Hospitality

DUBAI MARRIOTT HARBOUR HOTEL & SUITES SERVES UP A SUMMER OF DINING EXPERIENCES

Published

1 month ago

July 21, 2026

This summer, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is bringing together everything that makes dining in Dubai Marina so enjoyable. Whether starting the morning with breakfast, catching up over coffee, unwinding after work, enjoying a lively brunch with friends or marking a special occasion over dinner, the hotel’s collection of restaurants and lounges offers something for every mood and every moment. From the neighborhood feel of Counter Culture Café and British favorites at The Croft to vibrant evenings at Observatory Lounge and premium steakhouse dining at Prime52, guests can enjoy a full calendar of seasonal experiences, all with the Marina on their doorstep.

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST

Start the day at Counter Culture Café with an all-you-can-eat breakfast designed for easy mornings, weekday catch-ups and weekend plans in the heart of Dubai Marina. Guests can enjoy a weekday buffet or a weekend Chef’s Selection Menu, making it a simple and generous way to begin the day.

WHERE: Counter Culture Café, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Weekdays, 7am to 11am | Weekends, 8am to 4pm PRICE: AED 50 per person FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites/dining/dubai-harbour-restaurants/counter-culture-cafe/or call 04 319 4000.

BOTTOMLESS COFFEE

For those looking to work from a lively café setting, meet a friend or settle in after breakfast, Counter Culture Café’s bottomless coffee offer brings together unlimited coffee and 25% off the à la carte menu.

WHERE: Counter Culture Café, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Daily from 10am PRICE: AED 32, including 25% off the à la carte menu FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites/dining/dubai-harbour-restaurants/counter-culture-cafe/or call 04 319 4000.

AFTERNOON SIPS AT COUNTER CULTURE CAFÉ

From post-work drinks to casual afternoon plans on the terrace, Counter Culture Café keeps things social with daily Happy Hour and Hello Spritz offers. The venue is also pet-friendly on the terrace, making it a great option for guests stopping by with their four-legged companions.

WHERE: Counter Culture Café, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Happy Hour, daily from 4pm to 7pm | Hello Spritz, daily from 12pm PRICE: Happy Hour from AED 39 | Hello Spritz at AED 40 per spritz or three for AED 99 FOR BOOKINGS: Visit Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites or call 04 319 4000.

BEST OF BRITISH BRUNCH

Fridays at The Croft celebrate British favorites with a family-style sharing menu, drinks packages and Marina views. Designed for relaxed evenings with friends, the brunch brings together hearty dishes, good company and the easy-going atmosphere The Croft is known for.

WHERE: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Fridays, 7pm to 10pm PRICE: AED 199 with soft beverages | AED 299 with house beverages for three hours | 2-for-1 on More Cravings soft beverage packages FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites/dining/dubai-harbour-restaurants/croft/or call 04 319 4000.

SUNDAY ROAST

A classic Sunday roast takes over The Croft every weekend, serving a traditional roast with all the trimmings. It is a fitting option for families, groups and anyone looking for a comforting Sunday meal in Dubai Marina.

WHERE: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Sundays, 12:30pm to 11pm PRICE: AED 150 food only | AED 299 with house beverages for two hours FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites/dining/dubai-harbour-restaurants/croft/or call 04 319 4000.

HAPPY HOUR AT THE CROFT

For an easy after-work plan or pre-dinner drink, The Croft’s Happy Hour offers selected beverages against the backdrop of Dubai Marina.

WHERE: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Daily, 4pm to 7pm PRICE: Selected beverages from AED 39 FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites/dining/dubai-harbour-restaurants/croft/or call 04 319 4000.

SUNDOWN SOCIAL | Happy Hour

Located on the 52nd floor, Observatory Lounge brings sunset drinks together with panoramic views of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Sundown Social is ideal for after-work catch-ups, early evening plans and guests looking to take in the view over signature cocktails.

WHERE: Observatory Lounge, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 7pm PRICE: Signature cocktails from AED 39 FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.observatorylounge.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

COSMA, THE TALLEST LADIES’ NIGHT IN DUBAI MARINA

Every Tuesday, Observatory Lounge hosts COSMA, its ladies’ night set high above Dubai Marina. With free-flowing drinks, 50% off food and a menu inspired by Asian and Latin American flavours, it offers a midweek night out with skyline views.

