What’s On May 2026 is out now

From homegrown hustle to the UAE’s best bars, summer blockbusters, ladies’ nights, a complete wellness A-Z and the staycation deals of the season – the May 2026 issue of What’s On lands big 

The UAE doesn’t do things quietly – and neither does the May 2026 issue of What’s On.  

This is the edition that celebrates everything homegrown, everything local, everything that makes this country one of the most exciting places on earth to live, eat, drink and build something from nothing. 

Inside, we’ve rounded up the UAE’s most exciting homegrown businesses, let the country’s best bartenders tell us where they actually drink off-duty, mapped out every jungle-themed dining and adventure experience worth your time, curated the finest ladies’ nights in Abu Dhabi, reviewed the restaurant everyone in DIFC is talking about, ventured deep into Neighbourhood Food Hall’s brand-new weekend breakfast scene, dressed you head-to-toe in UAE-proud local labels, given you the complete A-Z of wellness in the Emirates, and unveiled every blockbuster hitting UAE screens this summer. Oh, and the staycation deals? They’re extraordinary right now.  

Believe it not, we’ve covered all of the above and MORE in the May 2026 issue of What’s On. 

Want to know more? Of course you do. Read on to get a flavour of what’s in store this month…  

You can read the full May 2026 issue online here.

HOMEGROWN HUSTLE: THE UAE BRANDS YOU NEED TO KNOW 

If there’s a theme that runs through the heart of this issue, it’s this: the UAE’s homegrown scene has never been stronger, more diverse, or more worth your money. Our landmark cover feature celebrates the bootstrapped brilliance that makes this country’s entrepreneurial spirit genuinely the envy of the world – restaurants, fashion labels, food producers, wellness studios and run clubs that were all born right here under the UAE sun. 

We’re talking about restaurants that have gone from underground supper clubs to slots on the MENA 50 Best list within a single year. Cosmetics brands built on radical inclusivity by sisters who refused to accept the beauty industry’s narrow idea of who gets to feel beautiful. An ice pop company that started with a bike and a farmers’ market stall and is now one of the most recognised treat brands in the country. A chocolate bar so inventive it triggered a global obsession with Dubai chocolate. This is the UAE dream – and it’s very much alive. 

As we say in the feature: “In 2026, this feels more like a UAE dream than anything else. No other country is doing more to support entrepreneurs, remove barriers to success and reward effort.” 

Here are some of the homegrown heroes featured this month: 

Girl and the Goose – Chef Gabriela Chamorro‘s Central American gem in the Anantara Downtown Hotel landed a place on MENA’s 50 Best within its first year of opening. Short-rib clay pots, ceviches, steak and lobster gnocchi await.  

3Fils – The OG homegrown Dubai success story. Chef Akmal Anuar‘s Jumeirah Fishing Harbour eatery – one of the first Dubai restaurants to capture the attention of respected international food guides – now has an Abu Dhabi sibling at The Abu Dhabi EDITION.  

Kinoya – Chef Neha Mishra‘s ramen revolution has taken her from underground supper club to a hot ticket at The Greens, all the way to a 20-seater in Harrods of London. Her new hand-roll sushi restaurant Tezukuri has just joined the family.   

Three Bros – The Orfali Brothers at their most accessible. Small plates, Syrian flair, and what we’d argue is the best burger in Dubai. The OB cheeseburger is not to be argued with.  

Pickl – The brand that lit the fire under Dubai’s burger scene. A secret beef blend in the smash chuck, eponymous pickles and a potato bun – a genuine contender for the UAE burger crown.  

Bait Maryam – Chef Salam Dakkak‘s Bib Gourmand JLT eatery is a masterclass in Middle Eastern cuisine, with ancient recipes remastered for the soul-food-seeking palate. Her fine-dining venture Sufret Maryam has since followed.  

The Giving Movement – The streetwear label that launched in April 2020 and became a UAE institution, with Dhs15 donated to charity for every item sold. Sustainable, locally sourced and instantly iconic.  

CTZN Cosmetics – The Khan sisters’ UAE-born cosmetics brand built on a deliberate focus on inclusivity — products designed to work across all skin tones, cultures and identities. 

FIX Dessert Chocolatier – The Dubai-born brand that turned Dubai chocolate into a worldwide phenomenon. Thick, glossy bars stuffed with pistachio, kunafa and brownies. Viral, yes, but also genuinely inventive.  

Dibba Bay Oysters – One of the UAE’s most impressive local produce stories. The first and only gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East, growing in the waters of Fujairah. Their JBR restaurant offers sundowner oyster deals from Dhs8 per shuck. 

