A cool Ramadan exhibition, a new burger menu and a twist on afternoon tea…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 15 highlights. Check out the new menu at Avli, a face yoga class or why not have iftar Japanese style? Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday May 23

1. Create your own calligraphy

Visitors to Dubai Mall’s new exhibition ‘Quaran Tech’ will be able to create their own calligraphy from verses of the Quaran this month. Open until May 27, head to the Bloomingdales Atrium to select five verses under the theme of tolerance and convert them to calligraphy in one of six languages. The exhibit promises that ‘the giant cubes will inform, inspire and educate visitors on the Holy Quran in a distinctively hi-tech experience.’

Bloomingdales Atrium, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, daily until May 27, mall hours, free. 

2. Go shark diving

This Ramadan, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo are offering a 25 per cent discount on their shark diving and scuba diving experiences. Come face to face with the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world for Dhs595 instead of the usual price of Dhs790. Don’t worry, you’ll be guided by experienced and professional instructors. Alternatively you can enjoy a scuba diving experience for Dhs908 instead of Dhs1,210.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Sunday to Thursday, before 1pm, throughout Ramadan. thedubaiaquarium.com

3. Taste a new bubble tea

Taiwan phenomenon, bubble tea, has made its way to Tania’s Teahouse ready for you to try for yourself. The tea comes in two varieties with milk, or without (the non-milk version is vegan) and plenty of flavours including earl grey, vanilla chai, matcha and even cookie dough. Iced bubble tea will cost you Dhs26 while the milk bubble tea is Dhs28.

Tania’s Teahouse, Villa 779A, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah, Sun to Wed 8am to 10pm, Thur 8am to 12pm, Fri to Sat 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 324 0021. taniasteahouse.com

4. Check out a Japanese iftar

Newly-launched Japanese hotspot, ONI, is offering an iftar with a twist. The experience promises an abundance of dishes including homemade crispy salmon tacos, chef’s selection of sushi and pan-seared chicken gyoza. Don’t leave without trying the Oni milk cake with spring matcha-infused milk and chantelle cream. The iftar runs from sunset to 3am on weekdays and costs Dhs180 per person. 

Oni, Shangri-La Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, sunset to 3am, Sun to Thur, Dhs180. Tel: (04) 405 2333. onidubai.com

5. Enjoy a four-course dinner

Get ready to indulge in a tasty four-course set menu this Thursday, at Leonardo, Stella Di Mare. Ill Grappolo dinner is the ideal way to break your fast, or just enjoy a great dinner prepared by Chef Michele. For Dhs249 you can enjoy an appetiser, soup, delicious main course and dessert from 7pm to 11pm.

Ill Grappolo, Leonardo, Stella Di Mare, Dubai Marina, 7pm to 11pm, Thursday May 23, Dhs249. Tel: (058) 102 9398. facebook.com/pg/leonardodubai

Friday May 24

6. Try a face yoga class

Is face yoga a real thing? Apparently so! Karma Yoga studio is hosting a two-hour workshop on the details of face yoga and how you can benefit from it. The workshop will cover what face yoga is and why it works as well as techniques to maximise the benefits plus much more.

Karma Yoga, Marina Plaza, next to Marina Mall, 10am to 12pm, Friday May 24, Dhs120. Tel: (04) 399 9301.karmayogadubai.com

7. Indulge in a new burger

JLT’s hottest new burger spot, Pickl, has just launched a series of new burgers to its menu. Make sure to check out the mouthwatering chicken caesar sando burger for a choice of spice, from mild to the ‘truly scorching’ Nashville version. Also added to the menu is the naughty but nice ice cream burger – the tempting desserts come with either chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, or salted caramel ice cream, sandwiched between a cinnamon sugar bun. Yum!

Pickl, Ground Floor, One JLT Tower, Dubai, daily 8am to 6pm. eatpickl.com

8. Take the kids to a movie

Family clothing store, Gap, is hosting a movie night for parents to bring their little ones to. Kids and parents can enjoy a series of family-friendly movies throughout the evening as well as plenty of popcorn and free denim customising by an artist. The night will run at both Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif stores.

Gap, Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif, 8pm to midnight, Friday May 24, free. facebook.com/gapmiddleeast

9. Try a healthy, vegan iftar

Bounty Beets is hosting an iftar that won’t leave you feeling any waves of guilt this Ramadan. The meal is 100 per cent gluten free and vegan friendly, and comes packed with tonnes of healthy dishes such as soups, mezze, and salads. Also on the menu you’ll find the Bounty Beets signature cauliflower taco and even healthy desserts.

Bounty Beets, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, sunset to close, daily, Dhs120 per person. Tel: (04) 511 7373. facebook.com/bountybeets

10. Exchange your afternoon tea for a suhoor tea

Mitts and Trays understand that Ramadan shouldn’t have to mean missing out on enjoying a great afternoon tea. So, they’ve put a twist on a classic tea and moved it to 9pm. Guests who choose the tray can enjoy a three-tiered creation with chicken quesadillas, cheese and oman chips spring rolls, as well as plenty of tasty sweet treats. Of course, it comes with a serving of tea or Emirati/Saudi coffee.

Mitts and Trays, City Walk 2 and Bluewaters branches, daily 9pm to 1am, Dhs105. mittsandtrays.com 

Saturday May 25

11. Check out a new cafe

Oli Oli play museum has launched a brand-new healthy cafe for parents and their children to enjoy during a day of fun at the museum. La Petite Treehouse offers delicious nutritious snacks and treats including fresh juices, salads, sandwiches, wraps and vegetarian options prepared daily. Oli Oli also has an offer for those who want to play during the week this Ramadan. Prices wills tart from Dhs95 per child and Dhs25 per adult.

La Petite Treehouse, Oli Oli Building, Al Quoz 1, Sat to Wed 9am to 7pm, Thur & Fri 9am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 702 7300. olioli.ae/la-petite-treehouse-cafe

12. Get a taste of Greek summer

Popular Greek restaurant, Avli by tashas, has launched a new menu, just in time for summer. The new dishes promise to be ‘light yet full of flavour, creating a modern spin on traditional specialties’ and include burrata, both roasted pepper and tuna carpaccio as well as catch of the day a la polita.

Avli by tashas, DIFC, Dubai, daily noon to 3pm and 7pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 359 0008. avlibytashas.com

13. Let your little ones get creative

Alserkal Avenue, in partnership with the Jean-Paul Najar Foundation, is hosting a workshop for kids aged six to 12 in scratch painting. The class is based on the work of artist, Susanna Tanger, who will inspire the children to discuss her work in detail before recreating their own masterpiece.

45 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 11am to 12.30pm, Saturday May 23, Dhs150. jpnajarfoundation.com

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Images: Supplied/Facebook