Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
Dubai heads into September with another packed week of dining, entertainment and experiences. Foodies can embark on a culinary journey across Asia, try a new Downtown Dubai lunch or secure a table at the much-anticipated Gymkhana Dubai. Elsewhere, you can create a bespoke fragrance, unleash your creativity with a paint-splattered session, sing along to Arabic classics or catch one of Egypt’s rising comedy stars. Here are the best things to do in Dubai this week.
Monday 31 August
Create your own signature scent at Maison 21G
If you have ever wanted a fragrance that is entirely your own, Maison 21G offers the chance to create one. The Parisian-inspired perfumery at Dubai Hills Mall hosts interactive scent creation workshops led by its fragrance specialists. Guests can explore 35 sustainably sourced essences before combining their favourites into a personalised perfume that reflects their individual tastes and personality. The experience takes place around Maison 21G’s scent bar, where participants learn more about fragrance families and the art of perfume blending. Once the formula is complete, the finished fragrance is presented in a personalised engraved bottle to take home.
Where: Maison 21G, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Contact: @maison21gme
Tuesday 1 September
Take a Culinary journey across Asia
Shanghai Me is celebrating East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month with a four-week culinary journey beginning on 1 September. The DIFC restaurant will introduce a different limited-edition dish each week as part of its Hanami Nights menu, spotlighting flavours from China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. The journey begins with Spicy Chicken and Tomato Stew before moving on to Japanese Beef Curry and Vietnamese Short Rib Pho. Lobster Pad Thai brings the month to a suitably indulgent conclusion. Served within Shanghai Me’s glamorous 1930s-inspired surroundings, the menu offers another reason to revisit the popular DIFC restaurant throughout September.
Where: Shanghai ME, Gate Village 11, DIFC, Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to midnight
Contact: https://shanghaime-restaurant.com
Wednesday 2 September
Welcome London’s Gymkhana To DIFC
One of Dubai’s most anticipated restaurant openings arrives this week. London’s two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana is inspired by India’s historic private members’ clubs and is renowned for its bold approach to North Indian cooking. Executive Chef Rahul Rana works alongside Global Culinary Director Chet Sharma and JKS Restaurants Co-Founder Karam Sethi on a menu featuring Kid Goat Methi Keema & Salli and Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops with Walnut Chutney. Dubai-exclusive creations include Chettinad Duck Dosa with Coconut Chutney, while the two-level dining room features rattan, cane, intimate booths and Indian stained glass.
Where: Gymkhana, Gate Village 7, DIFC, Dubai
When: Monday to Sunday from 18:30pm to 1am
Contact: https://gymkhanarestaurants.com
Thursday 3 September
Get creative at Wild Paint House
Forget carefully colouring between the lines. Wild Paint House in Al Quoz encourages visitors to make a mess in the name of creativity, with interactive sessions designed around splattering, pouring, spinning and spraying paint. Guests can step inside dedicated studio booths and experiment with different techniques, from neon UV painting to manual spin tables, before leaving with their own colourful creation. No previous artistic experience is required, making it an easy option for date nights, groups of friends or anyone looking for something different to do indoors. Sessions start from AED 160 per person, with all the materials needed to embrace your inner artist included.
Where: Wild Paint House, Al Marabea Street, Al Quoz, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Contact: www.wildpainthouse.com
Friday 4 September
Sing along to Arabic Classics
Two stars of the Arabic music scene share the stage this Friday when Ramy Gamal and Wael Jassar headline A Night of Love and Tears. Taking place inside Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre, the concert brings together Egyptian pop and Lebanese tarab for an evening centred on heartfelt ballads, romantic anthems and familiar hits. Gamal has built a devoted following with his contemporary Egyptian pop sound, while Jassar remains one of the Arab world’s most recognisable voices for emotive tarab. Enhanced by large-scale lighting and production, the co-headlining show offers a strong start to the weekend for Arabic music fans. Tickets start from AED 195.
Where: Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai
When: Friday, 4 September 2026 at 8pm
Contact: https://dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday 5 September
Laugh out loud with Mina Nader
Egyptian comedian Mina Nader brings his latest solo show to Dubai Opera this Saturday, with two performances scheduled for the same evening. Known for observational comedy, quick-fire audience interactions and stories drawn from everyday life, Nader has become an increasingly familiar name on the region’s stand-up circuit. His comedy frequently turns cultural quirks, relationships and contemporary life into relatable material, with crowd work ensuring that each performance can take an unpredictable turn. Tickets start from AED 195 per person.
Where: Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
When: Saturday, 5 September 2026 at 6pm and 10pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Sunday 6 September
Feast on Chinese flavours at MiMi Mei Fair
MiMi Mei Fair is giving diners two reasons to head Downtown this week. The Chinese restaurant at Address Residences Dubai Opera has introduced a weekday lunch menu alongside its weekend Dim Sum Dynasty Brunch. Available Monday to Friday, lunch starts from AED 98 for two courses, rising to AED 148 for four courses. At weekends, the AED 218 brunch serves 13 dishes spanning dim sum, appetisers, signature mains and desserts. Inspired by the glamour of 1920s Shanghai, the restaurant combines richly decorated interiors with an extensive menu of Chinese favourites, making it equally suited to a leisurely weekday lunch or a more indulgent weekend gathering.
Where: MiMi Mei Fair, Address Residences Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 11:30pm
Contact: www.mimimeifair.com