Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
If you thought the UAE was quiet over the summer, think again. Dubai is filled with exciting things to do. So, whether you’re after staycations, spas or swimming – at night time, no less – here’s what you need to know before you start making your weekend plans.
Friday 29 August
Feast on the new business lunch at Mr Chow
The newly opened Mr Chow in DIFC debuts a weekday business lunch that blends precision, elegance and the brand’s signature theatre. Start with Chicken Satay, Prawn Rolls, Vegetable Spring Rolls, or Water Dumplings, then move on to Beijing Chicken with Walnuts, Glazed Prawns, Mr Chow Noodles, or Velvet Chicken, all served with rice and seasonal vegetables. Honouring a legacy that dates back to 1968, it’s a sharp, stylish reset for the mid-day crowd. Available Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm. AED 130.
GO: Visit www.mrchow.com for more information.
Sample the coffee omakase at Julith
Located in Al Quoz, Julith is more than just another coffee stop, bringing together a roastery, a brew lounge, a concept store, and an omakase-style tasting experience. The ground floor features an open coffee bar adjacent to a glass-walled roastery, while upstairs, a cherry blossom-adorned lounge offers cosy seating and soundproof work pods. An intimate omakase room will soon host exclusive tastings. Beans are sourced from high-altitude farms and volcanic regions worldwide, roasted for clarity and character.
GO: Follow @julith.coffee on Instagram for more information.
Witness Macy Gray’s Dubai debut
The unmistakable voice behind the early-2000s anthem “I Try” lands at Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, 29 August. Macy Gray’s first UAE performance marks the 25th anniversary of On How Life Is, the triple-platinum album that earned the Ohio artist her first Grammy. Expect a soulful set featuring “Beauty in the World,” “Still,” and “Why Didn’t You Call Me.“
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Saturday 30 August
Celebrate 10 Years of Wanderlust
Since 2015, Wanderlust has defined Dubai’s party brunch playbook with buzzing energy, bountiful stations, and free-flowing drinks. For its 10th anniversary at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, expect a global feast across more than ten live cooking stations, a soundtrack from the resident DJ, and a route from oysters, sushi and sashimi to prime rib, smoked brisket and playful street-food twists, before a final stop at Chocolate Alley for desserts and artisanal cheeses. Saturday, 1pm to 4pm. AED 299 for ladies, AED 349 for gents.
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for more information.
Have brunch at Genatsvale Restaurant
Saturdays at Genatsvale are made for sharing. A set menu unfolds, featuring cold and hot starters, soup, hearty mains, and classic desserts, all served with warm Georgian hospitality. With speciality beverages and views across Palm Jumeirah Marina, it’s a sociable way to spend the afternoon. Available on Saturdays from 3pm to 6pm. AED 240 (soft beverages) and AED 390 (house beverages).
GO: Visit www.genatsvale.ae for more information.
Cool off at the FACT award-winning WET Deck
Add WET Deck, the FACT award-winning pool and beach club at W Dubai – The Palm to your weekend plans. Enjoy full-day access to the WET Pool and WET Deck from 10am to 9pm, with entry fully redeemable on food and drinks. AED 200 (weekdays) and AED 250 (weekends).
GO: Visit www.wetdeckdubai.com for reservations and more information.
Sunday 31 August
Tuck into the ten-course pairing menu at BOCA
BOCA, the FACT award-winning home of modern European dining, presents a ten-course ‘Trip Around Spain and the Mediterranean’. Guided by Executive Chef Patricia Roig, the menu pairs seasonal plates with eight expressive wines, progressing from coastal brightness to cellar-grown complexity. The experience runs daily, with lunch from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. AED 440 (food only) or AED 840 (food and wine pairing).
GO: Visit https://boca.ae for more information.
Party at Old School Jam
The city’s favourite Old School R&B party is back for its season finale at Iris in Meydan. Since its launch, Old School Jam has blended timeless tracks, live performances, and a loyal community vibe. Expect non-stop hits from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, exclusive live sets, immersive visuals, and pop-up food stalls serving soul food and street eats. Available on Sunday, 31 August from 2pm to 10pm.
GO: Visit oldschooljamdxb.com for more information.
Try Gregoire Berger’s omakase menu at Sushi Art
Chef Gregoire Berger of the FACT award-winning Ossiano brings creative flair and emotion to an eight-course omakase across all Sushi Art locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The “leave it up to the chef” journey includes Black Sesame Dynamite Shrimp, Crispy Shiso Tacos with Kalamansi, Torched Wagyu Nigiri with Cherry BBQ and Matcha Ganache Mochi. It’s the perfect addition to your weekend plans. AED 159.
GO: Visit www.sushiart.ae for more information.
