Winter in the UAE is the ideal time to get outdoors and enjoy some time with pets. The cooler weather is a welcome relief, especially for pet owners, who can explore more of Dubai and Abu Dhabi without the concern of summer heat.
No matter the emirate, these pet-friendly cafes and restaurants offer warm hospitality, delicious food and, perhaps most importantly, spaces where pets are as welcome as their human companions.
Dubai
Arrows & Sparrows
A popular spot in The Greens, this cafe features a cosy outdoor terrace that welcomes pets. It offers a variety of health-conscious meals, including vegan and gluten-free options, as well ass some signature coffee blends.
Daily, 7am-10pm; Emaar Business Park; 04 558 8141
1762 Stripped
The cafe in Jumeirah Lakes Towers has a large, pet-friendly outdoor terrace, where dogs can stretch out comfortably while owners enjoy their meal. Staff are attentive to furry guests, offering water bowls and sometimes bringing treats to keep them entertained.
Daily, 7am-9pm; One JLT; 04 448 6604
Counter Culture Cafe
Located at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Counter Culture Cafe offers a laid-back, pet-friendly outdoor seating area for enjoying breakfast or lunch with your pet, who can keep cool at the designated drinking stations. On offer is an array of freshly baked goods, smoothies and brunch classics.
Daily, 7am-10pm; Dubai Marina; 04 319 4000
Cafe Artois
Located at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Cafe Artois combines a waterfront setting with a pet-friendly vibe. The spacious terrace offers beautiful views of Dubai Canal, as well as an extensive food and drink menu. Pets are welcome to sit outdoors and provided water bowls.
Monday to Thursday, 4pm-1am; Friday, 4pm-2am; Saturday, noon-2am; Sunday, noon-1am; Business Bay; 04 414 3000
Tail Cafe
This Dubai Investment Park spot offers a dedicated pet-friendly experience, complete with spacious outdoor seating, water bowls, leash hooks and shaded areas. The cafe also often holds adoption days.
Daily, 7am-9pm; Green Community Village; 04 835 7281
Abu Dhabi
Coffee Architecture
This venue at Mamsha Al Sadiyaat is known for its passion for specialty coffee, as well as its warm and pet-friendly atmosphere. Canines can join their human companions at the outside tables. Emirati founder Nooran Albannay's love for coffee is evident, with a variety of specialities on the menu.
Sunday to Thursday, 9am-10pm; Friday and Saturday, 9am-midnight; Mamsha Al Sadiyaat; 055 446 3433
Drop
The Yas Bay spot has made its mark with minimalist interiors and excellent coffee. The outdoor seating area is pet-friendly, and water bowls are available upon request. A variety of coffee blends and pastries are on the menu here.
Sunday to Thursday, 8am-11pm, Friday to Saturday, 8am-midnight; Yas Bay Waterfront; 02 550 4683
Crunch & Munch Cafe
The boutique cafe at Sheikha Fatima Park has an outdoor seating area where pets are allowed, and they can also accommodate special requests from pet owners. The menu here offers a variety of items, including breakfast platters and smoothies.
Daily, 8am-11pm; Sheikha Fatima Park; 02 633 3433
The Lighthouse
With stunning views over the waterfront, the Yas Bay restaurant offers a chic yet pet-friendly setting where furry friends can accomany their owners on the terrace. The cafe is known for its Mediterranean-inspired menu, and staff welcome pets, often providing water bowls to keep them comfortable while you dine.
Monday to Thursday, 8am-midnight; Friday to Sunday, 8am-1am; Yas Bay Waterfront; 02 236 7831
Circle Cafe
Its outpost on Saadiyat Island welcomes pets to the outdoor area. The menu here is diverse, and includes fresh bagels and hearty pasta dishes. It also offers a relaxed and scenic setting.
Daily, 8am-10pm; Saadiyat Island; 02 448 4255
Some tips for visiting pet-friendly cafes in the UAE
Bringing your pet to a cafe is a great way to bond and socialise, but it’s essential to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always check before visiting. While these cafes are pet-friendly, policies can change, and it’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm.
- Always pack essentials. Bring a portable water bowl and leash, as most venues will require pets to stay leashed. Having a few of your pet’s favourite treats or toys can also help keep them calm.
- Always respect others. Other guests might not be comfortable with pets around, so keep yours close to your seating area and always be mindful of their behaviour around other people and pets.
- Always clean up after your pet. Carry waste bags with you and dispose of them properly.
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
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
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
ICC men's cricketer of the year
2004 - Rahul Dravid (IND) ; 2005 - Jacques Kallis (SA) and Andrew Flintoff (ENG); 2006 - Ricky Ponting (AUS); 2007 - Ricky Ponting; 2008 - Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI); 2009 - Mitchell Johnson (AUS); 2010 - Sachin Tendulkar (IND); 2011 - Jonathan Trott (ENG); 2012 - Kumar Sangakkara (SL); 2013 - Michael Clarke (AUS); 2014 - Mitchell Johnson; 2015 - Steve Smith (AUS); 2016 - Ravichandran Ashwin (IND); 2017 - Virat Kohli (IND); 2018 - Virat Kohli; 2019 - Ben Stokes (ENG); 2021 - Shaheen Afridi
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Price: From Dh117,059
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
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Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
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