Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
If you thought the UAE was quiet in January, think again! Dubai is filled with exciting things to do. So, whether you’re after dining, staycations, spas or swimming – here’s what you need to know.
Friday 16 January
Head to Kinugawa for lunch
Kinugawa serves up a polished midday escape in Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s lush beachfront setting. The set menu is generous but well-paced, moving through three starters, one appetiser, one main course, and one side. Expect light bites such as Edamame, Shiitake Salad and Hamachi Yuzu, followed by appetisers like Chicken and Vegetable Gyoza, Crispy Ebi Rempura, Avocado Carpaccio or Miso-glazed Nasu. Mains spotlight Kinugawa signatures, including Black Cod Miso, Japanese Risotto and Grilled Chicken Skewers, plus Sushi rolls featuring shrimp tempura, crab, mango or cucumber maki. Available Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm. AED 175 per person.
GO: Call 058 933 5163 for more information.
Dine at Tezukuri
Chef Neha Mishra is a homegrown UAE success story and the talent behind Kinoya. Now, she has partnered with Atelier House Hospitality to launch Tezukuri, a new Japanese temaki concept in Downtown Dubai. Designed as an interactive experience, the venue encourages guests to engage with the chefs as each hand-roll is prepared to order, preserving flavour and texture. Plus, there’s a speakeasy-style bar called Kissa, which adds a dedicated cocktail programme to the mix.
GO: Follow @tezukuridubai on Instagram for more information.
Experience a night of live jazz
FACT award-winning Q’s Bar and Lounge at Palazzo Versace Dubai has welcomed Spanish musician and composer Nalaya Brown as its resident artist. Originally from the Canary Islands, Nalaya built her reputation in jazz before making her mark on the international electronic circuit. As the vocalist for SuperMartxé, she has shared stages with Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Akon and Chris Brown. Expect powerhouse vocals in Q’s fully soundproofed, leather-lined lounge, paired with rare and fine beverages.
GO: Visit www.palazzoversace.ae for more information.
Saturday 17 January
Try the new Karaoke Brunch at Mama Shelter
Mama Karaoke Brunch is a high-energy afternoon for diners who like their weekends loud, social and full of personality. Expect a sharing-style spread, interactive live-food stations and karaoke moments that invite you to grab the mic and turn your table into the main stage. From upbeat anthems to crowd-pleasing classics, Mama Restaurant becomes a feel-good playground where big flavours meet bigger vibes. Available on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm. AED 249 (soft beverages), AED 399 (house beverages) and AED 449 (sparkling).
GO: Call 056 509 1956 for more information.
Sing along to the hits of Lewis Capaldi
Abu Dhabi is hitting the high notes as Saadiyat Nights welcomes Lewis Capaldi on Saturday, 17 January 2026, with tickets selling fast. The Scottish superstar broke through with his debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, which spent six weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Early hit “Bruises” racked up 25 million streams on Spotify, while the juggernaut “Someone You Loved” topped the US charts and earned him a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Dance the night away with Francis Mercier
Francis Mercier returns to Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience with his Solèy party brand, turning the open-air venue into a waterfront dancefloor. With the harbour on one side and the skyline on the other, expect a feel-good blend of Afro house, Latin house, deep house and soulful sounds, driven by percussion-heavy grooves. With more than 400 million streams, tracks like “Sauti,” “Premier Gaou,” and “Kamili” have become calling cards for his sunlit sound.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 18 January
Have breakfast at Piehaus
Breakfast at Piehaus in Alserkal Avenue is a quietly satisfying way to start the day, especially if you like your mornings unhurried. The menu focuses on flaky, Balkan-inspired pies with good coffee to match. Savoury options lean into comforting classics and seasonal fillings, from Goat Cheese with Bacon, Honey and Thyme to richer rotating specials, while sweet pies bring fruit, chocolate and caramel tahina for an easy sugar hit. Grab a seat outside when the weather behaves, then stroll the galleries and studios after.
GO: Follow @piehaus.dubai on Instagram for more information.
Try the new lunch menu at Gloria
Set against Gloria’s signature Italian glamour and camera-ready interiors, the new business lunch delivers bold flavours and polished plates. Expect Italian classics with flair, from a Piccola Caprese with mozzarella di bufala and datterini tomatoes to crowd-pleasers like Spaghetti Chitarra al Ragù and Cacio e Quattro Pepi. Dessert keeps things tempting, with Il Nostro Tiramisù, gelato and a lemon and basil granita to finish.
Available daily from 12pm to 2am. AED 110 (two courses) or AED 140 (three courses).
GO: Follow @gloriaosteria.dxb on Instagram for more information.
Dine at the new Nobu One Za’abeel
Set within The Link, the world’s longest cantilevered building, Nobu delivers its signature Japanese-Peruvian cuisine in a dramatic, skyline-facing setting. Expect the greatest hits, from Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño to Nobu sushi and premium Wagyu, alongside dishes created exclusively for this address. Later in the evening, the bar and lounge shift into an elevated nighttime destination, with extended hours and sets from leading DJs, offering a late-night Nobu experience unique to this location.
GO: Visit www.nobuonezaabeel.com for more information.
