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What's On
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 of the best wine bars in Dubai to check out this summer
If your idea of luxury starts with a great bottle of wine – we get you. In a city that's all about the finer things in life, wine is having its moment – from rich reds with slow-cooked meats to crisp whites paired with fresh oysters and cheese, and even menus inspired by the world's finest wine-growing regions. If the vibe speaks to you as much as the wine, here's your new go-to for the best wine bars in Dubai to check out this summer. Boca Image: What's On archive A casual yet chic spot in the heart of DIFC, BOCA is just as much about the wine as it is about the food. It's a modern Spanish restaurant with a bar that's just as much the draw as the food. The vibe is chilled out – warm lighting, big tables, casual chatter, and a terrace that feels like a hidden corner of the city. Ideal for a grown-up night out where conversation matters and the mood stays easy. Go for a catch-up, a few small plates, and a solid wine list that leans into Mediterranean flavours, with a nice showing of natural and organic bottles too. Location: BOCA, Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai Times: Daily 12pm–2am (kitchen closes at 11.30pm) Contact: (0)4 323 1833 | @bocadubai Josette Image: What's On archive Known for its iconic marshmallow-pink walls and lively cabaret-style shows, Josette brings a Parisian flair to Dubai's wine scene. Its spacious bar offers great views of the action, making it ideal for date nights or catching up with friends over a glass. Wine lovers will appreciate the diverse selection, with glasses starting at a surprisingly affordable Dhs50 – impressive for a prime DIFC location. If you're into bubbles, don't miss Josette's own label non-vintage brut, a sparkling delight at just Dhs78 per 100ml glass. A top spot to sip and savour in the city. Location: ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC Times: From Wednesday to Thursday, and from Sunday to Tuesday, 9am to 1am; Friday and Saturday from 9am to 3am Contact: 04 275 2522 | @josettedubai Zuma Since it opened in 2009, Zuma has been a staple for anyone who knows their way around contemporary Japanese food in Dubai. It nails that balance between stylish and relaxed, making it perfect for everything from business lunches to late-night drinks. Sushi lovers and robata grill fans keep coming back for consistently strong dishes, while the signature cocktails and wine list add the right kick. Its loyal crowd spans locals and visitors alike, thanks to the solid food and top-tier service. Location: Podium Level, Gate Village, Building 3, Trade Centre, DIFC Times: Monday to Wednesday from 12pm to 3.30pm, 6pm to 12am; Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 3.30pm, 6pm to 1am; Saturday from 1.30pm to 4pm, 6pm to 1am; Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, 6pm to 12am. Contact: (0)4 425 5660 | @zumadubai Grapeskin Grape Bar & Kitchen Looking for fun, chilled drinks in a lively yet relaxed setting? Grapeskin is your spot. With great tunes and wallet-friendly prices, you can sample some of the world's finest wines while their knowledgeable team guides you through a vineyard journey – all without leaving Dubai. The ambiance is casual and laid-back, perfect for relaxed evenings. Known for its eclectic vintage selection and sharing platters, Grapeskin delivers a unique wine bar experience focused on variety and quality. Location: La Ville Hotel & Suites, City Walk Times: Monday–Thursday 4pm–1am, Friday until 2am, Saturday 2pm–2am, Sunday until 1am Contact: (04) 403 3111 | @grapeskindubai Soirée Soirée bar is a chic Manhattan-style parlor centred around a cozy chimney and an art-deco bar counter, where vinyl records set the soundtrack. It blends a funky wine philosophy with the latest cocktail trends, complemented by elegant, inventive dishes crafted by Chef Alena Solodovichenko. The vibe is sophisticated and stylish, capturing the essence of an upscale New York wine bar right in Dubai. Location: ME Dubai, Opus Tower by Zaha Hadid, Business Bay Times: Monday–Thursday 5pm–1am, Friday–Sunday 5pm–2am Contact: 055 413 6648 | @ CLAP Image: Clap website High above DIFC, CLAP is where rooftop glamour meets Tokyo cool – geometric angles, artful details, and an ambient glow. It feels like stepping into another dimension, where design, music, and energy collide just right. Creative touches are everywhere, the music is perfectly tuned to the room, and the space feels inviting and intimate. The wine list is well curated, offering a diverse selection from both the old and new worlds. Location: CLAP, Gate Village Building 11, Level 9, DIFC, Dubai Times: Daily, 6pm to late Contact: (0)4 569 3820 | @clapdxb Bolla Wine Bar & Bistro From morning coffee and croissants to pasta, custom salads, and crafted sandwiches at lunch, Bolla Wine Bar & Bistro offers a lively, sharing experience that flows into the evening with small plates and a wide-ranging wine and liquor selection. Stylish and contemporary, it's a chic spot to enjoy gourmet bites paired perfectly with carefully curated wines. Location: Trade Centre, DIFC Times: Daily 12pm–1am Contact: (04) 340 0046 | @bolladubai
