6 of the best restaurants in Dubai this weekend: May 23 to 25
Not your average 'where should we eat'…
Dubai's dining scene doesn't take days off, but this week? It's really doing the most: New openings, new menus, unexpected chef collabs, lowkey glam pop-ups, and nights that don't end at dessert. These are 6 of the best restaurants in Dubai this weekend that deserve a spot on your radar (and in your camera roll). Banyan Tree Dubai: the culinary masters eight-hands dinner
What: A two-night eight-hands dinner series with four standout chefs across two iconic Banyan Tree Dubai venues. Chef Alvin Leung (Demon Duck), Chefs Taka & Hisa (TakaHisa), and Executive Chef Jonathan Bouthiaux join forces for a rare multi-course collab blending Japanese precision, Chinese richness, and French technique.
Vibe: Refined, intimate luxury.
Menu: An eight-course experience featuring signature creations from each chef. Think Slow-Roasted Demon Duck, premium Wagyu, pristine sushi, and globally inspired dishes threaded with personal touch. Demon Duck dinner Priced at Dhs650/Dhs1,200 with wine pairing, TakaHisa dinner priced at Dhs3000.
When: Saturday 24 May at Demon Duck, and Sunday 25 May at TakaHisa.
Where: Demon Duck/TakaHisa, Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island @banyantreedxb. Book here China Tang Dubai
What: The iconic London-born Cantonese restaurant makes its Middle East debut at The Lana Promenade.
Vibe: Opulent, Art Deco glamour meets 1930s Shanghai. Think mirrored ceilings, stained glass, intricate wallpaper, and a moody, elegant cocktail bar. Everything – down to the tea – is well thought-out.
Food: A refined take on Cantonese cuisine by Chef Li Zhenjun. Signature dishes include Xiao Long Bao, Sir David's Hot & Sour Soup, Whole Lobster with E-Fu Noodles, and the famous Beijing Duck – roasted in a custom oven and carved tableside. New Dubai exclusives include Foie Gras Cherries, Da Hong Pao Lamb Cutlets, and Honey-Glazed Beef Char Siu.
When: Open daily from 12pm to 11pm
Where: The Lana Promenade, Dorchester Collection, Marasi Bay Marina @chinatang_dubai ROKA Dubai
What: A laid-back Japanese-style family brunch with live stations, signature robata dishes, and a full-on kids' zone.
Vibe: Grown-up chill with a side of family-friendly energy – DJ on deck, toys on hand.
Menu: The menu features maki, nigiri, soups, robata grills, and plated mains – with a premium upgrade option featuring that famous black cod and beef fillet
When: Every Saturday, 12.30pm to 4pm
Where: ROKA, The Opus by Omniyat, Level 1, Business Bay @rokadubaiofficial ALAYA: flavours of Sayf
What: A limited-edition summer menu featuring Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
Vibe: DIFC glam with marble.
Menu: Dhs250 per person gets you cold and hot starters, one main, sides, and dessert. Think: creamy muhammara, crisp fattoush, za'atar calamari, grilled chicken, kofte, and maqlouba rice. End with apricot tart or pistachio ice cream with pomegranate.
When: Daily, 4pm to 8pm
Where: ALAYA, DIFC @alayadubai AURA Skypool x Chiva-Som: A wellness takeover in the sky
What: The world's highest 360° infinity pool partners with Thai wellness destination Chiva-Som for a three-day immersive wellness experience.
Vibe: chic, relaxed atmosphere high above Dubai, with stunning 360 views.
Highlights: Lunch in the Sky: A Taste of Chiva-Som
A wellness-inspired three-course menu crafted by Chiva-Som's Chef Touch Vongsatitsart and AURA's Chef Craig Best, priced at Dhs225 per person, Dhs175 for free-flowing rosé
A wellness-inspired three-course menu crafted by Chiva-Som's Chef Touch Vongsatitsart and AURA's Chef Craig Best, priced at Dhs225 per person, Dhs175 for free-flowing rosé Sunrise Yoga + Breakfast
Hatha yoga and breathwork led by AURA's Emilse and Chiva-Som's Kamlesh, followed by a nourishing breakfast, price at Dhs280
When: May 22 – 24
Where: AURA Skypool, Palm Jumeirah @auraskypool.dubai
Also read
7 best restaurants in Dubai to make you feel like you're on holiday
Your bar twin: Some of the best bars in Dubai for every personality Hakkasan Dubai
What: One Michelin star Hakkasan Dubai introduces the Pearl tasting menu and a new cocktail selection, featuring modern Cantonese cuisine, seasonal influences, and creative mixology.
Vibe: Sleek, sophisticated, modern luxury feel with intimate lighting.
