Dubai’s events and dining scene heats up with festive feasts, new menus, and iconic openings

As Dubai gears up for the festive and dining season, the city’s culinary and lifestyle scene is buzzing with exciting new experiences. From fresh menu launches and iconic international openings to beachfront celebrations and festive feasts, there’s something for everyone to savour. Whether you’re craving authentic New York-style pizza, elevated Italian flavours, or a seaside celebration to ring in the New Year, these must-visit destinations — in the UAE — promise unforgettable moments filled with great food, vibrant energy, and festive cheer.

Recommended For You

Inside 'Dream of the Desert': Saudi Arabia unveils its ultra-luxury train

Dubai BlueChip scam estimated at Dh400 million; 10 bank accounts of owner frozen

UAE: Pakistani baby survives rare immune disorder after urgent bone marrow transplant

Inside UAE’s most ambitious AI model: Teaching robots how to think

Dubai: 1,500 athletes to compete in Asian Youth Para Games

 

PizzaExpress UAE: A fresh spin on classics with bold global flavours

PizzaExpress UAE has launched its newly elevated menu, reimagining beloved favourites with fresh ingredients and globally inspired twists while staying true to its 60-year heritage of handcrafted recipes and warm hospitality. From signature pizzas like Carbonara and Paneer Tikka to indulgent desserts such as Mango Glazed Cheesecake, the new menu reflects the brand’s balance of freshness, creativity, and comfort.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Dubai: Iconic New York Pizza tradition lands in the UAE

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, famed for its coal-fired brick-oven pizzas and over a century of Brooklyn heritage, has opened its first Dubai location at Silicon Central Mall. Guests can enjoy authentic hand-tossed pizzas, premium ingredients, and a family-friendly atmosphere that brings the true taste of New York to Dubai.

Riva Beach Club: Celebrate the festive season by the sea

Riva Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah is kicking off the festive season with beachfront celebrations, including a Christmas Day Brunch, a glittering New Year’s Eve party under the stars, and exclusive early bird offers available until 10 November 2025. With Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and weekly themed experiences, Riva remains Dubai’s ultimate beachside destination to celebrate, dine, and unwind.

Voco Bonnington Dubai: Sparkle, feast, and celebrate the season in style

Voco Bonnington Dubai invites guests to embrace the festive spirit with lavish Christmas brunches, glamorous New Year’s Eve dinners, and gourmet takeaways with a 20% early bird offer before 10 December. Whether at The Cavendish Restaurant or from the comfort of home, voco Bonnington promises unforgettable celebrations filled with flavour, festivity, and warmth.

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort unveils Bakalis

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, the luxury boutique destination on Palm Jumeirah, has unveiled Bakalis by ENVY, a new Greek-inspired restaurant that brings the soulful beauty of the Aegean to Dubai’s shoreline. Designed as a relaxed toes-in-the-sand dining experience, Bakalis blends authentic Greek flavours with stunning sunset views and a laid-back coastal ambiance. The sharing-style menu celebrates Mediterranean classics—from tzatziki and dolmades to grilled squid, souvlaki, and whole sea bass—enhanced by the aroma of open-flame cast-iron grills. Guests can end their meal with indulgent desserts like Loukoumades and pistachio baklava. With its romantic beachfront setting and vibrant spirit, Bakalis promises a true taste of Greece, perfect for date nights, intimate gatherings, and seaside escapes.

Gift your loved one Piece of You Emirati Day Collection

Piece of You Jewellery celebrates the UAE’s 53rd National Day with a limited-edition capsule collection of five exquisite necklaces that honour the nation’s unity, pride, and timeless elegance. Crafted in 18k gold and natural gemstones, the pieces reinterpret national symbols such as the UAE map and flag through intricate design and masterful craftsmanship. Highlights include minimalist gold map outlines, gem-studded flags, and vibrant coloured gemstone details in red, green, white, and black—each representing the UAE’s core values. Designed and handcrafted by an all-women team in Dubai, the collection embodies everyday elegance and patriotic spirit

Paramount Hotel Midtown presents “Festive Wonders 2: A Golden Ticket to Christmas”

Paramount Hotel Midtown invites you to “Festive Wonders 2: A Golden Ticket to Christmas” at PAUSE Spa Château Berger. Unwind amidst the holiday rush with indulgent treatments like the Holiday Glam package, featuring a body scrub, signature massage, and Hollywood Glow facial for AED 995, or the Red Carpet Radiance, with a body scrub, wrap, and Haute Couture Deep Lifting facial for Dh685. Both promise blissful relaxation and radiant results.

INDIKAYA dining experience

In honour of the UAE’s 54th National Day, INDIKAYA is presenting a sincere, one-day dining experience on December 2nd, offering an Eid Al Etihad multi-course menu that reflects unity through refined Indian flavours. Priced at AED 160—an exclusive fifty-four percent tribute to the occasion—the experience highlights thoughtful craftsmanship over grandeur. Guests can enjoy a gentle progression of dishes, from sensorial amuse bouche and vegetarian or non-vegetarian appetisers to mains that balance richness with restraint, all accompanied by classic sides. The meal concludes with timeless desserts like Berry Phirni and Malai Kulfi, offering a composed finish. With limited seats available, early reservations are recommended.

Khaleej Times Staff

webteam@khaleejtimes.com