Reviews - Dubai Edited

Three by Eva: A Jordanian Homecoming in Jumeirah

Sam Allcock — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:17:26 GMT

There’s a particular kind of restaurant that doesn’t just feed you — it tells you a story while it does. Three by Eva, tucked into a restored villa on Al Wasl Road, is exactly that kind of place.

The Space

Walking in feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being let into someone’s home — which, as it turns out, is precisely the point. The villa’s rooms unfold into distinct pockets: a bakery corner, a coffee bar, a dessert station, and an open kitchen where the day’s bread is clearly the star of the show. Nothing about the space feels overly designed or precious. It’s warm, a little eclectic, and entirely intentional — the kind of “finely-tuned chaos” that only comes from someone who has thought about every corner of it.

The Story Behind the Food

Three by Eva is run by a mother, Eva Halasa, and her two daughters, Lilian and Emilie — and you can feel their fingerprints on every part of the experience. Eva is the constant, warm presence who seems to genuinely know her regulars by name. Emilie runs the kitchen with a baker’s precision, and her sourdough — built from nothing more than flour, water, and salt — anchors nearly everything on the menu. Lilian, meanwhile, is responsible for the atmosphere and the small design touches that make the place feel considered rather than curated for Instagram.

What comes through most is that this isn’t a concept dreamed up by a brand consultancy — it’s a family’s actual Jordanian recipes, handed down from a grandmother, now plated with a modern hand.

What We Ate

We started with the Chili Charcoal Labneh, and it’s a genuinely clever dish — the smoky, almost mellow charcoal against a real kick of chili. It sets the tone for a menu that likes to play with contrast without ever losing the plot.

The Farmer’s Salad followed — braided cheese, ripe tomato, torn sourdough, a dusting of sumac. It’s a simple, homestyle plate, but there’s real care in the sourcing that makes it taste more special than a salad has any right to.

For mains, Mansaf is the dish to order. This is the restaurant’s signature for a reason: the jameed sauce is made in Jordan by a member of the family and shipped over, and the lamb and rice underneath it are cooked with a patience you can taste. It’s rich, comforting, and clearly the dish this family has been perfecting for generations.

No visit is complete without the Knafeh — gooey, cheese-forward, finished with a crunch of pistachio — or a slice of Eva’s Orange Cake, a dense, citrus-heavy bake that tastes like someone’s actual grandmother’s recipe, because it is. If you’re there earlier in the day, the Feta Brûlée (yes, brûléed feta with dates and thyme, served with walnut sourdough) is one of the more original breakfast dishes we’ve had in Dubai this year, and the Jerusalem Ka’keh Cart — a deconstructed nod to the street-cart bread of the founders’ childhood — is a nice bit of edible nostalgia.

The Verdict

Three by Eva succeeds because it isn’t trying to reinvent Jordanian food so much as present it with confidence and a bit of polish. The prices sit at the higher end for what is, at its core, home cooking — but the sourcing (much of the pantry is handmade by women in Jordan), the setting, and the sheer consistency of the kitchen justify it.

It’s the kind of restaurant that makes sense of Dubai’s current appetite for “comfort food with a story” — and one of the more genuine expressions of it we’ve come across.

Good for: long lazy breakfasts, family-style sharing dinners, anyone missing home-cooked Levantine food Book ahead for: Mansaf and the Masterclass Edition cooking sessions, which run separately next door

Three by Eva — Al Wasl Road 23B, Jumeirah 2, Dubai. Open daily, 7am–midnight.

Venue page: Three by Eva, with key facts, offers and all our stories.

Velo Coffee Finca Las Mercedes Review: El Salvador Bourbon That Earns Its Awards

Sam Allcock — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:04:39 GMT

Product: Velo Coffee Roasters, El Salvador Finca Las Mercedes, 700g Price: €25.00 (whole bean or ground) Rating: 4.5 / 5

There is a particular kind of coffee that does not try to impress you on the first sip. No blueberry bomb, no lactic funk, nothing that makes you put the cup down and go “what is that”. Finca Las Mercedes from Cork roaster Velo is squarely in that camp, and after a week of drinking it every morning I think that is the whole point.

What you are actually buying

This is a single origin washed Bourbon from El Salvador, sold in a 700g bag for €25. That works out at roughly €35.70 per kilo, which for a speciality single origin is genuinely good value – most comparable bags in Ireland and the UK land closer to €45-55 per kilo once you scale up from the standard 250g retail size.

The 700g bag is the unsung hero here. It is big enough that you are not reordering every fortnight, small enough that you will finish it while it is still fresh if you are pulling a couple of shots a day. If you drink coffee properly rather than occasionally, this is the size you want.

Velo offer it whole bean or ground at the same price. Buy whole bean. Always buy whole bean.

