Guests can explore one of the world’s last pristine marine environments through diving expeditions.
Thesoulofthedesert refinedinluxury
FOR UAE NATIONAL DAY
A REVOLUTION IN DIFC DINING, BIRCH BALANCES PRECISION WITH PRODUCE-LED FINESSE.
CHIC NONNA PROVES THAT TRUE ITALIAN SOPHISTICATION LIES IN ITS PASTA.
OLIVE GROVES AND MOUNTAIN CALM – A SERENE RETREAT AT ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR.
HOW A SMALL RETREAT IN PHUKET BECAME AMAN, A BRAND THAT REDEFINED EXCLUSIVITY.
editor's letter
November always feels like a turning point. The temperatures drop just enough to remind us why Dubai is best experienced outdoors, and the calendar fills with plans that stretch from the city’s rooftops to faraway beaches. We open this issue with Birch, a restaurant that I firmly believe should be on the Michelin inspectors’ radars by 2026. From there, we turn outward. With UAE National Day on the horizon, our Luxury Escapes feature offers ideas for those few days when everyone looks to get away — from private islands in the Seychelles to mountain plateaus and desert hideaways that still feel undiscovered.
We also head to Oman, where Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar continues to define high-altitude tranquillity. The story captures what makes it so rare: air cool enough to feel new, views that quieten conversation, and the simple pleasure of time spent without rush.
Elsewhere, Chic Nonna sets the bar for Italian dining in DIFC with craft and character, while Zuma Riyadh proves consistency can be as impressive as reinvention.
Finally, we end with an event that defines November for the city: the Dubai Airshow. An exhibition that looks beyond the horizon — quite literally — to see what’s coming next. Happy reading!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ELISE KERR elise@the-rume.com
MANAGING PARTNER
PAULO EDUARDO COSTA paulo@the-rume.com
LEAD DESIGNER
DOROTHY CASTILLO
JUNIOR EDITOR
ANDREA MORCO
CHIC NONNA
PRODUCE-DRIVEN PLATES AND QUIET THEATRE
There is a calm confidence to Birch Dubai. The open kitchen runs like a studio, framed by sweeping timber ribbons and a soft spotlight above each table that turns plates into still life.
It suits chef-owner HezretArslan Berdiev’s approach: precise, contemporary cooking that borrows techniques from different places yet feels singular on the fork.
Service begins with story cards, snapshots of growers, markets and family memories, which set the tone for a menu that values provenance over pomp. A trio of snacks shows the range. Oyster mushrooms arrive as a mushroom kebab, brushed with ras el hanout and smoked tomato for a neat, smoky bite.
IRCH B
A sea urchin consommé is poured at the table with northern shrimp, seaweed and shiitake for depth.
A crisp tart topped with sturgeon caviar and avocado tastes cleaner than its decadence suggests. Throughout, presentation is polished but never precious, and textures behave exactly as they should.
sweetness line up perfectly and the slicing is razoraccurate.
Among many standouts, the pumpkin ravioli sits near the top. Caramelised pumpkin folds into silky pasta, finished with pecorino and black truffle. The balance is spot on, with the sweetness of the squash leading and the cheese adding quiet savoury depth. Marbled beef tataki is presented over glossy pickled beetroot with a touch of truffle pesto. The fat, acidity and mineral
The 72-hour veal ribs, finished with black cardamom, are the dish guests will talk about on the way home. The meat slips from the skewer and a bright liquid green salad cuts straight through the richness. Kamchatka crab with sturgeon caviar and a warm corn tortilla with avocado shows the kitchen’s lighter hand, while fitçi, a Turkmen pie filled with Iranian lamb and baby spinach, nods to family traditions with crisp pastry and a juicy centre. Not every course hits the same height. A small smoked-eel bun in the consommé set was the only divisive note at our table. It felt more about idea than impact, although it was far from a misstep. The restaurant’s pricing is refreshingly reasonable for DIFC fine dining. The signature tasting menu runs at AED 490 for roughly twelve courses, with smart pacing and portions that let you reach dessert comfortably. Sit by the kitchen to see the method behind the calm: sauces are checked before they touch the plate, garnishes follow the card, and each drop is coordinated so you’re eating rather than waiting. Birch’s appeal lies in how it balances novelty with ease. Nothing feels like a stunt. Flavours are clear, the storytelling never overwhelms the plate and the cooking shows consistent control. Given the refinement on show, it is hard not to think this should be on Michelin’s radar when inspectors next sweep the city.
