The immersive dining collective launches a celestial open-fire experience on Jubail Island.
The UAE is no stranger to redefining what an experience can be. This season, that boundary-pushing spirit moves into the culinary world with a striking new collaboration between We Are Ona and Manar Abu Dhabi.
For the very first time in the Middle East, We Are Ona, the globally acclaimed pop-up dining collective founded by culinary creative director Luca Pronzato, is bringing its immersive dining philosophy to the capital. Joining him is Chef Solemann Haddad of Moonrise, a recent FACT award winner who is known for weaving storytelling, nostalgia and regional flavours into every course.
Together, they present The Smoke Dome, a temporary gastronomic installation that blurs the line between cooking, ritual and environment. The project forms part of Manar Abu Dhabi, an event that celebrates light, place and creativity across the emirate, and positions food as another medium through which to experience the city’s evolving cultural scene.
Set on Jubail Island, the pop-up takes full advantage of its location. The island is known for its mangroves, wildlife and serene setting, which become a living backdrop to the experience. Guests dine inside a custom-built dome where open fire techniques take centre stage. Smoke, flickering shadows and the surrounding landscape combine to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and elemental, as if the meal is unfolding between earth and sky.
The menu is a six-course dinner crafted by Chef Solemann Haddad, reflecting his signature fusion of regional roots and cosmic imagination. While the details of each dish are kept intentionally under wraps, diners can expect a narrative that ties into the night sky above and the illuminated installations of Manar Abu Dhabi. With the stars overhead and the glow of the coals within, the experience feels perfectly aligned with the festival’s focus on light and perspective.
We Are Ona x Manar Abu Dhabi runs until 22 November. Seating is priced at AED 750, with an optional alcohol pairing available for an additional AED 200. Places are limited, so reservations are highly recommended.
If you are searching for a one-of-a-kind experience this chilly season that pairs inventive culinary flavours with a celestial ambience, The Smoke Dome is one you will not want to miss.
GO: Visit https://weareona.co for more information.