The origin story is better than most

Velo do not pad this out with marketing fluff, which I appreciated. The coffee is grown by Fernando and Juan Aguilar across 160 hectares on the north-eastern slope of the San Salvador volcano, at 1,350 to 1,700 metres above sea level. The Aguilar family have been farming coffee on this land for six generations.

What lifts it above the usual origin blurb is the conservation angle. Las Mercedes and its sister estate Santa Maria sit inside 100 hectares of nature reserve that forms part of the Meso-American biological corridor, including a patch of genuine mini rainforest. The family fund two full-time park rangers, working with a local NGO, to protect the forest year-round.

Velo themselves are B Corp certified, so the sustainability story holds together from farm to bag rather than being bolted on at the end. That matters more than it used to. Buyers check.

The awards back it up too: bronze and silver at Blas na hÉireann in 2020 and 2021, and a Great Taste 1-star in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Three consecutive Great Taste years is the tell – it means the roast profile is consistent, not that they got lucky with one lot.

How it actually tastes

Velo list the notes as milk chocolate, almond, shortbread and hints of orange, with medium body and medium acidity. Roaster notes are usually optimistic. These are not.

As espresso (18g in, 36g out, 28 seconds): Milk chocolate and almond dominate, with a soft biscuity sweetness in the finish that is exactly the shortbread they promised. The orange is there but it sits at the back, more of a brightness than a distinct citrus hit. Crema is decent rather than spectacular, which is normal for a washed Bourbon at this roast level.

In milk: This is where it earns its keep. The chocolate note holds up against milk instead of disappearing, and the natural sweetness means you genuinely do not need sugar. Flat whites came out balanced and rounded every time.

As pour over (V60, 15g to 250g, 96°C): Lighter and cleaner. The orange steps forward and the almond gets more pronounced. If you want to taste what the farm is doing rather than what the roaster is doing, brew it this way.

French press: Fine, if slightly muddy. Not its best format. Stick to espresso or filter.

The medium acidity is the key characteristic. This is not a coffee that will wake up a jaded palate looking for the next Ethiopian natural. It is a coffee you can drink four cups of without your stomach complaining, which after two decades of drinking whatever was in the office grinder, I have come to value considerably more.

Who this is for

Buy it if you want a reliable daily driver that works as espresso, filter and in milk without changing your grind philosophy every morning. Buy it if you make coffee for other people and need something nobody will object to. Buy it if you are moving off supermarket beans and want the first proper upgrade to be an obvious one.

Skip it if you chase the loud, fruit-forward, experimentally processed stuff. This is a well-made classic, not a talking point.

The small print

Velo ship free within Ireland on orders over €40, so two bags gets you there. They have a UK and Northern Ireland contact line as well. Both grind options were showing intermittent stock while I was writing this, which is a decent sign for freshness but worth checking before you plan an order around it.

Verdict

4.5 out of 5. Finca Las Mercedes is a properly good single origin at a price that undercuts most of its peers, from a roaster with the certifications and awards to back the claims up. It loses half a mark only because the flavour profile plays it safe – beautifully executed, but it will not surprise you.

For €25 a bag and a farm story with actual substance behind it, that is a very easy recommendation.

15 Dubai Business Lunches With Incredible Views

Dubai Edited — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:53:58 GMT

Close the deal over the Dubai skyline. Whether it’s Burj Khalifa views from a rooftop terrace or Palm panoramas from the 22nd floor, these are the business lunches worth booking a table at — from AED 105 all the way up to AED 200 for the full luxury treatment.

Quick-Reference Price Guide

Restaurant	Location	Price	Courses	When
Fi’lia Dubai	SLS Dubai, Business Bay	From AED 105	2 courses	Mon–Fri, 1pm–3:30pm
CLAP Dubai	Gate Village 11, DIFC	AED 130	3 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–11:30pm
Cé La Vi Dubai	Level 54, Address Sky View	From AED 140	3 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–5pm
At.mosphere	Burj Khalifa, Downtown	AED 155	3 courses	12:30pm–3pm
Bar des Prés	Level 51, ICD Brookfield, DIFC	AED 155	3 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–3pm
Sexy Fish Dubai	Level 11, DIFC	AED 158	2 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–6pm
Nobu One Za’abeel	One&Only One Za’abeel	AED 159	3 courses	Fri–Sun, 12pm–3:30pm
Nobu Dubai	Atlantis The Palm, 22nd floor	AED 165	2 courses	Sat–Sun, 12:30pm–4pm
SushiSamba	The Palm Tower	From AED 169	2 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–3pm · Sun, 1pm–3:30pm
High Society	The Lana, Dorchester, Business Bay	AED 175	3 courses	Weekdays
Pierchic	Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat	From AED 150	2 or 3 courses	Fri–Sun, 1pm–2:30pm
Pai Thai	Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat	From AED 150	2 or 3 courses	Fri–Sun, 12:30pm–2:30pm
Iliana	Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab	From AED 195	3 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–4pm
Aura Skypool	Palm Jumeirah	AED 195	3 courses	Daily, 12pm–2pm or 2:15pm–4:15pm
Estiatorio Milos	Atlantis The Royal, Palm	AED 200	3 courses	Mon–Fri, 12pm–4pm

1. Fi’lia Dubai — From AED 105

Location: SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, Business Bay | When: Mon–Fri, 1pm–3:30pm

The most accessible price point on this list and arguably the most dramatic setting — Burj Khalifa views from a rooftop terrace helmed by a female-led Italian kitchen. The 2-course business lunch includes flavour-forward dishes, and the elevated midweek dining experience punches well above its AED 105 entry price. Perfect for business catch-ups, client lunches and elevated midweek dining.

