Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
April is in full swing, with a line-up that moves from leisurely breakfasts to lively brunches, live music, and chef-led events. Whether you’re planning a laid-back morning, a long lunch in DIFC, an afternoon by the beach, or a Sunday centred on seasonal celebrations, this guide brings together some of the city’s most compelling ways to spend the weekend. You can thank us later.
Friday 10 April
Partner Listing: Try the beautiful breakfast at LINĒA
The newly opened LINĒA in Umm Suqeim brings together art, design and dining in a way that feels fresh for Dubai. More than just a café, this creative hub offers curated interiors, thoughtfully displayed artworks, and a calm, considered atmosphere that sets the tone for slow mornings and inspired conversations. The food follows the same philosophy, with a simple, seasonal breakfast menu featuring Cherry and Cream Cheese Pastry, Peach Chia Crepe, Green Omelette, and Pacanga Comté.
Where: LINĒA, Villa 827A, 827B Jumeira Street, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
When: Open daily from 9am to midnight
Contact: @lineadxb
Have lunch at the newly opened Barrafina
Barrafina has introduced a new business lunch that offers a concise expression of its ingredient-led Spanish cooking, tailored to the pace of the working week. Guests can choose three dishes from a curated selection of tapas, including White Anchovy Tostadas, Pan Con Tomate, Padrón Peppers, Patatas Bravas, and Tomato Salad. For the main course, diners can choose from dishes such as classic Tortilla, Sea Bass with piquillo peppers, Chicken with romesco, and Mushrooms with egg yolk, with the option to upgrade to tapa de entrecôte.
Where: Barrafina Dubai, Gate Village 1, DIFC, Dubai
When: Available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm
Price: AED 125 per person
Contact: www.barrafina.com
Enjoy an evening of music and mixology
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm has introduced a Resident Pianist at The St. Regis Bar, bringing a new sense of occasion to the reimagined venue. The experience blends live piano with the bar’s beautiful cocktail programme. Resident pianist Amer M performs a repertoire inspired by the golden age of jazz and swing, blending classics associated with Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole with contemporary favourites. Set around a striking grand piano, the atmosphere captures the charm of classic hotel bar culture, with signature serves including the Bloody Mary Collection, Scarlett Whisper, and Cosmo 1934.
Where: The St. Regis Bar, The St. Regis Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Available from Tuesday to Saturday from 8pm to 11pm
Contact: www.sevenrooms.com
Saturday 11 April
Tuck into the Big Bad Brunch
The Big Bad Brunch at the FACT award-winning Soul Kitchen is built for a lively afternoon with real personality, pairing a bar-and-DJ setting with a menu that moves between Latin and Lebanese influences. The food begins strong with a raw bar and ceviche station, cold mezze, and hot starters such as Pumpkin Kibbeh and Zaatar Pão de Queijo, before moving into a chef’s selection of grilled meats, fish, and vegetarian dishes served with house-made sauces. Drinks include a Coriander Paloma, Blood Orange Spritz and Soul Kitchen’s own iced tea and Virgin Mary.
Where: Soul Kitchen Dubai, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai
When: Available on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm
Price: AED 349 (soft beverages) and AED 449 (house beverages)
Contact: https://soulkitchendxb.com
Partner Listing: Enjoy a beachside brunch
The Grill & Chill Brunch brings laid-back coastal dining to The Beach House at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, where Mediterranean flavours, flame-grilled dishes, and a lively beachfront setting come together. The brunch is designed for sharing, with generous barbecue plates served to the table as a live band provides the soundtrack to the afternoon. Guests can also enjoy access to the resort’s private beach and pool after brunch, making it a relaxed, family-friendly option overlooking Palm Jumeirah.
Where: The Beach House, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Available on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm,
Price: AED 225 (soft beverages), AED 395 (house beverages) and AED 495 (premium beverages)
Contact: www.anantara.com
Visit an open-fire food festival
Dubai’s open-fire culinary festival returns as CarniVibes: Curbside Alchemy Vol. 4 takes over Alserkal Avenue. Created by homegrown butcher and smokehouse CarniStore, the chef-led gathering brings together some of the city’s most exciting culinary names for an evening of live cooking, bold flavours and community spirit. This edition sees Robin Hoefer of Kraken, Naved Nasir of Khadak, Solemann Haddad of Moonrise and Omar Basiony of Bâoli serve elevated street-style dishes built around premium cuts and open flames. Expect smoke, music and one-off festival specials, while DJ Shef Codes and Gaurav “GT” Thakur provide the soundtrack.
Where: CarniStore, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai
When: Saturday, 11 April from 4pm to 9pm
Contact: @carnistore
Sunday 12 April
Tuck into a Vietnamese breakfast at Chôm Chôm
Popular Vietnamese restaurant Chôm Chôm is giving Dubai diners a new reason to look forward to the weekend with the launch of its Vietnamese breakfast. The menu offers a refreshing alternative to the city’s usual brunch fare, spotlighting comforting morning staples from Vietnam. Expect steaming bowls of Pho, freshly made Bánh Mì, tropical juices and fantastic fruit plates. Highlights include the Fried Egg Bánh Mì, layered with fried eggs, pickles, cucumber, coriander and jalapeño, plus the rich and sweet Vietnamese Coffee, served hot or iced.
Where: Chôm Chôm, Galleria Mall, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 1pm
Contact: www.chomchom.ae
Celebrate Orthodox Easter at GAIA
The FACT award-winning GAIA Dubai will celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter with a dining experience centred on tradition, togetherness and seasonal flavours. Throughout the day, tables will be set with symbolic red eggs for tsougrisma, while a live DJ adds a soulful soundtrack from 1pm to 5pm. Alongside the regular à la carte menu, guests can enjoy festive dishes such as Barrel-Aged Feta, Tomato Salad, Roasted Lamb, and Grilled Lamb Offal with baked potato. Dessert comes in the form of Tsoureki, filled with pistachio cream, glazed with chocolate and served with burnt butter ice cream.
Where: GAIA, Gate Village 4, DIFC, Dubai
When: Available on Sunday, 12 April for lunch and dinner
Contact: https://gaia-restaurants.com
Have Easter lunch at Avli by tashas
Avli by tashas is marking Orthodox Easter with a special lunch. Inspired by Greek Easter traditions, the sharing-style experience begins with a festive table spread featuring a welcome drink, red Easter eggs, marinated olives, tirokafteri and freshly baked tsoureki with butter. Guests can also sip on the Easter Blush, a seasonal cocktail made with carrot juice, tequila, cilantro and amaro. Expect Mediterranean salads, Greek meze, slow-roasted meats and traditional desserts served to the table.
Where: Avli by tashas, Gate Village 9, DIFC, Dubai
When: Available on Sunday, 12 April from 12pm to 4pm
Price: AED 295 for adults and AED 195 for children
Contact: www.avlibytashas.com