What's On
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
5 of the best laid-back bars in Dubai to check out this weekend
These bars are for when you want to go out, but not out out. The kind of places where you can order a drink that isn't on fire, and actually hear your friend across the table. Still boujee, still Dubai – just without the extras. Here are five of the best laid-back bars in Dubai to wind down and keep it simple this weekend. Canary Club Tucked away in JLT, Canary Club is the kind of place you can rock up to in linen, order a spicy marg, and stretch a 'quick catch-up' into four hours. It's got laid-back lounge energy with just the right amount of buzz – a bit Malibu, a bit Palm Springs, a bit 'how is this in JLT?' The inside is full 70s revival: rattan everything, shag carpets, pops of mustard, and more than enough texture to make it feel like a lived-in Polaroid. You're here for drinks and snacks, not a whole production – and that's exactly what it does best. Location: Canary Club, Banyan Tree Residences, Hillside, Dubai Times: Mon to Wed 12pm–1am, Thu & Fri 12pm–2am, Sat 2pm–7pm & 8pm–2am, Sun 1pm–1am Contact: (0)4 584 5999 | @canaryclubdxb BOCA Image: What's On archive In a district known for dressed-up dinners and power lunches, BOCA keeps things cool. It's a modern Spanish restaurant with a bar that's just as much the draw as the food. The vibe is chilled out – warm lighting, big tables, casual chatter, and a terrace that feels like a hidden corner of the city. Ideal for a grown-up night out where conversation matters and the mood stays easy. Come for a catch-up, a few small plates, and a solid wine list. Location: BOCA, Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai Times: daily 12pm–2am (kitchen closes at 11.30pm) Contact: (0)4 323 1833 | @bocadubai GABA Images: Supplied Hidden in Dubai Marina, GABA moves at its own pace. By day, it's a serene tea lounge – rare organic brews, calm energy, soft light, and a quiet sense of ritual. But behind a discreet door, the mood shifts. The bar feels like an art-filled living room with a DJ – intimate, low-key, and effortlessly cool. Go when you're in the mood for a night that feels more like a house party only a few are invited to. Location: GABA, M level, Marina Promenade, Marina Gate 2, Dubai Marina Times: Sun–Thurs 5 pm–1 am · Fri–Sat 5 pm–3 am Contact: (0)55 397 6973 | @ Nola If you know, you know. Nola's been a staple in JLT for nearly ten years – part eatery, part neighbourhood hangout, and always a solid call for after-work drinks, jazz nights or a catch-up that somehow turns into closing time. It's the kind of bar people return to again and again, because the vibe is always good. The newer City Walk branch brings the same easygoing energy to a slicker postcode. Think gold wallpaper, a dramatic chandelier, and a lively bar that rarely has an empty seat. The vibe leans gin-forward, and the bartenders can pour pretty much anything with style. Location: Multiple locations; JLT Cluster P, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and City Walk – C2 – Al Wasl Times: Mon to Fri 12pm–2am, Sat & Sun 1pm–2am Contact: (0)4 392 8000 | @noladubai Honeycomb Hi-Fi Honeycomb Hi-Fi, tucked behind a vinyl shop in Business Bay, feels like a private studio session. The warm wood interiors put the focus on sound – with DJs spinning carefully selected tunes every night. The izakaya-style menu is simple and perfect for a laid-back night. It's the spot when you're in the mood for a relaxed, music-focused vibe. Location: Level 2, Pullman Dubai Downtown, Marasi Drive, Business Bay Times: Sun–Thurs 7:30 pm–2 am · Fri–Sat 7:30 pm–3 am Contact: (0)4 412 6666 | @honeycombhifi
Khaleej Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: How BOCA in DIFC champions sustainable fine dining
