The Eid Al Adha holiday weekend isn't just a time for reflection and celebration with family and friends. It's an excuse to indulge in everything from sizzling grills to bottomless brunches.
The holiday for workers begins on Thursday and Eid Al Adha itself runs from Friday to Sunday. Special menus and dining deals abound across the Emirates.
This list of dining options in Dubai is not exhaustive, but each is worthy considering.
Tatel
Cecina and live oyster stations are the highlights at the Spanish fine-dining restaurant part-owned by sporting superstars Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo. After a welcome drink on arrival, diners can choose from an a la carte menu that includes Balfego tuna and arroz del senoret – described as a “rich medley of seafood”. A new molten pistachio cake with vanilla cream and chocolate ice cream is among the dessert options.
Thursday to Saturday, 5pm to 2am; Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection, Downtown Dubai; 04 215 2121
Punjab Grill
There is a two-for-one offer on the Eid menu at the Indian restaurant's Abu Dhabi and Dubai branches. The set menu is Dh350 per person, but if you book in advance, it's buy one, get one free. The three-course sharing-style menu by chef Sandeep Ail includes a kebab platter, classic butter chicken and mango cheesecake.
Thursday to Sunday, all day; The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi, 50 668 3054; Anantara Downtown Dubai, 50 194 1107
Maison de la Plage
The beach club venue has a live music lunch in a one-day-only celebration on Saturday. The band will perform indoors from 3pm, but guests can also dine al fresco by the pool. Chef Izu Ani, known for his Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, has curated a menu that includes an “indulgent” Izu burger and a burrata salad.
Saturday, 3pm; West Palm Beach; 044 52 3344
The Permit Room
Free baklava cheesecake is being dished out to every table at this Indian restaurant. It can be paired with chef Harangad Singh's best dishes, which include burrata chaat, truffle amritsari kulcha and spicy mushroom momos. The Ferrero Rocher choco bar is also recommended for dessert.
Thursday to Sunday; Majestic City Retreat, Mankhool; 05 479 11796
Baba’s
Diners are in for a sweet surprise at this Punjabi restaurant. Sit-in guests are treated to a free serving of traditional Punjabi kheer (rice pudding), usually priced at Dh24, for six days. Traditional dishes include tandoori platters and slow-cooked dal makhani. Baba's butter chicken recipe dates back to 1962.
Wednesday to Monday; Ground Floor, DXB Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre Area; 50 702 4944
Eid-E-Khaas
The affordable Punjabi dining spot, which has four branches across the city, is offering all-you-can-eat traditional thali for Dh65. Tangy Lahori chana chaat kicks things off and is followed by all the usual favourites, including slow-cooked mutton kassa and baklava shrikhand for dessert.
Thursday to Sunday; Dhaba Lane Karama, behind Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel; Dhaba Lane Garhoud, Al Garhoud Views Building; JLT, Cluster D, Podium, Jumeirah Lakes Towers; Al Nahda, Talal Humaid Belhoul Building, Street 13, Al Nahda
Akabeko
The Japanese restaurant specialises in yakiniku, a tabletop grilling style in which bite-sized pieces of meat are cooked in front of diners. A Wagyu feast is on offer for Eid, with three set menu options. There's a six-course beginner set for Dh450 per person; a 10-course intermediate set for Dh700; and a whopping 12-course set for Dh950 which must be booked in advance.
Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 2:30pm for lunch, or 6pm to 10pm for dinner; Voco Dubai, The Palm, G01, Palm Jumeirah West Beach; 50 561 8288
Amelia
Japanese and Peruvian cuisine with Mediterranean influences in a retro-futuristic steampunk three-level setting are all part of the appeal at this Downtown venue. The Eid menu highlights include hamachi ceviche and atun clasica, crafted with bluefin tuna and dragon fruit. Los Postres de Amelia, a curated selection of Amelia’s most iconic sweets, sounds like a dessert showstopper.
Thursday to Sunday, 7pm to 3am; Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai; 050 170 2805
Eat & Meat
For Dh199 per person, a lavish international buffet brunch with live entertainment and family fun is promised at the H Dubai dining destination. Early-bird and group bookings can be secured for Dh179 and children under 12 eat free. Flavours come from the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean, and a kids zone aims to keep children entertained with arts, crafts, balloon twisting and more. Free pool access after 4pm is an added bonus.
Saturday, 1pm to 4pm; The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road; 04 501 888
Entre-Nous
International buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at the Novotel World Trade Centre restaurant for Eid. Highlights include Arabic lentil soup; mixed grill and lamb ouzi; and hot kunafa and kataif to end on a sweet note. The breakfast buffet is Dh99; lunch, from noon to 4pm, is Dh189; and dinner, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, is Dh179.
Friday to Monday; Novotel World Trade Centre; 50 365 4315
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
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
Racecard
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The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20EPD%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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."
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
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