Downtown Dubai boasts of some of the snazziest bars in the city, all uniquely stylish in their own right. We are winding down to the weekend, and if you are planning to ring it in with your crew over a long lineup of drinks, Stock Exchange might just be the place for you.

 

Apart from their groovy, chilled out vibes and pub-grub that goes well beyond the usual hot wings and peanut bowls, Stock Exchange is based on a unique algorithm whereby the prices of the drinks keep changing through the night. It’s Economics 101 really. Governed by supply and demand, the more rounds of drinks you order, the lower the price.

 “A mysterious pop up experience awaits you in this converted Al Quoz warehouse. As the sun sets walk down a garden lane to find a red door. Inside discover a romantic garden with Moroccan lounge furniture and candle lit tables. Watch our chefs prepare our special Ramadan menu in our unique open plan show kitchen.” – Dish Catering Dubai.

Established in Dubai over 9 years ago, Dish Catering is a unique catering and events management concept that received phenomenal reviews for their very first stint at Iftars last Ramadan.

Their Iftars are back this year from Friday 26th May right on till the end of Ramadan. This second edition will be hosted at Warehouse Four, Al Quoz. We got a taste of what is in store this year at yet another fun-filled blogger-managed event hosted by the lovely Monica Kapila of the DoInDubai.com blog.

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We are counting down to the most beautiful month of the year; a month of piety, abstinence and self-reflection. Ramadan is also a month of communal gatherings and feasting.

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On Thursday 27th April, I went to my very first Iftar preview this season at the Cavendish, Bonnington Hotel (JLT). The last time we were here, we were treated to a decadent Italian fare (click here for more on that). The suave, sophisticated interiors, complete with its starched white table cloths, dazzling chandeliers and well-suited staff, create the perfect setting for dining with panache. For the month of Ramadan, Cavendish has put together a gastronomic fare infusing international favorites with the exotic elements of the Middle East. 

Last week we dined at Waka, Dubai’s newest Latin American fine-dining restaurant and bar. Located on the lobby level of The Oberoi in Business Bay, this brand new foodie haven had me click-happy from the entrance itself!

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From its gilded turquoise doors to the haloed interiors featuring a spacious bar area and very welcoming seating cushioned up with exotic prints, Waka is the perfect space to unwind and socialize with friends.

There are brunches, and then there are Yalumba brunches! Of all the places I’ve dined in Dubai, no one seems to have perfected the art of a Friday Brunch like these Aussie geniuses. Apart from a gastronomic lineup of spectacular food and bubbling bevvies, Yalumba’s latest ‘Brunchology’ includes wacky games and chart-topping music from the ’80’s and ’90’s. Yalumba is the only brunch I’ve been to where random diners get up and dance together!

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“Fusing together the Friday atoms, tinkering with the usual brunch molecules… we have mastered the science of brunching! Some call us mad, we prefer… eccentric!” – Yalumba.

Two BFF’s uncover a profound love for bagels on a trip to the Big Apple, and decide to recreate the experience right here in the UAE. Fast-forward a decade of decadence, and they have an entire chain of restaurants spread across the UAE and KSA.

The very name of the cafe is derived from the shape of the New York bagels they so fell in love with, and till today the bagels at Circle Cafe are imported all the way from NYC. I visited the branch at The Dubai Mall last week; ironically I didn’t have a bagel! I was there for lunch with fellow blogger Rafael from DubaiFoodie.com and my lovely colleague Nisha, and we had quite a spread of globally inspired dishes.

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Circle Cafe at The Dubai Mall is situated on the Ground Floor, right next to the Dubai Waterfalls. You can hear the powerful gush of water from every corner of the cafe, and this might prove to be rather zen if you are choosing to dine here alone, nose hooked into one of the many books on their cosy shelves. However, the noise can be a little overpowering when you are trying to socialize (or answer a phone call for that matter). The staff tell us they are working on getting the area closed off with a noise-proof glass wall.

Love seafood, and looking for a bargain feast this weekend? I’ve got you covered! Head to Pharaoh Restaurant at Arabian Courtyard & Spa, located in the heart of Bur Dubai. Every Wednesday and Thursday night, the Egyptian-themed restaurant converts into a seafood haven.

The open buffet starts for as low as AED 99 per head, inclusive of soft-drinks. What I really liked about this buffet is that they had a seafood special from all around the world. 

On the azure blue waters of the Dubai International Marine Club is a lineup of some of the world’s most expensive yachts. Nestled between these beauties is a rustic, deep mahogany dhow. A relic of the past, this dhow has now been converted to an award-winning seafood restaurant; Aprons & Hammers.

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The restaurant has bagged the title of ‘Best Seafood Restaurant’ three years in a row at the What’s On awards, and with this scenic backdrop to boot, I knew we were in for a major treat.

Carnival by Tresind, the younger, spunkier sister of Tresind, Dubai’s leading Indian fine-dining restaurant, is always full of surprises. True to its name, the interiors depict a crazy-cool wonderland where trees branch out in illusive shades of rose-gold, quirky Indian artifacts dot every corner, and guests are welcomed on their table with a shower of bubbles.

Carnival by Tresind has recently introduced a set brunch menu, which is valid every Friday from 12 to 4 pm. We were there a week ago, and the place was absolutely packed! Living in Dubai, we are spoilt for choice with brunching options, but here’s 10 very good reasons why you should consider booking a table at Carnival by Tresind this coming weekend:

Asha Bhosle, Bollywood’s very own nightingale who has captured the imagination of generations, needs no introduction. Asha’s, her self-named culinary debut, celebrates the kitchen experiments of this Bollywood legend. The beauty of Asha’s has always been its simplicity. The true essence of Indian fine-dining is never lost here to overly suave modernist ways, and this month, the restaurant pays tribute to the royal cuisines of the North.

The limited edition menu entitled ‘Live Like a Maharaja’ is brimming with a whole array of royal treats that has something for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Here is a look at some of my favorites: