For travellers planning a trip to Dubai in 2027, even a familiar itinerary could feel completely new. With new places to stay, eat and explore, there are more reasons to return and discover another side of the city.
Recent additions range from Airstream stays overlooking Hatta’s mountain landscape and intimate Japanese counters to private cinemas, interactive family attractions and new stretches of beach designed for swimming after dark. International hospitality and restaurant names continue to choose Dubai for first regional or UAE outposts, while homegrown businesses continue to expand the city’s distinctive dining, lifestyle and experience-led offering.
For repeat visitors, that constant evolution makes it possible to build a very different trip each time. Stay on the coast, escape to the mountains, spend a day exploring a new neighbourhood or plan a winter visit around one of the major events returning to the city over the coming months.
Here are some of the newest places to know, and a look at what is coming next.
Check into somewhere new
For a change of pace, Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas opened in September 2026 with 50 bespoke Airstreams overlooking the Hajar Mountains and Hatta Dam. The setting makes it an easy base for visitors who want to combine a Dubai stay with hiking, cycling, kayaking and the outdoor experiences around Hatta.
Back in the city, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai has added a second Dubai address for the brand. Located within Wasl Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel combines 259 rooms and suites with private residences and 10 dining venues, putting visitors within easy reach of Downtown Dubai, DIFC and the city’s major cultural and retail districts.
Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection has also added a new landmark to the Dubai Marina skyline. Opened in November 2025, the property is the world’s tallest all-hotel tower, making it as much a new architectural reference point as a place to stay.
On The World Islands, voco Dubai Nice, The Heart of Europe offers an adults-only, French Riviera-inspired island stay. The 264-key resort is reached by speedboat from mainland Dubai and combines waterfront leisure with dining, boutique retail and colourful contemporary design.
Visitors returning to Meydan will also find The Meydan Hotel refreshed following extensive renovation. The property overlooks Meydan Racecourse, home of the Dubai World Cup, with golf, padel and tennis among the sporting options available nearby.
Hotels to put on the radar now
Dubai’s next wave of hotel openings is bringing several brands to the city for the first time.
Six Senses The Palm, Dubai will become the first Six Senses in the UAE. The all-suite beachfront resort on Palm Jumeirah will feature 61 suites alongside branded residences, with wellbeing central to the experience through facilities including a longevity centre, biohacking lounge, yoga and meditation spaces.
Kimpton Dubai will mark Kimpton’s UAE debut. The 280-room hotel will overlook Dubai Water Canal and add another lifestyle-led stay to Business Bay.
Further north, Rixos Dubai Islands Hotel & Residences will add to the rapidly developing Dubai Islands waterfront, while Baccarat Hotel and Residences Downtown Dubai will introduce the first Baccarat Hotel in the UAE in 2027.
Also expected in 2027 is Gran Meliá Dubai at Port de La Mer, a beachfront property with a 140m private beach, marina and sea views, dining venues, wellness facilities and event spaces. Hygge Hotel will bring a Scandinavian-inspired concept to The Heart of Europe, while the same island development is also progressing with Honeymoon Island and Floating Venice.
The Hoxton, Dubai Media City will mark another UAE debut, with 230 rooms, new dining concepts and the first Hoxton wellness club.
Looking further ahead, The Alba, Dubai, Dorchester Collection is expected in 2028, alongside the beachfront MGM Resorts development bringing together MGM Grand, Bellagio and ARIA.
The 2029 pipeline includes Aman Dubai, Janu Dubai DIFC, Rosewood Dubai, Cheval Blanc maison on Naïa Island, The Dubai Beach EDITION, Akala and Jumeirah Asora Bay. Corinthia Dubai is expected in 2030.
Try a restaurant that did not exist on your last trip
Dubai’s latest dining openings range from international names arriving in the city for the first time to increasingly distinctive homegrown concepts.
