Couqley French Bistro is offering a buy-one-get-one deal on their Grill-Your-Own Burger Kits for Father's Day 2020. Courtesy of Couqley French Bistro
Couqley French Bistro is offering a buy-one-get-one deal on their Grill-Your-Own Burger Kits for Father's Day 2020. Courtesy of Couqley French Bistro
Couqley French Bistro is offering a buy-one-get-one deal on their Grill-Your-Own Burger Kits for Father's Day 2020. Courtesy of Couqley French Bistro
Couqley French Bistro is offering a buy-one-get-one deal on their Grill-Your-Own Burger Kits for Father's Day 2020. Courtesy of Couqley French Bistro

Dad's the word: here are creative ways to celebrate Father’s Day in the UAE this year


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

With Father’s Day just around the corner on Sunday, June 21, it’s time to start planning ways to make dad feel special.

This year, celebrations are already bound to be quite different, with some preferring to stay indoors, while some wouldn’t mind marking the occasion by venturing somewhere special.

No matter your preference (or budget) here are some deals and activities in the UAE to check out this Father’s Day.

Whip up a good ol’ fashioned barbecue

A burger kit from Couqley. Courtesy of Couqley
A burger kit from Couqley. Courtesy of Couqley

Let’s face it – dads and grills go hand-in-hand. This year, why not plan a family barbecue so you can bond with your father over hot steaks and burgers? If you’re looking to whip up the perfect grilled meal but aren’t quite sure where to begin, French bistro Couqley has a grill-your-own burger kits that can be delivered to your doorstep and, on the occasion of Father’s Day, they’re offering a buy-one-get-one deal on the kit.

Customers ordering the kit via Deliveroo between Friday, June 19 and Sunday June 21 will receive a complimentary kit of the same serving size. A burger kit comes with patties, potato buns, aged cheddar cheese, lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions, condiments and frozen fries – everything you need for a complete meal. Prices start at Dh78 and multiple kits can be ordered with this offer (via Deliveroo only).

Head out to a restaurant

Reform Social and Grill specialises in traditional British food. Courtesy of Kevin George
Reform Social and Grill specialises in traditional British food. Courtesy of Kevin George

After weeks spent indoors, it’s natural to have a new-found appreciation for the simple things – including heading out to a nice restaurant with the family. If you’re thinking of taking dad someplace nice, a number of restaurants are offering special discounts for the occasion.

Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, is offering 50 per cent off food and beverages "for all fathers, human and fur children" on Sunday, June 21, from 8am until curfew. Advanced booking is recommended. For details, call 04 454 2638.

Stoke House, located at Trump International Golf Course, is also offering a 50 per cent discount on all food and beverages for fathers on Sunday, June 21, from 8am until curfew. For details, call 04 245 3988.

Treat to him to a free facial

Kids tagging along with their fathers on June 21 will get a free kids haircut at CG Barbershop.
Kids tagging along with their fathers on June 21 will get a free kids haircut at CG Barbershop.

If your dad loves being pampered (and really needs a trip to the salon after all that time indoors) why not book him a session at the barbershop? CG Barbershop in Dubai is offering all dads who book a haircut on June 21 a complimentary facial (worth Dh80). Moreover, children tagging along with their fathers will also get a free haircut (worth Dh100). To book an appointment, visit www.cgbarbershop.com call 04 227 4666.

Take part in a competition… to win an underwater experience

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo has partnered with furniture brand Ethan Allen to unveil an incredible Father’s Day experience. One lucky father-son duo will get the chance to win a sleepover experience at the aquarium tunnel which will be transformed into a five-star-room... so they can "count sharks" instead of sheep while falling asleep.

Moreover, winners will be treated to an Italian dinner with a fountain view at Gia and a Parisian breakfast at Angelina, both located in The Dubai Mall. They will also take home a Dubai Aquarium annual pass and a gift voucher from Ethan Allen to enjoy from their flagship store on Sheikh Zayed Road.

To stand a chance at winning, all you have to do is visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo’s social media pages and explain why you want to win in the comments section below, before Friday, June 19. Terms and conditions apply.

Treat

Gift him some sweet treats

Sugargram has launched a Father’s Day pack. Courtesy of Sugargram
Sugargram has launched a Father’s Day pack. Courtesy of Sugargram

Don't want to head out of the house, but still want to show him how much you care? You can get an array of Father's Day treats delivered to your doorstep.

Bite-sized cupcake delivery service Sugargram, for example, has launched a Father's Day pack featuring 25 cupcakes. Customers can also add a note to personalise the pack. The box is priced at Dh125 and can be ordered online through ChatFood or Deliveroo. Those purchasing the box over the weekend will also receive a mini box of five cupcakes with every purchase.

Meanwhile, London Dairy Cafe, which has 10 locations across Dubai and Sharjah, is offering complimentary freshly baked cookies with every meal ordered via Deliveroo on June 21.

Win your dad a VIP premier league package

With the English Premier League kicking off on the Wednesday, June 17, McGettigan’s has launched a ‘Book your Box’ concept, featuring VIP experience with a cornered off booth, two personal TV screens and food platters... and you can win this experience for your dad. All you have to do is create a video, using the hashtag #McGDadPass and nominate your dad or father figure, and tell McGettigan’s why he deserves to win. The winning video will be announced on June 21 and your dad can choose which game he would like to watch and invite seven friends to join in.

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

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