September’s calendar brings restaurant reopenings, limited-edition menus, creative workshops, live performances and plenty of reasons to gather around a table.
Return to Scalini Dubai
Scalini Dubai has reopened following a renovation that introduces a brighter interpretation of the Italian trattoria. Its familiar blue and yellow palette now appears with ivory, navy and striped fabrics, while citrus trees, majolica tiles and a white pergola shape the veranda.
Executive Chef Francesco Cortorillo’s renewed menu includes raw Mazara del Vallo red prawns with Datterino tomatoes, beef tartare prepared tableside and Linguine alla Nerano with fried zucchini, basil and Provolone del Monaco. Grilled prawns with asparagus and avocado offer a lighter addition to the selection.
Where: Scalini Dubai, Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
When: Sunday to Thursday, noon–11pm; Friday and Saturday, noon–midnight
Reservations: 04 349 0068 or reservations@scalini-dubai.com
Discover Croissants and Coffee at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk and Nespresso have created three croissant and coffee pairings for a limited in-room dining experience. Each arrives with a finishing flourish performed inside the guest’s room or suite.
Le Brûlé pairs a honey cream croissant with a brûléed cappuccino mousse and notes of almond and orange blossom. L’Epicé combines a coffee and chocolate croissant with oat-milk coffee, passion fruit and Sichuan pepper. Le Tonique matches a Paris-Brest croissant with an iced orange espresso tonic.
The experience is available exclusively to hotel guests through the in-room dining menu.
Where: Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Wafi, Dubai
When: Until Thursday 26 November
Availability: On demand throughout the day for hotel guests
Enjoy a Complimentary Ice Cream Tasting at Home Bakery
Home Bakery Kitchen is offering free mini servings of four new ice cream flavours at its One Za’abeel branch for five days.
The Bomb folds Oreo cookies through chocolate ice cream, while Pistachio Rahash combines pistachio ice cream with rahash and roasted pistachios. HB Espresso brings a concentrated coffee flavour, and The Crack pairs chocolate ice cream with toasted almonds and caramel crunch.
Where: Home Bakery Kitchen, One Za’abeel, Dubai
When: Saturday 5 to Wednesday 9 September, from noon
Price: Complimentary
Explore September at Time Out Market Dubai
Time Out Market Dubai has filled September with dining offers, live music and hands-on activities. The month begins with a Pitfire pizza-making class for children aged four to 10.
The Market’s monthly Sip & Paint session returns on 27 September, while an eight-seat Wine & Dine event on 24 September pairs four courses with wines selected by guest chefs and sommeliers.
The weekly programme includes live jazz on Mondays, Latin music and dancing on Tuesdays, resident DJs from Wednesday to Sunday and family entertainment every Sunday afternoon. Diners can also order selected weekday lunches for AED 50, including water.
Where: Time Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai
Kids’ pizza class: Sunday 6 September, 10.30am–11.30am; AED 100
Wine & Dine: Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm–10pm; AED 550
Sip & Paint: Sunday 27 September, 4pm–6pm; AED 250
Tickets: Platinumlist
Parking: Complimentary for the first four hours at Souk Al Bahar
Try Chef Sahar Al Awadhi’s Torta’t Mama
Emirati pastry chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi has created a dessert exclusively for Café Ginori at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
Named Torta’t Mama, the dish reinterprets the Italian Torta della Nonna through flavours associated with Emirati desserts. Buttery shortcrust pastry and pastry cream meet cardamom, saffron, rose and caramelised almonds, connecting the Italian idea of nonna with the Emirati yadditi, both referring to a grandmother.
The dessert is accompanied by a selection of teas and other beverages chosen to complement its Italian and Emirati flavours.
Where: Café Ginori, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
When: Available for one month
Reservations: 02 498 8443 or restaurant.saadiyat@stregis.com
Raise a Glass at Pierre’s TT
Pierre’s TT has reopened after its annual break and will welcome dining guests with a complimentary glass of French bubbles or a non-alcoholic alternative from 3 to 5 September.
Diners can order from the à la carte menu or choose the restaurant’s five-course Menu Découverte, which presents Pierre Gagnaire’s approach to contemporary European cuisine through a series of composed courses.
Where: Pierre’s TT, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
When: Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 September, from 4pm
Price: AED 590 per person for the five-course Menu Découverte
Offer: Complimentary French bubbles or a non-alcoholic alternative with dining
Reservations: 056 511 3356 or pierres.dubai@ihg.com
Join House of Bollywood at The Permit Room
Radio presenter and host Chirag Lakhiani has turned Wednesday nights into a celebration of Hindi cinema at The Permit Room. House of Bollywood moves through themed quizzes, bingo, Dumb Charades and Who Am I?, with participants identifying actors and films through a series of clues.
The Main Hoon Actor challenge invites guests to perform famous dialogue while acting out an assigned emotion. Weekly prizes include dining vouchers worth AED 1,000, hotel stays and surprise giveaways. Guests can order The Permit Room’s contemporary Indian dishes throughout the games.
Where: The Permit Room, Majestic City Retreat Hotel, Al Mankhool, Dubai
When: Every Wednesday, from 7.30pm
Reservations: 054 791 1796
Work Through Riina’s Weekly Dining Nights
Riina has introduced three unlimited dining experiences across its Tilal Al Ghaf and Meadows Village restaurants.
Tuesday’s Paella Night offers chicken and chorizo or shrimp paella for AED 125. On Thursdays, guests can order unlimited beef, chicken, halloumi and mushroom sliders with fries and coleslaw for AED 85. Sunday’s Steak Frites Night serves unlimited beef entrecôte or grilled chicken with fries, salad and entrecôte sauce for AED 130.
