MONICA SELECTS
Check out our list of the latest happenings in food, travel and lifestyle
REGULARLY UPDATED: last update
12th September 2026
EAT
New Japanese in JLT- NOREN
- Location: Jumeirah Lakes Towers
- Concept: The first independent restaurant from Ilir Caushi and Pawel Kazanowski, former Managing Director and Executive Chef behind Zuma’s global success
- Vibe: Named after the traditional Japanese entrance curtain, designed to be part of everyday life, from a quick drink at the bar to a business lunch, dinner with friends or the full tasting menu
- Drinks: Signature cocktails and an extensive sake list at the central island bar
We’re trying it soon to tell you what we think! Follow DoinDubai’s Instagram to see what it’s like when we go.
LIFESTYLE
QUEEN - It's a Kind of Magic Tour
Sony Music Vision presents Queen Budapest, capturing the band’s final filmed performance with Freddie Mercury and the first Western stadium rock show behind the Iron Curtain.
Filmed on July 27, 1986 at Budapest’s Népstadion during ‘The Magic Tour’, the concert features hits including We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Under Pressure and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Restored in 4K by Sir Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production, with newly remixed audio, the film hits cinemas and IMAX globally from October 7 via Trafalgar Releasing, marking 40 years since the historic show.
A multi-format audio package, including a 3LP vinyl set for the first time, follows on October 30.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
DETAILS AT queenbudapest.com
WATCH & LISTEN TO TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN
LIVE FROM BUDAPEST here
EAT
NEW JAPANESE IN JUMEIRAH - Coming Soon!
EAT – Tora Tora is coming to Dubai
- Location: First Avenue Mall, Jumeirah
- Concept: New ramen-focused Japanese concept inspired by Japanese street culture
- Food & Drink: Ramen, Japanese street food and handcrafted beverages in a bold, energetic setting
- Vibe: Designed to become Dubai’s go-to destination for ramen and Japanese street food, working from breakfast and quick lunches through to casual dinners with friends
- Opening: Coming soon, date to be announced
We’re trying it soon to tell you what we think! Follow DoinDubai’s Instagram to see what it’s like when we go.
EAT
HIGH END HAPPY HOUR - DIFC - Spanish Style
The Vibe A good selection of sangrias, red or white wine, beer and a few cocktails on rotation.
Any food? Yes! A selection of vegetarian and non vegetarian snacks, small plates made for sharing.
Noteworthy The white wine was excellent quality, genuinely better than places we’ve paid more for.
Price AED 35 per drink and per snack, each snack comfortably feeds two.
When 4pm to 7pm, weekdays only
Where? Barrafina, DIFC Gate Village 5. Mention DoinDubai when you book.
Save room for dessert, a few spoons of the Basque cheesecake is a must.
Thank you to Chef Ishan for coming out to chat with us during the experience.
Want more high end happy hours?
Check out our High End Happy Hour post for the full list.
EAT
Set lunch GREAT VALUE NICE SETTING
Awesome Onam Meal
Food, flowers and fun; Onam is Kerala’s harvest festival, marking King Mahabali’s mythical homecoming with flower carpets, tiger dances and a lavish vegetarian feast, celebrated across Dubai with mall performances, pookalam displays and banana-leaf sadhya feasts.
My pick: Punjab Grill at Anantara Downtown hotel Dubai – serving a lavish 33-plus dish Onam sadhya lunch from August 21–26. Wednesday 26th is sold out and Sunday 22nd is nearly gone book now!
PRICE Just AED 99!
Missed out? Find more Kerala thali meals around Dubai here.
Learn what Onam’s all about and why it’s celebrated, such a lovely story, in this quick summary post we compiled called Onam in Dubai
EAT - featured
Set lunch TRIED and RECOMMEND
Good value high end set lunch available on the WEEKEND too. What do you get for AED 165 per head?
Click the picture to find out.
The Menu Edamame to start for the whole table, then choose 2 starters each from a really good selection, one main course, served with a generous side of mushroom rice.
Add on Dessert for a very reasonable AED 35 we liked the cheesecake.
Good to know At AED 165 it’s a good deal. Add a cocktail, glass of wine and a coffee and some pudding, you’re looking at roughly +AED 150 per head; still a very nice high-end deal, especially for visitors who want something that wows.
