Dubai Food Festival announces new dates and a busy line-up

The annual culinary celebration will return with pop-ups, Dubai Restaurant Week and Etisalat Beach Canteen

The eighth Dubai Food Festival will take place from March 25 to April 17. Courtesy Dubai Food Festival

Dubai Food Festival (DFF), one of Dubai’s most popular lifestyle events, is all set to make its return, and it has an action-packed line-up to boot.

Organisers have announced that the culinary festival will take place from March 25, to April 17. It was previously scheduled to run from February 25 to March 13.

The new season will include a line-up of bespoke dining experiences and activities including the Etisalat Beach Canteen, Dubai Restaurant Week, Hidden Gems and Foodie Experiences.

Etisalat Beach Canteen is one of the highlights of the annual food and beverage festival, and features varied culinary offerings and family-friendly entertainment on Jumeirah Beach. Dubai Restaurant Week will feature curated menus from popular participating restaurants while Hidden Gems allows residents to vote on beloved restaurants in UAE’s food scene. Foodie Experiences will include chef’s tables and cooking classes, although nothing else has been announced on this yet.

This year, the festival will focus on four highlights of Dubai’s food scene: culinary diversity, authentic and homegrown cuisine, unique restaurant experiences and exceptional value for money.

This is the eighth year of the popular festival, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. Last year's event was a more scaled-down version owing to the coronavirus pandemic while Taste of Dubai 2020 was ultimately postponed. As of now, has been no mention on whether Taste of Dubai will be returning this season.

According to a statement by organisers, the DFF will be following safety precautions listed by the Dubai Government. “All dining experiences, events and activations during Dubai Food Festival will strictly follow all current health and safety protocols and precautionary measures to ensure a safe experience for all,” it stated.

For more details, visit www.dubaifoodfestival.com