Restaurants around the country are preparing to serve up a feast of love on Valentine’s Day. Whether you are looking for an intimate, proposal-worthy venue, a trendy, sophisticated spot or a romantic meal that will not break the bank, there is something to satisfy every couple’s desires. Here is our pick of some of the best places to celebrate your love. All meals are available on February 14 unless noted otherwise.
Trendy
Catch Dubai
Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road
This New York-style venue is offering a special set menu for a sophisticated – but not stuffy – night out. It includes half-a-dozen oysters and mains such as kale and quinoa salad with sweet chilli soy dressing, miso-sea bass with Cantonese fried rice, and a 48-hour hoisin-braised short rib with sweet potato. You will also get the restaurant’s famous “hit me!” dessert, moulded into the shape of a heart for the occasion.
• Dh800 a couple. Call 04 357 1755
Trendy
JW Steakhouse
Marriott Hotel Downtown, Abu Dhabi
Try this new steakhouse and enjoy a chic, romantic evening with a four-course menu. Start with Scottish Loch Fyne salmon, followed by a choice of mains that include pike perch fillet and Australian Wagyu beef. For dessert, dip into a sweet and salty concoction of beetroot and vanilla. If you are feeling energetic after all that, head to the hotel’s popular night spot, Velocity, to dance the night away.
• 6pm to 11.30pm, Dh280 a person. Call 02 304 7777
Over the top (and proposal-worthy)
The Hideaway, Butcher and Still
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
If money is no object – and you want to really impress that special someone – book a night at The Hideaway, an ultra-private dining room in the Butcher and Still restaurant at the Four Seasons. You’ll get exclusive use of The Hideaway, complete with a dinner for two that includes a welcome drink dusted with gold, 100 gold balloons, 100 roses and private live entertainment in the form of 1930s jazz music. The space will also be flooded with white and gold candles. If you want to pop the question, there is no better place to do it.
• Minimum spend of Dh15,000. Call 02 333 2700
Over the top (and proposal-worthy)
The Terrace on Level 42
Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai
Book a private dining experience at The Terrace for an unforgettable evening. Enjoy a stunning view of downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa as you tuck into a private meal, a five-course set menu including dishes such as lobster and scallop terrine with caviar, tomato, mango dressing and balsamic reduction, and fillet of beef rossini with celeriac purée, foie gras and black truffle.
• 7pm to midnight. Dh6,000 a couple. Reservations essential. Call 04 405 2703
Beachside dining
BBQ Al Qasr
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
For a romantic, beachside experience, reserve a table at BBQ Al Qasr in the capital’s most opulent hotel. Choose a sunset picnic on the beach, or go for a set menu later in the evening. The picnic on the beach includes musical entertainment from a live cellist as you watch the sun go down. Or book a table after sunset and indulge in a three- or five-course meal from a set menu, complete with red roses, candlelight and music.
• Picnic from 4.30pm to sunset, Dh520 a couple, including two selected beverages. Set dinner from 7pm to 11pm, Dh1,350 a couple for three courses; Dh1,850 for five, including beverages and complimentary one-way limousine transfer for Abu Dhabi city residents. Call 02 690 7999
Beachside dining
Turquoiz
The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
This beachside seafood restaurant has a few options for a romantic evening under the stars. Couples can dine on the beach, in the restaurant or in a private cabana. A four-course set menu will be served, with the options of caviar and selected beverages. Live music will help set the mood.
• Dh700 a couple (Dh1,150 with caviar; Dh1,450 with caviar and beverages). The cabana package costs Dh2,500 a couple. Call 02 498 8008
Beachside dining
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
The Palm Jumeirah
Chefs at Dining by Design have whipped up a delicious set menu for you to enjoy with the one you love at private sweetheart tabled on the beach, overlooking the Palm Jumeirah. The moonlit meal features a set menu, including oysters and caviar, along with love-themed desserts to finish the night on a sweet note.
• Dh3,200 a couple. Call 04 567 8304
On a budget
St Tropez Bistro
Dubai
For a wallet-friendly affair, take your sweetheart to this French bistro at the Mall of the Emirates or Century Village. The dishes on offer include Devon white crab ravioli in a roast tomato, olive beurre blanc with summer micro leaves, and grilled fillet of beef with cauliflower purée. For your dessert, don’t miss the oozing chocolate fondue served with shortbread, strawberries and caramelised marshmallows.
• Dh190 per person. February 7 to 14 at Mall of the Emirates (04 341 3415); February 14 only at Century Village
(04 286 9029)
On a budget
Cafe D’Alsace
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Head here for a romantic evening, plus the chance to win a sunset cruise for four. The restaurant serve a set menu featuring French cuisine, inclusive of two select beverages. Two lucky couples will also win a cruise, worth Dh500 a couple, through Abu Dhabi’s islands with Captain Tony’s boat tours.
• Dh390 a couple. Call 02 496 3412
sjohnson@thenational.ae
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Soldier F
“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.
“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.
“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”
Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
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Company%20profile
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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
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'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
TOUR DE FRANCE INFO
Dates: July 1-23
Distance: 3,540km
Stages: 21
Number of teams: 22
Number of riders: 198
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULT
Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Movie: Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3
Producer: JAR Films
Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Chitrangda Singh, Kabir Bedi
Rating: 3 star
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