Picture, if you will, a vision born in 2012, when DIFC's gleaming towers were still finding their culinary soul, and sustainability was more a whisper than a movement. But who would dare to plant the seeds of conscious dining in Dubai's financial heartland before it became fashionable? The answer lies in understanding Omar Shihab's extraordinary genius for seeing tomorrow's necessity in today's opportunity beyond the expectant DIFC bling. What transforms a technology research director into the Middle East's most influential sustainability champion? Perhaps it's the kind of intellectual curiosity that bridges disciplines, from analysing market intelligence at IDC to reimagining restaurant operations through environmental science. Shihab's journey from Management Information Systems graduate to The World's 50 Best Restaurants Mena Icon Award 2025 winner reads like prescient understanding of where hospitality needed to evolve. Step into BOCA today, and witness something still quite remarkable. The transformation from pioneering experiment to beloved institution feels both inevitable and miraculous. How does one maintain revolutionary edge whilst becoming the comfortable slipper that everyone loves? The answer seems to lie in Shihab's unwavering commitment to principles rather than trends. Some might think extraordinary, but honestly supremely deserved, is the MICHELIN Green Star achievement that positions BOCA as sustainability's gold standard — with 100 per cent renewable energy from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, as well as, local and regional sourcing mandated across the value chain. Cross-training programmes and climate emergency briefings for staff. Who else conducts the first carbon emission calculations for a restaurant in the Middle East whilst maintaining gastronomic excellence? Let me know. Chef Patricia Roig's Mediterranean cuisine achieves harmony with Shihab's sustainability vision; modern Spanish techniques meet locally-sourced UAE ingredients in combinations that shouldn't work but absolutely sing. The menu careers joyfully around the Mediterranean whilst remaining rooted in Emirati soil, somewhat a culinary paradox that somehow makes perfect sense. The 40+ team members from 18 nationalities, with 90 per cent women in top leadership roles, creates energy that transcends typical restaurant dynamics. It's rare beyond that we encounter establishments where diversity becomes strength and sustainability becomes signature rather than supplement. BOCA succeeds because it answers fundamental questions about restaurant evolution: can establishments lead industries rather than follow trends? Shihab has created something genuinely transformative, a space where environmental consciousness enhances rather than compromises culinary excellence. The comfortable slipper metaphor isn't diminishment, who throws them away ever, it's the highest praise for an institution that's become indispensable to DIFC's identity.
What's On
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
5 of the best restaurants in Dubai this week: June 2 to 5
Catch-ups need carbs… If your week revolves around where to eat next, you're in the right city. From limited-edition menus to daily set lunches and a few solid reasons not to cook – here are 5 of the best restaurants in Dubai this week. Signor Sassi Italy's been busy this week, and so has Signor Sassi. To mark Italian National Day, they're doing a limited-run menu through June 8 – think pesto-drenched fusilli, proper Caprese, and a tricolore gelato trio. On weekends, their set lunch 'Gioia' is back. Offer: Menu Tricolore, Gioia lunch priced at Dhs185 Timings: Tricolore menu available daily from June 2 to 8, and Gioia lunch available from Saturday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm Location: St. Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah Contact: (0)4 278 4848.@signorsassidubai FLØR x BOCA A one-night-only dinner that brings two of the city's best talents to one table – Shiv Menon from BOCA curates the wine, FLØR handles the rest. Offer: Four-course off-menu dinner with wine pairing, priced at Dhs690 per person Timings: Monday, June 3, from 7pm Location: FLØR, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Dubai Contact: (0)4372 2323. @ Bull & Bear This week, Bull & Bear is quietly running one of the best dinner menus in the city. The limited-time three-course offering brings together signatures like Wagyu tartare, Norwegian salmon with lobster sauce, and their cult-favourite sticky toffee pudding – all with stunning views and Burj Khalifa in the frame. Offer: Limited-time three-course dinner menu for Dhs250 Timings: June 2 to 8, from 7pm to 10.30pm Location: Bull & Bear, Waldorf Astoria DIFC Contact: @ Babylon Babylon's new Tuesday night Disco Made Me Do It is a full-blown retro revival – from headbands to dancers and a soundtrack straight out of the 80s and 90s. The menu featires crispy shrimp, paccheri, and pistachio tiramisu on rotation. Offer: Three-course brunch with entertainment, priced at Dhs240 (soft), Dhs390 (house), Dhs490 (premium) Timings: Every Tuesday, 8pm to 11.30pm Location: Babylon, DIFC Contact: @babylondifc. Book here Besh Turkish Kitchen A new three-course menu built around familiar favourites – Adana kebab, manti dumplings, and kunefe. Offer: A La Turk Set Menu – three courses for Dhs150 with a soft drink or Dhs180 with house wine Timings: Daily, 12.30pm to 10pm Location: Besh Turkish Kitchen, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Contact: (0)4 377 2353. @beshturkishkitchen Images: Supplied/Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
