Unique food experiences in UAE, including eating at Dubai's longest dining table

The UAE is establishing itself as an exciting gastronomic hub for foodies craving new experiences. From casual eateries to upscale dining spots, restaurants are pulling out all the stops to serve a dollop of culinary ingenuity.

Here are some one-off meals to keep on your radar.

A journey through West Africa

The supper club is an ode to the chef's roots. Photo: The CBF Express

West African cuisine is the star of Dubai supper club The CBF Express. Finance professional-turned-chef Roseanne Orim, who is from Nigeria, hosts it at her house, aiming to shed light on the diverse dishes of her region. She changes the menu every three months to capture cuisines from 17 countries.

“I felt called to explore and learn more about where I come from,” she says. "I wanted to share it with the world as I felt it was a rather underexplored cuisine globally that deserved more recognition."

Three evenings are lined up in the next few weeks where diners can expect dishes such as Senegalese fried fish patty with hot sauce and fermented ketchup; Cape Verdean fried cornmeal and sweet potato pastry; and rib-eye with Nigerian palm fruit soup and steamed taro pudding.

From 8pm; January 26, February 3 and February 9; Dh395 per person; Capital Bay Tower B, Business Bay; hello@thecbfexpress.com

A seat at Dubai's longest dining table

Jumeirah Al Qasr's private pier will be transformed into a lavish dining area with a long table that seats up to 100 on March 8. The food is courtesy of mother-son duo Beatrice Segoni of Pierchic fame, and Luca Crostelli from the newly opened Italian restaurant Cala Vista.

The four-hands dinner begins with a champagne reception. On the menu are Italian classics such as tortelloni with aubergine, risotto with lobster ragout, and beef fillet with parsnip date chutney and baby carrots, plus tiramisu for dessert.

The Youngers Band will provide entertainment throughout the evening.

From 6.30pm; March 8; Dh700 per person; Jumeirah Al Qasr; sevenrooms.com

A trip to a historical town on Japan's west coast

Chef Mitsuhiro Kibatani of Sushi Kibatani fame. Photo: TakaHisa

Take an armchair trip to Kanazawa, a historical town on Japan's west coast renowned for its premium seafood. Chefs at Dubai's TakaHisa restaurant are teaming up with Mitsuhiro Kibatani from Michelin-starred Sushi Kibatani Ishikawa, about 450km west of Tokyo.

The omakase menu has not been revealed, but guests can expect Hokuriku fish among other authentic Japanese ingredients. Kibatani will also show off his mastery of Edo-style sushi making, as well as his expertise in fish ageing techniques.

Sittings at 1pm, 6pm and 9pm; February 2 to 4; Dh3,000 per person; Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island; 04 556 6688

A taste of regional Italian cuisine with an Emirati twist

Tiramisu with pomegranate and Sidr jelly. Photo: Antica Australis

Husband-and-wife duo Paolo and Kelly Picarazzi are bringing a pop-up of Antica Australis, a restaurant from rural Australia, to Ras Al Khaimah. The restaurant is known for serving age-old dishes from Paolo's home region of Ciocioria in central Italy. For their UAE gig, the duo will use local produce for an Emirati twist.

The lunch and dinner series will take place over three weekends during the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival. Dishes on the four-course menu will include such as pistachio risotto with local organic dates, tiramisu with pomegranate and milk pudding made from camel milk infused with saffron.

The meal is followed by a short guided tour of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.

Sittings at 1pm and 7pm; February 3 to 18; from Dh300 per person; Ras Al Khaimah; rakart.ae

A zero-waste meal by a new kid on the block

Mika dishes out Mediterranean cuisine with Middle Eastern touches. Photo: Mika

Although zero-waste and other sustainability-focused dining concepts aren't new, they are still yet to be fully embraced by many. However, a new Yas Island restaurant puts them front and centre of their ethos, serving Mediterranean cuisine through a Middle Eastern lens.

British-Italian chef Mario Loi has launched Mika. The menu is seasonal and the ingredients are ethically sourced, he says. Its current menu features a variety of small plates, from roasted peach caprese to hand-rolled gnocchi and lamb skewers. Mains include braised beef cheek, octopus and pan-fried sea bass.

Guests can opt for a business lunch during weekdays, a daily sunset session or a Riviera-themed brunch every Saturday.

Sunday to Thursday, noon-midnight; Friday to Saturday, noon-1am; Yas Marina; 056 433 1422

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

6 UNDERGROUND

Director: Michael Bay

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco

2.5 / 5 stars

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

While you're here

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Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: UAE and Singapore can be partners for a world in transition

Nick March: Singapore and UAE are on the move – in airport development

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal

Rating: 2/5

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer