Winter pop-ups in the UAE: 11 desert venues to try from Sidewalk to Zuma

Top spots to make most of cooler months in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah

The Uncommon is running a pop-up in Dubai this winter in collaboration with Dubai Shopping Festival. The Uncommon / Instagram

Winter pop-ups have become a mainstay of the UAE's cooler months. The family-friendly cafe and dining spots are a chance to enjoy al fresco meals in scenic desert landscapes and picturesque settings. These seasonal venues combine delicious food, cosy atmospheres and impressive experiences, from live entertainment to Instagram-worthy backdrops.

Here’s The National's round-up of winter pop-ups in the UAE.

Sidewalk, Abu Dhabi

Beach-side pop-up Sidewalk on Hudayriyat Island. Sidewalk / Instagram

Run, don't walk, to Sidewalk on Hudayriyat Island. The rustic beachside venue offers a range of breakfast options such as hash brown potatoes with eggs, savoury pancakes and brioche egg rolls. Guests can also enjoy desserts like honey cake and pistachio San Sebastian cheesecake, along with warming drinks such as hot chocolate and matcha, and refreshing lemonades and iced beverages. Every Friday, the cafe hosts oud nights, adding a touch of traditional charm.

9am-1am, Monday-Thursday; 8am-2am, Friday-Sunday; Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi

Limited, Dubai

Limited Cafe in Dubai is located in the Al Marmoom Desert. Instagram / Limited Cafe

Enjoy an evening in the Al Marmoom Desert with a visit to Limited, a winter pop-up with a lakeside location. The menu highlights include a Caesar salad dip, Korean chicken wings and hearty options such as burgers, hot dogs, noodles, and steak with fries. Desserts include an inverted cheesecake, where the crust surrounds the entire cheesecake, and a s’mores boat made with chewy cookies, Belgian chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Guests can also choose from a variety of beverages, including matcha and Arabic coffee.

4pm-11pm, daily; Al Marmoom Desert, Dubai

Hidden, Dubai

Mirrored exteriors at Hidden Cafe. Hidden Cafe / Instagram

Dubai's Hidden venue caters to an evening crowd. Open until 1am during the week and 2am at weekends, the desert pop-up often hosts branded events, including a Fenty Beauty event last season. Located between the E66 and E77 in Al Qudra, the venue's menu includes a variety of savoury options, including burgers and loaded fries. The cafe also serves desserts such as eclairs and tiramisu, alongside hot chocolate and other beverages. Guests can request a bonfire next to their table for added warmth.

4pm-1am, Sunday-Thursday; 4pm-2am, Friday-Saturday; Al Qudra, Dubai

Klock Cafe, Dubai

Klock Cafe is a winter pop-up located in Al Aweer, Dubai. Klock Cafe / Instagram

Klock Cafe, located in the Al Aweer desert, offers a menu filled with refreshing drinks, including mojitos and speciality coffee. For those craving something savoury, the cafe serves everything from noodles and mussels to a menu of barbecued meats.

5pm-12am, Sunday-Thursday; 5pm-2am, Friday-Saturday; 056 948 0244; Al Aweer, Dubai

Sadeem, Dubai

Sadeem has a permanent location in Al Safa Park, Dubai, but has opened two pop-ups for the season. One is located in Al Marmoom Desert, open for winter, with a second in Hatta open until January 12 for the Hatta Winter Festival. At the Al Marmoom Desert venue, which was visited by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in late December, the menu includes truffle saffron arancini, Italian nachos, Wagyu kushiyaki, and a pizza menu created in collaboration with chef Michele Pascarella. Desserts feature rose pistachio baklava cheesecake, date qashta cake, luqaimat and honey pudding.

Sadeem Al Marmoom Desert, 4.30pm-11pm, Sunday-Thursday; 5pm-12am, Friday-Saturday; 056 948 0244; Al Aweer, Dubai

The Uncommon, Dubai

The Uncommon is back with a pop-up in Al Qudra running until mid-January. The Uncommon / Instagram

The Uncommon has made its mark with a number of popular pop-ups across the UAE in the past. This year it has set up shop at Al Qudra, in collaboration with Dubai Shopping Festival. Open until January 12, the impressive mirrored venue, has a striking LED light bonfire at its centre. Guests can also request a personal bonfire to keep warm while enjoying hot beverages. The venue is known for its hot chocolate, other menu highlights include burgers, matcha cookies and sea salt brownies.

4pm-1am daily until January 12; Al Qudra, Dubai

One Degree Winter Cafe, Dubai

One Degree Winter Cafe, located off the E44 on the Dubai-Sharjah border, is back for its winter season. About a 40-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, the outdoor desert pop-up offers a menu of speciality coffee, desserts and live entertainment. The cafe blends tradition with modernity, featuring structures inspired by the old Emirates, designed to showcase the “traditional beauty of the UAE.” Guests can enjoy seating against the backdrop of picturesque dunes and mountains.

3pm-1am, Monday-Thursday; 3pm-2am, Friday-Sunday; 050 288 2727; Margham, Dubai

My Space, Sharjah

A futuristic aesthetic at My Space, Sharjah. My Space / Instagram

My Space, located in Nazwa, Sharjah, brings an exciting blend of activities and entertainment for the winter season. Visitors can enjoy a tanoura folk dance and fire show, along with options like arcade games, a billiard table and a shooting range. The cafe also offers a curated menu of speciality coffee and indulgent desserts.

Daily 4pm-1am; 052 729 6666; Nazwa, Sharjah

Carnival, Sharjah

Carnival, a cafe located in Nazwah, Sharjah, promises a desert winter wonderland experience with a menu of coffee, burgers and desserts. With a Greek-inspired aesthetic, the cafe occasionally hosts oud nights, adding a traditional charm to the modern setting. The walls feature graffiti inspired by Greek art, while guests can also enjoy photo opportunities with camels, horses and falcons.

4pm-12am, Sunday-Thursday; 4pm-2am, Friday-Saturday; Nazwa, Sharjah

Link by Mara, Sharjah

Link by Mara offers a global street food-inspired menu. Photo: Link by Mara

Link by Mara, located in Aljada, Sharjah, serves an international street food-inspired menu. Expect refreshing drinks, including mojitos and speciality coffee, alongside dishes such as a shawarma salad, burgers and kebab skewers. On the dessert menu, you'll find matcha French toast, topped with almond rahash and vanilla ice cream, and an on-trend pistachio kunafa cake, featuring layers of kunafa and chocolate.

Daily 4.30pm-1am; 055 705 5554; Aljada, Sharjah

Zuma, Ras Al Khaimah

Renowned Japanese restaurant Zuma has opened a pop-up in Ras Al Khaimah at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert. Running until April 30, the temporary location offers Zuma's popular selection of modern izakaya dishes in a serene desert setting. The menu includes popular dishes like the miso-marinated black cod and other contemporary Japanese favourites, with brunch offered on Saturdays. The venue is open to hotel guests and external diners.

5pm-12am, Monday-Thursday; 12pm-1am, Friday-Sunday; 07 206 7777; The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, Al Mazraa, Ras Al Khaimah