Restaurants and bars
Alongside all the new restaurants and bars housed in brandnew luxury hotels, we’ll also say hello to others in established landmarks across the city.
Alici
Seafood dishes inspired by southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast are what you can expect from Alici. Not to mention sea views, fresh Mediterraneanstyle interiors and seasonal menus. The team behind Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Il Borro Tuscan Bistro are set to open the new venue on Bluewaters Island very soon. www.bluewatersdubai.ae
Indya by Vineet
Vineet Bhatia, the world’s first chef to receive a Michelin star for Indian cuisine, is opening a second Dubai venue at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa soon. His other restaurant, Indego by Vineet, is well-known for its vibe and fine-dining-style food. This new one, however, promises to give “a whole new meaning to Indian street food”. He’s taken classic dishes and given them a contemporary upgrade and it’ll all be served in a “vibrant, colourful and eclectic backdrop”. www.indya-dubai.com
Marea
At some point this year, the team behind New York’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Marea will open their second restaurant in the world at Dubai International Financial Centre. Its high-end Italian menu is designed by acclaimed chef Michael White. The New York branch melds the flavours of coastal Italy with the style and swagger of New York, offering dishes that “highlight the best of the sea”. www.marea-nyc.com
Restaurants at The Pointe Palm Jumeirah’s newest leisure and entertainment area is still a work in progress, it seems. While most of the shops and activity spots have already opened, there are still plenty of restaurants yet to come. These include: Argentina Grill, a new branch of Bareburger, Egyptian spot Dar Elkamar, Hook & Cook seafood eatery, La Bella Vita gelato, The Kasap Turkish Cuisine – to name a few. www.thepointe.ae
SKY2.0
One of Lebanon’s most famous clubs will hit Dubai early this year. The Beirut rooftop bar first opened in 2003, and has since become a must-visit – celebrities from Nicole Scherzinger to Tinie Tempah have been spotted partying there. The UAE version, which will be based in Dubai Design District, is set to be along the same lines, if the numerous teaser videos are to be believed. www.skydubai.com
O Beach Ibiza
The newly rebranded Spanish hot spot is opening a Dubai branch in autumn. The lavish beach resort, which is located on the west coast of Ibiza, is best known for hosting star-studded poolside parties, world-famous live DJs and performances by impressive aerial artists. Party brands such as Candypants already host regular events there, too, so we’re hoping for some exciting UAE collaborations. The location of the resort has not been revealed yet. www.obeachibiza.com