Author: Monica Bonalto

Dubai’s Chinese dining scene has quietly become one of the most varied in the Middle East. You can pull up a stool at a JLT noodle counter for AED 40, or sit down to Michelin-recognised Peking duck and black pepper crab in the Opera District for AED 500 a head. Both experiences are worth having — just not on the same occasion. This guide covers the best Chinese restaurants in Dubai across every budget and neighbourhood, with opening hours and price benchmarks for each. Best Chinese Restaurants in Dubai at a Glance Restaurant Area Cuisine Style Price pp Standout Dish…

A year is a meaningful milestone in Abu Dhabi’s dining scene, where high-profile openings can fade almost as quickly as they arrive. Novikov Abu Dhabi, settled into The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, has not only survived its first year — it’s consolidated its position as one of the capital’s most consistently impressive Italian-Mediterranean restaurants. It has also earned a MICHELIN Selected distinction in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide — placing it among the select tier of Abu Dhabi restaurants to receive this recognition. We revisited to mark the anniversary, and what follows is an honest account of everything the restaurant…

If you follow Dubai’s underground electronic music scene, Indira Paganotto at Hive needs no introduction. The Spanish DJ and producer has become a fixture at Soho Garden Meydan’s underground room, and her sets consistently rank among the best electronic music experiences the city offers. Tickets start from Dhs150 — one of the better value propositions in Dubai’s techno calendar. Here’s a complete guide to the event: who Indira Paganotto is, what Hive at Soho Garden is actually like, and everything you need to know before you go. Who Is Indira Paganotto? Indira Paganotto is a Barcelona-born DJ and producer who…

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience in Dubai that feels genuinely special without the usual chaos of a Friday brunch, Vanitas at Palazzo Versace Dubai is worth knowing about. The signature Italian restaurant at the iconic Versace hotel on Dubai Creek is currently running a 3-course set menu from Dhs200, available daily for both lunch and dinner. It runs until 8 August 2026, making it a strong option for a summer night out or a long lunch with creek views. Here’s everything you need to know before you book. About Vanitas Restaurant Vanitas is the signature Italian restaurant…

This 4 July, The Penthouse at FIVE Palm Jumeirah — DJ Mag’s number one club in the Middle East — has something worth planning your Saturday around. BADBOX, the London-based DJ and producer with Cypriot roots and a sound rooted in afro house and afro tech, headlines Skyline Saturdays for what should be one of the more credibly underground nights the Palm has seen this summer. Tickets from Dhs200, bar entry free until midnight. Here is everything you need to know. Who Is BADBOX? BADBOX is a London-based DJ and producer who came up through underground radio — the kind…

The complete Dubai ladies night guide for 2026 — where to get free drinks on every night of the week, from Sunday through Friday. Every venue, price and timing across Marina, DIFC, Palm and Downtown. Continue Reading Dubai Ladies Night 2026: Free Drinks Every Night of the Week — The Complete Guide

The complete guide to the best brunches in Dubai in 2026 — 50+ venues broken down by area and price, from DIFC fine dining to Palm Jumeirah beach clubs and Marina party brunches. Continue Reading Best Brunch in Dubai 2026: 22 Top Venues by Area, Price & What’s Included

Camelicious is opening its farm to the public for the first time on World Camel Day (22 June 2026) — a unique look behind one of the UAE’s most iconic agricultural success stories. Continue Reading Camelicious Is Opening Its Farm to the Public for the First Time — This World Camel Day

Dubai in summer is a different beast — 40°C heat, blazing sunshine, and a city that refuses to slow down. The solution? Pool bars. Dubai’s hotel and beach club scene has turned the concept of a pool bar into an art form: stunning infinity pools, swim-up bars, day-pass systems, DJ sets from noon to sunset, and full-day experiences that make even July feel like a holiday. The key is knowing which pools are worth your money — and understanding the difference between a fully redeemable pass (free pool access if you’re eating and drinking anyway) and a non-redeemable entry fee…

The 2026 Reality: How the Iran War Changed Everything Before diving into the growth data, there is a critical context that any honest 2026 analysis must address. Most statistics largely reflect data from 2023, 2024, and 2025 — years of record-breaking growth. In early 2026, the escalation of the US-Iran-Israel conflict fundamentally altered conditions on the ground. The impact on Dubai’s hospitality and nightlife sector has been severe: Dubai’s nightlife districts — which depend almost entirely on international visitors — have been among the hardest hit. JBR, the Marina, and Downtown venues that were operating at capacity in late 2025…