From bountiful breakfasts, brunches and lunches to the longest and tallest slide ride in the ME, here’s our suggestions for an incredible weekend in the UAE
Dubai
il Pastaio Trattoria
If you’re craving an authentic Italian dining experience this weekend, look no further than il Pastaio Trattoria. Sited at Mall of the Emirates, the restaurant boasts talented chefs who are serious about offering diners a remarkable range of Italian specialties. You can expect to find a menu brimming with highlights such as Uova alla fiorentina, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raffaello for breakfast; and Melanzane parmigiana, Paccheri alla Justin Bieber, Garganelli al tartufo and Scaloppine ai limone for lunch or dinner. Do not leave without indulging in tempting ‘sin free’ desserts; whilst sipping on your favourite from a diverse selection of the city’s signature brews, including French Press, Kalita, V60, Chemex and Aeropress. il Pastaio Trattoria’s approach to food, elevated with the use of the finest ingredients and genuine recipes, is a memorable moment that will remind you of home.
Mall of the Emirates, Level 1 (parking A). Open all day for breakfast through lunch and dinner, from 8-12 am. Visit the website or Instagram.
Vero, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
Gather the family and visit Vero for a laidback Sunday breakfast by the shore. Children can enjoy playtime in the garden next to the terrace, whilst the adults relax along the promenade, sipping coffee, reading a good book and soaking in the morning sunshine. Executive Chef Andrea has rustled up scrumptious Italian favourites for the first meal of the day, including Sicilian mega arancino (beef ragout stuffing, fontina cheese and piselli), a Salato e rustic (an Italian sausage served with egg, alongside coffee or fresh juice), a Vero açaí bowl and Pancakes with fresh fruits and berries, maple syrup and crème anglaise.
Sunday from 8am-2pm. Dine à la carte. AED20 onwards. Call +9714 318 2319 or email vero.dubai@hilton.com. Visit Instagram.
The Restaurant at Address Downtown
The Restaurant, sited in the surroundings of the iconic Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountains, welcomes diners to embark on a culinary journey through Italy with an exquisite new menu. Brimming with the best of Italian flavours, the menu has been carefully crafted by the dining destination’s talented culinary team, led by the maestro himself, Chef Giorgio Minnone. Available for lunch or dinner, diners can expect specialties such as Verdure marinate con gamberi (marinated vegetable, olives, candied tomato and shrimp) and Linguine all’astice e caviale (lobster linguine and caviar).
Lunch on Monday to Friday from 12:30-3:30pm and Saturday to Sunday from 1-3:30pm (closed on Tuesdays). Dinner on Wednesday to Monday from 6:30-10pm. Dine a la carte. Call +9714 436 8888 or email dineatdowntown@addresshotels.com. Visit the website or Instagram.
Aka Restaurant
Make your way to AKA Restaurant, The Pointe and experience one of Dubai’s longest brunches. You can expect unlimited sips and food from a menu teeming with the Japanese restaurant’s specialties, including the chef’s selection of Sushi, Wagyu sandos, Spicy seafood noodles and Chicken skewers. End on a sweet note with Chocolate fondant and a delightful Mochi selection; whilst DJ Loskin keeps the party buzzing with a playlist that includes mainstream hits.
Saturday from 1-6pm. For ladies at AED310 (inclusive of soft beverages) AED510 (inclusive of house beverages) and AED745 (inclusive of bubbly). For Gents at AED350 (inclusive of soft beverages) AED550 (inclusive of house beverages) and AED890 (inclusive of premium beverages). Call +9714 578 0555 or email info@akarestaurant.com. Visit the website or Instagram.
Check out The Ultimate List of Brunches in the UAE here.
Ichiban Sushi
Staying home? Order in from Ichiban Sushi and tuck into an array of dishes ranging from Sashimi and Sushi burritos to Shrimp tempura and Uramaki. Featuring fresh new packaging, the concept also offers a selection of pre-set sushi boxes or a more personalized experience with their Build Your Own Box. Keep an eye for the newest additions such as the Cooked ichiban and Ichiban signature sets, pairing these with the Tartare, Volcano mango salad, Peanut shrimp tempura or the fiery Shrimp dynamite.
Order online at Deliveroo, Talabat, Zomato and Careem. Visit Instagram.
Abu Dhabi
World Trade Center (WTC) Abu Dhabi
Head to World Trade Center Abu Dhabi (WTC), a destination offering a fine medley of shopping, dining and entertainment and experience an ultimate adrenaline rush with Velocity. The longest and tallest stainless-steel slide in the Middle East, Velocity is a 68-meter and 54-meter-long spiral ride. The permanent stainless-steel structure allows thrill-seekers to travel from the third floor of the shopping mall to the ground floor at a sliding speed of 2-3 meters per second.
WTC Abu Dhabi Giant Slide at AED15 per slide and AED25 for two slides. Weekdays from 10am-10pm and weekends from 10-12am.
Chiki
A new spot for fried chicken lovers in the UAE, Chiki offers a menu where batter, bun, crisps, marinade and sauce are homemade and married together to create a delightful crunchy fried chicken experience. If you’re a first timer at Chiki, a must-try dish is their Signature Toast with crispy chicken soaked in Chiki’s sauce and wrapped in homemade crunchy toast, delivering a melange of intricate flavours. Diners can grab a bite of Chiki across the UAE, in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Dibba, Al Ain, Masafi, Khorfakkan, Fujairah and Ajman.
Visit Instagram.
