Dubai’s annual citywide culinary celebration, Dubai Food Festival (DFF), is set to return this year from 22 February to 10 March, serving up an enticing feast of events, activities and promotions across the city. Back for its fifth edition, the 17-day programme provides an opportunity for foodies to try some of the best gastronomic experiences the city has to offer.
Residents and visitors are invited to grab a plate and tuck in: whether an exquisite gourmet meal at one of Dubai’s finest restaurants, a delicious meal from a new food concept at the beach, or a snack at a small eatery they’ve not heard about yet. The celebration of food will come to life with a whole host of tasty events across the city, including the trendy Street Nights, family-friendly Kite Festival, or the culinary star-studded Taste of Dubai.
Etisalat Beach Canteen
Where: Jumeirah Beach behind Sunset Mall
The free-to-attend beachside hang out will run through the duration of the festival and is set to welcome new home-grown restaurants such as Bait Maryam and Zapiekanka as well as Poke Poke; Hub 1833; and Nablus, known for its artisan Kanafeh.
Budding chefs can brush up on their cooking skills at different masterclasses at Etisalat Beach Canteen, while those looking to find their inner zen can take part in morning XYoga sessions followed by a delightful breakfast by the beach.
The Etisalat Beach Canteen also serves as a festival hub, selling tickets to all key Dubai Food Festival events.
Dubai Restaurant Week
With 15 high-end restaurants across the city offering a limited-edition 3-course menu for only AED 199, this is a gourmet-food lover’s dream. Exclusively available from 22 February to 3 March, the meals offer world-class dining experiences with spectacular views of Dubai.
Favourites such as Scape Restaurant and Lounge and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen are back with scrumptious new menus, while new culinary gems like folly by Nick & Scott, LIMA Dubai and Toro + Ko are set to tantalise taste buds with their fresh new takes on Peruvian and Spanish cuisine.
The limited-edition menus for all 15 restaurants participating in Dubai Restaurant Week are available to book in advance exclusively on the RoundMenu website and app, with sittings at both 7pm and 9pm for groups of 2 to 10 people.
Book now.
Hidden Gems
Inviting residents of Dubai to speak from the heart (and stomach), Hidden Gems highlights hitherto undiscovered eateries in Old & New Dubai. 35 independent venues were shortlisted and nominated for public voting and 10 hidden gems were announced: http://www.dubaihiddengems.com.
Throughout Dubai Food Festival, these top 10 restaurants are set to offer a one-day only special deal, where diners can enjoy a two-course meal for only AED 25 per person.
What else is on?
Above and beyond this, there are several other exciting partner events like the Dubai Street Nights, Taste of Dubai, Dubai International Kite Fest, Thai Street Food Festival at The Backyard, Cafe Society: Beat the Chef competition, etc, which would give foodies another opportunity to participate in the festival:
| Event | Date and timing | Location |
| Bleu Blanc: Chef’s Table with David Myers | 22-24 February; 7pm | Bleu Blanc by David Myers, Renaissance Downtown Hotel |
| Streets of India – Bollywood Food Bazaar | 22 – 24 February: 3pm – 10pm | Dubai Parks and Resorts |
| Boutique Le Chocolat Masterclasses | City walk: 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar 12pm – 3pm – 6pm
Beach Canteen: 24 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar 5:30pm |
City Walk and Etisalat Beach Canteen |
| Dubai Street Nights | 1 – 3 March: 6pm | Al Seef |
| Street Social | 2 March; all-day | Marina Social |
| Arabian Nights at Ewaan | 7 March: 7pm – 11:30pm | Ewaan, The Palace Downtown Dubai |
| Taste of Dubai | 8 March: 4pm – 12am
9 and 10 March: 12pm – 12am |
Dubai Media City |
| Dubai International Kite Fest | 8 – 10 March: 11am – 9pm | Etisalat Beach Canteen |
| Dubai Street Food Awards | 10 March | Etisalat Beach Canteen |
| The Urban Farm at Cuisinero Uno | 23 Feb, 2 March, 9 March: 12pm-2pm | Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay |
| Thai Street Food Festival at The Backyard | Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay | |
| Ripe Market | Fridays: 9am – 4pm Saturdays: 12pm – 9pm |
Fridays: Zabeel Park, Gate 3
Saturdays: Al Barsha Pond Park |
| Cafe Society: Beat the Chef competition | Sundays and Wednesdays: 2 – 5pm | Tamani Marina Hotel, Dubai Marina |