Each experience finishes with a serving of Riina’s frozen yoghurt.
Where: Riina, Tilal Al Ghaf and Meadows Village, Dubai
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 6pm–10pm
Price: AED 125 for Paella Night; AED 85 for Burger Night; AED 130 for Steak Frites Night
Spend Sunday at ZEA’s MESTIZOS Brunch
ZEA’s new MESTIZOS brunch draws from Mediterranean, Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisines through a sharing menu created by Chef Sundeep Taucoory.
DJs, percussionists and Latin dancers perform throughout brunch, with music spanning Latin House, Afro House, Arabic remixes and contemporary Latin tracks. An after-party begins at 7pm and continues until midnight.
Where: ZEA Dubai, Level C, Emirates Financial Tower, DIFC
When: Every Sunday, 3pm–7pm; after-party from 7pm–midnight
Price: From AED 265 with soft beverages
Reservations: 056 402 6633 or reservations@zeadubai.com
Watch Tango and Salsa at AMARU
AMARU brings live tango and salsa to Souk Madinat Jumeirah every Friday through its new Fiesta Fridays programme.
Performers move through the venue from 8.30pm as guests order from a Latin American menu and explore the drinks selection. Alcohol-free choices appear under the Sober Whispers collection, giving diners an alternative to the venue’s cocktails. AMARU’s projection-mapped interiors draw on Incan and Aztec motifs, adding another visual layer to the evening.
Where: AMARU Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
When: Every Friday, from 8.30pm
Reservations: 04 227 5881 or 050 263 7060
Choose a New Bollywood-Inspired Mocktail at Hitchki
Hitchki Dubai has introduced five alcohol-free drinks inspired by Bollywood dialogue, characters and cultural references.
Dilbara combines watermelon, passion fruit, mint and ginger, while Kal Se Daru Band takes its flavour cues from the Konkan coast. Minions mixes guava and watermelon, Dar Ke Aage Jeet Hai brings together lychee and pineapple, and Jaanu balances hibiscus, apple and grapefruit.
The mocktails can be ordered with Hitchki’s contemporary Indian menu or during its live entertainment programme.
Where: Hitchki Dubai, Novotel Dubai Gold District, Deira
When: Daily, noon–2am
Price: AED 35 each
Reservations: 050 826 8814 or hello.deira@hitchkidxb.com
Sample the New Menu at Café L’Occitane
Café L’Occitane has introduced a collection of mocktails, iced teas, desserts and ice creams inspired by flavours from the South of France.
The Arc-en-Ciel blends grapefruit, pineapple, lavender and butterfly pea, while Ombre de Lune combines bergamot black tea, yuzu and sparkling lemonade. Douceur de Miel pairs pineapple with honey and fig foam, and Nuage Provençal mixes almond milk, apple, elderflower and coconut.
Desserts include a red berry cheesecake with raspberry ice cream, a fruit and chocolate crêpe and a double-chocolate cherry tart. The café’s ice cream cart also serves a changing selection of Provençal-inspired flavours.
Where: Café L’Occitane, City Walk, Dubai
When: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–10.30pm; Friday to Sunday, 8.30am–11.30pm
Contact: 04 346 1825
Pick Up a Lebanese Drink from Ka’ak Al Manara
Ka’ak Al Manara has placed four of its Lebanese drinks into ready-to-go cans, available for takeaway, delivery or dining in.
The collection includes pressed strawberry juice, a thick avocado cocktail and a layered strawberry and mango drink designed for sharing. A blue tropical mocktail with chia seeds completes the line-up. Larger pitchers are also available for groups dining at the restaurant.
Where: Ka’ak Al Manara, Al Wasl Road and Dubai Media City
When: Daily, 8am–midnight
Reservations: 054 778 6304 or 800 KAAKME
Explore Above Eleven’s New Weekly Programme
Above Eleven Dubai now opens seven days a week, with a programme spanning Pisco classes, ladies’ nights, sushi offers and live entertainment.
Sunday’s interactive Pisco Sour classes take place at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm, followed by cocktails priced at AED 35. Wednesday’s She’s An 11 offers two hours of free-flowing drinks from AED 149, Nikkei bites from AED 35 and performances from a DJ and saxophonist.
From Thursday to Saturday, the Nikkei Social Club offers several food and drinks packages, while the Thursday and Saturday sharing menu serves a Nikkei platter and bottle of wine for AED 250. A daily sunset offer pairs a selected beverage with a sushi bite for AED 40, with an 18-piece sushi platter available for AED 180.
Where: Above Eleven Dubai, West Palm Beach, Palm Jumeirah
When: Daily, 5pm–1am
Age: 21 and above
Reservations: 04 666 1420 or reservations@aboveelevendubai.com
Try Piehaus and 1004 Gourmet’s Bulgogi Pie
Piehaus continues its Counter Culture series with 1004 Gourmet, its Alserkal Avenue neighbour and one of Dubai’s leading destinations for Korean ingredients. The collaboration centres on a limited-edition Bulgogi Pie inspired by kkwabaegi, Korea’s twisted doughnut.
Hand-stretched phyllo forms the distinctive twisted shape, filled with bulgogi-marinated beef, caramelised onions and shimeji mushrooms. Mixed sesame seeds and a spicy pickle complete the dish, bringing Korean flavours into Piehaus’s signature phyllo format.
Where: Piehaus, Warehouse 22A, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
When: Until Sunday 13 September; Tuesday to Sunday, 9am–9pm
Price: AED 75
Contact: 052 563 7922