WHERE: Observatory Lounge, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Tuesdays, 7pm to 10pm PRICE: AED 98, including free-flowing drinks and 50% off food FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.observatorylounge.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

STARGAZE FRIDAY NIGHT BRUNCH

Stargaze Friday Night Brunch brings together dinner, drinks and 52nd-floor views for an evening brunch at Observatory Lounge. Guests can enjoy a three-course menu, signature sips and the energy of a Friday night setting overlooking the city.

WHERE: Observatory Lounge, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm PRICE: AED 295 with soft beverages | AED 345 with house beverages | AED 395 with premium beverages | 2-for-1 on More Cravings soft beverage packages FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.observatorylounge.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

LIVE LOUNGE BRUNCH

Prime52 Steakhouse brings premium cuts, free-flowing beverages and panoramic Marina views together for its Saturday Live Lounge Brunch. Set on the 52nd floor, the brunch is designed for weekend celebrations and long lunches with a refined steakhouse feel.

WHERE: Prime52 Steakhouse, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Saturdays, 1pm to 4:30pm PRICE: AED 392 with soft beverages | AED 462 with house beverages | AED 552 with signature beverages | AED 812 with champagne | 2-for-1 on More Cravings soft beverage packages FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.prime52.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

FIRST CUT

For early evening dining, Prime52 Steakhouse’s First Cut menu offers a three-course experience featuring steakhouse favourites in an intimate 52nd-floor setting. It is ideal for pre-evening plans, business dinners or a refined start to the night.

WHERE: Prime52 Steakhouse, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Daily, 6pm to 8pm PRICE: AED 245 per person for three courses FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.prime52.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

TOMAHAWK RITUALS

Designed for sharing, Tomahawk Rituals at Prime52 Steakhouse brings together a tomahawk experience for two, complete with a starter, dessert and bottle of red wine. It is a fitting choice for guests looking to make dinner the main event.

WHERE: Prime52 Steakhouse, https://www.prime52.ae/, Dubai Marina WHEN: Daily, 6pm to 11pm PRICE: AED 792 for two, including a bottle of red wine, starter and dessert FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.prime52.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

DATE NIGHT THURSDAYS

Prime52 Steakhouse sets the scene for Date Night Thursdays with a dinner experience for two, complete with a glass of bubbly. With Marina views, premium cuts and a refined setting, it offers an easy option for couples looking to mark the evening.

WHERE: Prime52 Steakhouse, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina WHEN: Thursdays, 7pm to 11pm PRICE: AED 595 per couple, including a glass of bubbly FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.prime52.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

PIANO NIGHTS

Prime52 Steakhouse adds live piano performances to Wednesday and Friday evenings, creating a warm soundtrack for dinner high above Dubai Marina.

WHERE: Prime52 Steakhouse, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marin WHEN: Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30pm PRICE: À la carte FOR BOOKINGS: Visit https://www.prime52.ae/or call 04 319 4000.

This summer, discover four distinct dining experiences, each with its own personality, all under one roof at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites.

Hospitality

SIPS & SERENATA: MIDWEEK, THE TRUE ITALIAN WAY AT CUCINA

Published

16 hours ago

September 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Wednesdays at Cucina are getting a new soundtrack with the launch of Sips & Serenata, bringing together live entertainment, a vibrant aperitivo

experience and authentic Italian flavours at the Palm West Beach trattoria. Inspired by Cucina’s celebration of aperitivo culture and the Italian ritual of gathering over good food, good wine and great company, the new weekly experience offers guests a taste of la dolce vita in the middle of the week.

Taking place every Wednesday from 7pm until late, Sips & Serenata is inspired by the Italian tradition of aperitivo, an evening made for sharing, socialising and lingering a little longer around the table. Guests can settle in over vino carafes and signature spritzes as the evening unfolds, bringing a little of the Italian way of life to Dubai’s midweek dining scene.

Priced at AED 299 for two, the experience includes two hours of free flow wine carafes alongside the Tagliere dello Chef, a generous antipasti board featuring a chef’s selection of Italian cheeses and an assortment of beef or pork cold cuts, with the option to enhance the experience with favourites such as arancini, bruschetta, focaccina, marinated Apulian olives and fried calamari.