Best for: Burj Khalifa views · Italian · Rooftop · Female-led kitchen

2. CLAP Dubai — AED 130

Location: Gate Village 11, DIFC | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–11:30pm

Contemporary Japanese dining with sleek interiors, rooftop city views and a refined DIFC energy. The all-day 3-course Japanese set menu at AED 130 is available Monday to Friday until 11:30pm — one of the most flexible business lunch options in DIFC. Groups of up to 14 can be accommodated, making it an excellent choice for larger team lunches or after-work dinners.

Best for: DIFC city views · Japanese · Groups up to 14 · All-day flexibility

3. Cé La Vi Dubai — From AED 140

Location: Level 54, Address Sky View Hotel | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–5pm

Sky-high rooftop dining with unreal skyline views and chic interiors on the 54th floor of Address Sky View. The 3-course Business Lunch at AED 140 or the Grand Business Lunch at AED 180 both deliver exceptional views and stylish city lunch energy. One of the best settings in Downtown for a client lunch that needs to impress.

Best for: Skyline panorama · Level 54 · Downtown · Client entertaining

4. At.mosphere — AED 155

Location: Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai | When: Business Lunch 12:30pm–3pm

Four distinct luxury dining experiences for AED 155 each — including a 3-course business lunch — inside the Burj Khalifa. Also available: Sunrise in the Sky (breakfast, 8am–11:30am), Afternoon Tea (from 12:30pm) and a Golden Hour with cocktails and canapés (5pm–8pm). The bucket-list setting makes every booking feel like a genuine occasion.

Best for: Burj Khalifa interior · 4 dining formats · Bucket-list dining

5. Bar des Prés — AED 155

Location: Level 51, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–3pm

Chic French-Japanese dining with skyline views and refined 51st-floor DIFC energy. The 3-course business lunch includes a choice of starter, main and dessert — with menu highlights spanning tuna mi-cuit, chicken gyoza, yellowtail maki, black cod, grilled skirt steak and signature desserts. A strong choice for impressive client entertaining in the heart of DIFC.

Best for: 51st floor DIFC views · French-Japanese · Client entertaining

6. Sexy Fish Dubai — AED 158

Location: Innovation One, Level 11, DIFC | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–6pm

Michelin-selected dining with art-filled glamour, modern Asian seafood and genuinely striking interiors on Level 11 of DIFC. The 2-course Kanso Business Lunch runs Monday to Friday until 6pm — one of the longest lunch windows on this list. The bold setting and Michelin recognition make it one of the most talked-about business lunch venues in the city.

Best for: DIFC views · Michelin-selected · Asian seafood · Lunch until 6pm

7. Nobu One Za’abeel — AED 159

Location: One&Only One Za’abeel, Dubai | When: Fri–Sun, 12pm–3:30pm

Elevated Japanese dining with skyline views, signature Nobu flavours and sleek city energy in the stunning One Za’abeel setting. The 3-course weekend lunch includes welcome bites, a choice of starter, main course and dessert — making it one of the best-value Nobu experiences in the city and a strong option for a special weekend client lunch.

Best for: Za’abeel skyline · Nobu signature flavours · Weekend

8. Nobu Dubai — AED 165

Location: Atlantis The Palm, 22nd Floor, Palm Jumeirah | When: Sat–Sun, 12:30pm–4pm

Iconic Japanese-Peruvian dining with breathtaking Palm views and elegant sky-high lunch vibes on the 22nd floor of Atlantis The Palm. The 2-course weekend lunch includes Nobu’s signature flavours at a price point that represents exceptional value for the setting. Perfect for stylish Saturday or Sunday client lunches with a view that does the talking.

Best for: Palm views from the 22nd floor · Japanese-Peruvian · Weekend

9. SushiSamba — From AED 169

Location: The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–3pm · Sun, 1pm–3:30pm

Skyline dining above the Palm in one of Dubai’s most impressive restaurant settings. The 2-course business lunch at AED 169 and 2-course menu with drink at AED 219 run Monday to Friday, with a Sunday window also available. A guaranteed impression on any client who hasn’t been, and a reliable standby for those who have.

