The dinner-and-a-show concept is picking up steam in the UAE.
Here are nine Dubai restaurants that offer eatertainment: think, gourmet food meeting award-winning artists and high-octane performances.
Bazaar Dubai
For entertainment with a Middle Eastern touch, make Bazaar Dubai your next go-to. Widely considered a staple on Beirut’s nightlife scene, Bazaar opened its Dubai venue in February 2022. The open-air club is located at Meydan Grandstand and operates from Tuesday to Saturday, and offers an international menu, from Greek tzatziki to Lebanese-style sliders.
Bazaar Dubai, Meydan Racecourse Grandstand; 050 998 3873
Billionaire Dubai
The brainchild of Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, Billionaire is known for its world-famous entertainment and over-the-top opulence. There are a variety of acts from hoop-hanging acrobats and aerialists to gravity-defying balancing artists. The menu, curated by celebrity chef Batuhan Piatti Zeynioglu, features Italian-Asian dishes, from sushi and maki rolls to pizza.
Billionaire Dubai, Taj Dubai, Business Bay; 056 678 3357; billionairesociety.com/dubai
Dream
In January this year, Sunset Hospitality Group (the team behind SushiSamba and Lola Taberna Espanola) opened Dream, a dining and entertainment venue, at Address Beach Resort, JBR. With the avant-garde theatrical and musical performances, orchestrated by award-winning Arab choreographer Pierre Khadra, (who has worked with regional and international artists such as Elissa, Tamer Hosny, and Nancy Ajram), expect dancers, singers, acrobats and aerialists and elaborate costumes. For the “dinner” part of the concept, there’s a Mediterranean-inspired menu, with dishes such as grilled Mediterranean vegetables; roasted cauliflower; and lamb cutlets. The venue also houses Garden of Dreams, a waterfront terrace with views of Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai.
Dream, Address Beach Resort, JBR; 04 220 0224; dreamdxb.com
La Casa Del Tango
This one’s for all fans of the romantic dance form that originated in Buenos Aires. La Casa Del Tango, which opened in 2021, is the brainchild of dancer Enrique Macana. The venue features a stage where guests will be entertained by live performances, instrumental bands and Argentinian folk musicians on weekends. To add to the experience is an authentic menu, with dishes such as empanadas, chorizo and Brazilian cheese bread. The venue also holds tango classes.
La Casa Del Tango, DIFC; 04 583 0412; lcdtango.com
Nova Restaurant and Lounge
This Dubai Marina venue promises “a theatrical voyage around the Mediterranean islands”. The space features captivating black walls, pink neon lights, Italian marble tables, and teal and cream furnishings, to create an effect quite like being ensconced in an Art Deco cocoon with plenty of mood lighting. Meanwhile, a central stage features singers, musicians and aerialists to regale you as you tuck into some unique offerings including chicken liver mousse with candied orange zest; roasted bone marrow with garlic breadcrumbs; and a vegan coconut and citrus tart for dessert.
Nova Restaurant and Lounge, Address Dubai Marina; 058 603 0063; novarestaurant.me
Papillon
For dinner with a suave cabaret show, look no further than Papillon, which launched at the end of 2021. The venue is the brainchild of singer, model and Dubai resident Layla Kardan, and focuses on the 15th-century art form with its blend of music, dance and theatre. Shows takes place four nights a week, with each night comprising a series of song and dance routines that bring to life Parisian glamour. All this, with a side of French-Mediterranean fare — think escargot with herb butter and mushroom risotto — as well as international dishes such as lamb chops and Wagyu tomahawk.
Papillon, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina; 050 252 4098; contact@papillondxb.com
Play Restaurant and Lounge
The home-grown concept opened in Dubai in 2016 with the intention to revolutionise the city’s culinary scene. And it’s clearly managed to stand the test of time. Located in The H Hotel Dubai, the space is sprawling — think lots of seating areas, chandeliers and a private dining space. The venue hosts live entertainment in the form of acrobats, dancers and musicians every day from 8pm to midnight, and has Shades of Play, a night brunch on Mondays. The menu features everything from gyozas and skewers to black cod.
Play Restaurant and Lounge, The H Hotel Dubai; 04 336 4444; playrestaurants.com
Street Diversions
One of the newer entrants to the segment, the limited-time Street Diversions offers a theatrical experience at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah amphitheatre. The venue, which opened in December 2021, takes advantage of it al fresco setting and features dance, song and non-musical performances every 30 minutes from 5pm to 12.30am. Complementing the entertainment is an Asian-inspired menu with dishes such as Korean fried chicken, dynamite shrimp, crispy calamari, chicken and prawn curry laksa, and mango sticky rice.
Street Diversions Restaurant, Bar & Shisha Lounge, Madinat Jumeirah; street-diversions.com
The Theater
The Theater, which opened at Fairmont Dubai in 2021, is a glitzy dinner and cabaret concept and features musical and dance routines curated by acclaimed Lebanese-Armenian composer Guy Manoukian. Expect artists from across the globe, including vocalists and aerial dancers from Las Vegas. Performers will not only make appearances on the stage, which stretches all the way into the audience, but from unexpected nooks and crannies, too. The entertainment is truly varied, with a Middle Eastern touch; for example, there’s a band playing Arabic pop hits from the 1980s, finishing with a Lebanese dabke. The venue has an international menu, with dishes such as handmade beef gyoza, lobster linguini and slow-cooked Wagyu tomahawk with shaved truffle.
The Theater, Fairmont Dubai; 04 222 2268; thetheaterdubai.com
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 424hp
Torque: 580 Nm
Price: From Dh399,000
On sale: Now
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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
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