@birch_dubai
LuxuryEscapes FOR UAE NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Celebrate the long weekend in style with a curated selection of the world’s most extraordinary retreats, from private island sanctuaries to desert hideaways and safari camps.
Guests arrive via helicopter over verdant islands, landing at the resort’s private helipad.
Flight from Dubai: ~4h40 non-stop to Mahé (SEZ)
Transfers: ~18-min helicopter from Mahé with Zil Air (resort also reachable by boat)
SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON Félicité Island, Seychelles
Occupying one-third of private Félicité Island, this ecological sanctuary features 30 spacious pool villas surrounded by dramatic granite boulders and coralfringed beaches. Outside the cyclone belt, the island enjoys perpetual summer. Guests arrive via exhilarating 20-minute helicopter flights over verdant islands, landing at the resort’s private helipad for the ultimate castaway escape.
Set beside an 800-metre crescent of golden sand on Sri Lanka’s sun-drenched south coast, Amanwella embraces Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism across 30 contemporary suites. The 47-metre infinity pool stretches toward palmfringed shores, whilst nearby national parks reveal elephants, leopards and migratory whales typically between November and April.
Perched atop a dramatic clifftop rising 40 metres above the Indian Ocean, this Relais & Châteaux property features 39 standalone villas and suites across 12 landscaped acres. The iconic 60-metre crescent-shaped Moon Pool commands 270-degree ocean panoramas, whilst whale-watching excursions reveal blue whales migrating past typically between December and April.
This hotel offers castaway seclusion across nine miles of untouched beaches. Reached by scenic 35-minute flight from Mahé, the resort features spacious pool villas scattered along white sand shores. Giant tortoises roam freely whilst pristine reefs teem with marine life just offshore. Guests embrace barefoot luxury through sunset yoga, Creole cooking classes and exploring 14km of bicycle paths.
The sole resort on this captivating coral island, Four Seasons Desroches offers castaway seclusion across nine miles of untouched beaches.
One-island/ one-resort privacy
Flight from Dubai: ~4h10–4h15 to Malé (MLE)
Transfers: ~40-min seaplane from Malé
CHEVAL BLANC RANDHELI
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
This ultra-luxury island sanctuary in the pristine Noonu Atoll features 46 overwater and beachfront villas designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. The resort’s dedicated island houses Cheval Blanc Spa featuring treatments by Guerlain, whilst a signature in-villa fragrance programme sets the mood. Four distinctive restaurants include the signature Le 1947 serving contemporary French cuisine.
THE RITZ-CARLTON MALDIVES,
FARI ISLANDS North Malé Atoll, Maldives
Embracing the circle of island life, this architectural masterpiece features 100 villas set above azure waters or nestled along beach coves. Seven restaurants span from Southern Italian La Locanda to Cantonese Summer Pavilion, whilst the award-winning spa floats over lagoon waters. Each villa includes private infinity pools, dedicated Aris Meeha butlers and fostering marine conservation through immersive experiences.
Flight from Dubai: ~4h10–4h15 to Malé (MLE)
Transfers: ~45-min luxury speedboat from Malé
SIX SENSES SOUTHERN DUNES, THE RED SEA Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Found along Saudi Arabia’s untouched Red Sea coastline, this desert-meets-ocean sanctuary blends Bedouin-inspired architecture with Six Senses’ wellness philosophy. Villas cascade across windswept dunes overlooking pristine coral reefs, whilst the signature spa integrates ancient Arabian healing traditions.
Flight from Dubai: ~3h10 to Red Sea International (RSI) with flydubai
Transfers: ~50–60-min 4×4/vehicle from RSI
Guests can explore one of the world’s last pristine marine environments through diving expeditions.
Transfers: ~3-hour private drive Jaipur→camp
AMAN-I-KHAS
Ranthambore, India
Between October and April, 10 luxury tented pavilions emerge in the wilderness bordering Ranthambore National Park, creating an intimate safari camp devoted to tiger encounters. Each Mughal-inspired tent features king beds, freestanding bathtubs and private dining areas opening onto the forest, pairing dramatic locations with understated luxury and unparalleled wildlife experiences.
Flight from Dubai: ~6h35 non-stop to MRU
Transfers: ~50–65-min private car from MRU to Belle Mare/Le Saint Géran
ONE&ONLY LE SAINT GÉRAN
Belle Mare, Mauritius
Occupying a private peninsula on Mauritius’ eastern coast, this legendary resort has defined island luxury since 1975. Recently reimagined, 169 rooms and suites blend contemporary elegance with tropical surroundings across lush grounds bordering two beaches. Seven restaurants span from fine French dining to beachfront grills, whilst the One&Only Spa offers transformative treatments in secluded garden pavilions.
Access to nearby islands create the ultimate Mauritian escape where barefoot sophistication meets refined service.
Nightdrives/off-road
withintheconcession
&BEYOND BATELEUR
Nestled in the Masai Mara’s private Conservancy, this intimate tented suites beneath ancient trees. Each romance with contemporary comforts bathtubs and private decks. Expert game drives revealing lions, leopards walking safaris and starlit dinners untamed beauty.
Masai Mara,
Flight from Dubai: ~5h15 non-stop to Nairobi (NBO)
Transfers: Tembo airstrip
Flight from Dubai: ~3h20 non-stop to Jaipur (JAI)
NUJUMA, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE Ummahat
archipelago, Saudi Arabia
Nujuma reveals itself as a private island sanctuary within Saudi Arabia’s untouched Red Sea archipelago. Featuring overwater and beachfront villas designed with contemporary Arabian elegance, the resort embraces coral-fringed lagoons and pristine marine reserves. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s intimate approach ensures personalised experiences from private diving expeditions to sunset dhow cruises.
Flight from Dubai: ~3h10 to RSI (or via JED/YNB depending schedule)
BATELEUR CAMP
private Kichwa Tembo camp features just 18 canvas suite combines 1920s safari comforts including freestanding Expert guides lead twice-daily leopards and cheetahs, whilst immerse guests in Africa’s
Rising from AlUla’s dramatic desert landscape, this sanctuary blends contemporary architecture with ancient Nabataean heritage. The signature spa draws upon Arabian wellness traditions, whilst restaurants celebrate regional flavours through farm-to-table cuisine. Guests explore UNESCO heritage sites including Hegra’s tombs, experience stargazing in the world’s darkest skies and discover civilisations carved into AlUla’s monumental landscape.
Flight from Dubai: ~2h50 non-stop to AlUla (ULH)
Transfers: ~25–35-min drive ULH→Ashar Valley
Discover millennia of civilisations carved into AlUla’s monumental landscape.
CHIC NONNA
Behind the striking deep green door at Gate Avenue at DIFC, Chic Nonna commands attention from the first glimpse. The entrance alone sets expectations: a grand arched doorway in a rich emerald hue with brass detailing and an elegant fanlight, opening onto a space where moody sophistication meets approachable warmth. Inside, dark timber panelling, sumptuous emerald velvet banquettes, and cream leather seating create an atmosphere of understated luxury, whilst the backlit wine wall casts a gentle amber glow across the dining room. The ritual begins with exceptional bread service. Warm focaccia and crusty salted loaves arrive with premium olive oil that pools golden in its dish, perfect for dipping. The antipasti reinforces Chic Nonna’s dedication to quality. Tartare di tonno arrives as a precisely formed cylinder of diced bluefin, crowned with vivid dots of mango and avocado mousse. The presentation is Instagram-worthy, yet the flavours remain the true focus. The carpaccio di fassona showcases paper-thin slices of premium Piedmontese beef, dressed with fresh rocket, shaved Parmigiano, and a scattering of black
An Italian Love Letter in Every Bite
truffle that adds earthy depth without overwhelming the delicate meat.
The pasta programme delivers everything promised and more.
The bavette nerano emerges as the undisputed star 10/10: ribbons of perfectly al dente pasta tossed with gossamer threads of zucchini and aged Parmigiano Reggiano, creating a glossy, umami-rich sauce that clings to every strand. It’s deceptively simple yet utterly compelling.
The ravioli del plin shifts into richer territory. Each neat parcel conceals tender short rib ragù, bathed in glossy Parmigiano fondue and concentrated beef jus. Then arrives the theatrical spaghetti all’assassina, a Pugliese speciality rarely seen in Dubai.
