As its name suggests, walking into Dream Dubai is to escape to another world. The dinner-and-show venue, which opened in January at the Address Beach Resort, JBR, is an experience like no other.
Fusing jaw-dropping acrobatic performances, dancers and live musical performances with a top-notch international cuisine, it's an evening designed to transport you to a wonderland where, at least for a few hours, you find yourself willingly submitting to whatever the night may morph into.
Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures from Dream Dubai
Run by Sunset Hospitality Group, the team behind SushiSamba and Lola Taberna Espanola, Dream Dubai has just launched a new season with new acts and a refreshed menu, and it's still an enticing escape from reality that's as mesmerising as when it first opened.
The show
Conceptualised by award-winning Arab choreographer Pierre Khadra, who serves as creative director, the main attraction at Dream Dubai is undoubtedly the show. Or shows, to be precise, as they take place with 15-minute intervals, each lasting less than 10 minutes so guests are not distracted from their meals for too long.
While the restaurant opens at 8pm, the first of 12 performance begins after 10pm with a musical medley. Standing on a pedestal in the middle of the restaurant, a singer runs through a mix of contemporary and classic hits, warming up the room.
Orchestrated to recreate varying stages of a dream, the performance is a teaser for what's to come, where, soon enough, the lights dim and projections light up one side of the restaurant. Masked dancers in glittering dresses and large pink hats appear on a stage on one side, while some are suspended from the ceiling. They then begin their performance, while a singer performs at another end of the restaurant.
Performances erupt around the room, ensuring everyone gets a front-seat view, irrespective of where they're seated.
Khadra, who has worked with regional and international artists such as Elissa, Tamer Hosny, Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Wael Kfoury, Ricky Martin and Andrea Bocelli, effortlessly blends a variety of dance styles and cultural references. A Moulin Rouge-style number pivots to a nail-biting hand-balancing acrobatic act, which is followed by dancers in Roman dresses grooving to a Lil Nas X song. In between, there are Ed Sheeran hits being performed, as well as Lizzo's.
The performances, as well as the music pick up pace as the evening goes on, eventually giving the restaurant a night club vibe as guests are up on their feet, dancing.
The dinner
Dream Dubai is as much about the food as the performances. The shows come in quick bursts so as not to deflect guests' attention for too long from the culinary experience. And the Mediterranean menu has a lot to offer.
Starters include grilled octopus (Dh155), snails in parsley butter (Dh115), pan-seared scallops and caviar (Dh195) and a cheese board selection (Dh185).
For mains, there is a truffle pizza (Dh395), linguine with lobster (Dh195), as well as an 800g grilled T-bone steak (Dh715).
There's also a wide selection of salads, fresh oysters and signature plates, which includes a grilled beef rib with salad for Dh1,150.
Vegan options are also available for all courses.
Where to sit and what to expect
While performances take place across the room and each table gives you an unhampered view of the main stage where many of the group performances take place, a table close to the stage will cost more to reserve.
Dream Dubai is a smoking restaurant so non-smokers will need to take note.
Price point and contact information
The minimum spend per person is between Dh800 and Dh1,000 depending on the table location. Dream Dubai is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 8pm until late. Garden of Dreams, the restaurant's terrace, is open daily from 6pm to 3am.
Dream Dubai is located at Address Beach Resort, JBR. Reservations can be made by contacting 04 220 0224 or reservations@dreamdxb.com.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
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
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
