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.

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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.Related: explore our full City Walk area guide for alfresco dining, shopping and bars, The Green Planet and Coca-Cola…

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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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Crowded nightclub with confetti, smoke, and people cheering under colorful stage lights
GOING OUT

Abu Dhabi Nightlife 2026: Best Clubs, Bars & Nights Out in the Capital

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Abu Dhabi doesn’t do nightlife the way Dubai does, and pretending otherwise is how most guides get it wrong. There’s no Barasti-style beach rave scene here, no strip of superclubs, and the whole thing runs quieter and later than you’d expect from a capital city. What Abu Dhabi does have is a genuinely good spread of hotel rooftop bars, a handful of proper late-night lounges on Yas Island, and a couple of clubs that fill up once the shisha cafes start closing. Know where to go and it’s a very good night. Wander in blind and you’ll end up in…

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News

What’s On This Weekend in Dubai — 30–31 May 2026

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The Eid Al Adha long weekend is here and Dubai is putting in the work. Whether you’re after a beach club party, a late-night techno set, or a family day out before Global Village closes for summer — this weekend has something worth leaving the house for. We update this page every week with the best events across Dubai. Bookmark it, check it Thursday or Friday morning, and plan accordingly. 🔥 ARTBAT at Be Beach Dubai 📅 Saturday 30 May | 🎟 From AED 300 ARTBAT are one of the biggest names on the global electronic circuit right now —…

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