timeoutdubai.com February 2025 3 Dubai Discover the best of the city this month FEATURES AND REGULARS 6 City life 8 Things to do 38 Food 48 Nightlife 56 Art & Culture 58 Family & Kids 60 Spa & Wellbeing 62 Sport & Outdoor 64 Time Out Market Dubai 66 Hype dish MiMi Mei Fair PAGE 22 Dates with a difference Going out with your other half doesn’t have mean fancy (and spenny) meals out. How about bowling or roller skating instead? PAGE 30 Take in the stellar vista Perfect weather means it’s time to hop in the elevator and whizz up to these rooftop bars. The view is marvellous up here PAGE 12 Hot right now From swish Italian spots to world-famous sushi joints, Dubai’s dining scene is off the charts. Fresh eateries are popping up daily, but fret not, we bring you the very best new restaurants to book into, today On the co ver: A daline, illustration b y W yanet V az 4 May 2024 timeoutdubai.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION @timeoutdubaifacebook.com/ timeoutdubai youtube.com/ timeoutgcc timeoutdubaitimeoutdubai Let’s get all the clichés out of the way: where did January go? How are we already in February? How long is it until summer? You’ve heard the small talk on loop by now, but there is some truth here. January did whizz by but I couldn’t be happier to roll into February. While I’m not one to traditionally mark Valentine’s, or worse, Galentine’s (I’ll pass on the red roses, thanks), February 2025 is the month to celebrate new foodie destinations – there are countless to fall in love with. Though I pledge to keep up with my fitness journey this month (by exploring the city 12,000 steps a day), Dubai really is blooming with culinary newness, so I can feel a cheat day coming on. Fancy joining? From Italian- rooted Gigi Rigolatto to London’s Sexy Fish setting up shop here in Dubai, not to mention Tacosita and Lazy Cat (we’ll see you in the queue), your hangout list (and conversation starters) just got upgraded. Hello, Dubai Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2025 Time Out Group Ltd, London, UK. Time Out Dubai PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Chief Content Offi cer Holly Sands Time Out Dubai Editorial Head of Content McKenna Grant Tel: +971 4 444 3486 email: mckenna.grant@itp.com Acting Editor Emilie Hill Tel: +971 4 444 3693 email: emilie.hill@itp.com Editor at Large Amy Mathieson Tel: +971 4 444 3696 email: amy.mathieson@os.itp.com Group Food Editor Yousra Zaki Tel: +971 4 444 3255 email: yousra.zaki@itp.com News Editor Findlay Mair Tel: +971 4 444 3893 email: findlay.mair@itp.com Features Editor Sian Traynor Tel: +971 4 444 3396 email: sian.traynor@itp.com Senior Social Media Editor Wyanet Vaz Tel: +971 4 444 3307 email: wyanet.vaz@itp.com Social Media Executive Marion Colaco Tel: +971 4 444 3569 email: marion.colaco@itp.com Staff Writer (Partner Content) Ashitha Jayaprakash Tel: +971 4 444 3417 email: ashitha.jayaprakash@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño Tel: +971 4 444 3591 email: jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad Tel: +971 4 444 3657 email: rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Events & Marketing Head of Events Eleanor Ashton Events & Marketing Manager Kate Galaktionova Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant Aronn Pureza Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga email: events@itp.com Art Senior Designer Gillian Fletcher Junior Designer Celine Iskandar-Elhachem Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Production Production Manager Anand Sundaram Tel: +971 4 444 3424 email: anand.sundaram@itp.com Distribution & Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Tel: +971 4 444 3669 email: avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Tel: +971 4 444 3236 email: rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Chief Commercial Officer Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 mobile: +971 56 104 0567 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager David Wurie Tel: +971 52 576 2162 email: david.wurie@itp.com Advertising Manager Varsha Sonavane Tel: +971 56 753 6925 email: varsha.sonavane@itp.com Advertising Manager Keenan Cunningham Tel: +971 4 444 3533 email: keenan.cunningham@itp.com Senior Commercial Admin Executive Janet Comia email: janet.comia@itp.com Administrative Manager Siti Sumarsono siti.sumarsono@itp.com ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Emilie Hill Acting EditorEVENT PARTNERS DUB AI MEDIA CIT Y AMPHITHE A TRE 14 - 16 FEBR U A R Y 2025 FEAST FOR FRIENDS WHO DUB AI FESTIVAL MARCO PIERRE WHITEALVIN LEUNGANNABEL KARMEL DUBAI’S BIGGEST FOOD, DRINK & MUSIC FESTIVAL, FEATURING: DUBAI’S BIGGEST FOOD, DRINK & MUSIC FESTIVAL, FEATURING: 16 of Dubai‘s Best Restaurants | Workshops with Celebrity Chefs Live Music & Entertainment | Enhanced VIP Experiences Activations & Artisan Market tasteofdubaifestival.com GET TICKETS NOW6 February 2025 timeoutdubai.com READY FOR SOMETHING extra tasty this February? Or how about a food-focused Valentine’s date? Kicking off on Friday February 14 and running until Sunday February 16, Taste of Dubai is the food festival of all food festivals. Taking over Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, word is 25,000 visitors are predicted to experience its impressive schedule brimming with celebrity-lead workshops, free food samples and live entertainment. Sixteen restaurants will specially curate a menu of three to five taster-sized dishes, so you can make your way across the impressive line-up, selecting your favourites as you go. There will be at least one vegetarian option and one kid-friendly dish from each to please Brilliant bites, live music and more every palate. Restaurants include City Social, Demon Duck, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Harummanis, Indya by Vineet, Leña, Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval, Miss Lily’s, Moti Mahal, Osteria Funkcoolio and Rhodes W1. It’s not just about eating. You can get to know the stars behind some of your fave and most memorable Dubai dishes while picking up a hack or two for you to try at home. Catch them at the Taste Cook School, Chefs Hub and Fire Pit – tickets are free but you’ll need to sign up. Top names include Marco Pierre White, Alvin Leung, Dani García, José Pizarro and Hattem Mattar, so make sure to bag a spot to pick up tasty tips. Plus, there are events including the Dibba Bay Oyster ‘shuck off’, live music and DJs, as well as a Taste Artisan Market so you can grab some treats from home- grown companies. Heading along with the kids? Under 12s go free, while there’s a Little Chefs workshop with renowned food writer Annabel Karmel. Fun for all the fam. O From Dhs75. Fri Feb 14-Sun Feb 16, noon onwards. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, tasteofdubaifestival.com. “Get to know the stars behind your fave dishes” City Lifetimeoutdubai.com February 2025 7 IF YOU’RE NEW to Dubai, you’ll have noticed that you never see litter or dirt in the streets. That’s because it’s the cleanest city on the planet. Don’t just take our word for it, Dubai has officially claimed the cleanest city in the world title, according to the Global Power City Index, for a fifth successive year. The Global Power City Index (GPCI), issued by the Mori Memorial Foundation in Japan, evaluates and ranks major cities according to their power to attract people, capital and enterprises. Economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment and accessibility are assessed. In the report Dubai outranked more than 47 cities globally, with 100 percent satisfaction for city cleanliness from those polled. More than 3,200 cleaning engineers and supervisors form a key part of the city’s cleaning operations as 855 vehicles and equipment are deployed daily. Meanwhile in November of last year, the Dubai Municipality revealed that it had planted more than 2.5 million flowers and plants in the city in a bid to make it a greener place to live. It’s no wonder the city’s population has soared by more than 169,000 in the past year. We love it, and you do too. IF YOU’VE BEEN in and around Business Bay in the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed a long winding queue stretching outside the ME Hotel. But what is everyone lining up for exactly? It’s simple — Le Relais de L’Entrecôte. The family-run steak sensation from Paris has now opened in Dubai and it only serves one dish. Cutting out