Looking for a new foodie haunt, mama? You’re in luck, as the Sassy Mama team has been busy discovering the very best new cafes, restaurants, brunches, and foodie deals – so all you have to do is turn up and get ready to try something new!
Love Friends’ Avenue Café? You’ll love Arrows & Sparrows, which comes from the same talented team – so you can expect perfectly executed dishes, great coffee, and a stylish interior that is worthy of Instagram frame. But that’s not all mamas – as we can now take the kiddos to the slick location (in Emaar Business Park, next to The Greens) on any week day between 2 and 7pm and they can eat for free with the purchase of every adult meal. We think that makes it the perfect after-school hangout!
Arrows & Sparrows, Emaar Business Park, Building 4 www.arrowsparrows.com
New York import Bareburger has just opened its second Dubai location at City Walk – and if you enjoy a burger, you should definitely head down. But these aren’t just any burgers, as the company takes joy in offering fresh, organic, clean food in the fun, vibrant surroundings of their restaurants. We’ve tasted what they have to offer – and believe us mamas, it’s definitely worth a visit!
Bareburger, City Walk. www.bareburger.com
If brunching on a gorgeous beach is your thing, then you’ll love the ‘Saint Tropez Brunch’ at Café Nikki. Every Friday from 12:30pm-4pm, expect a dining experience with globally inspired cuisine, with indoor and outdoor seating options and stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Live DJ entertainment creates a chilled-out, beach getaway vibe that nobody can resist. Psst… it’s free for kiddies under five!
Café Nikki, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Al Mina, www.facebook.com/NikkiBeachHotelDubai
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Head to The Westin on Saturday, 25 February, 18 March and 29 April to pick up a Pik-Nik food basket for AED 250 and enjoy it on the lawns with the fam. And once tummies are full of the delicious baked goods, salads, and sweet treats, you can all enjoy a day in the sunshine with live music, entertainment for the kids, shopping at the Pretty Chic market, cookery classes, and much more! Sounds like the perfect way to spend a day.
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, www.westinminaseyahi.com
Love a bowl of cereal every morning, mama? Cereal Killer Cafe is a London export that takes it to the next level, with a concept they describe as a “colourful, nostalgic eatery with more than 120 cereals, plus a selection of milk and toppings”. Located near to the waterfall on the ground floor of The Dubai Mall, a bowl of cereal costs between AED 26 and AED 31, making it the ideal pit-stop for breakfast on the go.
Cereal Killer, Ground Floor, The Dubai Mall, www.cerealkillercafe.co.uk
Fancy tucking into dinner whilst suspended 50 metres above the ground from a crane? If an adrenaline rush is your idea of a great date night, book yourself an experience of a lifetime with Dinner in the Sky, which is located at Dubai International Marine Club. With prices starting at AED 499 for afternoon tea and AED 799 for dinner, it’s not the cheapest way to dine with your hubby – but it’s definitely one you’ll remember forever.
Dinner in the Sky, Dubai International Marine Club +971 50 925 6341
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Dubai’s very own foodie festival kicks off for another year on Thursday, 23 February, with 17 days of events, offers, competitions, celebrity chefs and pop-up restaurants. Whether you see yourself as a pro in the kitchen – or simply love rocking up to new restaurants to give your verdict – this is the festival for you, mama. And there will be plenty to keep the kiddos (and husbands!) fed and entertained too!
Thursday, 23 February – Saturday, 11 March, www.dubaifoodfestival.com
Foodies, take note. Folly by Nick and Scott is set to open its doors this month in Souk Madinat Jumeirah and this one is well worth getting excited about. Folly will be serving flavour combinations that you rarely see on any other menus in Dubai (think Omani shrimp with marjoram and lime gremolata and lamb saddle with whipped pine nuts and salsa). Featuring stunning views of the Madinat waterways, the Burj Al Arab and the gulf from the outdoor terrace and rooftop bar, could Folly be the most romantic dinner spot in Dubai? We think so.
Folly by Nick and Scott, Madinat Jumeirah. www.facebook.com/follydubai
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Hungry but don’t want to eat alone? We’ve got you covered. From exploring new culinary experiences to savouring new flavours and textures with close friends and family, Graze’s menu includes meat and seafood choices with an impressive selection of vegetarian dishes – there’s something for everyone. Graze also features an array of some of the best side dishes in town and a wine list exclusively curated to ensure the perfect pairing. We prefer dining on their grand terrace to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor setting.