Best for: Palm Tower skyline · Japanese-Brazilian · Stylish client meetings

10. High Society — AED 175

Location: The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Business Bay | When: Weekdays

Sky-high rooftop dining with sweeping city views, fresh flavours and the elegant energy of the Dorchester Collection. The 3-course set menu at AED 175 includes a bottle of water and coffee for two — a thoughtful touch that sharpens the value. The Burj Khalifa backdrop and refined midday atmosphere make it one of Business Bay’s best business lunch destinations.

Best for: Burj Khalifa backdrop · Dorchester Collection · Rooftop

11. Pierchic — From AED 150

Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah | When: Fri–Sun, 1pm–2:30pm

Refined Italian dining over the water with breathtaking sea views, elegant interiors and luxury coastal vibes. Chef Beatrice Segoni’s authentic Italian cuisine is available as a 2-course menu at AED 150 or a 3-course at AED 175 on weekends. One of the most distinctive business lunch settings in the city — ideal for occasions where the atmosphere is as important as the food.

Best for: Sea views over water · Italian · Romantic setting · Weekend

12. Pai Thai — From AED 150

Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah | When: Fri–Sun, 12:30pm–2:30pm

Romantic Thai dining with waterside views, elegant terrace seating and calm Madinat Jumeirah vibes. The Kin Samrap Lunch menu offers 2 courses at AED 150 or 3 courses at AED 175, with vegetarian and vegan options available. A genuinely beautiful setting that makes business lunches feel like a treat rather than an obligation.

Best for: Waterside Madinat views · Thai · Weekend · Veg & vegan options

13. Iliana — From AED 195

Location: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–4pm

Elegant Greek dining with fresh flavours, relaxed lunch vibes and beautiful shore-side energy in the striking Marsa Al Arab setting. The 3-course lunch includes starters, mains and a sweet Greek dessert — with menu highlights including Greek dips, grilled octopus, lamb chops, fresh fish, moussaka and Greek yoghurt ice cream. One of the most distinctive settings on this list.

Best for: Burj Al Arab shoreside · Greek · Marsa Al Arab

14. Aura Skypool — AED 195

Location: Palm Jumeirah | When: Daily — 12pm–2pm or 2:15pm–4:15pm

Sky-high dining with incredible Palm views and luxe poolside energy. The 3-course Lunch in the Sky menu runs daily at two sittings, with an upgrade to free-flowing rosé available for AED 175 per person. Note that pool access is not included in the lunch price, but the views and setting more than justify the booking for a special occasion or client lunch.

Best for: Palm skyline poolside · Daily availability · Rosé upgrade option

15. Estiatorio Milos — AED 200

Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah | When: Mon–Fri, 12pm–4pm

The most premium entry on this list — chic Greek seafood dining with elegant interiors, refined service and premium Mediterranean flavours at Atlantis The Royal. The 3-course business lunch showcases Mediterranean seafood in a setting that effortlessly combines luxury with genuine culinary substance. The top-end choice for a client lunch where only the best will do.

Best for: Atlantis The Royal · Greek seafood · Premium client entertaining

Prices correct at time of publication. Always confirm menus, pricing and availability directly with venues before booking — set menus can change seasonally.

Where Kids Eat Free in Dubai

Dubai Edited — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:54:51 GMT

From casual Italian pizza joints to beachside dining with skyline views — ten Dubai restaurants where the little ones eat on the house, and the parents can actually relax. Whether you’re looking for a midweek dinner deal or a weekend family lunch, this list has you covered.

Quick-Reference Guide

Restaurant	Location	Deal	When
Vapiano	Palm Jumeirah Mall	Kids eat free (pizza or pasta)	Limited time
The Noodle House	Multiple locations	Kids eat free	Every Friday
Shvili	Multiple locations	Kids get a free main with adult main	Mon–Thu
Revo Café	NH Collection, Palm Jumeirah	Kids under 12 eat free (1 per adult main)	All day, every weekday
Luigia	Rixos Premium, JBR	Kids under 7 eat free	Every weekend
Jones the Grocer	Multiple locations	Kids eat free with 2 adult mains	Check per location
Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria	Jumeirah Lakes Towers	Kids eat free	Every Tuesday
Catch22	Jumeirah Beach Residence	Kids under 10 eat free	Mon–Thu
BrewDog	Bluewaters Island	Kids eat free with adult main	Weekdays, 12pm–5pm
Bebabel	Multiple locations	Complimentary kids meals	Selected times

1. Vapiano

Location: Palm Jumeirah Mall | Deal: Kids eat free — pizza or pasta | When: Limited time

The Italian casual dining staple has a limited-time kids eat free offer at its Palm Jumeirah Mall location. Kids choose from pizza or pasta — two of the most reliable crowd-pleasers — while parents enjoy the relaxed, counter-service format that makes dining with little ones genuinely stress-free. Check directly with the venue for current dates.

