Dubai Food Festival 2018: All in One for Food Lovers

According to Food Network star Guy Fieri, “Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat,” and here at MyBayut, we couldn’t agree more! Apart from a passion for all things to do with UAE property, it’s a love of food that we all have in common.!That’s why we simply love the Dubai Food Festival (DFF), running from 22 February to 10 March 2018.

Now in its fifth edition, the food festival is bigger, better and more delicious than ever before, with events and programmes across the city. Here’s a guide to what you (and your stomach) can look forward to!

the etisalat beach canteen

The beach canteen has street food and food trucks from all over the world — Sample street food from across the world, courtesy the Beach Canteen.

One of the most popular events of the entire food festival in Dubai, the Beach Canteen is a riot of food, music, fitness, and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. Located on Jumeirah Beach, the Beach Canteen is the perfect place to visit every single day of the festival as there will always be something happening!

The main focus of this food festival event is naturally, food. Indulge in everything from traditional Emirati fare to Polish street eats thanks to pop-up food kiosks and food trucks dotted around the beach. If you’re as interested in cooking as you are in eating, you’re in luck as well. Some of Dubai’s best chefs will be running regular demonstrations throughout the event, and even compete head to head in live cook-offs!

If you’re worried about your fitness (and perhaps your waistline), don’t. There will be a bunch of deliciously healthy options available, as well as watersports like paddleboarding and other adrenaline-pumping activities like a boot camp and beach volleyball. Those more focused on wellness can grab a mat and practice yoga, led by trained teachers. Meanwhile, kids activities such as scavenger hunts, workshops and more are sure to keep little ones entertained, while shopaholics can work up an appetite as they browse through some of the indie pop-up stalls at the Beach Canteen’s marketplace.

Beach Canteen Dates: 22 February to 10 March
Beach Canteen Timings: Sunday to Wednesday, 12pm – 10pm; Thursday and Friday, 12pm – 12am; Saturday 10am – 10pm
Beach Canteen Location: Jumeirah Beach, behind Sunset Mall

dubai restaurant week

Has your stomach ever told you to wine and dine at some of Dubai’s top restaurants…but your wallet’s made you politely decline? Well, that’s where Restaurant Week comes in! Running from the beginning of the food festival until 3 March, you can enjoy three gourmet courses at the city’s best fine dining restaurants, such as The Atlantic, Jean-Georges, Wakame and Pai Thai, for the price of AED 199. What’s more, if you decide to visit more than one participating eatery in a group of at least three people, you could win a luxurious staycation at hotels like the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Atlantis and The Palace Downtown. Head to Roundmenu to book your table.

discover Dubai’s hidden food gems

It’s not all pressed linen napkins and fancy fine dining at the food festival! The folks behind DFF understand that good food doesn’t always come with fountain-views and hefty price tags, which is why they have released a list of ten hidden gems. These offbeat and underrated eateries may not be found in fancy hotels, but as the organisers say, they are ‘unsung culinary heroes’. And, as a special during one day of the Dubai Food Festival 2018, each of the ten restaurants will offer a special meal for just AED 25. This year’s list features a diverse variety of cuisines, such as Sri Lankan at Ayubowan, seafood at The Fish Hut, Goan cuisine at The Grub Shack, pan-Asian at Hot Palayok and Emirati at Smat Cafe & Restaurant to name a few.

dubai street food awards

The street food awards will be taking place during the food festival — Enjoy and celebrate Dubai’s best street food at their very own awards ceremony during the Dubai Food Festival 2018.

Dubai has an incredibly exciting food scene, with quirky, original and ultimately tasty homegrown concepts inspired by local, regional and global cuisines. This year, for the very first time, some of these Dubai food trucks and concepts will be honoured at the debut Street Food Awards. Some of the hotly contested awards that you can expect to be doled out include Best Street Food Concept and Best Dessert. Oh, and you can expect to try some of the food as well! And best of all, tickets for the Street Food Awards are completely free!

Street Food Awards Date: 10 March
Street Food Awards Location: Sunset Beach

taste of dubai 2018

Now in its eleventh year, the Dubai edition of the global Taste food festival is back! As anyone who has been to the festival before can attest, it’s the best way to try out as many of the best Dubai restaurants as possible – without spending too much. Participating eateries set up shop and offer tasting portions of some of their best-known dishes at a fraction of the cost, as well as offering up their chefs for various demos. Additionally, celebrity chefs from across the world (past years have seen the likes of Vineet Bhatia and Gary Rhodes) also pitch up to interact with visitors. Taste of Dubai is supported by various other live workshops, concerts, kids activities, competitions and so much more – if you love food (and who doesn’t!) there’s nowhere else to be! Grab your Taste of Dubai tickets online (via Platinumlist) at prices starting from AED 160 or at the door from AED 200 (there are various different food and drink packages involved, but all tickets get you access to the Sister Sledge concert!)

Taste of Dubai Dates: 8 to 10 March
Taste of Dubai Timings: Thursday, 4pm-12am; Friday, 12pm-12am; Saturday, 12pm-11pm
Taste of Dubai Location: Media City Amphitheatre

Food Festival Events across dubai

There are many deals happening across the city as part of the food festival — Several restaurants and cafes are offering their own deals during DFF 2018, so grab your friends and book a table!

Grab your friends and enjoy some of the Dubai Food Festival events happening at eateries across the city! Eateries, such as the wonderful ones at The Beach (opposite JBR), City Walk, Dubai Mall and more will be offering special foodie offer, competitions and tantalising prizes…all to celebrate DFF 2018. You’d be hard-pressed to go somewhere and not find a mouthwatering deal!

So are you as excited as we are for the Dubai Food Festival 2018?! After all, as George Bernard Shaw said, “There’s no sincerer love than the love of food”

If you can’t wait until tomorrow to indulge in delicious food, check out these Marina restaurants, or for some non-food fun, here are some events taking place in February.

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