5 of the best restaurants in Dubai this week: May 5 to 8
What's cooking in Dubai? This… Dubai's food game is nonstop, and if your week revolves around what's on your plate, you're speaking our language. From the latest openings to exclusive pop-ups and chef collabs, these 5 best restaurants in Dubai are making your weekdays something to look forward to. Hit the group chat. FLØR business lunch What: FLØR at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC has launched a business lunch designed for those who want a midday break that feels a little more special – without taking up the whole afternoon. The set menu offers a mix of starters, hearty mains, and something sweet to round things off. Vibe: modern, artistic elements, with just the right balance of professional and relaxed. A smart spot to catch up with colleagues or take a breather from back-to-back meetings. Menu: Highlights include salmon tartare with blood orange dressing, homemade truffle pasta, and striploin with mashed potatoes. For dessert, it's a toss-up between the coffee cheesecake and chocolate tart. Two courses are Dhs120, or go all in with three for Dhs150. When: Weekdays, 12pm to 4pm. Where: FLØR, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC. @ BOCA x Revelry: Tales of Tapas What: For one night only, DIFC's BOCA teams up with Revelry to give tapas a creative spin. Expect Spanish roots, Indian flavours, and a new take on small plates, with eight signature dishes split between the two kitchens. Vibe: Lively and a little bit experimental – perfect for foodies who like to try something different in a buzzy, social setting. Menu: Eight dishes in total, with four from each side. Go à la carte or try the full line-up as a set menu. It's Dhs250 for ladies and Dhs350 for men. When: Tuesday May 6, 7pm to 9pm. Where: BOCA, DIFC. @bocadubai L'Amo Bistro del Mare: Four-hands dinner with Chef Alessandro & Chef Akmal What: Two of Dubai's top chefs – Alessandro Salvatico of L'Amo Bistro del Mare and Akmal Anuar of Osteria FunkCoolio – join forces for one exclusive night. Expect Italian flair with a modern edge, as their distinct styles come together for a collaborative dinner. Vibe: Sophisticated but relaxed, ideal for foodies who appreciate fine dining. Think waterfront views and a crowd that's here for the craft. Menu: A special set menu crafted by both chefs, blending their unique approaches into one dining experience. Priced at Dhs480 per person. When: Tuesday, May 7. Where: L'Amo Bistro del Mare, Dubai Harbour. @ lamobistrodelmare MOLI: New Wednesday BBQ nights What: MOLI is bringing Chinese BBQ vibes to Dubai Hills every Wednesday night. Expect flame-grilled plates, smoky aromas, and live entertainment, turning midweek dinners into something worth planning for. Vibe: Warm and lively, with the sizzle of the grill and a soundtrack that keeps things upbeat. Perfect for a midweek catch-up or a laid-back date night. Menu: Dhs350 for two gets you tiger prawns with wasabi, an assorted dim sum basket, a BBQ platter loaded with lamb ribs, charred octopus, and miso yuzu chicken, plus dessert. Drinks are extra, but there's a curated list to pick from. When: Every Wednesday, from 7pm onwards. Where: MOLI by SHI, Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai. @molidubai Girl & the Goose: New Central American business lunch What: Girl & the Goose has launched Almuerzo, a business lunch that brings bold Central American flavours to your midday break. Perfect whether you're meeting clients or just stepping away from your desk for an hour or two. Vibe: Bright, relaxed, and welcoming – think courtyard feel with a sophisticated edge. A little pocket of Mesoamerica in the heart of the city. Menu: Two courses for Dhs109 or three for Dhs139, with dishes inspired by Chef Gabriela's roots and travels. You can also add two glasses of grape or select hops for Dhs69. When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm. Where: Girl & the Goose, DIFC, Dubai. @ Images: Supplied
