It started with the odd pop-up or two and now, desert dining has become one of the most popular trends of the year. We can see why, too – these picturesque venues take diners far away from bustling city life and into a serene environment.
As well as showcasing the UAE’s natural beauty, many of these pop-ups also offer a variety of unique food, beverages and entertainment. And the lure of a road trip is an added incentive to visit.
Here’s a look at some spectacular desert dining venues that have popped up and are currently open. Most of these are only open during the cooler months, so you might want to hurry if you’re planning to go.
Although you might want to wait until it stops raining.
Not a Space
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Not A Space is a cool pop-up location in Sharjah's Al Faya Desert. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Surrounded by mountain views, it's the ideal remote spot to enjoy sunrise or sunset. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Tables, beanbags and picnic chairs are dotted around the site and there's no need to pre-book before you go. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Not A Space Al Faya is modelled on a food-truck-style cafe. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Not A Space cafe serves coffees, pastries, sandwiches and more. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Visitors can place their order electronically before arriving at Not A Space so there's no waiting around when they get there. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Outdoor cycling, meditation, yoga and other events take place at Not A Space Al Faya. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The site has been billed as a 'community space fostering connection and happy vibes'. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Not a Space food truck serves a selection of Insta-worthy drinks, desserts and light bites. Antonie Robertson / The National -
About an hour from Dubai, the campsite-like space is open daily from 6am until 2am. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The space is set around a circular stage. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The location is in Al Faya Desert. Antonie Robertson / The National
One of the original desert dining pop-ups, Not a Space quickly gained a cult following when pictures of it emerged on social media. Located at Al Faya, Sharjah, the moon-themed spot features comfy bean bags, beverages and light bites (think cinnamon rolls) out in the desert.
There’s live entertainment in the evenings, and it offers activities from yoga sessions to moon painting workshops. Another bonus? It’s pet friendly.
Open daily, during winter; 6am-1am; Al Faya; https://linktr.ee/Notaspace
One Degree Cafe
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One Degree Cafe's winter pop-up has just re-opened to the public with a new look. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National -
The venue only opens during the cooler season. It's opening in the evenings, from 5pm onwards. -
The venue is known for its sunset views. -
It is located on the Dubai-Sharjah border, a 40-minute drive from Downtown Dubai. -
This year, it has been revamped, to include more traditional elements. -
This includes a Bedouin-style tent set-up. -
A giant heart with the backdrop of the desert at One Degree Cafe's winter pop-up -
The space will have live entertainment daily. -
For the first time, the pop-up as opened a kitchen at the desert location. -
Burgers, hotdogs and fries will be available at One Degree Cafe -
The space is known for its coffee drinks -
It also serves a range of signature shakes and cold drinks. -
One Degree rose to popularity since it opened on January 2021. -
The location is also an eight-minute drive away from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Come winter, One Degree opens its pop-up experience, located on the Dubai-Sharjah border, about a 40-minute drive from Downtown Dubai.
The venue has garnered a cult following since it first opened in January 2021. The reason for its popularity is its location in the middle of the desert, offering guests some of the best mountain and dune views they can get, all from the comfort of the eclectic seating options – think cushions on the sand and plush sofas.
One Degree has live entertainment such as fire breathers every evening, and has also expanded its food offerings, serving items as varied as Spanish lattes and acai bowls to burgers and hot dogs.
Open daily, 4pm-1am; Dubai-Sharjah border; www.onedegree.ae
The Uncommon
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The Uncommon is a new desert pop-up cafe which has opened on Mahafiz-Al Fayah road in Sharjah. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National -
The Uncommon is easily accessible by vehicle. -
The design for The Uncommon features an all-mirror exterior. -
The glass kitchen has been designed to pay tribute to the natural beauty of the UAE. -
Visitors can interact with and take pictures of the mirrored kitchen. -
The kitchen has been designed in such a way that operations do not obstruct the natural beauty of the place. -
There are plenty of seating areas at The Uncommon. -
The Uncommon has light bites and baked goods on the menu. -
Customers enjoy the natural beauty of Sharjah at The Uncommon's winter pop-up. -
Guests take photos of the mirrored kitchen. -
Tiramisu is one of the desserts available on The Uncommon menu. -
A red velvet latte for those with a sweet tooth. -
Mirrors make up an integral part of the design at The Uncommon. -
The inspiration for the design came from The Invisible House in California. -
The Uncommon is open daily from 4pm to 1am. -
The Uncommon will only stay in its location for the winter.