House of Pops – What began with a bike and a farmers’ market stall has become one of the UAE’s most craved better-for-you treat brands. Plant-based, natural, and still proudly homegrown.  

The full homegrown feature is one of the most comprehensive we’ve ever produced – covering restaurants, fashion, food, wellness and more. It’s all in the May issue.

BAR NONE: THE UAE’S BEST BARS RIGHT NOW 

The UAE’s bar scene isn’t just on the up – it’s in full bloom. Serious talent behind the stick, award-winning bartenders treating drinks as the artistic craft they are, and a quietly booming non-alcoholic scene that’s finally, definitively, left the era of cloyingly sweet mocktails behind. This month, we’ve compiled the definitive guide to the UAE’s best bars – from blink-and-you-miss-it speakeasies to gloriously scruffy pubs that feel like home. 

We also asked five of the UAE’s most respected names in drinks where they go when they’re off the clock. Their answers paint a picture of a bar scene with genuine depth, real community, and a few secrets still worth keeping. 

The Dubai legends in this month’s guide include: 

Blind Tiger (Jumeirah Al Naseem) – Fresh from a nod on The World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, this speakeasy strikes a neat balance between theatrical intrigue and full-throttle live music energy. Mirrored ceilings, chinoiserie flourishes, and Katty Gold’s live Cruise Band. Cocktails are playful and polished. 

Mimi Kakushi (Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach) – With a menu inspired by jazz-era Japan and a format that riffs on vinyl culture, Mimi Kakushi has earned its World’s 50 Best Bars recognition. The margaritas, for what it’s worth, are genuinely excellent.  

Honeycomb Hi-Fi (Pullman Dubai Downtown) – Enter through a tiny vinyl records shop, step into low-lit, mid-century splendour and order a highball that will, as we put it in the magazine, put hairs on your chest. 

Tezukuri (Opera Grand, Downtown Dubai) – Quietly rationed access, vinyl crackle, low light and exacting detail. Martini cocktails built behind a tiny bar counter by a very discreet bartender. One of the most singular experiences in the city. 

Zuma (DIFC) – Regularly at the top of The World’s 50 Best Bars rankings in the region, and worth visiting now while the city is quieter. Finally, a space at the bar.  

La Petite Maison Dubai (DIFC) – The Tomatini. The crowd. The ritual. The fact that four of five bartenders we interviewed named it without prompting. Some things don’t need reinventing.  

Fibber Magee’s (Sheikh Zayed Road) – An institution since 1996 and, according to Zuka Khuntsaria, Head Bartender at Mayabay, the bar that feels like what a bar used to be. Affordable, unpretentious, brilliant live music and probably the best Guinness in town.  

In Abu Dhabi, the highlights include Dragon’s Tooth at Rosewood (a Shanghai-inspired speakeasy hidden behind a tea room entrance, and an ideal date-night destination), Craft by Sidehustle at The Galleria Al Maryah Island (the UAE’s first licensed brewery, with 29 taps running from tropical IPAs to Belgian witbiers), and the Library Bar at The Abu Dhabi EDITION, which is doing some of the most considered cocktail work in the capital. 

We also go deep on the UAE’s non-alcoholic revolution – the extraordinary story of how one woman’s personal mission became an ecosystem supplying premium zero-proof options to over a thousand hospitality venues across the country. Drinking less has never tasted this good. 

THE MAY EDIT: EVENTS WORTH CLEARING YOUR DIARY FOR 

Here is everything worth your attention this month. 

CATS, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (14-24 May) – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical lands in Abu Dhabi with full spectacle, storytelling and the song that stops a room. For families, it works beautifully as a first big theatre outing. Tickets from Dhs90. 

Art Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah (14 May) – One of the Middle East’s leading art fairs, bringing together galleries, artists and collectors from around the world with a focus on the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Free entry to the art fair. 

Swedish House Mafia, Ushuaïa Dubai (16 May) – Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso headline the final show of the Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience season. Tickets from Dhs250. 

Picasso, The Figure, Louvre Abu Dhabi (until 31 May) – A rare exhibition tracing Picasso’s lifelong engagement with the human form, with loans from major international institutions. Thoughtful without being heavy. Adults Dhs70; under 18 free. 

Alserkal Art Month, Alserkal Avenue (until 18 May, weekends) – What was once a week-long affair has grown into a full month of gallery exhibitions, public art commissions, talks, workshops, open studios and performances. Free entry to the art fair. 

DXB Snow Run, Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates (17 May) – Run through a sub-zero, snow-covered obstacle course at Ski Dubai. The UAE’s most gloriously bizarre fitness event. From Dhs115 per participant. 

