Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
It’s a new year, which means it’s a chance to try new things. Dubai is filled with concerts, new dining destinations, and plenty of entertainment options. Here are the best things to do in Dubai this week.
Monday 5 January
Have lunch at Kraken
Kraken is bringing its refined approach to the lunch table with a new three-course set menu designed around premium ingredients and clean, focused flavours. Starters include Oyster, Tomato, or Blue Crab, while mains range from Kadaif Prawn and Tuna Steak to Striploin. Desserts keep things understated and elegant, with Hatta Honey, Chocolate, or Wild Strawberry rounding out the meal. It’s a relaxed way to discover Kraken in daylight, with a menu that spotlights the restaurant’s most-loved plates alongside seasonal dishes that celebrate seafood. Available daily from 12pm to 3pm. AED 175.
GO: Visit www.krakendubai.com for more information.
Tuesday 6 January
Try the latest Dubai Chocolate flavour
If you’re setting New Year’s resolutions, make room for this one. From 2 to 11 January 2026, FIX Dessert Chocolatier, the brand behind The Original Dubai Chocolate, is taking over the Museum of the Future with a pop-up that promises bold flavours and high-energy fun. FIX will be teasing a new flavour drop that includes ‘Honey I’m Comb’ and ‘Jam or Go Nuts,’ which will also feature interactive games, Instagram-ready backdrops and plenty of playful moments designed for fans of the brand’s cult dessert bars. The pop-up runs daily from 9am to 9pm.
GO: Visit https://fixdessertchocolate.com for more information.
Wednesday 7 January
Check out the new look Orfali Bros
Once Orfali Bros opened in March 2021, it quickly gained a cult following. Mohamad, Wassim, and Omar are the Orfali brothers behind the FACT award-winning success story, which draws inspiration from their travels. The family works closely with local farmers and suppliers to serve the highest-quality local ingredients in their contemporary take on Middle Eastern dishes. The small restaurant has recently re-opened following a refurbishment and offers several stunning dishes, from the Caviar Bun and Corn Bomb to the exceptional Umami Éclair. However, it’s the playfully named Come With Me To Aleppo that keeps us returning to this homegrown hotspot. A tender wagyu beef kebab served with sour cherry, pine nuts, and cinnamon is a textural marvel, a sweet-and-savoury sensation.
GO: Visit https://orfalibros.com for more information.
Thursday 8 January
Tuck into some tasty tacos
Hold on to your sombrero. The Mexican-born chef Jonathan Colin has announced the opening of his new restaurant, El Primo. Located in Al Wasl, the taqueria brings to life the food, fun and festivities of Mexico City. The venue offers no frills, but a whole lot of heart, with comfort food and comforting vibes. The design and décor evoke a laid-back 1980s vibe, and the interiors feature red-and-white tiling. Jonathan draws inspiration from traditional tacos in Mexico and is the man behind the successful K’IIN Supperclub in Dubai.
GO: Follow @taqueria_elprimo_dubai on Instagram for more information.
Friday 9 January
See Diana Ross and Seal at Saadiyat Nights
Abu Dhabi’s premier open-air concert series has announced a landmark double bill, with soul superstar Diana Ross and global icon Seal set to perform on the same evening. Diana Ross, recipient of a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award, remains one of the most important figures in contemporary music and popular culture. Her biggest hits include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Chain Reaction,” “I’m Coming Out”, and “Endless Love” with Lionel Richie. With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, Seal is recognised as one of contemporary music’s most versatile artists. His unmistakable vocals power global hits such as “Killer” and “Crazy,” while “Kiss From A Rose” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned GRAMMY® Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Saturday 10 January
Enjoy an unforgettable performance at La Perle
La Perle is an immersive live performance and the region’s first permanent show. Located in Al Habtoor City, the show takes place in a unique purpose-built aqua theatre that holds 2.7 million litres of water. Get set for an evening packed with inspiring stunts, stunning artistic displays, special effects and dazzling imagery.
Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Sunday 11 January
See Dubai in full bloom
Walk into a blossoming euphoria of colour and elegance at Dubai Miracle Garden. More than 50 million natural flowers are arranged into impressive displays, including horses, aeroplanes, elephants, and more. The new season at this family-friendly attraction introduces a large waterwheel, floral tunnels, innovative 3D water and lighting installations, and more blooms in abundance.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
