What to do in Dubai

Mandarin Oriental announced the opening of its second hotel in Dubai. Located in Wasl Tower, this stunning addition will add another layer of luxury to Sheikh Zayed Road. The tower will also be home to Dubai’s first-ever Mandarin Oriental residences. Set to open in October 2025, the hotel will feature 259 rooms and suites. But that’s not all – the tower will also offer a spa and 10 new restaurants and bars (with names to be confirmed). It’s going to be a whole new hotspot for both dining and relaxation. The Mandarin Oriental Dubai in Wasl Tower will be a...

Dubai is about to sharpen its edge in winter sports. Opening this September, Emirates Sports Arena will be the city’s first professional ice arena built to National Hockey League (NHL) standards. Located in Dubai Sports City, the AED 20 million facility is designed to support high-level training, tournaments, and public access to ice sports. Covering 10,000 square metres and offering seating for over 600 spectators, the new venue is part of a broader effort to grow ice hockey, figure skating, and other winter sports in the region. Temperature in the arena will be kept between 16°C and 18°C — lower...

Fans of techno, mark your calendars. British DJ and global electronic music icon Carl Cox is heading to Dubai this October for a one-night-only set at Playa Pacha, the beachfront venue at FIVE LUXE, JBR. The event is set for Friday, October 17, and it promises to be a standout moment on the region’s music calendar. Carl Cox is currently in the middle of a multi-country tour, with stops across Poland, the Netherlands, France, and the UK, and a major residency in Ibiza where he’ll be commanding Sunday nights from mid-June. Dubai marks his only Middle East appearance on this...

Looking for a fun and active way to bond with your dog? Try Paw Power Challenge this Saturday, April 5. This unique event at Expo City Dubai invites dog owners and their pups to take on a series of exciting obstacles across a 2.5km racecourse. The event runs from 4 PM to 11 PM, with the main race starting at 6 PM. This isn’t just a race for dogs — owners will be put to the test too! The course features water crossings, slides, jumps, and climbs, ensuring that both you and your pup get an action-packed experience. You’ll also...

Fragrance and food come together in style at Address Sky View, where KAYALI, the perfume brand founded by Mona Kattan, has joined forces with rooftop hotspot Alto 54 for a limited-time sensory experience. Titled Vacay in a Bottle, this collaboration is now live and runs until June 19. The event transforms Alto 54’s rooftop pool and sundeck into a sun-soaked escape inspired by KAYALI’s new 50ml perfume collection. Bright yellow accents across cushions, umbrellas, and even drinks, plus a lineup of tropical visuals and interactive features to fully immerse guests in the brand’s summer vibe.     View this post...

It’s a new season in Dubai, and as residents are coming back to the city, more fresh and delicious openings are waiting for them. SANA, a new Uzbek restaurant, will open its doors at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam this September. It promises to take guests on a flavorful journey along the Silk Road, combining bold dishes, rich traditions, and a touch of modern hospitality. SANA takes inspiration from the renowned Restaurant Uzbekistan in Moscow and is led by Chef Glen Ballis, whose international career has spanned Melbourne, Moscow, London, and Asia. The menu blends authentic Uzbek specialties with contemporary Asian...

There’s a new addition to Dubai’s dining scene, and it’s turning heads — quite literally. APE, the freshly opened restaurant in Jumeirah 3, is impossible to miss thanks to the giant ape statue standing guard at its entrance. Inside, it offers a menu that blends Japanese and Italian cuisine, an outdoor shisha garden, and a sleek space that’s already drawing a high-profile crowd — rapper Meek Mill included. APE caters to diners looking for everything from light bites to indulgent mains. Whether you’re craving delicate seafood or a full pasta dish, there’s a strong mix of options on the menu....

Dubai’s Al Qudra Street is set for a major transformation as part of a AED 798 million development by RTA. Once completed, travel time along the key route will change — from almost 10 minutes to less than 3. This upgrade will improve traffic flow and accommodate growing demand from surrounding communities. The project spans 11.6 km and includes multiple new bridges, adding 2.7 km of elevated roadways to improve intersections and reduce bottlenecks. The project is expected to improve daily commutes for around 400,000 people, serving key residential areas such as Arabian Ranches 1 and 2, Dubai Motor City,...

Dubai’s dining scene is about to welcome a new Japanese restaurant. Ram & Roll is preparing to open its doors at Kempinski The Boulevard, offering a focused menu of handrolls, ramen, sushi, and a few unique additions. The concept brings together traditional Japanese flavours and made-to-order dishes, including a Japanese-inspired breakfast. The name "Ram & Roll" is a reference to the restaurant’s emphasis on handrolls, which are crafted fresh with premium ingredients. Signature options include the Crispy Tempura Roll with shrimp, the Salmon and Avocado Roll finished with soy glaze, and the Spicy Tuna Roll with avocado and mayonnaise. The...

Instagram is shifting focus to make the app more about personal connections. In its latest update, Meta has introduced three new tools for its most popular platform aimed at boosting interaction between friends: Reposts for Reels and feed posts, a location-sharing Instagram Map, and a new “Friends” tab in the Reels section. Here’s a closer look at what’s new. 1. Reposts for Reels and Feed Posts Instagram now allows users to repost public Reels and feed posts, similar to sharing on other platforms. Reposted content gets its own tab on your profile. It can also be suggested to your followers,...