2. The Noodle House

Location: Multiple locations | Deal: Kids eat free | When: Every Friday

One of Dubai’s most family-friendly chains makes Fridays even easier — kids eat free across multiple locations. The Southeast Asian menu is broad enough to satisfy even the fussiest eaters, and the casual, buzzy atmosphere means nobody needs to worry about keeping things too quiet.

3. Shvili

Location: Multiple locations | Deal: Kids get a free main with every adult main | When: Every Monday to Thursday

Dubai’s beloved Georgian restaurant runs one of the most generous weekday kids deals in the city — a free kids main with every adult main ordered, Monday through Thursday. The warm, plant-filled interiors and hearty Georgian comfort food make this an easy family favourite, and the deal runs across the majority of the week.

4. Revo Café

Location: NH Collection, Palm Jumeirah | Deal: Kids under 12 eat free (1 per adult main) | When: All day, every weekday

A solid all-day weekday option on the Palm — kids under 12 eat free with every adult main ordered, all day every weekday. The relaxed café setting is easy for families and the NH Collection location makes it a practical stop before or after a beach visit.

5. Luigia

Location: Rixos Premium, Jumeirah Beach Residence | Deal: Kids under 7 eat free | When: Every weekend

The popular Italian restaurant at Rixos Premium JBR gives kids under 7 a free meal every weekend — making it one of the best weekend family dining options in the JBR area. The vibrant interiors and Italian-American menu are a hit with younger diners, and the JBR location means a post-dinner walk along the beach comes naturally.

6. Jones the Grocer

Location: Multiple locations | Deal: Kids eat free with 2 adult mains | When: Check individual locations

With locations spread across the city — from the Palm to Raha Gardens — Jones the Grocer is the most accessible kids eat free option on this list. Order two adult mains and the kids eat free, making it an easy, repeatable option wherever you are in Dubai. Always worth checking your nearest branch for specific days and times.

7. Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria

Location: Jumeirah Lakes Towers | Deal: Kids eat free | When: Every Tuesday

Every Tuesday at Jamie Oliver’s JLT outpost, kids eat free — a reliable midweek family dinner option in one of Dubai’s most popular dining districts. The pizzeria format is naturally kid-friendly, and the JLT lakeside setting makes for a pleasant evening out with the family.

8. Catch22

Location: Jumeirah Beach Residence | Deal: Kids under 10 eat free | When: Every Monday to Thursday

The neon-lit, retro American diner at JBR is one of the most visually exciting dining experiences for kids in the city — and from Monday to Thursday, children under 10 eat free. Burgers, sushi and shakes on the menu means even the pickiest eaters will find something, and the buzzing atmosphere keeps energy levels high throughout.

9. BrewDog

Location: Bluewaters Island | Deal: Kids eat free with adult main | When: Every weekday, 12pm–5pm

Not just a pub — BrewDog on Bluewaters is one of the more entertaining family lunch destinations in Dubai. Kids eat free with an adult main every weekday from 12pm to 5pm, and the on-site duckpin bowling lane means the whole afternoon can be sorted in one stop. One of the best value weekday family outings on the island.

10. Bebabel

Location: Multiple locations | Deal: Complimentary kids meals (selected times) | When: Selected times — confirm directly

The Lebanese dining group with locations across the city offers complimentary kids meals at selected times — making it a great option for families who want something a step above the usual casual fare. The beachside Palm location in particular is a standout setting, with open-air terrace seating and calm waterfront views that make the whole meal feel like an occasion.

Always confirm offers directly with venues before visiting — deals, days and age limits can change. Some offers require a minimum number of adult mains.

Related coverage

Dubai’s Best Party Restaurants

Dubai Edited — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:35:42 GMT

These are the venues where the food is genuinely great — and then the lights drop, the DJ takes over and nobody leaves. Five restaurants that do both halves properly, from French-inspired weekend brunches to iconic late-night bar scenes in DIFC.

1. Tête-à-Tête Dubai

Location: FIVE LUXE, JBR

Home to one of Dubai’s most talked-about brunches, the Bisou Bisou Brunch is a French-inspired party brought to life every weekend. Elevated dining sits alongside high-energy entertainment — DJs set the tone from the first glass, and a stylish crowd arrives dressed and ready for the full experience, not just a meal. This is one of the few places where the brunch genuinely earns the word “party.”

Best for: Bisou Bisou Brunch · DJ sets · French-inspired dining · Every weekend

2. Cé La Vi

Location: Downtown Dubai

Skyline views, DJ sets and a rooftop energy that peaks at sunset. Cé La Vi is the kind of destination where dinner flows naturally into drinks and drinks flow naturally into dancing — without the awkward transition that kills the mood elsewhere. The Burj Khalifa looming over your table is not a bad backdrop for a night out, and the kitchen holds its own right through to the evening crowd.