The “Monica” Tip Ask for one of the alcove tables overlooking the ocean.
When Saturday and Sunday as well as Monday to Friday | 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Where Nobu, Atlantis – The Palm, NOT Nobu The Royal. Mention DoinDubai when you book.
NEW - Business Lunch Cocina Tres
LOVE MEXICAN? Then read this
Cocina Tres now opens during the day with La Comida – its first-ever weekend lunch. Business lunch is served every Friday and Saturday.
AED 120 for two courses or AED 145 for three courses.
- The Menu: Start with Guacamole de la Casa, Diosa Verde or crisp Tuna Tostadas. For mains, choose from three signature tacos or wood-fired dishes including Pescado Zarandeado, Pollo Rostizado and Coliflor a las Brasas – all served with authentic rice, beans and warm, handmade tortillas.
- The Vibe –A celebratory end to the work week or a relaxed, social midday break.
- Mention DoinDubai when you book.
FEATURED - Tried & Tested
LOVE OYSTERS ? Then read this
Unlimited Oysters & Prosecco Fresh oysters, flowing prosecco – all unlimited. We tried this deal on a balmy Friday evening and loved it! Managed to sit on the terrace too.
Add some snacks and the weekend is off to a good start!
When Friday evenings till closing
Where FLOOKA – Dubai Marine Beach Resort, Jumeirah 1 Book ahead – Who remembers this place from when they first came to Dubai?
Price AED 155 per person from 7pm till closing time. Mention DoinDubai when you book.
FEATURED - New tasting menu
LOVE INDIAN FOOD ? Then read this
Taste of Khadak – NEW Tasting Menu
Khadak, Al Wasl, Dubai · Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
This curated tasting menu is Chef Naved Nasir’s edit of his most-loved dishes: kale chaat, haleem, a guava chilli granita, a choice of main, and Kaju Phirni with Irani chai or Malabar coffee to finish. Full non-veg and vegetarian menus available.
AED 185 per person for this quality and range is great value. Unlike most set menus, it runs Monday to Friday, noon to midnight. No rushed lunch slot, no early bird caveat. We haven’t done the full tasting menu yet, but it’s firmly on our list to try – soon!
We’ll share our experience on DoinDubai’s instagram soon so stay tuned.
- FOOD – Full non-veg and vegetarian menus available. Click to see the Taste of Khadak MENUS
- PRICE – AED 185 per person: genuinely hard to beat for this quality and range.
- TIMINGS – Available Monday to Friday, noon to midnight.
- BOOK A TABLE reservation link
Don’t fancy a set menu? Then GO A LA CARTE.
HAPPPY HOUR - DAILY
GREAT WAY TO WIND DOWN- Central American style
Girl and The Goose – Tranquilo Hour Tried and loved this one! Was there again last Monday!
The Vibe Good selection of wine, cocktails and prosecco.
Any food? Yes! A very good bar bites menu, featuring favourites like Gigi’s Guacamole and the famous empanadas – choose chicken or cheese with caramelized onions.
Price Drinks starting at AED 35.
When Daily | 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where Girl and The Goose – Ground Floor, Anantara Downtown Dubai (formerly The Oberoi), Business Bay. Mention DoinDubai when you book.
Check out the DoinDubai Instagram F&B Highlights for more like this → @doindubai
ESCAPE - FEATURED
Back to Bangkok - FLYDUBAI TO BANGKOK
STARTED! JULY 2026 flydubai starts a new double-daily service from DXB Terminal 3 to Don Mueang International Airport DMK – not BKK
Frequency 2x daily (bringing Thailand operations to 28 weekly flights).
Terminal Operating from DXB Terminal 3 (Emirates codeshare)
Why DMK? Don Mueang is located north of the city center, offering a faster gateway to Bangkok’s vibrant street food scene and central districts.
Network Bangkok joins Krabi, Langkawi, and Penang in flydubai’s growing Southeast Asian footprint.
Eat, sleep and see the city like a local
✈️ See our favourite Bangkok Bites on IG here
NEW SUBSCRIBER PRO TIP! If you want our curated Bangkok Guide subscribe to the blog here.