Menu: Standouts include the pearl tasting menu golden 'Yuan Bao' dumpling with king crab and caviar, Abalone & Sea Cucumber Dumpling with prawn and peppercorn vinaigrette, Stir-Fry Fresh Water Scampi over crisp mantou, Braised Australian Wagyu Short Rib with salted plum & pineapple, Hokkaido Scallop Fried Trio Rice, and Sauteed White Asparagus with morel mushroom and vegan XO sauce. Cocktails include Hakkasan Tea Ceremony: Jasmine vodka, pear liqueur, peach, almond, Hakka 2.0: Lychee, sake, coconut, and, Forget Me Not: Mango-infused gin with house-made pepper liqueur.
When: Available now, daily, 6pm to 11.30pm.
Where: Hakkasan Dubai, Atlantis The Palm @hakkasandubai
Images: Supplied/Instagram
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
14 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Sipping Tea while Enjoying Opera: The 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Tea Culture Week Showcases Cultural Charm
A colorful array of theatrical performances lights up the Tea Culture Week BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2025 – On May 29, the 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Tea Culture Week officially opened. This year's festival, with a main venue at the Junwangfu Hotel, and a satellite venue at the China Central Place, creates a tea culture feast that blends tea tasting, opera appreciation, cultural experiences, and consumption. The Junwangfu Hotel, a cultural landmark near Liangma River, features Qing Dynasty architecture and traditional Chinese gardens. During the festival, the hotel is filled with the rich aroma of tea. Visitors can purchase tickets to immerse themselves in the 'Royal Tea Gathering' and enjoy the leisurely atmosphere of 'a view with every step, a tea with every seat.' The tea market brings together more than 70 modern tea brands, offering international flavors from New Zealand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Azerbaijan, as well as regional specialties from Yunnan, Guizhou, China's Taiwan region, and others. The market also features tea-themed cultural and creative products. ADVERTISEMENT At the 'Floating Fragrance Tea Market' located in the sunken garden of The Ritz-Carlton at China Central Place, more than ten food and beverage businesses, renowned tea companies, and emerging tea drink brands offer special tea drinks, DIY tea-blending experiences, and tea art performances. Guests savor the aroma and flavor of fine teas Sipping tea while enjoying opera—tea in the teahouse, opera on the stage—reflects the romantic lifestyle of ancient Chinese society and has become a novel form of social interaction today. As the scent of tea wafts through the air, the Junwangfu Hotel echoes with traditional melodies and captivating performances. Peking Opera, Yue Opera, Nanyin music, and folk instrumental ensembles take the stage in turn. Between performances, visitors can experience Song-style whisked tea, Chaozhou gongfu tea, and the craftsmanship behind West Lake Dragon Well tea at the Yinan Hall, gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness of tea. From 'Tea and the World' to 'Tea and the City' and 'Tea and Culture,' Chaoyang District has hosted the Tea Culture Festival for three consecutive years, consistently promoting the theme: 'Sharing a Cup of Fine Chinese Tea with the World.' The event continues to elevate Chinese tea as a cultural symbol that speaks to the world. Once, the fragrance of tea traveled the ancient Tea Horse Road and the Silk Road to reach distant lands. Today, tea is grown in more than 60 countries and regions, with over two billion people worldwide enjoying it. 'With Chaoyang's tea, we welcome friends from around the world.' Chaoyang District extends a warm invitation to global friends to join us in savoring fine teas and traditional operas. Hashtag: #2025BeijingChaoyangInternationalTeaCultureWeek The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
What's On
15 hours ago
- What's On
7 new restaurants in Dubai you'll want to try this June
Written by: Lana Du 4 days ago Dubai's always got something new cooking, and June is no exception. This month, there's an exciting lineup of new restaurants in Dubai to explore. From classic Greek dining to innovative Cantonese cuisine, here are 7 new restaurants in Dubai to check out this June. Click through the gallery 3 of 12 The iconic London-born Cantonese restaurant makes its Middle East debut at The Lana Promenade. Opulent, Art Deco glamour meets 1930s Shanghai. Think mirrored ceilings, stained glass, intricate wallpaper, and a moody, elegant cocktail bar. Offering: A refined take on Cantonese cuisine by Chef Li Zhenjun. Signature dishes include Xiao Long Bao, Sir David’s Hot & Sour Soup, Whole Lobster with E-Fu Noodles, and the famous Beijing Duck â€' roasted in a custom oven and carved tableside. New Dubai exclusives include Foie Gras Cherries, Da Hong Pao Lamb Cutlets, and Honey-Glazed Beef Char Siu. Timings: Opening daily 12pm to 11pm Location: The Lana Promenade, Dorchester Collection, Marasi Bay Marina Contact: (0)4 295 7464. @chinatang_dubai The newest name at Pier 7, Elaia brings a laid-back take on Mediterranean dining with a menu made for sharing. Expect dishes like crispy zucchini, melitzanosalata, grilled octopus, and salt-baked red snapper, plus wood-fired pizzas and a solid wine list. Inside, the space is low-lit, warm, and spacious, with Marina views if you're sitting outside. Offering: Mediterranean sharing plates, seafood, wood-fired pizzas, fresh breads and dips, curated wines. Timings: Daily, 12pm to 1am Location: Elaia, Pier 7, Dubai Marina Contact: (0) 4 576 2389 . @elaiadubai If good company, music, and a mic in hand is your kind of night, you’ll want to check out Replay. Just launched on the upper floor of Bla Bla Dubai in JBR, the new karaoke lounge built for Dubai’s summer nightlife. With seven private themed rooms, a main lounge with a DJ booth, and over 