Best for: Rooftop vibes · Burj Khalifa views · Sunset DJ sets · Dinner to dancing

3. Zuma

Location: DIFC

A classic Dubai staple that has been effortlessly shifting gears from sleek dining to buzzing late-night scene for years. The bar area at Zuma is where things really come alive after dark — a reliably energetic crowd, serious cocktails and the kind of atmosphere that keeps people around long after the plates have been cleared. DIFC’s most dependable transition from dinner to a proper night out.

Best for: Late-night bar scene · Japanese dining · After-dark energy · DIFC

4. Maiden Shanghai

Location: FIVE Palm Jumeirah

One of Dubai’s most iconic party brunch-to-dinner experiences, with the Naughty Noodles Brunch by Secret Parties taking over every Saturday. Live entertainment, playful energy and DJs on the decks from the first pour — this is a venue that attracts a crowd that is there for the full experience, not just the food. The Chinese-inspired setting adds a theatrical edge that most competitors simply can’t match.

Best for: Naughty Noodles Brunch · Secret Parties collab · Every Saturday · Live entertainment

5. Bâoli

Location: J1 Beach

A luxe beachside party concept with Riviera energy and one of J1 Beach’s most charged atmospheres. High-end dining anchors the first half of the evening, then strong music and a crowd that arrives dressed for the occasion takes over. Expect sparklers, energy and the kind of room where you feel the night shift happen in real time. The Cannes-original concept translates perfectly to Dubai’s beach club scene.

Best for: Riviera energy · Beachside dining · High-end atmosphere · Sparkler moments

Booking is strongly recommended at all venues, especially on weekends. Check directly with each venue for current event schedules and table availability.

The Best Offers at J1 Beach Clubs in Dubai

Dubai Edited — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:44:49 GMT

Sun, sunbeds and serious deals. J1 Beach is home to six of Dubai’s most talked-about beach clubs, each with its own vibe and its own set of offers — from complimentary access for ladies to fully redeemable sunbed packages and buy-one-get-one drinks from noon to midnight. Here is everything worth knowing before you book.

Quick-Reference Offers Guide

Beach Club	Vibe	Key Offer	Stand-out Deal
Gigi Rigolatto	Italian Riviera	AED 300 beach / AED 400 pool (fully redeemable)	Fully redeemable sunbed credit
Gitano Dubai	Tulum-coded	No minimum spend on beach beds (weekdays)	20% off entire à la carte menu
Bâoli Dubai	Dinner turns into party	AED 500 fully redeemable sunbeds (weekdays)	10% off for UAE residents across all bookings
African Queen	Moroccan-Mediterranean	Beach Bundle AED 400 (sunbed + carafe + pizzetta)	BOGOF drinks + 50% off pizzas daily
Kaimana	Bougie but affordable	AED 149 curated menu (7pm–11pm daily)	BOGOF daily from 12pm to 12am
Ninive	Bali vibes	AED 250 sunbed fully redeemable on F&B	Complimentary sunbeds for ladies + pool & beach access

1. Gigi Rigolatto

Vibe: Italian Riviera energy, but accessible

The J1 showstopper with a Burj Khalifa backdrop and sun-drenched Italian coastal interiors. Gigi blends upscale Riviera aesthetics with genuinely approachable pricing — the fully redeemable sunbed packages mean you spend on food and drinks rather than access fees. A go-to for those who want the glamour without the guilt.

AED 300 — fully redeemable on beach sunbed
AED 400 — fully redeemable on pool sunbed

2. Gitano Dubai

Vibe: Tulum-coded

All jungle-luxe energy and Tulum-meets-Dubai aesthetics. Gitano is one of the most visually striking clubs on the strip, and on weekdays it lowers the barrier to entry with no minimum spend on beach beds — a rarity at this level. The 20% discount on the à la carte menu makes a long lunch here genuinely good value.

No minimum spend on beach beds every weekday
20% off the entire à la carte menu

3. Bâoli Dubai

Vibe: Dinner that turns into a party

Bâoli brings its signature blend of beach club by day and nightlife destination by evening to J1. The UAE resident discount applies across beach, pool and restaurant bookings — a meaningful saving across multiple occasions. The fully redeemable weekday sunbed package keeps things accessible before the evening atmosphere kicks in.

10% off all beach, pool and restaurant bookings for UAE residents
AED 500 — fully redeemable on sunbeds every weekday

4. African Queen

Vibe: Moroccan-Mediterranean soul

Rich terracotta tones, mosaic tiles and a distinctly Moroccan-Mediterranean character make African Queen one of J1’s most distinctive clubs. The weekday Beach Bundle is a proper deal — sunbed access, a carafe of your choice and a signature pizzetta bundled together. The daily BOGOF on drinks plus 50% off all pizzas makes returning visits very easy to justify.

Beach Bundle AED 400 — 1 sunbed, 1 carafe of your choice, 1 signature pizzetta (weekday special)
Buy one get one free on all drinks every weekday
50% off all pizzas daily

5. Kaimana

Vibe: Bougie but affordable, perfect for sunset vibes

Kaimana has found a sweet spot between elevated beach club aesthetics and genuinely wallet-friendly deals. The AED 149 specially curated menu runs daily through the prime sunset window, and the buy-one-get-one-free offer is available from noon right through to midnight — one of the longest BOGOF windows on the strip. A strong choice for a long day that rolls into the evening.