The pasta achieves that signature textural contrast: patches of pleasantly crisp strands alongside tender bites, all thoroughly infused with robustly spicy tomato sauce. A generous crown of burrata melts into the heat, tempering the spice whilst enriching every forkful. The tableside presentation, complete with protective bib, adds just the right
“The bavette nerano emerges as the undisputed star 10/10”
touch of theatre. A tiramisu arrives in its classic ceramic dish: delicate ladyfinger layers soaked in quality espresso, enrobed in airy mascarpone cream with a generous dusting of cocoa. It strikes that ideal balance between richness and lightness, providing the perfect end to the meal. The wine cellar deserves particular praise. The dramatically illuminated wall showcases bottles from across Italian regions, whilst the marbletopped bar area reveals a serious drinks programme. The service team demonstrates genuine knowledge, offering confident guidance toward pairings that enhance rather than overwhelm the cuisine. The intimate booth seating, upholstered in cream leather with geometric patterned flooring underfoot, proves ideal for lingering conversations until late in the night.
For those seeking a refined Italian experience in DIFC that balances tradition with contemporary sensibility, Chic Nonna delivers across every dimension. chicnonna.com
ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR A sanctuary among olives and clouds
Anantara Al Jabal
Al Akhdar is the kind of place Dubai residents quietly keep on their shortlist for quick resets. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on Oman’s Green Mountain, it offers an experience that feels both accessible and far removed from city life. When the UAE heat lingers above 38°C, the mountain’s gentle 24°C changes everything. The drive from Dubai takes around five and a half hours, though the changing scenery makes time pass easily. After the Hatta border, where vehicle insurance can be arranged in minutes, the road winds steadily upwards. Each turn brings cooler air and wider views until, eventually, the
canyon appears, revealing Anantara’s fortresslike silhouette perched dramatically on the edge. It’s a journey that feels like a gradual transition from the everyday into calm. Our Deluxe Canyon View Room captured exactly what makes the resort so special. The interiors reflect Anantara’s signature aesthetic – warm wood, Omani latticework, and earthy tones that mirror the landscape. Yet the real highlight lies beyond the sliding doors: a private terrace with uninterrupted views of the canyon. It became our anchor point throughout the stay – for morning coffee as the mist lifted, slow afternoons with a book, and sunset moments when the cliffs turn gold.
Mornings begin at Al Maisan, where breakfast feels unhurried and quietly indulgent. The buffet is generous but not overwhelming, with stations offering madeto-order dishes alongside freshly pressed local olive oil – a highlight during the September harvest. Sipping coffee on the terrace, watching eagles circle above the terraced slopes, is the kind of memory that lingers long after check-out. Beyond the resort, short walks reveal the daily rhythm of the mountain. Narrow lanes lead to villages where kitchen gardens and olive trees fill every courtyard. Goats wander freely, and the occasional 4WD climbs the slopes with casual ease.
The landscape surprises with its greenness – roses, pomegranates, and olive groves thrive.
Anantara’s connection to this agricultural heritage runs deep. During the olive harvest, guests can join tastings guided by local experts, learning to recognise the peppery freshness of oils pressed only days before. The experience captures the mountain’s identity perfectly – rooted in nature, quietly industrious, and deeply authentic.
Dinner at Bella Vista, the resort’s Italian restaurant, is best timed for sunset. The terrace clings to the canyon’s edge, offering
panoramic views that shift from amber to violet as night falls. The menu favours comforting Italian classics prepared with precision rather than extravagance. The pumpkin ravioli, dressed in sage butter and toasted almonds, felt like the right kind of indulgence in the cool mountain air. The veal Milanese followed – crisp, golden, and generous. With each course came attentive but unobtrusive service, the kind that anticipates rather than interrupts.
By morning, the air dipped to 16°C – a rare pleasure for anyone used to Dubai’s warmth. Breakfast stretched into a slow ritual of omelettes, fruit, and coffee, taken on the terrace without rush. Later, the infinity pool offered a view so vast it seemed to merge with the canyon itself, a rare example of an image that exceeds its photographs. Around it, calm replaced the usual beach club soundtrack; the only sound was wind moving through the cliffs. Afternoons are best spent
“During the olive harvest, guests can join tastings guided by local experts, learning to recognise oils pressed only days before.”
doing very little. Reading, resting, or simply watching the light move across the landscape feels restorative in a way few resorts manage. For those seeking more structure, the spa offers treatments infused with local olive oil, while the resort’s guided hikes and cultural tours explore the surrounding villages and trails.