FEATURED - NEW
LIFESTYLE: Hidden garden cafe & Co working
Cool New Co-Working Spot Now it’s getting hot outside, this one is a breath of fresh air.
Where is this? Artisan Bakers – The Garden Concept brings the outside in with lush greenery, great breakfast and a hidden-in-plain-sight garden cafe vibe.
Perfect for a working morning that doesn’t feel like work.
Where – Sheikh Zayed Road, near Gold and Diamond park. Go before word gets out. Valet parking available.
ESCAPE
Saadiyat style staycation
UAE RESIDENT OFFER – 24 Hours in the Cultural District: How To Spend It – click the picture to go there!
Stay – St. Regis Saadiyat Island
The Deal: UAE Residents get 15% off standard rates. A stay with breakfast is around AED 1400 all-in depending on occupancy on the day.
The Perks: Early 12 pm check-in and late 3 pm check-out. Plus, kids 11 and under eat breakfast for free – breakfast is substantial and served till 11am
The Vibe: We LOVED swimming in the ocean here, cool, clear, calm water with with excellent beach-side service.
Culture: 10 mins from the Louvre, Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum – which is fabulous and features so much more than just dinosaurs! Don’t Miss: Picasso, The Figure exhibition at the Louvre is only on until May 31st.
Tickets: Entry is AED 70 per adult. Pro Tip: Residents 60 and over (show your Emirates ID) and under 18s enter for free. Or, grab a Museums Pass for multi-site discounts.
Outdoors: Take a stunning beach walk at dawn/dusk or play a round at the golf course right next door.
The Temple Trip: Visit the beautiful BAPS Temple between the St Regis and Dubai (30 mins away). It’s free, breathtaking, and has delicious snacks at The Orchard cafe.
Eat Here
Niri – High end Japanese in Mamsha area Only 5 mins away, a cool, licensed Japanese spot by the sea with great vibes and very reasonable prices.
Note: Plan carefully as both the Louvre and the BAPS Temple are closed on Mondays.
FEATURED
Best happy hour deal- extended till end of July!
LUXURY FOR LESS – TRY IT NOW
The Deal : Happy Hour from 4pm till closing time.
The Offer : Wines, spirits and cocktails from AED 39 per glass
The Vibe : Beautiful setting with sophisticated without the snobby feel and lovely service too.
Any food? Yes! Plenty, choose from the bites menu see our spicy tuna rolls featured, and or select from the a la carte menu. Vegetarian also available.
Where are we: MAYABAY – Jumeirah Al Naseem Turtle Lagoon, beach level.
Highly recommend. But book before you go and mention Monica from DoinDubai.
LIFESTYLE featured
Get on this list
I went to a taster session of Giovanna Elias’s The Connection Code and was genuinely impressed – that’s why I’m happily recommending it here.
The premise? the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships, and Giovanna’s work is all about connecting with more purpose and more clarity. This isn’t a heavy or difficult course – it’s genuinely useful.
Come away with techniques and tips you can apply instantly. I’ve been using them myself, and they’re accessible and easy to put into practice.
So if that resonates, and you want to get more out of your relationships simply by communicating better, add your name to Giovanna’s list to hear when the next dates are announced.
Reach out to her via Instagram:
@giovanna.fjm.elias
LinkedIn: Relationships & Communication Coach
See my taster experience via the DoinDubai Networking & Wellbeing highlights on Instagram: @doindubai
and just register your interest in the next workshop.
GOURMET STAYCATION
EAT: Little Miss India
What”s the nicest Indian restaurant on the Palm?
We think it’s LITTLE MISS INDIA
Stay here and EAT FOR FREE!
Click the picture to hear what I’m saying.
EAT HERE with your AED 595 credit – as that’s all it costs to sayt here from your staycation at the Fairmont on the Palm! See the STAYCATION OFFFER BELOW – till end of May.
Cool cocktails mixed table-side, fabulous food, we loved our Chettinad prawns, and eating inside now it’s hot is a delight as the decor and table settings are gorgeous!
That’s a cool staycation deal if ever I saw one!
EAT
Eating Out: Still some discounts but not as big but getting smaller. See below
Keep checking this page for the NEWEST offers, more coming in all the time.