Graze, La Ville Hotel & Suites, City Walk, Dubai, www.livelaville.com/dining/Graze
If you haven’t heard of Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai, you’re missing out. Dubai’s dining scene recently gained a touch of Tuscany with the opening of Il Borro Tuscan Bistro – and we’re absolutely in love with the central bar area with a view of the Turtle Lagoon and Arabian Sea. Whether you’re visiting for date night or a night out with the gals, don’t forget to try their signature cocktails infused with Tuscan ingredients (allow yourself to have a glass… or two). Supplied by produce from the Il Borro estate, including organic wines, olive oil, honey and a bio-farm, Il Borro’s menu guarantees a taste of true Tuscan authenticity.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai, Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel, Turtle Lagoon, www.facebook.com/ilborrotuscanbistrodubai
Fans of The Irish Village will be pleased to hear that another location has opened at Dubai Parks & Resorts in River Land, offering all your traditional Irish favourites within a brand new setting. We have to give a big shout-out to the kid’s menu too, which ensures the littlies will enjoy your visit too. And if you are heading over to any of the parks, it makes the perfect place to fuel for the fun ahead.
The Irish Village, The Peninsula, River Land www.dubaiparksandresorts.com
What could be better than a food truck park, mamas? A food truck park with amazing desert views, of course! Head to the brand new Al Qudra location of Last Exit, where delicious cuisines including The Brass, Burger Pit, Poco Loco, The Green House, and Jaldi Jaldi await – and the kids will enjoy the al fresco, rustic setting as much as you do.
The Last Exit, Al Qudra D63. www.lastexit.ae
Read more: Last Exit Food Truck Park
Calling art lovers and foodies! If you like to be surprised by concepts that stand out from the mainstream, then you’ll love this new concept store. Located in Dubai Design District (no surprise there!), The Lighthouse will feature a selection of artsy design and food. Get a taste of Dubai’s creative community with the cool and quirky handcrafts and feast on yummy yet healthy bites – or give the kiddies (and yourself) a treat at the dedicated chocolate stand by chocolatiers Mast (yum!).
The Lighthouse, Dubai Design District, R01, Building 6, www.thelighthouse.ae
Looking for a fab dining venue for a date with the hubby? This new alpine-themed restaurant and bar concept in Dubai could be the winner. Publique is designed to evoke the warm and rustic feel of a mountain lodge, with a traditional wooden bar, and a chalet-style terrace with views over the Arabian Gulf. The menu features French alpine classics, including traditional fondue savoyarde designed to share, and a range of cocktails inspired by alpine flavours (we love). Keep an eye out for their upcoming opening!
Publique, Souk Madinat
Jumeirah, www.facebook.com/publiquedubai
If you’re looking for the perfect place to feed the kiddos, Puff Baker Café in Galleria Mall on Palm Jumeirah adds a bit of a twist. At this slick, stylish café, the little ones have to head into the kitchen to get cooking (well, they don’t have to – but it’s a lot of fun if they do!). Simply contact the café in advance to book the cookery class, with prices starting at just AED 140 per child. And while they are getting busy? You can order from a delicious menu.
Puff Baker Café, Galleria Mall, Palm Jumeirah. www.puffbakercafe.com
Have you visited new Sheikh Zayed Road café Tub of Butter yet, mama? It’s about time, as there’s lots of buzz about this place – and it’s for very good reason too. It’s got a lot to do with the delicious deli (23-karat gold truffle honey, anyone?), the perfect coffee available to sip (and coffee art, which they can even create bespoke if you give them enough time to create a personalised stencil) and the fresh stone baked pizzas to munch on (which you can also take away to cook at home if you are in a hurry). We can’t wait to head down there and hang out.
Tub of Butter, Al Thanya Street, Off Sheikh Zayed Road, www.tubofbutter.com
Looking for a fab new family brunch, mama? Sassy Mama favourite West14th has just launched the DUKESY Beach Brunch at its idyllic Palm Jumeirah setting. Running every Friday, the brunch includes beach access between 10am and 6pm so the kiddies can run around on the sand, with food then served between 1pm and 4pm. Every week takes on a different theme, from superheroes to mermaids and pirates – and kiddos will get the best possible care and attention, thanks to a team of nannies. Sounds perfect!
West14th, Oceana Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah, www.west14th.ae
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