From ultimate spots to celebrate special occasions to exciting new offerings to indulge in, here are the things to do in the UAE in May 2024

MINT

MINT restaurant and café in City Walk celebrates its first anniversary with the launch of a new Kids’ Dine and Play area, featuring a pizza counter where children can play with dough and a dedicated play space with mini tables, chairs, games, books, and colouring activities. The restaurant offers a diverse kids’ menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including pizza, pasta, risotto, and a variety of beverages and desserts. To mark the anniversary and the new play area, MINT will host “Happy Family Weekends” on May 25-26 and June 1-2, offering 30% off the menu, face painting, pizza-making activities, and giveaways.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

As the intense summer heat takes hold in Dubai, Dave’s Hot Chicken from Los Angeles invites spice enthusiasts to enjoy their fiery dishes at home through convenient delivery options. Renowned for its delectable menu, which includes the signature Hot Box, tender chicken delights, and spicy sliders, Dave’s Hot Chicken encourages customers to relax and order in.

Visit website.

Demon Duck

Banyan Tree Dubai’s Demon Duck restaurant introduces its enticing Demon Dim Sum Nights, inviting guests to embark on a culinary adventure. The menu emphasises a communal dining experience, showcasing a diverse selection of dim sum classics with innovative twists. Highlights include luxurious dishes like Chicken & Black Truffle Fun Gao and Wagyu Short Rib Gyoza, alongside seafood delights such as Spicy Hokkaido Scallop Siu Mai and Shrimp Har Gow. For richer indulgence, options like Duck Gyoza with miso and foie gras or Wasabi Prawn Toast are available, while vegetarians can enjoy selections like Wild Mushroom Fun Gao and Cheese & Onion Puff.

Thursday, from 7-10pm. From AED288 per person. Call +9714 556 6466.

Sushiyaki

Located in the vibrant Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sushiyaki offers a fresh take on Japanese cuisine in Dubai. Known for its exquisite sushi and irresistible yakitori, the restaurant embodies contemporary Japanese culinary artistry. This season, Sushiyaki introduces exclusive sharing platters, providing guests with an eccentric ambience and a choice of four different platters.

Lunch Moriawase (Selection of Signature Makis and Nigiris): Everyday, from 12-5pm. AED250 per person. Lunch Yakitori (Selection of Signature Yakitori Grills): Everyday, from 12-5pm. AED240 per person. Visit website.

Sky 2.0

Ossiano

Chefs Grégoire Berger and Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij of Potong, Bangkok, will host an exclusive four-hands dinner at Ossiano, Atlantis, The Palm featuring a 10-wave menu inspired by a five-element philosophy. Against the stunning backdrop of the Ambassador Lagoon at Ossiano, diners can indulge in dishes like langoustine tom yum uni and ‘Parts of Banana’ crafted by Grégoire and Pam respectively. Chef Pam, known for her international acclaim and multiple awards, including a Michelin star, brings her inventive approach to Thai-Chinese cuisine to the forefront, showcasing her latest venture, Potong, which has garnered prestigious accolades since its opening in 2021.

May 21, from 6pm. AED1,600 per person. Call +9714 426 2626.

e& Beach Canteen

Torno Subito

Chef Federico Marras joins Torno Subito at W Dubai – The Palm, bringing fresh perspectives and elevated Italian cuisine to the Michelin-starred restaurant celebrated for its nostalgic 1960s Italian Riviera ambience. The refreshed menu at Torno Subito introduces five exquisite dishes, including starters like Seafood Salad, Tuna Belly Ham, and Vitello Tonnato, as well as a must-have Caprese Salad. Main courses feature Lamb in Vignarola, Seppia & Piselli, and Fritto Misto, while desserts like Tiramisubito and Ricotta and Cherries provide a sweet finish.

Visit website.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Restaurant Month returns to the five-star hotel this May, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore the hotel’s diverse culinary offerings. This year’s program features a curated selection of set menus, allowing diners to experience the signature dishes of some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. From May 1st to 31st, guests can enjoy specially curated menus at nine acclaimed dining venues, including Prime68, Izakaya, Tong Thai, Rang Mahal, Positano, La Farine, and Kitchen6, showcasing a diverse array of cuisines from around the world.