AED 149 specially curated menu daily from 7pm to 11pm
Buy one get one free daily from 12pm to 12am

6. Ninive

Vibe: Beachside paradise and Bali vibes

Rattan parasols, golden sunbeds and a Bali-inspired aesthetic make Ninive one of J1’s most transportive settings. The complimentary sunbed offer for ladies — which includes both pool and beach access — is one of the standout deals on the strip. The AED 250 sunbed package is fully redeemable on F&B, keeping access genuinely cost-neutral for those planning to eat and drink.

Ladies get complimentary sunbeds plus pool and beach access
AED 250 sunbeds daily — fully redeemable on F&B

Offers subject to change — always confirm directly with the venue before booking. Weekday deals typically apply Sunday to Thursday.

The Best Sports Bars in Dubai Right Now

Dubai Edited — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:53:09 GMT

Dubai’s sports bar scene has grown up. Forget sticky floors and tinny sound — the city now boasts a run of genuinely great spots where you can catch live football, rugby, F1 and more in seriously stylish surroundings. Whether you’re after an ice-cold Guinness in an authentic Irish pub or a craft IPA with a waterfront view, this list has you covered.

1. Goose Island Tap House

Location: Five Luxe, JBR

Where upscale sports bar energy meets genuine craft beer credentials. Goose Island Tap House blends classic comfort food with waterfront views that make it one of the best spots in JBR for a game night. Expect a rotating selection of craft hops alongside the live sports action — a cut above your average sports venue.

2. McCafferty’s

Location: Circle Mall, Jumeirah Village Circle

One of Dubai’s best-loved Irish pubs and a reliable first port of call for GAA fans, rugby devotees and football faithful alike. McCafferty’s runs live music seven nights a week, serves hearty pub classics and keeps giant screens trained on all the biggest sporting events. A community hub with serious atmosphere on match days.

3. Fibber Magee’s

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai’s oldest Irish pub and a true institution on Sheikh Zayed Road. Fibber Magee’s built its reputation on a lively sports atmosphere, multiple screens covering everything from football and rugby to F1 and horse racing, all enjoyed alongside pints and proper pub classics. A heritage venue with serious sporting pedigree that has stood the test of time.

4. Double Decker

Location: Swissôtel Al Murooj, Downtown Dubai

A long-standing Downtown favourite with a retro London-inspired interior that sets it apart from the crowd. Double Decker is renowned for one of the city’s most popular happy hours and reliably packed screens for live sports. The British pub aesthetic is executed with real charm — a great shout if you’re already in the Downtown area.

5. Coterie Social

Location: Ibn Battuta Mall

A stylish homegrown concept that brings British-inspired hospitality to Ibn Battuta Mall with a fresh, community-driven twist. Coterie Social offers live sports on multiple screens, elevated comfort food and a laid-back energy that makes it one of the more welcoming spots in the city for a long afternoon of watching the match.

6. McGettigan’s JLT

Location: Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Few venues in Dubai carry the same weight as McGettigan’s when it comes to match day atmosphere. The JLT outpost is beloved for its lively crowds, classic pub grub and a packed sports calendar that runs year-round. Live music adds to a setting that has earned iconic status among Dubai’s expat sporting community.

7. The Dubliner’s

Location: Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre

The Irish pub at Le Méridien Dubai has a match day offer built around sharing food. Scrum & Sip runs from October to November 2026, with team-inspired boards named after national rugby sides from AED 165 and a platter and 2L jug combo at AED 320. Quiz Nights run every Tuesday from 8pm to 11pm. The pub has not said which matches it shows, so check before you go. Our full story is here: The Dubliner’s launches Scrum & Sip match day platters.

Image: courtesy of Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre.

Always check with venues directly for match day schedules, bookings, and current opening hours — programming can change with the sporting calendar.

Orfali Bros relaunches with a 13-course tasting menu and a sharper focus

Dubai Edited — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:59:31 GMT

Over the past five years, brothers Mohamad, Wassim and Omar Orfali have built Orfali Bros around a clear aim: to move away from convention and develop a version of modern Middle Eastern cuisine that draws on their own background and a wider set of global influences.

They were not the first to revisit regional cooking through a contemporary lens, but they have managed to hold together critical recognition, a returning customer base and a menu that keeps developing without losing its footing.

The latest version of the restaurant, referred to as Orfali Bros 2.0, has cut a significant portion of the previous menu and replaced it with a tighter, more considered format. The result is a 13-course tasting menu that reflects where the kitchen currently stands: confident, globally minded and rooted in a distinctly Levantine character.

