Author: Monica Bonalto

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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 seafood platter with crabs, shrimp, and mussels, alongside rice, corn on the cob, and fish slices, with sauce and utensils.
GOING OUT

The Best Seafood Restaurants on Abu Dhabi Corniche: Unforgettable Dining Experiences

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Why the Corniche Is Abu Dhabi’s Real Seafood Address Every “best of” list for UAE seafood tends to default to Dubai — JBR, Bluewaters, Downtown. Fair enough, there’s a lot of it. But Abu Dhabi’s Corniche has spent the last few years quietly building the more interesting scene: an eight-kilometre curve of promenade, private beach clubs and five-star terraces where the fish arrives from the Gulf rather than a freight plane, and where you can watch the sun drop behind Etihad Towers with a plate of scallops in front of you. It’s less shouted-about than Dubai’s waterfront, which, if you’re…

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