May 1- May 31. Call +9714 414 3000 or email jwmmrr@marriott.com. Visit website or Instagram.

Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard

Michelin-starred Chef Nicolas Isnard brings his innovative French cuisine to the capital with the launch of Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri. From the reimagined French favourite, Modern onion soup 2.0, to the vibrant tastes of Thailand showcased in a delectable Duck Breast dish complemented by corn, passion fruit, black garlic, and peanut sauce, Isnard will showcase his skills honed at renowned establishments in his native south of France.  

Visit shangri-la.com/abudhabi/shangrila.

Tàn Chá

Tàn Chá in Dubai offers an exceptional Asian dining experience, renowned for its diverse dim sum selection, including favourites like Bumblebee Beef Buns and Panda and mushroom dumplings. Tàn Chá in JW Marriott Business Bay offers a perfect dining experience for sharing with friends and family, including Bottomless Dim Sum Sundays, stunning interiors, skyline-view terrace, live DJ entertainment, and a range of vegan and vegetarian options.

Visit website.

Toro Toro

Kick off your Cinco De Mayo celebrations early at Toro Toro’s Hola Hola Brunch. Enjoy unlimited starters, mains, and desserts served fresh from the restaurant’s open kitchen, all while sipping on signature beverages and enjoying live traditional South American entertainment.

May 4, from 1-4pm. From AED295 per person.

Expo City Dubai

Expo City Dubai introduces a new brunch experience, Brunch City, where guests can indulge in the offerings of six of the city’s top F&B venues in one day. Guests can immerse themselves in a diverse culinary landscape, featuring innovative concepts and creations from renowned chefs, while enjoying live music, roaming magicians, and vibrant entertainment across venues. Highlighted venues include Alkebulan, offering a taste of African culture by Chef Alexander Smalls; Philly Jawn by Ghostburger, serving towering smash burgers and sandos; Gup & Shup, presenting authentic Indian street food by Chef Rohit Ghai; and Assembly Mezze & Skewers, featuring Eastern Mediterranean dishes by Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis. 

Until June 8. Saturday, from 1-4pm. From AED199 per person. Visit expocitydubai.com/en/eat-and-drink.

Eataly

The renowned Italian food market and restaurant chain has expanded its presence in the UAE with a new location at Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi. Offering a comprehensive experience encapsulating “Eat, Shop, and Learn,” Eataly provides Abu Dhabi residents with access to freshly prepared Italian cuisine, including signature pizzas, pastas, salads, and artisanal gelato. The establishment features various dining options, from full-service restaurants to quick-service counters, catering to diverse schedules. Additionally, the in-house store offers over 1,500 Italian products, including fresh produce, premium ingredients, and gift items, both in-store and through online delivery platforms.

Visit eatalyarabia.com.

Terra Eatery

The modern Mediterranean eatery unveils a creative breakfast menu at its two UAE locations, catering to various preferences from sweet cravings to healthy bites. Guests can savour breakfast amidst the tranquil patio gardens, enjoying dishes like Menemen and Turkish Eggs, alongside classics such as Eggs Benedict with zesty yuzu Hollandaise. Heartier options like the Frittata and Scrambled Eggs Pot are available, along with health-conscious choices like the Terra Bowl packed with quinoa and mixed leaves, while indulgent treats like French Toast with apple compote and Sweet Flat Bread with ricotta and honey provide a delightful start to the day.

Visit terra-eatery.com.

Buddha-Bar

Discover the revival of the highly anticipated Buddha-Bar Brunch, set to elevate your Saturday afternoons with a fusion of Pan-Asian flavours, captivating entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Dubai Marina. Indulge in a delectable array of Pan-Asian cuisine and handcrafted beverages, meticulously prepared to kickstart your weekend on a high note. From savoury starters including Buddha Bar chicken salad to main courses featuring Seabass, Corn-fed chicken, or Cantonese beef, and concluding with the exquisite Seventh heaven Buddha-Bar dessert platter, coupled with live entertainment from resident DJs, saxophonists, violinists, and drummers.

Every Saturday, from 1:30-4:30pm. From AED450 per person. Contact +9714 317 6556.