As the sun sank behind the mountains, the temperature dropped once more, and the air filled with a stillness that bordered on meditative. Sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine,
conversation faded to silence as the first stars appeared – sharp and bright in the absence of city light. It was a moment that defined the weekend: a reminder of being still. By Sunday morning, the descent back to the lowlands felt like a slow return to reality. The thermometer climbed steadily – 16°C at the resort, 28°C at the base, and finally the familiar 35°C as Dubai’s skyline reappeared. It’s a tangible reminder of the contrast that makes Jabal Al Akhdar so special.
@anantarajabalakhdar
AMANRUYA (BODRUM, TURKEY)
Amanpuri’s design drew inspiration from Thai temple architecture
AMAN
From Phuket pavilions to a $3 billion luxury
How Adrian Zecha’s 1988 Amanpuri resort revolutionised hospitality and created the “quiet luxury” blueprint.
The birthplace of Aman
Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha never intended to build a hotel empire. In the mid-1980s, he simply wanted a private holiday retreat on a spectacular headland in Phuket, Thailand. Yet the site proved too extraordinary to keep to himself, and what emerged in January 1988 would fundamentally reshape the luxury hospitality landscape for generations to come. Amanpuri, meaning “place of peace” in Sanskrit, opened with just 40 pavilions scattered across a coconut grove overlooking the Andaman Sea, introducing a radical new philosophy that would spawn an entire movement in resort design and cultivate one of the most devoted followings in travel history.
Working with American architect Ed Tuttle, Zecha created something entirely novel for the era. Amanpuri’s design drew inspiration from Thai temple architecture, employing teak, local stone and long, contemplative sightlines that dissolved boundaries between interior and landscape. The scale was deliberately intimate, the aesthetic profoundly serene, and the service hushed to the point of invisibility. Where contemporary luxury resorts favoured grand lobbies and obvious opulence, Amanpuri offered pavilions that felt more like private villas, with staff who anticipated needs before they were voiced and grounds that prioritised space and tranquillity over programmed estimated cost seemed property’s incalculable. This architectural became the brand the 1990s, Amandari Le Mélézin an unwavering to place-first room counts respect craftsmanship. By 1999, fewer properties competitors, generated revenue profit, with exceeded by multiples. not in scale transforming itself into amenity. The brand’s philosophy mere aesthetics approach primary like Kerry ryokan-influenced urban settings, work established tropical properties to replicate. maintained under 60 for space, remarkably rates. This small scale that felt more like where returning
AMANPURI (PHUKET, THAILAND)
AMANGIRI (UTAH, USA)
SINCE 1988
luxury empire
programmed activities. The estimated $4 million build seemed modest, yet the property’s impact proved incalculable.
architectural DNA became Aman’s signature as brand expanded through 1990s, moving from Bali’s Amandari to the French Alps’ Mélézin whilst maintaining unwavering commitment place-first design, ultra-low counts and profound for local materials and craftsmanship.
1999, despite operating properties than competitors, Aman reportedly generated $50 million in revenue and $15 million in with average rates that exceeded local competitors multiples. The secret lay scale but in scarcity, transforming exclusivity into the ultimate luxury amenity. brand’s design philosophy extended beyond aesthetics into a holistic approach that made place the primary amenity. Architects Kerry Hill brought ryokan-influenced serenity to settings, whilst Tuttle’s established templates for luxury that countless properties would attempt replicate. Most resorts maintained room counts well 60 keys, trading volume space, intimacy and remarkably high average daily This commitment to scale created properties felt less like hotels and like intimate villages, returning guests could
rediscover favourite pavilions and familiar faces amongst the staff.
The phenomenon of the “Amanjunkie” emerged during this period, describing travellers who planned entire journeys around Aman properties dotted across the globe. These weren’t merely repeat guests but devotees who had found in Aman a hospitality philosophy that resonated at a deeper level. The brand’s discretion became legendary: understated arrivals with no ostentatious signage, staff who remembered returning guests by name and preference, and an atmosphere closer to a private residence than a commercial hotel. This cultivated intimacy created extraordinary loyalty in an industry where brand switching remained commonplace, establishing Aman as something closer to a movement than a hotel collection.
