Your ultimate weekend guide in the UAE, August 28, 2025
Visit Dubai’s newest cafés
From homegrown brands expanding into lush neighborhoods like Al Barari, to artisanal bakeries in Nad Al Sheba, minimalist specialty labs in Design District, and chic glasshouse cafés along Jumeirah’s Al Wasl, the city is embracing cafés as social and cultural hubs. Menus now spotlight everything from French-Japanese fusion and plant-forward cuisine to curated matcha blends and small-batch roasts, reflecting Dubai’s appetite for both global trends and local creativity. This new wave of cafés mirrors the city’s cosmopolitan rhythm spaces where people gather, work, unwind, and savor slow living amidst a fast-paced urban landscape. From Milk Haus to Julith Coffee, Emirates Woman has curated a guide of must-visit hotspots.
See our full guide of editor-approved cafés here.
Upgrade your fitness routine
Fitness First has reopened its iconic Dubai Media City club, transforming the historic site into a flagship wellness destination that blends legacy with innovation. The reimagined space features specialised studios for Pilates, cycling, boxing, yoga and HIIT, along with an indoor bouldering wall, pool, outdoor zones and exclusive classes. Members also benefit from a new Advanced Recovery Zone with infrared saunas, cold plunge pools and compression therapy, plus a lounge, health bar and the personalised MyCoach programme. Access extends across all regional clubs, and new joiners can enjoy up to three months complimentary as part of the launch offer. Customers have access to unlimited access to Reformer Pilates, Barre, Swing Yoga, HIIT, Zumba, TRX, Les Mills favourites such as BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT, plus Fitness First’s exclusive water-based programmes and virtual workouts available on demand.
For more information visit uae.fitnessfirstme.com
Indulge in some finely crafted pizza
Blu Pizzeria, the homegrown sourdough Neapolitan pizza boutique, is officially opening on Friday, 22nd August on Al Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, marking its largest and most ambitious branch yet. Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Abdelrahman Alteneiji, the brand fuses Napoli-style traditions with bold Middle Eastern flavours, offering both timeless classics and inventive creations like the Margherita-inspired Margo, Spicy Pepperoni with hot honey, Musakhan with sumac and almonds, and indulgent Short Ribs and Spicy Wagyu pizzas. The 5,000-square-foot seaside space reflects Blu’s minimalist ethos with natural materials, clean lines, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Exclusive to Abu Dhabi, three debut dishes, a capital-inspired pizza, signature appetizer, and a unique tiramisu celebrate local creativity and flavour. With branches in Dubai and Riyadh, and upcoming international launches in London, New York, and Los Angeles, the Al Saadiyat opening signals a milestone in Blu’s regional and global journey.
For more information visit @blupizzeria
Ensure you get a weekend reset
After long strenuous hours during the week, it’s important destress, switch-off and a relaxing spa session is the best way to do so. Each of these spas offers a unique experience, combining world-class treatments with luxurious settings. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Hammam, a relaxing massage, or a comprehensive wellness programme. With wellbeing now being more at the forefront of our minds in the UAE, there have never been more excuses to exercise wellness on a weekly basis to have a technology-free session to switch off. Be it Steamy hammams and frankincense compresses hark back to beauty rituals of yore while pulsing Iyashi Domes and caviar facials speak to innovative technologies and amenities. So, we’ve selected the very best havens to either book for a solo date for some self-care or to even treat that someone special in your life.
For more information visit here.
Savour this new menu
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Atlantis The Royal has launched a refreshed fall menu with 10 new dishes under Chef de Cuisine Chris Malone. Highlights include Scallop & White Chocolate with caviar, Buttered Crab Loaf with sea urchin, Turbot & Green Sauce, and Chicken & Macrows, alongside classics like Wagyu with triple cooked chips. New desserts such as the Tipsy Tea Cake and Lamington Cake join the lineup, while a curated cheese trolley with artisanal pairings adds a playful finale. The menu is priced at Dhs580 for three courses or Dhs670 for four, available daily for lunch and dinner.
For more information visit atlantis.com
Start a nutritious meal plan
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Download the Right Bite app and begin your wellness journey. The Right Bite app has significantly transformed the meal planning experience by offering greater flexibility, personalization, and ease of management. From the very beginning, the app provides a tailored experience through an initial nutritional assessment that helps understand individual goals and preferences. Customers can fine-tune their plans at any time with the guidance of our dietitians, ensuring the plan evolves with their needs. You can even try the Righe Bite meal plan for one day at Dhs49.
For more information visit here.
A hamper for all the foodies..
A little treat goes a long way, and Pret A Manger has made gifting easier with their new hampers, perfect for thank-yous, park picnics, or simply “just because.” Choose to build your own with Pret favourites or pick from ready-to-go options like The Picnic Basket for two or The Gifting Basket for a crowd, now available at select Pret stores across Dubai including One Za’abeel, DIFC, Index Mall, EMAAR Square, Bay Avenue Mall, and Dubai Internet City Building 24, or browse the full selection online.
For more information visit pretcatering.ae
Stock up on all your beauty favourites
Guerlain unveils the Majestic Feathers limited-edition collection for Fall 2025, inspired by the rich colours and textures of bird plumage. Iconic products are reimagined in jewel-like cases and exclusive shades: Rouge G debuts three feather-inspired sheaths (Songbird, Phoenix, Peacock) and eight velvety lip colours with a luminous matte finish; Ombres G adds two new eyeshadow harmonies – Emerald Feather and Birdy Beige; Terracotta Peacock blends bronzer with blush shades in a feather motif for a radiant glow; and Météorites Phoenix comes in a golden case adorned with phoenix-inspired plumage, featuring pearls in nude beige and magenta pink for a luminous finish.
For more information visit guerlain.com
Press the weekend reset button
Where luxury meets results, ReFIVE Spa and Gym at FIVE LUXE JBR redefines wellbeing with Omorovicza’s world-class facials, including the Blue Diamond Men’s Facial and Gold Hydralifting Facial, alongside a state-of-the-art 7,000 sq. ft. gym with breathtaking Gulf views, yoga, sound healing, and holistic therapies like Ice Bath and Infrared Sauna. Guests can indulge in the Spa, Lunch and Pool experience, pairing rejuvenating treatments with a gourmet three-course meal and vibrant poolside leisure, an all-encompassing journey to beauty, balance, and performance. The Omorovicza Blue Diamond’s Men’s Facial and Omorovicza Gold Hydralifting Facial at 60 minutes each is priced at Dhs995. The exclusive spa, lunch and pool package is priced at Dhs459 and the whole day gym package at Dhs195. It’s open from Friday to Sunday 10am to 12am and Monday to Thursday 10am to 10pm.
For more information visit luxejbr.fivehotelsandresorts.com
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Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @mittth