- In DIFC, Gymkhana has opened its first Dubai restaurant, bringing the approach of the acclaimed two-MICHELIN-starred London original to a two-level venue with familiar favourites alongside dishes created for Dubai.
- Nearby, Hudson & Rye brings the traditions of a New York deli to DIFC Square, while Nazaara adds another contemporary Indian fine-dining option to the district.
- For something more intimate, Taiga on Bluewaters Island has just 19 seats and centres its experience around Japanese teppanyaki and omakase, including premium Wagyu and seasonal seafood.
- At Dubai Opera, Ramen Hisa is an equally focused proposition. The 28-seat restaurant comes from the team behind TakaHisa, with carefully prepared broths, noodles and toppings at the centre of the menu.
- Le Piaf Dubai at Jumeirah Emirates Towers brings Parisian dining and nightlife together through French food, cocktails, live piano and late-night entertainment, while TANSŌ in Jumeirah 1 takes a more contemporary approach to Japanese dining.
- Coffee has become just as much a part of Dubai’s culinary identity. Cherryhouse in Al Safa combines an artisan bakery with an in-house speciality coffee roastery, including an overhead system that transports freshly roasted beans through the venue.
- Australian speciality coffee brand ONA Coffee chose Jumeirah for its first international outpost. Founded by World Barista Champion Saša Šestić, the brand adds another international name to a neighbourhood already known for independent cafés and homegrown concepts.
- For casual dining, Dubai-born Good Burger has moved from cult favourite to permanent restaurant with its first bricks-and-mortar location at DAMAC Mall.
- At Dubai Mall, Daniel’s Room takes a different approach altogether, blending art, design and gastronomy in a space inspired by New York artist Daniel Arsham.
Dubai’s dining scene is also continuing to collect international recognition. The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Dubai features 122 restaurants across 38 cuisines, including two restaurants with Three MICHELIN Stars, four with Two MICHELIN Stars, 14 with One MICHELIN Star and 22 Bib Gourmand restaurants.
What to book next
The restaurant pipeline gives food-focused visitors several reasons to plan ahead.
- L’Abysse Dubai and Casea 101 are opening at One&Only The Palm, bringing French-Japanese omakase and Italian coastal dining respectively.
- At Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, 1206 will introduce British-inspired cooking with French, Mediterranean and Scandinavian influences.
- Other names to watch include Hikiniku To Come, Cyrano Maison Sociale, 99 Sushi Bar at Dubai Creek Harbour and Mystic Mist: House of Rituals in Downtown Dubai.
- Further ahead, Zuma Beach House will become the brand’s first beachside destination in the region, while Novikov Beach is expected at Gran Meliá Dubai.
- Kricket, the UK Indian restaurant, will make its first international move with an outpost at Vida Emirates Hills, while Osaka Nikkei will bring Japanese-Peruvian dining to Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai.
- Abra Restaurant at Etihad Museum will take inspiration from Emirati culinary heritage under Sahar Parham Al Awadhi, while Atelier Kū in DIFC will combine dining, mixology and high-fidelity sound.
Find a new way to spend the day
The newest additions are not limited to hotels and restaurants.
- Kapitol at Rixos Premium Dubai in JBR spans three floors, combining bowling, interactive mini golf, axe throwing, racing simulators, baseball batting cages, retro arcades, karaoke, DJs and dining. It is designed for groups who want several different activities without moving between venues.
- At City Centre Mirdif, Explorers has opened as an indoor children’s destination combining free play and adventure with skill-building workshops and hands-on activities.
- Movie nights can now become a private affair at Roxy Private Cinema, The Beach JBR, where groups can book a 12-seat cinema with premium seating and in-seat food and beverage service.
- For outdoor time, Khor Al Mamzar Beach has reopened following redevelopment with the region’s first floating walkway, a 24/7 night beach and 5.5km of tracks for walking, running and cycling.
- The new Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark adds 20,000 sq m of aquatic entertainment, including a wave pool, lazy river and FlowRider surf simulator.
