The best things to do in the UAE this week: 5 to 11 December
When it comes to culinary adventures, fun activities and nights of endless fun in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, FACT have you covered.
As we venture into the first week of December, the FIFA World Cup is in full swing, bringing with it fan zones and exciting viewing opportunities. Elsewhere, we have brunches, lunches and iconic stage shows. Read on for our picks of the week.
Monday 5 December
Listen to live music
Beat the Monday blues with Unplugged at Bagatelle Dubai. The weekly event sees Bagatelle’s resident musical duo take to the stage, providing the perfect soundtrack for the evening of Joie de vivre. In addition to the live entertainment, diners can feast on Bagatelle’s à la carte menu, comprising signature French classics with a modern twist. Mondays, from 8pm until late.
GO: Call 04 354 5035 for reservations and more information.
Tuesday 6 December
Watch the World Cup in style
The FIFA World Cup is upon us, and ME Dubai has introduced a special offer for football fanatics. Football fans are invited to book a lavish ME Suite for up to 20 guests and watch the game on a 105″ television with a home theatre surround system. Guests can also enjoy unlimited beverages for three hours, crafted food offerings, and a one-night stay with breakfast included. Available daily. AED 20,000.
GO: Email sales.me.dubai@melia.com or call 045 525 2500 for reservations and more information.
Wednesday 7 December
Visit a new food hub in the capital
Huna has opened its largest venue in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall, and it is home to 23 food concepts, retail outlets and a co-working space. With seating for 800 people, huna is ideal for socialising, remote working or grabbing a bite to eat. The restaurants on offer include BB Social Dining, SugarMoo, Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand awarded Tazal, Elixir Bunn Coffee Roastery and Habib Beirut.
GO: Visit tps://iamhuna.com for reservations and more information.
Thursday 8 December
Party at Piatti
Renowned for the extravagant performances that have earned them a cult-celebrity following, Gianluigi Lembo and the Anema e Core band will bring “la Dolce Vita” to Piatti by the Beach at Raffles The Palm Dubai. Each show features classic Neapolitan music, with Latin American sounds, alongside Italian pop music that is guaranteed to keep guests dancing until the early hours. Counting royalty, sports professionals, and celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Selena Gomez as regular guests, you won’t want to miss this energetic evening under the stars. Available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 11 December.
GO: Visit www.rafflesthepalmdubai.com or call 04 248 8889 for reservations and more information.
Friday 9 December
Be enthralled by The Lion King
25 years after Disney’s The Lion King premiered on Broadway, news of its debut in the Middle East is finally here – and the countdown has begun for the show’s four-week run at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Incidentally, the musical has already entertained nearly 110 million people worldwide since its 1997 debut, with permanent residences in New York, London, Madrid and Tokyo. It has enjoyed further international touring success in New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and beyond. The story is a musical retelling of Hamlet, but with lions. Performances are scheduled daily from 16 November to 10 December. Tickets start from AED 200 and are now available.
GO: Visit www.thelionking.ae for more information.
Saturday 10 December
Try the lavish Buranchi at Ongaku
Renowned for electric nightlife, Ongaku by CLAP will come alive during the day with the launch of its new brunch. Channelling Tokyo vibes, the Buranchi Saturday brunch offers diners a show-stopping display of sushi, signature rolls, and sashimi, a prawn cocktail Tower, fresh oyster and a ceviche station (and that’s just the appetisers). Main course options include black cod, pistachio-crusted baby chicken and the beef sando. Brunch ends on a sweet note with a Japanese-style dessert platter featuring matcha cheesecake, miso chocolate tart and mochi. Saturdays from 12.30pm to 4pm. AED 495 (house beverages) and AED 650 (premium Champagne and sake).
GO: Call 04 569 3820 for reservations and more information.
Sunday 11 December
Visit the new Trèsind
The critically acclaimed Indian restaurant, Trèsind, has moved from its Voco Dubai Hotel premises and into One&Only Royal Mirage. Trèsind has taken over the space previously occupied by Nina Restaurant, bringing with it Chef Himanshu Saini’s fine-dining Indian menu. The restaurant is famed for its dishes, which are a thing of beauty. If you thought Indian food was all about sloppy servings, here it is so elegantly prepared that you’ll want to grab a snap before your spoon.
GO: Visit https://tresind.com for more information.