New kid-on-the-block The Uncommon only popped up a few weeks ago, but has already taken the desert dining scene by storm. What’s cool about the space is its unique set-up, which features a lot of mirrors. Even the kitchen area is done up in a cool mirror exterior, ensuring the focus is very much on the beauty of its backdrop.
The menu features mostly beverages, with light bites such as pastries and croissants thrown in.
Open daily, 4pm-1am; Sharjah; Instagram: @theuncommon.ae
Link by mara
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New desert dining venue Link by mara has opened in Sharjah. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National -
It offers a number of unique seating options, including sunken booths, set right in the ground. -
Priority for such booths is given to bigger groups. -
Booths at Link by mara also come with firepits in case customers want to grill their own meat. -
The venue features 13 booths in total. -
There are other seating arrangements also available. -
A portable kitchen prepares a wide variety of international street food. -
On the menu are pizzas, pastas and burgers, along with dishes such as spiced edamame and Korean chicken pops. -
Link by mara is from the same group behind concepts such as Mara Lounge in Al Zahia, Sharjah, and Mara Restaurant and Lounge in Wasl 51. -
Link by mara is open from 4pm onwards, making it a popular sunset spot. -
Customers line up for coffee and food at Link by Mara in Sharjah. -
There are big plans for the future, including placing classic cars around to add to the ambiance. -
There is a creative menu of hot drinks available at Link by mara.
Another new desert pop-up, Link by mara is currently in its soft opening launch phase. There’s still plenty to love about the space, which has been inspired by AlUla in Saudi Arabia – especially its excavated cushioned booths.
The venue offers fusion street food, from spiced edamame and mini beef tacos to shakshuka bruschetta. Even better, there is an option to buy meat at the venue and barbecue it yourself over your booth’s firepit. There are only a handful of big dining booths and seating is on a first-come first-serve basis, so get there early.
Open daily, 4pm-3am; Sharjah; Instagram: @linkbymara
Klock
A clock-themed winter pop-up has opened up in Dubai. The pop-up is located on the Dubai-Hatta Road, about a half-hour drive from Downtown Dubai, but offers desert vistas that take you far away from the bustle of city life. Expect comfy bean bags, big Instagrammable installations that light up at night, and speciality coffee. The menu is limited to beverages and sweet treats for now.
Open daily; 4pm-midnight; until March 31; Dubai-Hatta Road; Instagram: @klock_cafe
Coffee House
Another new spot offering coffee with a desert backdrop is Coffee House, located in Sharjah, off the Sharjah-Kalba Road. A number of hot and cold beverages, desserts and baked treats can be picked up from a food truck, and enjoyed in the space that features rattan chairs, gazebos with white curtains swinging in the wind and lit-up trees.
Open daily; 3pm onwards; off the Sharjah-Kalba Road, Mahafiz, Sharjah; Instagram: @coffeehouseae
Sonara Camp
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After finding success in Dubai, Sonara Camp has expanded to Ras Al Khaimah. All photos: Sonara Camp -
Sonara Al Wadi is a restaurant concept located on the dunes of Al Wadi Nature Reserve. -
The luxe dining experience includes family-friendly activities. -
Guests can expect the Instagrammable setting and fairy lights that Sonara Camp is famous for. -
There are two experiences available: sunset and sunset with dinner -
Live entertainment - including a fire-breathing show - will entertain guests during dinner. -
The Instagrammable destination is set on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi. -
The space is home to local wildlife species including Arabian oryx, gazelles and red foxes.
For those looking for a luxe version of desert dining, there’s always Sonara Camp, which has accrued quite a following over the years.
The family-friendly venue offers a fine-dining experience right on the dunes. There are activities such as sandboarding, volleyball, soft archery and an owl show, live entertainment and white tablecloth dining, with dishes such as slow-cooked pulled lamb and black Angus strip loin on the menu.
Sonara is set in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a gorgeous place where you can spot the odd gazelle and oryx, and it’s recently opened a second location at Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Wadi Nature Reserve. Prior booking is required.
Open daily, 4pm onwards; Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and Al Wadi Nature Reserve, Ras Al Khaimah; www.nara.ae/sonara/