Sporting visitors can also explore AllSports Arena in Al Quoz, an indoor destination bringing together football, basketball, volleyball, padel, squash, swimming, climbing and fitness facilities.
For younger visitors, HARIBO Happy World at Dubai Festival City Mall brings the confectionery brand into an interactive family attraction.
Make the most of the cooler season
Some of Dubai’s most popular experiences are seasonal, meaning an autumn or winter visit opens up parts of the city that are less active through summer.
- Global Village reopened for Season 31 on 14 October 2026, bringing back its international pavilions, food, shopping, rides and live entertainment.
- Dubai Miracle Garden returned for Season 15 on 8 October, filling its 72,000 sq m site with floral displays and large-scale installations.
- Dubai Parks and Resorts reopened on 7 October, while Hatta Resorts and Hatta Wadi Hub returned on 28 September for the cooler months.
Later in the year, The Square, Nad Al Sheba is due to reopen as a year-round destination with 20 restaurants and cafés, as well as an events arena for live music, markets and family activities.
Shop somewhere different
Dubai’s retail scene also continues to change.
- Primark opened its third Dubai store at Mall of the Emirates in May 2026, following earlier launches at Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif.
- US beauty retailer Ulta Beauty has opened at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, while Real Madrid has chosen Dubai Mall for its first official standalone store in the UAE.
- Swiss sportswear brand On has also opened its first Dubai store at Mall of the Emirates.
Neighbourhood retail is expanding too. The Grand, Nad Al Sheba Gardens is opening in phases, anchored by the first Waitrose & Partners in Nad Al Sheba, with further dining, wellness and fitness concepts joining the development.
There is significantly more to come. Mall of the Emirates is progressing with an AED 5 billion expansion that will add new retail, dining and entertainment concepts, including The
Hangout, while Dubai Mall’s AED 1.5 billion expansion will introduce 240 additional luxury retail and dining outlets.
Time your trip around what is happening
Dubai’s cooler months bring some of the city’s biggest festivals, sporting events, cultural celebrations and international gatherings, giving visitors plenty to build into a winter stay.
From 31 October to 29 November, Dubai Fitness Challenge celebrates its 10th edition. Residents and visitors are encouraged to complete 30 minutes of activity for 30 days, with Dubai Run, Dubai Ride, Dubai Yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, Fitness Villages and free community sessions taking place across the city.
Diwali in Dubai runs from 2-12 November, with celebrations spanning dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural experiences.
Art lovers can plan around World Art Dubai, taking place from 19-22 November at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.
From 25-29 November, Dubai International Boat Show returns to Dubai Harbour, bringing together the marine industry, boating enthusiasts and waterfront experiences.
Eid Al Etihad celebrations will take place from 30 November to 3 December, followed by GITEX Global from 7-11 December at Dubai Exhibition Centre.
Then Dubai Shopping Festival returns in December, bringing citywide retail, dining, entertainment and family experiences into the heart of the winter season.
What comes after 2026?
Some of Dubai’s most interesting developments are still a while away, giving regular visitors something new to look forward to.
- Dubai Creek Lights, expected from Q1 2027, will introduce an AED 80 million lighting project extending across 8km of Dubai Creek and six locations, highlighting waterfronts, historic districts, traditional markets and architecture.
- The Yard at Palm Jebel Ali is planned as a 70,000 sq ft waterfront retail and lifestyle destination with 26 retail, dining, wellness and healthcare concepts.
- Further into the future, CLIO Desert Park is planned as a 10km immersive installation in the Dubai desert, adding a new cultural and experiential dimension beyond the city’s urban and coastal districts.
- The Museum of the Future is also undergoing a major transformation ahead of its planned reopening in Q1 2027.
The result is a destination that rewards repeat visits. The landmarks may be familiar, but there is always another neighbourhood to explore, another table to book, another hotel to try and another reason to start planning the next trip.
