer menu at La Dame de Pic Dubai
La Dame de Pic Dubai, the one Michelin-starred French fine-dining restaurant helmed by renowned culinary star Anne-Sophie Pic, introduces the Estivale menu. Meaning summery in French, the “Estivale” selection of expertly crafted dishes embraces the flavours of summer. Available daily from 6pm to midnight. AED 695 per person (five-course Estivale Harmony menu) and AED 915 per person (seven-course Symphony menu).
GO Visit www.sevenrooms.com for reservations and more information.