Adding to the atmosphere, Verou Poli will provide the soundtrack to the evening. Known across Dubai for her live performances and distinctive one-woman-band format, Verou combines vocals, piano, percussion and live looping in real time. Fluent in both English and Italian, her repertoire spans timeless classics and contemporary favourites, creating the perfect backdrop for Cucina’s spirited aperitivo nights.

Made for after-work aperitivo, date nights or a midweek catch-up with friends, Sips & Serenata offers an easy excuse to linger a little longer at Cucina. The à la carte menu is also available throughout the evening.

Offer Details:
When: every Wednesday from September 2026
Time: 7:00pm until late
Where: Cucina, Palm West Beach
Price: AED 299 for two, including two hours of free-flow carafes of vino and Tagliere dello Chef
Add-ons: Arancini (4 pieces) AED 30, marinated Apulian olives AED 10, fried calamari AED 30, bruschetta (2 pieces) AED 20 and freshly baked focaccina AED 30
À la carte: also available

Hospitality

THE ART OF CULINARY VERSATILITY

Published

6 days ago

August 27, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Exclusive interview with Chef Tim Newton, Executive Chef of the Demind Group

You began your culinary journey in a small town and went on to work across some of the world’s leading gastronomic destinations. Looking back, what moments fundamentally changed the way you understood food and the craft of being a chef?

I don’t think there was one defining moment that changed how I understood food. As a young cook, you learn how to respect ingredients and bring out their best flavours. As you grow in the profession, you also learn how to create dishes that are commercially successful without compromising on taste. Now, in my forties, my focus is on respecting the product, creating something memorable for the guest, ensuring the business remains profitable and, most importantly, being original in my work.

From working alongside some of the industry’s most respected chefs to leading the culinary direction of multiple high-profile concepts, what experiences have most shaped your approach to cooking and leadership?

My approach to both cooking and leadership has been shaped by seeing where others have failed, as well as recognising my own failures. One of the greatest tests of a chef is the ability to make a mistake, recover from it and avoid repeating it. Do I still make mistakes as a leader? Absolutely. But I make a conscious effort to acknowledge and correct them immediately.

As Executive Chef of Demind Group, how do you see your role beyond creating dishes? What is your larger vision for the teams, concepts and dining experiences you are building?

My role at Demind has always extended beyond creating dishes. I have had the privilege of helping to shape and develop the brands themselves. My director has consistently given me the freedom to create, experiment and, importantly, make mistakes and grow from them. My vision for the team is to help each person mature and develop their skills. I never expect my employees to remain with me forever, so I believe it is our responsibility to prepare them for successful careers beyond Demind.

With Bagatelle, OPA, La Niña and Myrra each having their own culinary personality, what is your overarching vision for the kind of dining experiences Demind Group should be known for?

Demind Group is known for creating top-tier dining experiences, but each of its concepts has a distinct identity. At La Niña, guests experience refined Spanish and Latin American cuisine in a beautiful, romantic setting. OPA offers a complete night out, combining vibrant party energy with excellent food. Casa Myrra is positioned as an upscale-casual concept, offering the quality and attention to detail associated with La Niña and OPA, but within a more relaxed atmosphere.

Each of these concepts draws from a distinct culinary culture, from French and Greek to Iberian Latino and Greek-Spanish influences. How do you approach reinterpretation without losing the authenticity that makes a cuisine recognisable?

I approach every brand in the same way: I study, I develop the flavour profile and then I create. It may sound simple, but the process can take months. Take OPA Dubai, our flagship concept, for example. Even today, we never allow ourselves to become complacent when developing new dishes. Around 70 per cent of the menu remains consistent, while the remaining 30 per cent is continuously evolving. We study market trends, but we also aspire to set them. I travel across Greece, discovering regional dishes and ingredients that are often overlooked, while continually searching for the finest products available. At Demind, we are always moving forward.

Rapid Fire Questions:

What is the most unexpected food combination you genuinely love?

I’m a big fan of ranch dressing, so I would have to say Bolognese with a generous dollop of ranch on top. The height of gourmet dining!

What’s the one dish you would happily cook for friends at home, and what’s the one dish you absolutely refuse to make outside the professional kitchen?

Tacos, any day of the week.

What is the one kitchen rule you refuse to compromise on?

Respect one another.

A dish I would refuse to make outside the kitchen?