Roll Racing DXB, Dubai Autodrome (1 and 22 May) – Head-to-head drag racing from a rolling speed of 80kph down a 400-metre strip. Open to cars and SUVs. From Dhs420 per car. 

The Way Back Home, Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi / Mall of the Emirates (8, 9, 16 and 17 May) – Oliver Jeffers’ beloved story comes to the stage. A sweet, warm, playful production for younger audiences with enough heart to keep adults quietly invested. Tickets from Dhs135. 

LADIES’ NIGHTS IN ABU DHABI: THE BEST OF THE BEST 

Ladies’ night, as our writer Leonie Wagner puts it, isn’t just about drinks deals and playlists. It’s about permission. Permission to exhale, to laugh too loudly, to dance badly, to talk honestly. Abu Dhabi understands the assignment – and this month we’ve rounded up the finest ladies’ nights the capital has on offer. 

Siddharta Lounge, Yas Bay – Every Thursday, 7pm to 11pm. Rooftop marina views, a polished crowd and unlimited selected beverages while you dine. From Dhs99. 

W Lounge, W Abu Dhabi Yas Island – Every Friday from 9pm. Sipz and Glam: a DJ that reads the room perfectly, crafted cocktails, and a soundtrack that builds as the night goes on. Unlimited beverages for Dhs85 with one special menu drink purchase. Japanese-inspired bites from Dhs40. 

JazzBar, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche – Fridays, 7pm to 2am. Live music sets the tone. Five selected drinks for Dhs109, plus 20% off à la carte. The kind of place conversations flow easily between songs. 

Bla Bla Bar, Yas Island – Thursdays, 8pm to 11pm. High energy, free-flow house drinks for ladies, and a DJ mixing hip hop, RnB, afrobeats and amapiano. One of Abu Dhabi’s quietly top-tier nights out. 

Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa – Fridays. A Ladies’ Day from 1pm to 5pm flows seamlessly into a Ladies’ Night from 8pm to midnight. An all-day beach-to-bar plan. Ladies’ Day Dhs149; Ladies’ Night complimentary free-flow. 

Tiki Pacifico, Al Raha Beach – Mondays, 7pm to 11pm. Tropical energy, unlimited drinks while dining and a luau vibe. Your island escape without the flight. 

Barbossa, Yas Bay – Thursdays, 7pm to 10pm. Easy vibes, no fuss and free-flowing house spirits, wine and prosecco. When you’re here, the night unfolds naturally. 

Moon Deck, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Resort – Wednesdays, 5pm to 10pm. Soft lights, shisha clouds and unhurried conversation. A calm midweek reset with just enough sparkle. Dhs99.  

The Overlook, The WB Abu Dhabi – Thursdays, 6pm to 9pm. Sunset views, rooftop setting and an infinity pool. Three complementary drinks and 25% off food. 

AN A–Z GUIDE TO WELLNESS IN THE UAE 

One of the most comprehensive wellness guides we’ve ever published. Writer Lana Du has mapped an entire alphabet of ways to feel better in the UAE this month – every letter a different modality, every recommendation a real one. Here’s a selection. 

A – Ashtanga Yoga. Structured, repetitive and quietly intense — the kind of practice that builds over time. Ashtanga Yoga, Al Quoz, Dubai. 

B – Beach Volleyball. Sounds casual. Isn’t always. Turn up at Kite Beach, join a game and see how long you last in the sand.  

C – Cold Plunge Therapy. The first few seconds are a shock, then something clicks. Beit Sisu offers private suites with plunges from 3.5–8°C. 

D – Detox. Go all in with a three-night wellness retreat at Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort, Al Zorah, Ajman. 

E – Early Morning Runs. Dubai’s Kite Beach, JBR, the Marina Walk, the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk. Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, Jubail Mangrove Walk, Hudayriyat Island. The options are there. Use them. 

F – Freestyle Swimming. Simple and hard to beat. Etizan Fitness in Abu Dhabi has a 50m, eight-lane Olympic pool. 

G – Guided Breathwork. Done properly, it forces you to slow down. The Chi Room, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. 

H – HydraFacial. Quick, efficient and results you can actually see. Aqua Face Facial Bar, DIFC, Dubai — 60 minutes, fully customised. 

I – Infrared Sauna. Deep, detoxifying heat that relieves muscle tension, boosts circulation and improves sleep. The Hundred Wellness Centre, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. 

J – Journaling. A few lines in the morning, a brain dump before bed. No rules. Just clarity. 

K – Kundalini Yoga. Breath, movement and sound. SEVA Experience, Jumeirah Beach Road. 

L – Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Gentle, effective and ideal if you’re feeling puffy or sluggish. Aeon Clinic at Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah. 

M – Meditation. Eclipse Wellbeing Hub & Yoga Studio, Dubai Marina – from Kundalini and Vipassana to full-moon sound meditations. 

N – Nutrition. Smart Salem Medical Fitness Centre in DIFC offers AI-powered gut microbiome analysis with personalised recommendations. 

O – Outdoor Fitness. MOVE at FIVE Palm Jumeirah runs group bootcamps, full-body sculpt classes and a free community run club. 

P – Pilates. Slow, precise and don’t mistake that for easy. Flo Studio, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. 

Q – Quality Sleep. The most underrated recovery tool available. Go to bed earlier. Blackout your room. Put your phone down. 

R – RTT Therapy (Rapid Transformational Therapy). A powerful method that blends hypnotherapy, NLP and cognitive behavioural techniques to access the subconscious.  

S – Skechers Performance Run. Walk, run or sprint 3km, 5km or 10km around Meydan and Nad Al Sheba. Sunday 24 May, from 6am. From Dhs125. 

T – Traditional Hammam. The Oriental Rose Hammam at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi. A rose-petal ritual, Kessa exfoliation, argan and oud oil. 60 minutes, Dhs850. 

U – Unwind at a Daycation. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeira – massage, beach access, ice bath and a two-course lunch. Dhs499. 

V – Vinyasa. Power Vinyasa at Aura Skypool, Palm Jumeirah. Daily 7-8am, with a gourmet breakfast included. Dhs250. 

W – Water Sports. Kayaking, banana boat, parasailing, jet-ski and surfing. Sea Life Watersports Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club. 

X – X Fitness. Building a home gym that actually works. Al Shamsi Building, near Lamcy Karama, Dubai. 

Y – Yin Yoga. Slow, still and surprisingly challenging. Zen Yoga Dubai, Jumeirah Park. 

Z – Zen Moments Anywhere. A quiet walk. A few minutes of stillness between tasks. Sometimes the smallest resets are the ones you actually stick to. 

SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS: 10 FILMS HITTING UAE CINEMAS 

The summer 2026 film slate arriving in UAE cinemas is remarkable. Here is everything you need to know. 

The Devil Wears Prada 2 – Expected UAE release: 1 May. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return in a follow-up to one of the fashion world’s most iconic films. Miranda adjusts to magazine couture in the cash-for-clicks era. 

The Mandalorian and Grogu – Expected UAE release: 22 May. Mando and Baby Yoda swap episodic streaming for the big screen. Expect Grogu binge-eating, Jedi cameos and helmet-rattling blaster fire. This is the way. 

Masters of the Universe – Expected UAE release: 4 June. A live-action reboot of the classic 80s cartoon. He-Man, the Sword of Power and Jared Leto as Skeletor. If it doesn’t take itself too seriously, there’s real potential here. 

Disclosure Day – Expected UAE release: 12 June. A Spielberg-directed, Emily Blunt-led sci-fi picture with plot details locked down tighter than a Majestic 12 meeting. The name and the director’s track record suggest something very extraterrestrial indeed. 

Toy Story 5 – Expected UAE release: 18 June. The fifth full-length feature in Pixar’s beloved franchise looks at the proliferation of electronic toys in the modern age. It’ll have to dig deep to meet the standard set in number four – but Pixar has form. 

Supergirl – Expected UAE release: 26 June. Milly Alcock’s eponymous Supergirl gets her own film. Jason Momoa as comic book villain Lobo. The supporting cast is intriguing; the expectations are high. 

Moana – Expected UAE release: 10 July. Disney’s live-action remake with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. A soundtrack of stone-cold sing-along bangers and Hei-hei, the film world’s most beloved cross-eyed rooster. 

The Odyssey – Expected UAE release: 17 July. Christopher Nolan. Homer’s epic. IMAX-first format. A cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o and more. An Oscar bet that feels about as safe as they come. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Expected UAE release: 31 July. Tom Holland’s fourth outing as the webslinger. Fresh mega-villains, a complicated personal life and conspiracy theories in the trailer that suggest another crowd-pleasing clutch of surprises. 

The End of Oak Street – Expected UAE release: 14 August. Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor in a mystery sci-fi survival thriller produced by J.J. Abrams. What happens when your street is ripped from its earthly plane? A must-watch. 

RESIDENT PERKS: THE UAE STAYCATION DEALS OF THE SEASON 

Here is a quiet truth circulating among UAE residents right now: with international visitor numbers lower than usual, hotels that would normally require early booking and a small miracle are suddenly dangling room upgrades, redeemable credits and late checkouts. The pool is less crowded. The brunch has more seats. The beach cabana is, improbably, available. Seize the moment – because it won’t last. 

