From taco festivals and toastie competitions to Friday roasts and gourmet cookies, here’s our suggestions for an incredible weekend in the UAE

Dubai

Al Safadi

Start the weekend with a hearty breakfast or brunch at this Lebanese casual-dining concept. Tuck into fried eggs with cheese, tomatoes, and spiced sausages; fatteh with yogurt; grilled halloumi; hummus with ground meat and pine nuts; manakish with zaatar or Akawi cheese and more.

Saturday to Friday from 9-1am. Dine-in at Al Safadi on The Pointe – Palm Jumeirah, Umm Al Sheif, Sheik Zayed Road and Rigga Road. Call 600500601 for delivery. Visit the website.

Zafran Indian Bistro

Embark on a coastal culinary journey with this venue’s new seasonal menu, Coastal Chronicles. Enjoy mahi samudri tikki (fish cakes), lamb vindaloo, Bengali fish curry, Goan green chicken, black pepper-curry leaf prawns, Cochin mutton masala, chicken ghee roast biryani and a Parle G cheesecake dessert, to end your meal.

 19 August to 30 September on weekdays from 12-11pm and weekends from 12pm-12am. Call Dubai Marina Mall at +97154 994 2435 or Mirdif City Centre at +97156 188 4739. Order online at Deliveroo, Talabat and Zomato.

La Tablita, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights

The Mexican restaurant and bar has launched a Taco Festival, where diners can enjoy scrumptious bites, sips and live music. Look forward to a selection of Mexican dishes including avocado tacos with habanero mayo; octopus tacos; duck chimichangas with passionfruit sauce and more.

19 to 28 August from 6pm-1am. AED 19 per taco. Call or WhatsApp +97156 398 7255 or visit the website.

Newton, Souk Madinat Jumeirah

The new Berlin-born concept invites diners to enjoy a cosmopolitan experience with an array of delightful dishes, complemented by a unique selection of grape and artisan beverages. Expect buletten with warm potato salad (German-style meatballs), Newton’s niçoise and a flavourful currywurst.

Daily from 3:30pm-2am. Call +9714 577 6669 or visit Instagram.

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant

The venue has launched a new summer (or natsu in Japanese) tasting menu featuring dishes such as edamame with kobe wagyu fat; Japanese tacos; soft-shell crab rolls; Australian wagyu maki and a white chocolate and coconut mousse for the grand finale.

Daily for lunch and dinner (inclusive of coffee or tea). AED899 per couple (food only) and AED1599 per couple (food and a bottle of bubbly).  Call +9714 547 2241 or email reservations.dubai@99sushibar.com.

Topgolf Dubai

This one’s for families with teens. Celebrate the school holidays with a visit to Topgolf, where teens can enjoy a two-hour game along with one soft beverage for a cool, discounted price. When the hunger pangs strike, families can choose to dine à la carte from the hotspot’s extensive menu.

19 August to 1 September from Sunday to Thursday at 11am-4pm. AED100 per teen aged 14-18 (two-hour game and one soft beverage). Visit the website.

Jones the Grocer

The food emporium is inviting toastie-lovers to show off their toasted sandwich-making skills, with an exciting competition. To enter, participants have to rustle up their favourite food using the brand’s ingredients and then share their work of art with the hashtag #jonestoasties on their public Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

 19 August to 4 September. Note: the competition ends on 4th September evening and the winners will be announced the following week on Jones the Grocer social media channels. Visit the website.

Crumb & Co.

Staying home this weekend and craving something sweet? This specialty bakehouse is now offering gourmet cookies, alongside other baked goods. Enjoy three new flavours including dark chocolate + sea salt, crème brûlée and sesame chocolate chip, from the comfort of your homes.

AED60 for six (dark chocolate + sea salt), AED60 for six (sesame chocolate chip), AED70 for six (crème brûlée) and AED65 for six (assorted). Next day delivery. Order online or visit Instagram.

Abu Dhabi 

Punjab Grill, Venetian Village, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal

Hotfoot to this gastronomic destination headed by Executive Chef Sandeep Ail and experience sumptuous culinary creations such as chaamp tajdar (rack of Australian lamb in spices and labneh), palak patta chaat (fried spinach with tamarind and mint chutney), arvi ka kofta and raw banana kofta curry.

Daily from 12:30pm-12am. Dine à la carte. Call or WhatsApp +97150 668 3054 or visit the website.

McGettigan’s, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi

Grab your family and friends and visit this Irish pub for an unlimited Friday roast. Indulge in mouthwatering specials off the menu with accompanying sides, as you sip on thirst-quenching beverages.

Fridays from 12:30-4pm. AED280 per person (inclusive of house beverages). Call +9712 698 8137 or email reservation.table@dusit.com.