The Amanjunkie community developed its own rituals and references, with devotees often visiting a dozen or more properties and planning future trips around new openings. This organic following provided Aman with perhaps its most valuable marketing asset: authentic advocacy from guests whose enthusiasm stemmed not from incentives but from genuine connection to the brand’s philosophy. The phenomenon demonstrated that in luxury hospitality, creating emotional resonance could prove more valuable than traditional scale, and that a small but intensely loyal customer base could
sustain premium pricing that seemed impossible by conventional metrics. Today, Aman operates 36 properties across 20 countries from its Swiss headquarters in Baar, with major projects advancing in Los Angeles (Aman Beverly Hills, targeted for late 2027), Miami Beach (2027), and a 183-metre Aman at Sea superyacht under construction for a 2027 debut. Bangkok marked another milestone with Aman Nai Lert Bangkok’s April 2025 opening, completing a symbolic circle back to Thailand where Amanpuri launched the entire journey 37 years earlier. What began as one man’s holiday house in a Thai coconut grove has become the template for quiet luxury in hospitality, proving that in an industry obsessed with scale, the most powerful strategy might be radical intimacy. From Amanpuri’s 40 pavilions to billion-dollar urban icons, Aman has remained faithful to Zecha’s founding vision whilst evolving it for a new era, creating not merely hotels but a philosophy of place that continues to reshape how we understand luxury itself. aman.com
Today, Aman operates 36 properties across 20 countries
AMAN VENICE (ITALY)
AMANKILA (BALI,
INDONESIA)
Our favourite time of year in Dubai has arrived and the city’s rooftop scene continues to rise above expectations, blending breathtaking views with sophisticated dining and vibrant nightlife.
OUR TOP Rooftops
in Dubai
Amazonico, DIFC
A lush rainforest escape in the heart of DIFC, Amazonico’s rooftop brings Latin American energy to Dubai’s skyline. The Paraíso terrace draws inspiration from Rio’s Copacabana with its signature yellow umbrellas and tiled floors, whilst tropical greenery creates intimate pockets. Resident DJs transform the atmosphere from refined dining to vibrant nightlife around 9pm. @amazonicodubai
CÉ LA VI, Address Sky View
Soaring 220 metres above Downtown Dubai on the 54th floor, CÉ LA VI commands some of the city’s most dramatic skyline views. The multi-level venue seamlessly blends restaurant, sky bar, club lounge and pool deck, all framed by floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Burj Khalifa, infinity pool and that Instagram-famous floral swing. @celavidubai
Mercury Rooftop, Four Seasons Jumeirah
This celestial rooftop sanctuary pairs uninterrupted Burj Khalifa and Arabian panoramas with a design vision inspired the planet Mercury itself. The Sundukovy Sisters’ acclaimed interiors weave accents through dark blue tones, enhanced by cutting-edge lighting that shifts the evening.
@mercurydubai
Rooftops
Jumeirah pairs Arabian Gulf inspired by Sundukovy liquid gold enhanced throughout
ZETA Seventy Seven, Address Beach Resort JBR
Perched on the 77th floor beside one of the world’s highest outdoor infinity pools, ZETA Seventy Seven delivers panoramic views across Palm Jumeirah, Ain Dubai and the Arabian Gulf from 293 metres above sea level. The Asian fusion menu highlights fresh seafood and premium cuts, served across breezy terraces to sunken lounges and private cabanas.
@zetaseventyseven
Tiki’s Rooftop, Canary Club (JLT)
JLT’s only rooftop destination channels Polynesian escapism from The MAINE team, wrapping guests in tropical foliage whilst the district’s towers rise beyond. The relaxed yet refined atmosphere suits everything from golden hour drinks to late-night gatherings. Canary Club’s Japanese-Mexican kitchen serves up everything from taco makis to wood-fired pizzas.
