A weekend to remember
Dubai’s biggest foodie playground took over the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre this past weekend, bringing together 16 of the city’s top restaurants, celebrity chefs and three days of live music, workshops and open-air festival energy.
If you were there, you know – it was a perfect weekend involving grazing your way through standout dishes while DJs spin in the background, this is one event to lock into your calendar.
Part food fiesta, part music festival and part family day out, Taste of Dubai transforms the amphitheatre into a buzzing hub of flavours and entertainment. The festival is designed around tasting-sized plates, meaning you can hop from stand to stand sampling dishes instead of committing to a single meal.
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Organisers expected more than 27,000 visitors across the weekend, making it one of the city’s largest culinary gatherings. Alongside the food, there was a packed schedule of live bands, DJ sets and interactive experiences running from midday into the evening.
This year, 16 restaurants were serving exclusive festival menus, each offering four to five tasting dishes created especially for the event. This was the chance to try signature bites — and often off-menu specials — from some of Dubai’s most talked-about kitchens.
The line-up included The Guild, Nama Yoso, Rhodes W1, Lento, Indya by Vineet, Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval, Demon Duck Dubai, Leña Dubai, The Beam by Nick Alvis, Lowe, Indilight Turkey, Franky’s Pizzeria, Duck & Waffle, Akira Back, Khadak and Ting Irie.
Taste of Dubai isn’t just about eating. Across the weekend, visitors caught live cooking demos and joined hands-on workshops led by well-known chefs. Visitors also saw appearances from international and UAE culinary names including Rachel Allen, Gino D’Acampo, Warren Mendes and Matt Preston.
Many sessions were free with same-day sign-up and operateed on a first-come, first-served basis, covering everything from barbecue techniques to home-cooking tips. There were also dedicated workshops for children, making it a hit with families.
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Beyond the kitchens, the festival kept the energy high with multiple music areas featuring live bands and DJs. Visitors chose between upbeat sets or more laid-back acoustic performances, while licensed bars served drinks for guests aged 21 and over.
There was plenty for younger visitors too, with kids’ cooking activities and interactive zones running throughout the day. A foodie quiz took place on Friday February 6 at 4.30pm at the Tequila Stage, alongside pop-ups offering free tastings, games and merchandise.
Image credit: @indyadubai
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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