From exciting launches to mystery box meals and a foodie staycation (aka foodcation), here’s our suggestions for an incredible weekend in Dubai

Spill The Bean

Grab a wholesome breakfast at this specialty coffee shop with a newly launched menu that’s brimming with plant-based sweet and savoury delights.

Kick-start your weekend with the eatery’s vegan omelette with protein-powered chickpeas; vegan shakshuka with tofu and fibre-packed pumpkin; organic whole wheat sourdough French toast and gluten-free pancakes. For a fresh bite, try the acai with berries and fruit or the chocolate and peanut butter acai for a mix of sweet and savoury flavours.

The Sustainable City Plaza. Call +97152 505 9022 or visit Instagram.

Parlour Boutique

Enjoy a Parisian afternoon tea with gourmet treats, tempting pastries, appetising sandwiches and hot brews served on an Eiffel Tower-shaped stand at this Mediterranean-French hotspot.

Among the sweet and savoury options, you can find creamy chicken mushroom vol au vent, beef tartine, burrata salads, French matcha macarons, blueberry opera cake, caramelised honey cake, and more. Look out for the floor to ceiling windows with golden sunlight filtering through, it makes for a great Instagrammable spot.

Dubai World Trade Centre. Daily from 12-6pm AED250 per couple. Call +9714 386 5333.

Oporto

Hotfoot to the legendary Australian eatery that has finally opened its doors in the Middle East. Expect a combination of Australia’s feel-good vibes with a culinary blend of Portuguese and Southern European influences, while you dive into an array of fiery flame grilled chicken, burgers and sides.

Do not miss out on their celebrated signature Bondi burger with two freshly grilled 100 per cent chicken breast fillets, crisp lettuce, cheese, creamy mayo and Oporto’s legendary Original Chilli sauce.

Dubai Festival City Mall from 8am-10pm (weekdays) and 8-12am (weekends). Visit Instagram.

The City Grill 

The Atrium’s casually elegant South African Steakhouse has launched a Happy Hour just in time for summer. The deal offers a portion of juicy chicken wings, along with three selected house beverages or grape.

It gets better. Indulge in seafood specials, steaks and more during happy hours and receive a flat 35 per cent off on the a la carte and beverages menu.

Tuesday to Sunday from 5-8pm. AED99 per person (inclusive of chicken wings and three sips). Call +9714 437 0088.

Paros

The chic rooftop lounge and restaurant, set on the 46th floor of TAJ Jumeirah Lakes Towers, has launched a new concept called Mazi, which translates from Greek to mean together. Unwind with sips that pack a punch and tropical house tunes while overlooking unparalleled, panoramic views of the glittering Dubai skyline as the sun sets in the horizon.

Savour dishes from live stations such as spanakopita (spinach pie), kreatopitakia (meat pie) and freshly grilled halloumi, chicken souvlaki, seafood and lamb kofta. Mains call for biftekia sliders (beef sliders), Greek briam (roasted veggies) and saffron pilaf.

Saturdays from 4-7pm. AED195 per person (inclusive of soft beverages), AED275 per person (inclusive of house beverages and AED325 per person (inclusive of sparkling).

MasterChef, The TV Experience

Tap into your adventurous side and visit this Dubai Marina hotspot for their new and improved Mystery box meal experience, where diners are taken on a culinary journey of exceptional flavours through continuously evolving themes.

How does it work? Diners are offered a set of ingredients to select from and this is based on the theme of the dinner. This allows you to create a specialised set menu dining experience for yourself.

Daily from 12-3pm and 7-11pm. AED200 per person (three-course meal) AED230 per person (four-course meal) and AED250 per person (five-course meal).

Halo Halo

Get set for a food journey with celebrity chef JP Anglo as he leads diners through the eclectic tastes and richly unique flavours of Filipino cuisine.

Tuck into a four-course taster menu that begins with chicken BBQ skewers served with spiced vinegar, followed by tortang talong salad (eggplant omelette salad) and a crispy sinigang dilis soup (baby anchovy soup). For mains, choose from crispy tadyang (beef ribs) served with a sweet soy sauce, grilled jumbo prawns with a coconut shrimp paste sauce or pancit negra (seafood noodles). Enjoy a sweet grand finale of a caramelised pie with mango filling.

Jannah Marina Hotel Apartments on April 8 (dinner), April 9 to 10 (lunch and dinner). AED150 per person. Call 800 526624 or visit the website.

Grand Hyatt Dubai

Foodies of Dubai, this one’s for you! Grand Hyatt Dubai has partnered up with Dubai Food Festival to host a gastronomic food fiesta, otherwise known as the Grand Food Fest.

Check into a delightful Garden View room and visit award-winning restaurants and in-house eateries, featuring bites from countries such as Japan, Lebanon, Italy, Singapore and India. You an open choice of three-courses for lunch and dinner across all dining venues.

Ongoing to April 17. AED899 onwards (inclusive of a room, breakfast, lunch and dinner), kids under 12 (complimentary). Call or WhatsApp +9714 317 2221.