@canaryclubdxb
Set among KAFD’s glass towers, Zuma Riyadh feels instantly high-end yet relaxed. The evening starts upstairs with a lounge and DJ, then slips down a spiral staircase into the main dining room. You could sit by the windows for skyline views, but the smart move is the counter or a nearby table beside the open robata. From there you get the theatre that defines the brand – dancing flames, the brisk back-and-forth between grill and pass, and the chorus of greetings as you’re led in. Service lands exactly where you want it: confident, warm and attentive without choreography. Our waiter even played photographer, framing a shot good enough to make his case as Riyadh’s best. Snacks set a clean, savoury tone. Grilled soybeans with lemon and shichimi add a bright, peppery lift that snaps the palate awake. Beef gyoza with seasonal mushroom arrive with crisped edges and a juicy, savoury interior – simple, comforting and very well made. Sushi follows in generous waves, including a vegetarian and vegan platter that’s more considered than most. The inari nigiri – sweet tofu “pockets” with a soft, custardy bite – stands out for texture, while spicy tuna maki carries enough heat to stay interesting without overwhelming the rice. The robata is where Riyadh really shows its hand. Rib-eye with wafu sauce and garlic chips leans rich and deeply savoury, each slice resting under a well-judged char.
The spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chilli and sweet soy reads lighter yet punchier, all clean lines and heat. A side of grilled broccolini with spicy miso earns its keep – crisp stems, gentle smoke and a lick of spice that makes it a table essential.
Dessert splits the room in the right way. The baked cheesecake, made with Hokkaido dairy and set with a thin top that cracks lightly, finds balance with tart raspberries and a bright guava sorbet. The pecan pie sundae is the playful counterpoint – creamy and crunchy with robata sweet potato ice cream and kokuto caramel, the pecans lacquered just enough to be sticky without cloying. And then there is what we call The Zuma Effect – the brand’s knack for transcending borders while holding its line. You feel it in the first greeting, in the pacing of plates and in seasoning that is confident without shouting. If you have sat at a counter in London or Mykonos, Riyadh speaks the same language: precise rice, robata smoke used as an accent rather than a mask, and service that anticipates rather than interrupts. The menu travels but the intent is constant, so choices feel low risk without ever being dull. That reliability is the draw; the local notes are what make each outpost worth the trip.
With no alcohol in Riyadh, the bar leans creative. The raspberry passion fruit martini is beautifully balanced, while the Rubabini is bright and aromatic. These zero-proof pairings frame the meal as
deliberately as a wine list and give this outpost its edge.
The room builds late; a 7.30pm sitting is calm, with the energy climbing from 8.30 to 9pm, which tracks with local dining rhythms. Across cities, Zuma tends to repeat the hits; in Riyadh the execution is tight
and the zero-proof list gives it its own edge. @zumariyadhofficial
ZUMA EFFECT THE
In KAFD’s skyline dining room, Zuma Riyadh delivers robata theatre, precise sushi and standout zero-proof drinks, all under The Zuma Effect: borderless consistency from first greeting to final bite.
Dubai AIR SHOW READY FOR TAKE-OFF
The Dubai Airshow returns to DWC, Dubai Airshow Site from 17-21 November 2025, promising to be the definitive platform where the future of aerospace unfolds. This year’s edition expands by 8,000 square metres to become its largest yet. With 1,500+ exhibitors and 148,000+ industry professionals from 150 countries converging on Dubai, the event establishes itself as essential for those shaping tomorrow’s aviation landscape. Beyond traditional trade exhibitions, the Dubai Airshow delivers an aerospace experience that combines exclusive aircraft displays, breakthrough technologies, and premium networking opportunities designed for global leaders and innovation-focused professionals.
The spectacle centres on an extraordinary static and flying display featuring over 200 aircraft spanning commercial, military, and private aviation, including UAVs, drones, and helicopters.
The expanded Advanced Air Mobility Pavilion takes centre stage with live demonstrations of eVTOL aircraft – electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles that represent the future of urban transportation. Equally compelling, the reimagined Space Pavilion – now double its previous size –offers unprecedented access to breakthrough space technologies through its partnership with the UAE Space Agency. Attendees can engage with astronauts, experience space simulators, and discover innovations driving the emerging space economy.
For professionals seeking meaningful connections, the Dubai Airshow extends far beyond conventional trade show interactions. The exclusive Airshow After
Dark series, including the signature Party on the Runway, brings together influential figures from across the aerospace industry in environments designed to facilitate genuine relationshipbuilding.
The event’s conference programme delivers rare insights across twelve tracks spanning
four stages, featuring thought leaders, visionary founders, and investors discussing everything from sustainable aviation to space commerce. Dubai Airshow 2025 offers individual, and team passes with full five-day access to all exhibitions. Registration details and current pricing are available, with early registration recommended to secure the best rates.