80,000 songs across 20+ languages, it’s made for post-brunch hangouts, group celebrations, and spontaneous sing-offs. The menu keeps it casual but solid â€' salmon tacos, dynamite shrimp, truffle pizza, and other shareables. Offering: Private karaoke sessions are priced at Dhs45/hour (2+ hours) or Dhs55/hour (1-hour bookings). Timings: Open daily from 5pm to 3am Location: Replay, Bla Bla Dubai, JBR Contact: (0)4 584 4111. @replaydubai This June, Dubai gets two new spots that take dining and nightlife up a notch. Geisha is a Pan-Asian lounge with a live sushi bar and crafted cocktails. After 11PM, the vibe turns up with live bands and DJs. Just steps away inside the restaurant, Opal Room is a hidden speakeasy offering a low-key, intimate escape as the night unfolds. Opening June Location: 16th floor of Emirates Financial Towers in DIFC Culinara Social Dining is one of the newest arrivals on Dubai's culinary map. Set 100 metres above the city in The Link at One Zaabeel, this sky-high food hall brings together 12 of the region's most exciting chefs, homegrown concepts, and indie favourites, all under one roof, in a buzzing, beautifully designed spot. Timings: Open daily from 12pm to 11pm, Coffee and breakfast available daily from, 7am to 11pm. Location: The Link, One Zaabeel, 24th Floor. Contact: Brasserie Lutetia, now open on the second floor of Sofitel Dubai Downtown, brings a taste of Paris to the city's core. Putting a modern spin on the traditional French brasserie, the space is both stylish and relaxed, serving classic French and Mediterranean dishes with a sustainable twist, thanks to its use of hydroponic farming. From morning croissants to leisurely lunches and evening drinks, Brasserie Lutetia delivers great food, a vibrant vibe, and plenty of charm. Brasserie Lutetia, 2nd Floor, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, breakfast from 6.30am to 10.30am, lunch from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Images: Supplied/ Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Sharjah 24
18 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Ball game from Myanmar fights for survival in nation under turmoil
The essence of Chinlone "Once you get into playing the game, you forget everything," says 74-year-old Win Tint. "You concentrate only on your touch and your style." Chinlone, Myanmar's national game, dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and practiced differently by men and women. The styles of play Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle, using stylized strokes of their feet, knees, and heads to pass the ball in a game of "keepy-uppy," with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women, on the other hand, play solo like circus performers—kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas, and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. The dedication of young players Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a flaming ball while spinning a hula-hoop—also on fire. "I play even when I am sick," says the 16-year-old. "It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player." Challenges facing Chinlone However, play has plunged in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 military coup, and the subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are soaring, and craftsmen face difficulties sourcing materials to make the balls. Finding respite in the game Despite these challenges, the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. "When you hear the sound of kicking the ball, it's like music," Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. "So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing." Variations across Southeast Asia Different versions of the hands-free sport known as "caneball" are widely played across Southeast Asia. Regional variants In Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style "sepak takraw." In Laos, it is known as "kataw," while Filipinos play "sipa," meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Historical roots Myanmar's iteration of chinlone dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built during the Pyu era, which lasted from 200 BC to 900 AD. Initially, it was a casual pastime, a fitness activity, and a source of royal entertainment. Modernisation of the game In 1953, the game was formalized with rules and a scoring system as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. "No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it," said player Min Naing, 42. The spirit of Chinlone Despite ongoing conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted by wartime blackouts, and on dedicated chinlone courts—often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. The joy of playing "For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night," says Min Naing. "On the days I don't play, I feel I am missing something." Concerns for the future Win Tint is worried about the declining participation rates. "I worry about this sport disappearing," says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. "That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork." Craftsmanship and quality Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank, and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. "We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones," adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. "As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back." The struggles of ball makers Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. However, supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling due to fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups. Farmers are too fearful to venture into the jungle battleground to cut cane, endangering his profession. "It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers," says the 72-year-old. "I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can."
