Food news in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: new menus, birthday deals and more

Plus: there's a tapas bus coming, a gluten-free menu at Cafe Bateel; free Mexican snacks at Zoco; and indulgent treats at Burger & Lobster

Bebemos at  Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre

You know summer is truly here when restaurants across the UAE unveil their seasonal menus and / or offer steal deals. Here are five worth checking out.

Climb aboard the tapas bus

Dubai is celebrating World Tapas Day on June 20 in collaboration with six Spanish restaurants and the Embassy of Spain in the UAE. A free shuttle service will connect the eateries between 5pm and 11pm, and foodies can taste one tapas and a beverage at each, for Dh30. Included on the route are Bebemos at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Seville’s at Wafi Mall, Boca in DIFC, Alhambra at Jumeirah Al Qasr, El Sur at Westin Mina Seyahi, and Salero at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates. You can hail a Careem to the restaurant closest to you, using the 30 per cent discount code TAPADAY, and then climb abroad the bus.

Gluten-free bites at Cafe Bateel

The Mediterranean cafe, which has branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and RAK, launched its gluten-free menu on June 11, under chef Jean Luc. On offer are a range of clean and delicious flavours, including a club sandwich with halloumi, aubergine, avocado, pomegranate and baba ganoush; ribeye steak and beef tagliata; and a creative range of gluten-free pastas, such as three-cheese quinoa rigatoni, tiger prawn spaghetti, chicken fusilli, and mushroom risotto. Vegans are catered for, too, with soups such as spicy tomato and quinoa, asparagus and lentil; and a superfood and quinoa tabbouleh salad.

Botana Tuesdays are a bargain at Zoco

The Mexican cantina at Al Habtoor City in Dubai has replaced its Taco Tuesdays with Botana Tuesdays. While it gets no points for creative monikers there, the deal is a steal. For each drink you order at the restaurant between 5pm and 8pm every Tuesday, you can enjoy “botanas”, or “small bites”, on the house. These dishes are an important part of Mexican fiestas and include ceviches, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, guacamole and chips, taquitos and garnachas.

June babies brunch for free at Bice

Celebrating a birthday this month? Head to the Hilton’s Italian Bice Ristorante in Jumeirah for a complimentary Friday brunch, from 12.30pm to 4pm. On the menu are all manner of hot and cold pizza; sharing pasta such as gnocchi, and ricotta and spinach; and a cheese station. A live grill station offers freshly cooked jumbo prawns, salmon, sea bream, sirloin, lamb rack and vegetable skewers. Save space for the seven-dish dessert selection, which takes in tiramisu, Nutella pizza, macarons, panna cotta, cannoli, chocolate mousse and a fruit salad. Your guests will pay between Dh250 and Dh325, while children under six eat free, too. Brunch is accompanied by a live saxophonist, and followed by complimentary access to the pool or beach at sunset.

New menu at Burger & Lobster

The DIFC joint has added seven dishes to its already decadent menu, ideal for times when you want to indulge. Burger Bombs will get you fried parcels of lobster meat with melted cheddar; Cali Burger has a 225-gram lobster patty with avocado, bacon and Swiss cheese; Dirty South comes with a 225g beef patty with bacon, American cheese, smoked BBQ sauce and onion rings; and The Frenchie has add-ons such as roasted garlic aioli, mustard and raclette cheese. Truffle lovers can get fresh lobster meat tossed in truffle mayo. And those who want the goodies without (as many of) the calories, there’s the lobster pomegranate salad with a buttermilk dressing.