Tired of Googling “Things to do in Dubai” every weekend, only to mindlessly scroll through overwhelming options before surrendering to your faithful bed and Netflix? We’ve been there; matching the pace with Dubai’s eternally expanding dining scene, art exhibits, weekend brunches, and outdoor adventures can be daunting. Keen on making your weekends more exciting?
Discover Buro’s Weekend Playbook, your secret decoder, to unlock the very best Dubai has to offer.
VISIT DUBAI’S MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE CAFE
Dubai has no shortage of aesthetic cafés, but Forever Rose Café still manages to stand apart. Forever Rose Café feels like walking into a hand-drawn sketch, where black-and-white interiors are punctuated by rich red roses and soft lighting. It’s as much about soaking in the atmosphere as it is about the menu, making it an easy pick for a slow afternoon, a photo break, or a casual catch-up that feels anything but ordinary.
CATCH WICKED THE MUSICAL AT DUBAI OPERA
If your weekend plans could use a little drama (the good kind), WICKED has landed at Dubai Opera for a limited run. The globally loved musical revisits Oz long before Dorothy, tracing the complicated friendship between Glinda and Elphaba with big emotions, bold staging, and songs you already know by heart. Expect spectacle, sharp storytelling, and a reminder of why this show continues to pack theaters around the world.
TRY THE NEW DISHES AT DADDY’S COOL KITCHEN
For a weekend meal that hits all the right notes, Daddy Cool’s Kitchen is worth a detour. The expanded menu leans into Iraqi home-style cooking, serving everything from warming soups and dolma to biryani and casual wraps, finished off with classic desserts. Whether you’re dining in or ordering for a group, it’s the kind of food that feels generous, familiar, and deeply satisfying.
CARB OVERLOAD WITH ADIDAS
Running season is in full swing, and adidas is turning pre-race fueling into a social moment. Head to Kite Beach for a one-day pasta pop-up that brings runners together the night before race day. Show your bib, grab a plate, and soak up the community energy. Not running? You’ll still feel the buzz of the city coming together around sport, food, and a shared ritual.
FEED YOUR CREATIVITY AT SIKKA ART FESTIVAL
For something slower and more reflective, make your way to Sikka Art & Design Festival, hosted across the lanes of Al Shindagha Historic District. Organized by Dubai Culture, the festival brings emerging Emirati and GCC artists together through installations, talks, performances, and workshops. It’s free, open to all ages, and perfect for an unhurried afternoon of exploring ideas, creativity, and the city’s cultural pulse.
ALSO READ: SWAY AND SLAY WITH BURO’S PLAYLIST, THIS WEEK CURATED BY TALA SAMMAN.
