Skip to content
Monica Bonalto profile photo
Author

Monica Bonalto

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. 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 .

Idris Elba in a white t-shirt smiles at an event, with the words "WHAT'S HOT IN UAE" overlaid in large white and pink letters, and a brushstroke of the UAE flag colors in the background.
News

Hollywood, Festivals and Race Tracks: Idris Elba in the UAE

The buzz is constant: Is Idris Elba in the UAE? What’s the story behind that incredible UAE campaign video? When is he coming back? For fans and residents in the UAE, tracking the movements and projects of the global superstar can feel like piecing together a puzzle from scattered news headlines, outdated social media posts,…

Read Story
A woman with long wavy blonde hair in a strapless dress performing on stage with a microphone against a sparkly pink background.
Concerts

Mariah Carey Returns to Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Nights 2026

Key Facts Headliner: Mariah Carey Venue: Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi Date: 7 February 2026 — this event has already taken place Mariah Carey is coming back to Abu Dhabi. And if last year’s chaos taught us anything, you should probably sort tickets now. Related: explore our full Saadiyat Island area guide for the Cultural…

Read Story
A large crowd gathered under an illuminated arch displaying a starburst pattern of lights, set against a cityscape backdrop at night.
GOING OUT

Dubai Night — Where To Go Tonight, What’s On, and How To Get Around

The moment darkness falls over Dubai, something shifts. Not just the temperature—though that helps. The entire city sheds its daytime corporate skin and reveals something wilder underneath. Deciding where to go in Dubai at night can feel overwhelming when the options change every week, but after enough random evenings out I’ve learned to trust the…

Read Story
Two women in an intense slap match, one wearing a black shirt being slapped by the other in a blue shirt with tattoos on her arm, in front of a background with 'What's Hot in UAE' logo.
Sport

Power Slap UAE Returns to Abu Dhabi and Everyone’s Already Talking

Power Slap UAE is coming back to Space 42 Arena on Friday, October 24, 2025. The world’s premier slap fighting promotion returns during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, sitting right alongside UFC 321: ASPINALL vs GANE. If you witnessed last year’s sold-out chaos, you know exactly what’s coming. If you missed it, prepare for something completely…

Read Story
A romantic dinner setting with two people clinking wine glasses over candlelight, surrounded by plates of food and flowers, with stylized white text overlay.
GOING OUT

Plates and Dates: Japanese Restaurants in Dubai for Your Date Night

Dubai fell hard for Japanese food, and date night followed Ask anyone who’s been dating in Dubai for more than a year where they’re taking someone new and there’s a decent chance the answer involves a robata grill, a sake list, or a chef slicing something raw and expensive three feet away. Japanese restaurants have…

Read Story
A futuristic airport interior with a sleek, wavy ceiling design, large skylights, and several palm trees. People walk around the spacious area, and there are luggage carousels and seating areas visible.
Living in the UAE

DXB Move to Al Maktoum: Dubai Airports to Relocate All Operations by 2032

Dubai is once again rewriting the rules of global aviation. In a move of unprecedented scale and ambition, the emirate has officially launched a plan to relocate all operations from the world’s busiest international hub, Dubai International Airport (DXB), to a new, colossal megaproject at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This isn’t just an expansion;…

Read Story
Amr Diab singing on stage with a microphone, wearing a white sweater and a necklace, against a blue-lit background.
Concerts

Amr Diab in Dubai — A Night of Sahel Vibes and Timeless Hits

What To Know The Return of an Icon Few names in music carry the weight of Amr Diab. Known across the Arab world and beyond as “Al Hadaba” (The Hill), he has been a cultural cornerstone for decades. On 1 November 2025, he returns to Dubai for what promises to be one of the year’s…

Read Story