In a pretty groundbreaking step earlier this month, the UAE made the decision to move its weekends to Saturdays and Sundays, as of January 1.
The move raised a lot of questions, including a big one for food connoisseurs: where does that leave the beloved Friday brunch? The meal is something of an institution in the country, with UAE residents used to indulgent menus or all-you-can-eat buffets, across different budgets, cuisines and even timings (a la the dinner brunch, aka drunch).
While the fate of the Friday brunch still hangs delicately in the balance, a number of venues in Dubai have been quick to react to the change by launching new Sunday meal deals.
“Eventually, I predict the more 'party' brunches will take place on Saturdays, while the more sophisticated and family-orientated brunches will take place on Sundays," says Nicolas Budzynski, global operations director at LPM.
Here’s a look at some of restaurants that have already started Sunday meal packages, and everything you need to know about them. This story will be updated as more are announced.
McGettigan's
There’s no denying McGettigan's was quick to react, as it launched an updated Saturday brunch mere hours after the weekend change announcement. Apart from a bumper Saturday brunch, it’s also putting on a Sunday roast – actually on a Sunday.
For those in the know, McGettigan's prides itself on its classic roast experience, complete with Yorkshire puddings and gravy. The hearty meal will be available at specific branches in Dubai, and on January 2, those availing the meal at the JLT venue will also get a drink on the house.
Sunday; 12.30pm onwards; Dh109; JLT and Souk Madinat branches; www.mcgettigans.com
The Cavendish Restaurant
The restaurant in Dubai's Bonnington Hotel has also launched a Sunday roast dinner, which will start on January 9. Guests will be able to tuck into meaty offerings with all the trimmings.
Sunday, January 9 onwards; Dh125 for adults, from Dh79 for children; starts at noon; Bonnington Hotel, JLT, Dubai; 04 356 0533
Al Maeda
Head to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach on Sundays to enjoy its new Life is Sweet dining experience, which gives Lebanese cuisine a trendy pink twist. The menu features an impressive mix of sharing dishes accompanied by pink drinks.
Dishes such as lamb Wellington, burrata tabbouleh and halloumi burgers will be on offer, plus there's a hummus bar which includes flavours such as black ink and octopus, truffle, dynamite and shrimp, coco and avocado and more.
Taking the pink experience to a whole new level, there will also be a “Shamelessly Pink” menu, including a pink-hued grazing board. All this, with live entertainment and pool and beach access.
Every Sunday; 12.30-4pm; prices starting at Dh250; Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai; www.hilton.com/en/doubletree
Reform Social & Grill
Dubai's quintessentially British venue has also extended its popular roast meal, now available on Sundays and Mondays. Guests can choose between chicken, beef and a veggie option, with all the trimmings.
Sunday & Monday; Dh115; noon onwards; The Lakes, Dubai; reformsocialgrill.ae
Folly
The chic restaurant in Souk Madinat Jumeirah is offering its popular Friday garden brunch on both Saturday and Sunday now. So, you can munch on folly favourites – think crispy hen’s egg with pancetta and maple syrup and lamb saddle with whipped pine nuts and salsa – during this leisurely meal.
Saturdays and Sundays; 1pm-4pm; prices start at Dh295 for Saturday and Dh250 for Sunday; Souk Madinat Jumeirah; www.folly.ae
Coya Abu Dhabi
The restaurant has adapted its Fin De Semana lunch experience for both Sundays and Fridays. Guests will be treated to a four-course meal, with the choice of two appetisers, one main course and dessert. This includes Coya’s signatures such as the mixed seafood ceviche, Wagyu beef baos, chicken skewers, slow-cooked beef ribs and grilled corn-fed baby chicken. To end the meal on a sweet note, there will be a choice between a chocolate fondant, chicha morada and a churros platter.
Sundays; 12.30pm-3.30pm; Dh199; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 306 7000; www.coyarestaurant.com
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DUBAI WORLD CUP RACE CARD
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8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m
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The National selections
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7.05pm Summrghand
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8.15pm Angel Alexander
8.50pm Benbatl
9.25pm Art Du Val
10pm: Beyond Reason
MO
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
