Decadent dining and live events are all on the cards for a wonderful weekend. 

As you prepare for another weekend of fun in the sun, there is plenty of culinary excitement to keep your bellies full and your spirits high this weekend in the UAE.

Friday 18 October

Join an immersive chef's table

Imagine the scent of salty air and the taste of fresh seafood as you step into Chef Andrea Brugnetti's immersive world at Rockfish, located within the luxurious Jumeirah Al Naseem. This memorable meal offers an immersive chef's table experience where dishes include the Mare Nostrum Oyster, Parmigiana di Calamari and Sea Urchin Secret. For dessert, the Sweet Melody reimagines the Caprese salad with inventive textures and flavours. Available daily at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. AED 1,000 per person (five-course set menu) and AED 1,500 per person (five-course set menu with paired beverages).

GO: Visit www.jumeirah.com for reservations and more information.

your UAE

Light up the night

Head to Nai Restaurant on the third floor of Kempinski Central Avenue for an evening filled with the irresistible scent of barbecue grills, Middle Eastern delicacies, and free-flowing drinks, all set to live entertainment and stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. Available on Fridays from 7pm to 11pm. AED 329 (soft beverages) and AED 478 (house beverages). Shisha is available for an additional charge.

GO: email fb.dxb11@adnhmc.com or call 050 523 4086 for reservations and more information.

your UAE

Party with DJ Eric Prydz

Dubai, it's time to turn up the volume. Superstar DJ Eric Prydz is bringing HOLO to Expo City Dubai. The experience combines music with state-of-the-art visual effects. The event has taken place around the world, and is now coming to Dubai's Expo City Arena. HOLO combines 3D holographic projections, lasers, lighting and music to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Eric Prydz rose to fame with his hit single Call On Me, which was released in 2004 and peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart. His singles also include Opus, Pjanoo and Proper Education.

GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information. 

Eric Prydz HOLO

Saturday 19 October

Try a coffee omakase

Bageri Form and Grandmother are unveiling a Coffee Omakase in celebration of World Coffee Day. The event begins with a cupping session led by expert baristas, where participants will sample five beans from various origins, highlighting lesser-known processing methods like washed, natural, honey, and anaerobic, with beans from Kenya, Rwanda, El Salvador, and Ethiopia. Guests will then enjoy a five-course coffee-pastry pairing featuring the Sudan Rume bean prepared in five different ways—cold brew, cold milk brew, pour-over, latte, and espresso—paired with pastries crafted by Bageri Form's head pastry chef Samira Dabbagh. Available on 19 October from 10am to 11:30am. AED 250 per person.

GO: Follow @bageriform on Instagram for more information.

Bageri Form Coffee

Prepare for a night of comedy with Ardal O'Hanlon

Dubai can't get enough of the charmingly dim-witted Father Dougal McGuire, and the upcoming show by Ardal O'Hanlon at Theatre by QE2 is proof. The Irish star will take the stage on 19 October as part of his "The Showing Off Must Go On" tour. Known for his roles in the sitcom Father Ted and the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise and recently seen on Would I Lie to You, O'Hanlon is a versatile actor, comedian, and author. As the son of a politician, he has made a name for himself with material that reflects on the real world, so expect plenty of stories, observations, and anecdotes about the absurdity of life this October. Tickets are available via Platinumlist and start at AED 195.

GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.

UAE comedy shows

See rapper Tyga live in Dubai

Tyga was originally scheduled to perform a show at Zero Gravity early this year, but the performance was called off due to unprecedented rainfall in the city. Now, the rapper will perform live in Dubai on Saturday, 19 October 2024 at Coca-Coca Arena. The rapper, who was originally part of the Young Money collective alongside Drake, Lil' Wayne and Nicki Minaj, rose to fame on the hit single Bedrock in 2009. In 2014, he dropped his debut album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King, featuring the Chris Brown-assisted single Loyal, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Tyga has continued to release albums, including Kyoto and Legendary, exploring trap, dancehall, and even Latin influences, proving his willingness to experiment and evolve. His recent hits include Ayy Macarena, Sheikh Talk and Vacation.

GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.

Tyga Dubai

Sunday 20 October

Relax at Gigi Rigolatto

J1 Beach is Dubai's most in-demand dining destination. Located in Jumeirah, the area will boast 13 licensed venues, from internationally acclaimed restaurants to new concepts. Now, the first restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto, is officially open for business. Covering 5,000 square meters, this venue offers an exquisite Italian menu, served indoors or on two scenic terraces. The venue is designed to evoke timeless charm, featuring lush greenery, a serene Mediterranean garden, a private beach, and a pool. Adding to its allure are a Bellini bar, a pétanque court, and a concept store showcasing a carefully curated selection of items.

GO: Visit @gigi_beach_dubai for reservations and more information.

Gigi Rigolatto Dubai

End the week on a roll

Known affectionately as "Ducky," Chef and founder of Kokoro, Daniel Lee will take over the kitchen of Dubai's first Japanese hand roll bar for a limited time. Here, diners will experience Kokoro's essence: handcrafted sushi made with precision, heart, and the finest ingredients, prepared and served right before your eyes. There's no special menu—just the pure, authentic Kokoro experience, with a 20-stool handroll bar that brings you close to the action. Available daily until 20 October.

GO: Follow @kokoro.dxb on Instagram for more information. 

Kokoro this week

Make time for tea

Shai Salon at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has introduced its latest afternoon tea experience: The Spice Merchant's Diary. Crafted by Senior Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Lambert, the menu immerses guests in the fragrant aromas of saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg, once prized along the Middle Eastern spice routes. Savoury highlights include Slow Cooked Corn-fed Chicken Breast with Indonesian curry mayonnaise, Sumac Flavoured DOP Stracciatella, and Scottish Salmon and Braised Leek Rillette. These are paired with freshly baked treats like Cinnamon Brioche, Date and Ginger Cake, Nutmeg Almond Cookies, and Star Anise Mousse. Available daily from 3pm to 7pm. AED 240 per person or AED 420 for two people.

GO: Visit www.fourseasons.com for reservations and more information.

Shai Salon Tea