That’s a difficult one, because I don’t find anything too challenging. I would gladly take on any culinary challenge in my home kitchen.

Every chef has a dish they secretly think they make better than anyone else. What’s yours?

Paella—for sure!

Hospitality

BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW

Published

7 days ago

August 26, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Exclusive interview with Ravi Jethwani, CEO, Innovations Global

As the UAE enters the second half of 2026, how would you assess the current state of the job market? What key trends are shaping recruitment today?

The UAE job market remains fundamentally resilient, although it has become more selective. Regional uncertainty created some short-term caution among employers, particularly around the middle of the year, but this has not changed the underlying attractiveness of the UAE as a business and employment hub. Recruiters are already expecting hiring activity to strengthen as companies restart recruitment plans that were temporarily paused.

Despite recent regional uncertainties, hiring activity appears to be picking up. What factors are driving this renewed recruitment momentum?

The biggest driver is the UAE’s continued economic diversification. Businesses are investing across technology, financial services, healthcare, real estate, infrastructure, energy and professional services rather than relying on a single economic engine.

Dubai’s Q1 2026 GDP grew 2.4% year-on-year, with particularly strong performances in healthcare, construction, financial services and utilities.

There is also a significant amount of investment already committed to long-term projects. As business confidence improves, organisations that delayed hiring are likely to revisit those plans.

Dubai has become one of the world’s most attractive employment destinations. What do you believe has contributed to this transformation, and why does it continue to attract global talent?

Dubai has successfully created something that goes beyond simply being a place to work—it has become a global platform for business.

Its advantages include world-class infrastructure, connectivity, a highly international business environment, a relatively business-friendly regulatory framework and access to markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Importantly, Dubai has continuously reinvented itself. It has moved from being primarily associated with trade and real estate to becoming a significant centre for finance, technology, logistics, tourism, healthcare, and professional services and innovation.

Which sectors are expected to lead hiring in the UAE during the second half of 2026, and what roles are currently in highest demand?

I would expect technology and AI, financial services, healthcare, energy and renewables, construction, real estate, logistics, professional services to remain among the strongest areas.

In terms of roles, demand is increasingly concentrated around AI and data professionals, technology specialists, cybersecurity, finance and investment professionals, sales and business development, healthcare specialist, engineering and specialized talent. The important point is that AI is creating demand not only for pure AI specialists, but for people who can combine AI capability with industry expertise

What advice would you give to professionals who are looking to advance their careers or secure new opportunities in the UAE?

My advice would be to be much more strategic about the job search. Don’t simply apply to hundreds of vacancies with the same CV. Understand the industry, identify companies that are expanding and tailor your profile to the requirements of those organisations. Networking is also extremely important in the UAE. Build relationships with recruiters, industry professionals and decision-makers rather than relying entirely on job portals.

Are there any emerging workplace trends—such as flexible work, upskilling, or digital transformation—that will significantly influence the future of work in the UAE?

First is AI enabled work. AI will increasingly become part of everyday workflows rather than a separate technology function.

Second is continuous upskilling. The half-life of skills is becoming shorter, so employers and employees will both have to invest in learning. Third is the evolution of flexible working. I don’t think the future will necessarily be completely remote or completely office-based. Instead, organisations will increasingly adopt hybrid models based on productivity, collaboration and the nature of the role. The UAE has an opportunity to become a leader in this new model because of its young, international and digitally sophisticated workforce.

Looking ahead, what is your outlook for the UAE job market over the next 12 months, and what opportunities do you foresee for employers and job seekers?

I am cautiously optimistic about the next 12 months. I expect recruitment to become progressively more active as businesses move beyond the uncertainty of the first half of 2026 and resume investment and expansion plans. The fundamentals remain strong: economic diversification, infrastructure investment, international capital, population growth and the UAE’s continued positioning as a global business hub.

However, I don’t expect every segment of the market to grow equally. The market will remain selective, and employers will continue to demand stronger productivity and specialised skills.

For employers, the opportunity is to access an increasingly sophisticated global talent pool. For professionals, the opportunity is to build careers in sectors that are expanding rapidly.

Ultimately, I believe the UAE job market is moving from a “jobs market” to a “skills market.” The winners over the next few years will be organisations that can attract and retain the right talent, and professionals who continuously upgrade their skills and demonstrate measurable value.