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.

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

Best Pool Bars in Dubai 2026 — Beat the Heat in Style

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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…

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A lively crowd at a nightclub, holding up phones and drinks as sparklers light up the room.
GOING OUT

Dubai Nightlife Statistics 2026: The Complete Data Guide

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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: Update, July 2026: The recovery is underway but uneven. Industry occupancy sat around 33% in the immediate aftermath of the conflict and has been climbing gradually since, with June-July 2026 hotel bookings…

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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.Related: explore our full JLT area guide for the best value restaurants and bars, lakeside things to do and how to…

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A futuristic building with a large, oval structure covered in Arabic calligraphy, set against a backdrop of modern high-rise buildings and palm trees, with cars parked in the foreground on a paved area.
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.Related: explore our full City Walk area guide for alfresco dining, shopping and bars, The Green Planet and Coca-Cola…

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