The Guild – ICD Brookfield Updated July We think WEDNESDAY is the best day of the week. Ladies free flow wine at the bar – complimentary.
Robertos – Gate Village 5 DIFC – HAPPY HOUR from 4pm till later Monday to Saturday. Wine and cocktails around AED 40 served with selections of bread, olive oils and small snacks. A nice apperitvo menu too. But really you could EAT THE VIBES here. A stunning refurbishment worth going just for that. Get a table on the terrace.
Josette – ICD Brookfield The 50% off brunch has ended BUT for MAY it’s still AED 399 house package that’s 40% off for weekend brunch AND 30% off usual a la carte menu as we write that includes food and beverages – note KIDS EAT FREE when parents book the brunch package – SEE TUESDAY DEAL ABOVE
Kira – Marsa Al Arab Enjoy 30% off your total bill – ongoing but it gets very busy at the weekend!
Il Borro Jumeirah Al Naseem – is offering an AT HOME menu comprising of starters, mains and a dessert designed to share for 2 people. AED 350 in total.
We had dinner at the restaurant itself this week, My Top Tip is the Bufala pizza 8 slices AED 98 fabulous.
Arrogante – Dubai Opera District 30% off a la carte and the Ikigai deal 20 pieces of gourmet sushi for AED 159.
STAYCATION
Fabulous Fairmont offer
100% Back: Rates from AED 595 with the full amount returned as resort credit for dining. Includes great restaurants like Little Miss India too!
Extended Hours: Relax longer with 9 am check-in and 7 pm check-out.
More Value: GUARANTEED room UPGRADES!
Total Immersion: Use your credit for beachside lunches, sunset dinners, or wellness treatments without leaving the city.
FEATURED
Best value high end weekend lunch deal
A fabulous contemporary Japanese Robatayaki experience in the heart of the city AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS TOO! Where are we?
ROKA – Business Bay
The Price: AED 125 per person (Classic) AED 180 per person (Premium)
The Menu multiple starter each followed by one signature main course and a side of ginger toban rice.
Vibe: Sleek, urban, sophisticated feel. Nice terrace with cool views of the Burj Khalifa.
The “Monica” Tip: We love the dedicated vegetarian business lunch menu (AED 125)
When: Monday to Friday | 12:00pm – 3:30 pm AND SUNDAY (A rare find for a “business” deal – show them this post when you book!
Location: Level 1, ME Dubai, The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay
FEATURED
Best value high end weekend lunch deal
A multi-course meal featuring Japanese/Peruvian food – 22nd floor at NOBU DUBAI
The Price AED 165 per person
The Menu Edamame, followed by 2 starters, one main, & a side of rice.
Vibe High-end yet accessible, with decent vegetarian options for every course.
When Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Atlantis – The Palm Jumeirah
ESCAPE
New route from flydubai
flydubai has launched a twice-weekly service to Chișinău, becoming the only UAE carrier to offer a direct link to Moldova’s verdant capital.
The Vibe Often called the “Green City,” Chișinău is one of Europe’s most lush destinations, famous for its massive parks, white limestone architecture, and legendary wine culture.
The Journey Flights depart every Wednesday and Sunday from Terminal 2 (DXB). With a short 5.5-hour flight time, it’s an effortless jump into Eastern Europe’s hidden gem.
Why Now It’s the ultimate “off-the-beaten-path” retreat for those seeking fresh air, sprawling gardens like Valea Morilor, and refined, authentic experiences away from the usual crowds.
LIFESTYLE
Wellness & Events
SACRA (Jumeirah 1) the region’s wellness complex features a 50sqm banya and advanced hydrothermal recovery.
YOUR BRAND IN FRONT OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY SPEND
Get featured on Monica Selects
Monica Selects is a hand-curated shortlist, it’s not an algorithm, not a directory.
Our 1000 subscribers are Dubai residents and frequent visitors who trust this list because everything on it has been personally tried and loved by me, or it’s something that’s on our must try list!
Our subscribers trust my taste. If your brand belongs here, please get in touch.
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If you think you’re a fit, get in touch. We’ll tell you honestly if you are.
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