the need for a long read of the menu, you’ll be having two servings of tender sirloin steak with a *secret* family sauce, fries and a crisp walnut salad on the side. What’s more, the double-serving dish is only Dhs155, making it a bargain for two plates of steak (in our opinion). But there is one catch at this dreamy Parisian bistro (with Burj Khalifa views), you can’t make a booking. Accepting walk-ins only, you’ll need to line- up with the other hungry diners and eagerly shuffle closer to the front of the queue. That is, unless, unless you take our advice. Opening twice a day, once between noon and 3.30pm and again between 6.30pm and 11.30pm, the best time to arrive is ten minutes before each opening time. You’ll be chomping on steak frites in no time (très chic). Speaking about the opening, Louis Fresnel, great-grandson of the founder of Le Relais de L’Entrecôte, says: “Dubai, with its vibrant food culture, feels like a natural choice. We look forward to inviting the city’s food-lovers to experience not just our secret sauce and single menu but also the stories and traditions that come with every meal.” It’s time to set your alarm for that queue. O From Dhs155. Open daily noon-3.30pm, 6.30pm- 11.30pm. ME Hotel, The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay, @relaisdelentrecotedubai. Tasty steak, without the wait? Clean sweep: a new award for Dubai 8 February 2025 timeoutdubai.com Things to do Go for a spin Ready to see the city from a new angle? After a two-year hiatus Ain Dubai is back in action. Standing at 250m high, the world’s largest observation wheel looks out onto Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and beyond. Make sure to take a snap. O From Dhs145 (adults and kids aged 12 and above), from Dhs115 (kids aged three-12), free (kids under three). Open Tue-Fri noon-9pm, Sat-Sun-11am-9pm. Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, aindubai.com.timeoutdubai.com February 2025 9 Al fresco fun TUESDAYS ARE FOR LADIES’ NIGHTS Get stellar views at Tapasake Looking for a weeknight excursion that’s a little bit different as well as extremely glam and fun? Gather the gang and head to ladies’ night at Tapasake on a Tuesday. It’s Dhs150 for three hours of unlimited grape and sparkling, plus you can add two fusion dishes for Dhs100. The views from the 110m-long pool are worth documenting, trust us. O Dhs150 (drinks), Dhs250 (drinks and bites). Tue 7pm-10pm. One&Only One Za’abeel, tapasakedubai.com (04 666 1617). BRUNCH, MED-STYLE Chouchou launches a Saturday soirée Make a date at this chic new beach club and enjoy a Saturday afternoon in the sun. Head along to the J1 Beach spot for a Riveria-inspired poolside party. Expect live DJs, plus top French food and a special dessert buffet to try. O Dhs290 (soft drinks), Dhs490 (house beverages), Dhs790 (bubbly). Sat 1pm-5pm. J1 Beach, La Mer, Jumeirah, chouchoudxb.com (04 558 1877). BLAST FROM THE PAST Sing along to hits by The Corrs Legendary Irish folk-pop band The Corrs are stopping in Dubai as part of their global tour celebrating the band’s chart-topping Talk on Corners album. You can expect tunes like Breathless and So Young to sing along to while you relive your youth. O From Dhs195. Thu Feb 6, 8pm. Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, coca-cola-arena.com. Game, set, match Ready to see the world’s greatest tennis players take to the court right here in Dubai? It’s time to buy your tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Expect to see the return of former champions Daniil Medvedev and Jasmine Paolini. Matches will be held daily for two weeks as part of the WTA and ATP tour schedule, with the women’s final set for Saturday February 22 and the men’s final on Saturday March 1. O From Dhs55. Sun Feb 16-Sat Mar 1. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com. Time to LOL If you’ve enjoyed the hilarious antics in the Netflix series Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father, you’re in for a real treat. This one- night-only show promises to be a roller coaster of laughs as the famous father-son pair share their wild adventures and stories. O From Dhs350. Fri Feb 14, 8pm. Coca Cola Arena, City Walk, coca-cola-arena.com.Next >