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah – From AED 749 per night. Dhs500 daily resort credit across restaurants, bars or Saray Spa. Private beach cabana, Kids’ Club access, 10am check-in and 6pm checkout. Ideal for families and spa stays. 

Atlantis The Royal – Dhs1,616 per night. The UAE Resident Offer runs until 22 May with 25% off stays. Includes complementary Aquaventure World and The Lost Chambers Aquarium access. Unusually, one-night bookings are permitted. 

W Dubai – The Palm – From Dhs573 per night. The anchor is a Saturday brunch at Akira Back Dubai, running 1pm to 4.30pm with unlimited dishes and curated drinks. 11am check-in, 6pm checkout. Ideal for brunch loyalists. 

Hilton Dubai The Walk – From Dhs460 per night. Kids under 18 stay and dine free. Breakfast and dinner included. Direct JBR beach access. One of the most compelling family offers in Dubai right now. 

The Abu Dhabi EDITION – From Dhs900 per night. A 24-hour stay concept – arrive and leave on your own schedule. Breakfast at Market at EDITION included for two adults and two children. 25% off spa treatments. Ideal for a classy city family stay. 

Mandarin Oriental, Downtown Dubai – From Dhs1,152 per night. 20% off the best available rate, complementary room upgrade, daily breakfast, noon check-in, 4pm checkout and beach access at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira. One of the city’s most talked-about arrivals, now more accessible. 

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island – From Dhs852 per night. Stay and Play packages pair accommodation with theme park tickets for Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World or SeaWorld. Most parks are indoor or climate-controlled – ideal for the UAE heat. 

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island – From Dhs595 per night. Two and a half hours from Abu Dhabi, with wildlife drives, cultural excursions and coastal stillness. Giraffes, Arabian oryx and gazelles roaming freely. Children stay complementary. 

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara – From Dhs1,080 per night. Deep in the Rub’ al Khali. The Desert Workcation Retreat is built for longer stays, with reliable connectivity, in-room work setups, Kids’ Club and dune drives when the laptop closes. Pets welcome. Up to 40% off villas. 

Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah – Dhs399 per night with the full room rate returned as dining credit. A room upgrade, 3pm late checkout and free pet stays included. As close as the staycation market gets to a free hotel stay. The East Coast setting – calmer, greener, quieter than Dubai – is, frankly, underrated. 

JA Ocean View Hotel – From Dhs5,000 per month. For those between leases or waiting out the rental market, JA Ocean View offers monthly stays with Gulf views, 25% off all dining, weekly padel and full gym and pool access. 

We’ve also reviewed the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach as a daycation option for families – and its separate adult and family pool areas, children’s buffet at Dhs150, and poolside cabana setup make it one of the most genuinely civilised family days out in the city. The Day Escape Pass is Dhs500 per person, fully redeemable on food and beverage, with 20% off spa and padel. 

ALSO IN THE MAY ISSUE 

Restaurant review: Siena, DIFC – Born in Paris in 2023, the Italian-French fine-diner lands in Gate Village 7 carrying significant expectations and meets them with real composure. Cacio e pepe finished tableside in a cheese wheel. Australian wagyu. A pavlova built with passionfruit and mango. Thomas Woodgate reports. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm. Tel: (04) 317 6000. 

Rise & Graze: Neighbourhood Food Hall‘s new weekend breakfast – Motor City’s beloved food hall now opens for weekend breakfast every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to noon, with live music until 3pm. Sri Lankan kothu roti from Kokum & Kari, huevos rancheros from Tacos Los Hermanos, Syrian Aleppo sets from Mashawi by Dukkan and Malaysian kaya toast from Oriental Dining. Laura Coughlin visits. 

Welcome to the (urban) jungle — From The Green Planet‘s full rainforest biosphere at City Walk (from Dhs139) to mangrove kayaking at the Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort (from Dhs100), flamingos at Ras Al Khor (free) and 120 species at Sharjah Safari Park (from Dhs40) — the UAE’s best botanical, wilderness and underwater experiences, all in one place. 

Styled with pride – From GHAF WEAR‘s sustainably made tribute tees to Lumena Maison‘s Burj Al Arab silk scarf, Loud Mood‘s +971 caps and Pro Boxs‘ cult-classic UAE-snack socks featuring Chips Oman and Vimto – the local labels making it easy to rep the Emirates in style. 

Pick up your copy from selected outlets across the UAE, or read the full May 2026 issue online here. 

Images: Instagram