The cooking is their own. Part Levantine, part international, entirely personal. The umami éclair, now finished with porcini emulsion, marmite, fermented quince glaze, cacao nibs and beef prosciutto, is one of the stronger dishes on the menu. Charred scallops with smoked eggplant, brown butter, katsuo dashi and walnut demonstrate the kitchen’s technical range. Returning dishes such as the corn bomb and a reworked eggplant bayıldı retain their connection to the original menu while clearly benefiting from further development.

Newer additions carry their own character. The onion cream caramel caviar with umami custard and the so-called liar Swiss chard yalanji stuffed with sushi rice are both playful and technically precise, the kind of dishes that prompt conversation at the table.

The 13-course menu is priced at Dhs850. Waste management and ingredient efficiency are handled through the in-house Orfali Bros Lab, and sustainability is built into how the kitchen operates rather than treated as an afterthought.

The dining room is compact and full of energy. It is the kind of space where the kitchen’s intentions feel close at hand, and most of the guests around you are clearly aware they are eating somewhere that takes its work seriously.

Orfali Bros is worth visiting if you have not been since the relaunch. It represents some of the more interesting cooking currently happening in Dubai.

This review was conducted anonymously, with the meal paid for independently.

Yubi Handroll Bar opens on 25 Jump Street with a relaxed approach to Japanese dining

Dubai Edited — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:19:41 GMT

Yubi Handroll Bar has opened on 25 Jump Street. The format is casual and social, and the kind of meal here tends to take its time.

The restaurant comes from chef Reif Othman, a familiar name on Dubai’s dining scene. Yubi is his take on a handroll bar: a home-grown concept built around straightforward, good-quality Japanese food in a setting without much ceremony.

The room feels relaxed from the moment you walk in. Walk-ins are welcome, though booking ahead is the safer option if you want to guarantee a seat. Guests can choose between a table by the multicoloured tiled walls or a counter stool facing the kitchen. The counter gives a clear view of the food being prepared, which adds something to the experience.

The ordering process is simple. Guests tick items on a pencil-written menu and hand it back when ready. There is no pressure to order everything at once, and the pace of the meal is easy to control.

Handrolls are the main draw. The sake roll with gochujang mayo is a strong choice, as is the Kagoshima wagyu and shrimp tempura. For something lighter, the crispy avocado roll with goma sauce works well. Beyond handrolls, the maki selection is worth trying, and the lightly seared salmon sashimi is a good addition to the order. The cold dishes are where the kitchen performs best, though the hot plates hold their own.

Prices sit at the higher end if you are ordering handrolls only, but the quality of the ingredients makes the spend feel reasonable. Yubi has a clear sense of what it is: good food, no pressure, and enough time to enjoy both.

On a street that suits this kind of dining, it sits comfortably. It is the sort of place that is easy to return to.

This review was conducted anonymously, with the meal paid for independently.

Venue page: Yubi Handroll Bar, with key facts, offers and all our stories.

Trèsind Studio brings its 15-course Indian tasting menu to a new home on Palm Jumeirah

Dubai Edited — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:20:19 GMT

Fine dining is not easy to find in Dubai. A 15-course degustation menu is rarer still. Trèsind Studio, led by chef Himanshu Saini, offers both. Saini has built a reputation as one of the more inventive chefs working in the city, and the restaurant reflects that.

The setup includes an outdoor lounge and an urban garden. On a recent visit, around 20 chefs were working the kitchen, with several stepping outside during service to pick herbs, vegetables and edible flowers used to finish the plates.

The dining room inside has just six circular tables, all facing an open kitchen. The kitchen functions more like a stage. Chefs arrange each component with close attention to detail while guests wait to see what comes next.

That sense of not quite knowing is built into the experience. The menu is only given to guests at the end of the meal, so each course arrives without announcement. The standard is consistently high.

Dinner opens with an elaborate pani puri, a light and playful start that gives a sense of what follows. The courses build from there, with most plates designed to be eaten in a single, carefully constructed bite.

From the current menu, the ghee roast crab with burnt cinnamon and curry leaf crisp stands out, as does a naan soufflé that manages to feel both familiar and unexpected. The duck haleem with foie gras toast is well-judged and precisely balanced.

Midway through the meal, Saini serves his take on a traditional Sadhya feast, presented on a banana leaf. The lobster tail with smoked chilli jam and tomato moilee is the highlight of that course. The shellfish is cooked with real precision, and it is hard to find a comparable piece of shellfish elsewhere in the city. Tasting menus do not always get the balance right between creativity and flavour. Trèsind Studio mostly does.

The food carries the evening. The service is polished but sits on the formal side, and finding the right tone between attentive and relaxed remains a work in progress. Producing fifteen courses that hold a guest’s attention from start to finish is a considerable task. Trèsind Studio manages it.

This review was conducted anonymously, with the meal paid for independently.

Address:

Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah.

058 895 1272.

tresindstudio.com.

Open Monday to Saturday, 7pm to 11.30pm.