Dubai is about to get very busy again. From brand-new restaurants and hotels to beach clubs making their comeback, major attractions returning for the season, and entirely new destinations landing across the city — here’s everything you need to know, with links to follow each one.
New Restaurants
Now Open
Gymkhana — DIFC The two-Michelin-starred Indian restaurant from London’s JKS Restaurants opened its UAE debut on 1 September at Gate Village, Building 7. Spanning two levels and a terrace for up to 137 guests, the ground floor holds warm lantern lighting and booth seating around an Indian-marble bar, while the lower level hides the Peacock Bar behind a mirrored staircase. Menu built around five “movements” — Nashta, Kebabs and Tikkas, Game and Chops, Curry and Biryani, and Sabzi.
Moana Seafood Restaurant — Sofitel The Palm Seafood destination inside Sofitel Dubai The Palm, known for Polynesian-inspired pagoda seating, a sushi counter and ceviche bar.
Noren Restaurant — Pullman JLT All-day Japanese dining from Ilir Caushi (former Zuma managing director) and chef Pawel Kazanowski — raw dishes, sushi and grill plates around a central sake island bar.
The Sandwich Box — Jumeirah Beach Rd Smash-burger and sandwich concept, with a second Motor City branch on the way.
Clap of Flour — Dubai Canal Handmade-pasta bar from Glee Hospitality Group (the team behind CLAP Dubai) at Canal Front, with dough rolled fresh daily and Burj Khalifa views.
Age.3 — Dubai Mall Tokyo’s viral fried-sandwich (age-pan) concept, now on the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall.
Kairos — Al Quoz A specialty coffee and craft space in Al Quoz Creative Zone, built around the UAE’s first on-site Bellwether roaster and a two-metre hand-carved communal table.
Brass Monkey — Motor City A new double-decker branch of Dubai’s bowling-and-games entertainment bar, with Asian dining concept Hey Tiger upstairs (robata, sushi, Korean BBQ).
Buffalo Wings & Rings — Town Square Third Dubai branch of the Cincinnati wings-and-sports-bar chain, joining DIFC and JLT locations.
Opening Soon
Rocambolesco — Uptown Dubai | September Two-storey Italian restaurant led by Chef Luigi Stinga (Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi Young Chef Award), built around “la convivialità” — shared Italian dining.
99 Sushi Bar — Creek Harbour | October Global Japanese haute-cuisine group (Michelin-starred in Abu Dhabi) opening its third UAE location at Creek Harbour. 🔗 99sushibar.com · IG @99sushibaruae
Hey Tiger — Motor City | October See Brass Monkey above — Hey Tiger is the upstairs Asian dining concept at the new Motor City venue.
AY-VY — DIFC | 15 September Pan-Asian dining and art concept, dressed in pink and velvet, opening in Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC.
BOBO Bagels — Jumeirah | September 72-hour fermented sourdough bagels, handmade daily, from a two-person independent team on 51st Street, Jumeirah.
Hikiniku To Come — Al Quoz (CMPLX) | September Tokyo cult Wagyu Hamburg-steak concept, its first GCC location, from FYTE Hospitality (the team behind Kokoro). 🔗 hikinikutocome.com
Date TBC
Le Café LPM (Al Wasl), Cyrano Maison Sociale (City Walk), The Duck & Rice (DIFC Square), Pavyllon Dubai by Mandarin Oriental (Downtown), La Môme (Dubai Hills) and Kricket (Emirates) — announced but without confirmed dates or live links yet.
Hotels + Beach & Pool Clubs
New Hotels
Habitas Caravan Hatta — 28 September Our Habitas’ first UAE property: 50 Airstream-style trailers in the Hajar Mountains overlooking Hatta Dam, with The Lake House as its communal dining and pool hub.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm — 1 November Reopening of the Palm Jumeirah St. Regis (264 rooms, 26 suites), connected to Nakheel Mall.
Six Senses The Palm — 16 November Six Senses’ UAE debut: 61 boutique suites and 172 residences on the West Crescent, with a 60,000 sq ft wellness club and a rooftop ROKA.
ISBA Beach Club by Bagatelle — Q4 / TBC Kimpton Dubai by IHG — Late 2026 / TBC Both confirmed but without public sites live yet.
Date TBC
Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai, Zuhha Island (World Islands), Marbella Resort Hotel (World Islands) and Aman Dubai (Jumeirah 2) — announced, no live booking links yet.
Beach & Pool Clubs
Cove Beach — JBR (now open)
TATTU Sky Pool / Sky Lounge — Ciel Dubai Marina (now open) Part of the three-level TATTU destination (restaurant, world’s-highest infinity pool, sky lounge) atop the world’s tallest hotel.
Drift Beach — Dubai Marina (now open, sister venue to AURA Skypool)
Reopening next: Lucky Fish (15 Sept), Shimmers (15 Sept), Be Beach (late Sept/early Oct), Casa Amor (1st week Oct) — links TBC, all searchable by name on Instagram.
Date TBC: Kinugawa, Summersalt, Cloud 22.
Experiences + New Destinations
Now Open
AllSports UAE, ARKHE (Dubai Marina), Splash N’ Party (Dubai Hills), Inflatable Giant, Puffkins & Co — links TBC for several of these newer, smaller venues.
Coming Next
GLXY Sport Hub — September (link TBC)
Crazy Horse Paris: The Dubai Edition — 12 November The legendary Parisian cabaret’s first permanent show outside France, at the former Zabeel Theatre, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
New Destinations Now Open
The Grand — Nad Al Sheba New community lifestyle mall at Nad Al Sheba Gardens, anchored by Waitrose, with Tashas, Somewhere, Home Bakery, Kokoro, Blu Pizzeria, Bake My Day and Daima.
Real Madrid Store, Dimes Burger, Pepe Cucina — Dubai Mall
Coming Soon
Sobha Mall, Le Meryeme Mall, First Avenue Mall, South Bay Mall — links TBC as these open.
Later
AURA Skypool — 1 December (reopening after temporary closure)
Cipriani Lido (2027), Zuma Beach House (2027), Belliago (2028), Akala (2029) — links TBC.
Restaurants & Bars + Dubai Favourites
Now Open
Scalini, Tasca by José Avillez, TATTU Sky Lounge (see TATTU link above).
Reopening Next (seasonal summer closures ending)
Leña Dubai (9 Sept), Bä – Boldly Asian (11 Sept), Shimmers (15 Sept), Lucky Fish (15 Sept), Sea Fu (15 Sept), Ninive Bab Al Shams (Sept), TATTU Restaurant & Bar (Sept), Casa Amor (1st week Oct) — links TBC, all searchable by name on Instagram.
Date TBC
Kinugawa, Summersalt, Cloud 22.
Dubai Favourites Are Back
dubaicrocodilepark.com — 15 September
Dubai Basketball — from 24 September (link TBC)
Dubai Parks & Resorts — 7 October (link TBC)
Global Village — 15 October (expected)
Dubai Safari Park — October / TBC
Dubai Miracle Garden — mid-October / TBC
Dubai Fitness Challenge — 31 October–29 November
Hatta Wadi Hub — Date TBC
