Author: Monica Bonalto

Monica Bonalto's avatar

Monica Bonalto arrived in Dubai in 2017 with a background in hospitality journalism and quickly became one of the most trusted voices in the UAE's dining and nightlife space. Over seven years on the ground, she has reviewed more than 400 venues across all seven emirates — from the sun-baked beach clubs of JBR and the rooftop terraces of DIFC, to the understated local gems that rarely make it onto tourist lists.Before joining What's Hot in UAE as Nightlife & Dining Editor, Monica contributed to Time Out Dubai, Abu Dhabi Food Festival coverage, and several regional hospitality publications. She has attended every major restaurant opening in Dubai since 2019 and maintains direct relationships with PRs and venue operators across the city — which means the information you read in her guides is always verified, never recycled from a press release.Her specialities are happy hours (she has personally verified every deal on our lists), Friday brunches, and the Northern Emirates' emerging food scene. She is based in DIFC and eats out five times a week. When she says a place is worth your money, it is.Follow Monica's work on Muck Rack, Substack, Vocal, and Medium.

Lit mosque by the waterfront with a city skyline across the bay at sunset
GOING OUT

Ajman: The UAE’s Most Underrated Emirate

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Ajman is the UAE’s smallest emirate, but it punches above its weight for residents who want to escape Dubai without travelling far. It sits between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, takes about 40 minutes to reach from central Dubai, and has the feel of a city that hasn’t been completely polished for Instagram. That’s not a knock — it’s part of the appeal. The Corniche is quieter, the fish market is genuinely local, and the cost of living is low enough that a lot of people who work in Dubai actually base themselves here. This isn’t a place most tourists…

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A couple relaxes on lounge chairs by an infinity pool, overlooking a coastal cityscape with palm-shaped islands.
Beach & Pool Clubs

AURA Skypool Dubai: The Definitive 2026 Guide (Sessions, Prices & Tips)

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📍 Address50th Floor, The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai ⏰ SessionsRise 6am–9am · Morning 10am–2pm · Afternoon 3pm–7pm · Evening 8pm–11pm 💰 PricesAED 350–500 per person (pool sessions); Pool parties from AED 600 🎂 Age Policy15+ for pool; 21+ for indoor lounge after 7pm; under-18s must be with an adult 📞 Phone+971 4 875 2025 🔖 Bookingauraskypool.com There is only one infinity pool in the world that wraps an entire building on all four sides. It sits 200 metres above sea level on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower, and when you lower yourself into the water, there is…

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Bowl of dark broth ramen topped with sliced meat, soft-boiled egg, and shredded scallions on a wooden table
GOING OUT

Where to Find the Best Ramen in Dubai

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A genuinely good bowl of ramen in Dubai used to require significant effort to track down. That has changed. The city now has a proper ramen scene — spanning tiny izakaya-style counters in The Greens, multi-location Japanese chains in Dubai Mall, and everything in between. Whether you want silky tonkotsu, spicy Sichuan-influenced tantan men, or a quick AED 47 bowl at a noodle bar in JLT, this guide covers the best ramen in Dubai with opening details and price benchmarks. Best Ramen Restaurants in Dubai: Quick Reference Restaurant Location Ramen Price (from) Signature Bowl Kinoya The Greens AED 75–120 Tonkotsu,…

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Family

Things to Do in Dubai in Summer 2026: The Complete Indoor & Outdoor Guide

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Summer in Dubai is divisive. Temperatures hit 42–46°C by July, humidity makes it feel closer to 50°C, and the sun will genuinely cook you in minutes. But the city doesn’t shut down — it transforms. Hotels drop their rates dramatically, the malls go into full entertainment mode, and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) floods the city with deals, events, and discounts from July through August. If you know where to look, a summer visit to Dubai can be brilliant value and surprisingly fun. This guide covers the best things to do in Dubai in summer 2026 — indoor activities, cooler outdoor…

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Sunset over a calm coastal bay with a beach, palm trees, roads, and rocky mountains along the shoreline
GOING OUT

Fujairah: The Complete Guide for Residents and Visitors

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Fujairah is the only emirate that sits entirely on the east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf. If you’re planning a visit, this is Fujairah: The Complete Guide to everything you need to know. That geographical fact matters more than it sounds: the water is clearer, the marine life is richer, the landscape is mountainous and dramatic, and the whole feel of the place is different to the west-coast emirates. For Dubai residents, Fujairah is the classic weekend escape — a 1.5–2 hour drive via the E611 through the mountains, and you arrive somewhere that…

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