The Dubai Food Festival is back and this year it promises a culinary extravaganza showcasing the city's rich gastronomic landscape over its 23-day celebration. From April 19 to May 12, Dubai becomes a playground for food enthusiasts, offering numerous experiences to tantalise taste buds and celebrate culinary creativity. We share everything you need to know about the Dubai Food Festival 2024.
Quick Overview:
The Dubai Food Festival 2024 marks the eleventh edition of this annual event and promises to showcase the best of Dubai’s culinary talent and creativity. Beyond just dining, the festival brings together top chefs, both local and international, through events like the Gault&Millau Culinary Innovators showcase. Acclaimed chefs present their classic delights, offering guests a chance to savour exclusive dishes and mingle with cooking icons.
Additionally, ‘Foodie Experiences’ offers immersive opportunities to delve into the world of fine dining, chef collaborations, and experience hands-on masterclasses. The e& Beach Canteen also returns, setting up a beachside pop-up complete with live entertainment, food stalls, and family-friendly activities.
Events and Experiences
Dubai Restaurant Week (April 26 – May 12 )
During this highly anticipated event, diners can explore Dubai's restaurant scene like never before. With over 65 participating restaurants, including both local and international favourites, visitors can enjoy specially curated menus and experiences. From upscale eateries to hidden gems, guests can savour special two-course lunch menus or three-course dinners at these venues. Choose from multiple cuisines, international flavours, or traditional Emirati cuisine, that promise a delightful journey through the city's diverse gastronomic landscape.
Foodie Experiences (April 19 – May 12 )
For those who want to do more than just eat, Dubai Food Festival’s Foodie Experiences will offer a variety of immersive events and activities throughout its duration. Each week will offer a unique theme for guests to explore, with chef-led masterclasses, interactive workshops, chef’s tables, immersive pop-ups, and themed dining experiences. These curated experiences provide unique insights into the art of cooking and dining and allow guests to engage with renowned chefs and discover new culinary techniques.
• Week one (19-26 April) will focus on fine dining experiences. • Week two (27 April – 4 May) will centre around families and kid-friendly activities. • Week three (5-12 May) is aimed at activities for couples and friends.
e& Beach Canteen (April 19 – May 5 )
One of the highlights of the festival is also the return of Dubai’s signature popup, the e& Beach Canteen. Located along Jumeirah Beach, the e& Beach Canteen is a flagship event of the Dubai Food Festival and will showcase tempting food stalls, live entertainment, homegrown culinary concepts, and exciting activities. It is the perfect spot to soak in the atmosphere of the Dubai Food Festival while enjoying the delicious food and picturesque beachfront setting. There will be activities for all ages, including a Kids Fun Zone and beach club experience, promising a memorable day out for families and foodies alike. Location: (Jumeirah Beach, behind Sunset Mall.)
Special Features and Highlights
Gault&Millau Culinary Innovators Showcase (April 25 – April 27 )
The Gault&Millau Culinary Innovators Showcase at the Dubai Food Festival is a prestigious event that brings together 12 of the most acclaimed chefs in Dubai's restaurant scene. This spectacle is the flagship event of the festival, offering guests a unique opportunity to experience the gastronomic prowess of top chefs through a three-night pop-up event. Held at ICD Brookfield Place's "The Space," the showcase features a lineup of renowned chefs who present their creations in an immersive dining experience.
Throughout the event, guests can indulge in an 11-course roaming tasting menu, carefully crafted by each chef team. Every course showcases the innovation and creativity of the participating chefs. The tasting menu is complemented by an accompanying beverage pairing, enhancing the overall dining experience. The Gault&Millau Culinary Innovators showcase is not just about exceptional food; it's also a celebration of the chef’s talent and creativity. Guests have the opportunity to interact with the chefs, learn about their inspirations and techniques, and gain insights into the culinary world. With live jazz performances on the outdoor terrace adding to the ambience, the event promises a fantastic experience for all attendees. You may want to hurry as there is only a limited seating of 100 people per day for the event.
Chef's Menu (May 1 – May 12 )
The Chef's Menu takes diners on a gastronomic journey, presenting exclusive dishes by Dubai's top chefs at premium restaurants across the city. Guests can expect some of the emirate’s finest chefs to share details about their most famous dishes and even come to their table to answer their questions. Enjoy a dining experience like no other, with personalised service and expertly crafted dishes that showcase the best of Dubai's food scene. Each menu will offer a unique insight into the creative process of the masterminds behind them. This event is a must for food lovers, promising a culinary affair that will tantalise your taste buds and leave them craving for more.
Walking Tours in Old Dubai (May 4 )
This year, Palestinian chef Haya from Haya's Kitchen will lead a three-hour food tour across Karama and Deira, sharing tales of Levantine cuisine along the way. Explore the rich culinary heritage of Dubai's historic neighbourhoods with a guided walking tour that will offer insights into authentic foodie finds and cultural anecdotes. During the tour, you can sample traditional delights such as felafel and kunafa while walking through the energetic atmosphere of the bustling souks and charming streets.
Behind-the-Scenes at 11 Woodfire (May 5 – May 12 )
Get an exclusive peek into the inner workings of one of Dubai's premier dining spots, 11 Woodfire. After enjoying a delectable four-course menu, guests are invited for a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour, where they can interact with the restaurant's talented pit masters and witness the magic firsthand.
Girl and the Goose Supper Club at Couqley (May 9 – May 10 )
Nicaraguan chef Gabriela Chamorro's supper club will be hosted at the French restaurant Couqley in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. They will offer a five-course menu that presents a multi-sensorial exploration of Central American cuisine. As Dubai continues to cement its status as a global culinary destination, the Dubai Food Festival stands as a testament to the city's vibrant food culture, inviting both residents and visitors on a gastronomic journey unlike any other.
