Hospitality

HOW MEDITERRANEAN DINING IS FINDING A NEW RHYTHM IN DUBAI

Published

2 days ago

July 21, 2026

Exclusive interview with Selçuk, Co-Founder, Loop

Every great restaurant begins with an idea. What sparked the vision for LOOP, and what gap did you feel existed in Dubai’s dining scene?

LOOP was born from a simple question: What makes people come back to a restaurant again and again? We realised it isn’t just a beautiful space or a trending dish. It’s how a place becomes part of your everyday life.

That’s exactly what we wanted to create—a restaurant people return to whether it’s for a morning coffee, a leisurely Turkish breakfast, a business lunch, dinner with friends or a late-night meal. The name “LOOP” reflects that idea of coming full circle, of becoming part of someone’s routine.

Dubai has countless restaurants designed for special occasions. We wanted to build one designed for everyday moments, where exceptional food, genuine hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere make every visit feel worth repeating.

Business Bay is evolving into one of Dubai’s busiest lifestyle destinations. What made it the perfect home for LOOP?

Business Bay has evolved into far more than a business district. It’s become one of Dubai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, where professionals, residents and visitors all cross paths throughout the day.

That made it the perfect location for an all-day dining concept like LOOP. From early breakfasts and coffee meetings to relaxed lunches, family dinners and late-night gatherings, the area naturally lends itself to every dining occasion.

Being located along the Dubai Canal also allows guests to step away from the pace of the city and enjoy a meal in a setting that feels calm, social and inviting. We wanted LOOP to become the neighbourhood restaurant people think of first, regardless of the hour.

Operating around the clock is an ambitious undertaking. What inspired the decision to create a true 24-hour dining destination?

Food doesn’t follow office hours, and neither do people.

Some guests start their day before sunrise with coffee and breakfast, while others are looking for a quality dinner or comforting meal long after most kitchens have closed. We wanted to remove the idea that there is a “right time” to visit a restaurant.

Operating 24 hours allows us to serve fresh, thoughtfully prepared food whenever our guests choose to dine. Whether it’s an early breakfast spread, a Mediterranean lunch, a family dinner or a late-night bite after work, the same attention to quality and hospitality remains at the centre of every service.

Mediterranean cuisine has become increasingly popular in the UAE. How does LOOP bring its own interpretation to this culinary tradition?

Mediterranean cuisine is all about simplicity, generosity and letting great ingredients speak for themselves, and that’s the philosophy we’ve embraced at LOOP.

Our menu is inspired by the Mediterranean with a distinctive Turkish influence, bringing together vibrant seasonal produce, premium grilled meats, fresh seafood and colourful sharing plates that encourage people to gather around the table.

Rather than reinventing traditional recipes, we focus on refining them through quality ingredients, careful technique and contemporary presentation. Guests can enjoy everything from authentic Turkish breakfast spreads to beautifully grilled kebabs, fresh mezze and signature Mediterranean dishes designed for sharing.

While shisha naturally complements the relaxed atmosphere, it has never defined who we are. Food is the heart of LOOP. Every dish is created to encourage conversation, long meals and the joy of sharing great flavours with family and friends.

Personalisation has become a defining trend in hospitality. How do you ensure returning guests feel recognized without making the experience feel scripted?

For us, personalisation begins with paying attention.

It’s about remembering a guest’s favourite table, knowing how they like their coffee, recommending a new dish based on what they’ve enjoyed before or simply greeting them by name.

We’re also developing the LOOP app to make reservations more seamless and help us better understand our guests’ preferences over time. Technology gives us useful insights, but it’s our team that brings those insights to life through genuine hospitality.

The goal is never to create a scripted experience. It’s to make every returning guest feel naturally welcomed, as though they’re visiting a place that already knows them.

Guests today expect more than great food. How are expectations changing around experience, technology and service?

Guests still come for exceptional food, but what they remember is how a restaurant made them feel.

Today’s diners expect a complete experience: beautifully prepared dishes, attentive service, a comfortable atmosphere and effortless convenience. Every detail matters, from the music and lighting to the pace of service and the way food arrives at the table.

Technology helps us enhance that experience by making reservations easier, streamlining operations and allowing our team to spend more time engaging with guests instead of focusing on processes.

At the end of the day, hospitality remains deeply human. Great food brings people through the door, but genuine service and memorable experiences are what inspire them to come back.

Hospitality

A PROPER BREAK, ON YOUR OWN CLOCK: VOCO BONNINGTON DUBAI UNVEILS 36-HOUR STAYCATION

Published

12 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

voco Bonnington Dubai is inviting guests to press pause with a new 36-hour staycation offer, built for travellers who want more than a rushed overnight stay. Rather than checking in for a single night and rushing out the next morning, guests can check in from 9am and check out at 9pm the following day, unlocking a full day and a half at the hotel for the price of one night.

The extended format is designed around the idea that a proper break needs more than a few hours to actually feel like one. Guests have an extra afternoon, evening and full day to make use of the hotel rather than squeezing everything into a single overnight, whether that means a long lie-in, a lazy breakfast, an afternoon by the pool, or simply having somewhere comfortable to work from before heading back out into the city. Breakfast is included on both mornings, so guests can ease into each day without the usual checkout-time pressure, and children stay free, with complimentary meals from the kids’ menu for the full length of the stay.

Location adds to the appeal. voco Bonnington Dubai sits just minutes from DMCC Metro, Dubai Marina and JBR, giving guests quick access to the beach, marina walk and the city’s business districts, while the hotel itself offers enough to make staying in just as tempting, from the gym and pool to its food and beverage outlets offering guests a place to unwind without needing to go far. It is this mix of connectivity and comfort that makes the 36-hour format work particularly well here, guests get the flexibility to explore Dubai on their own schedule, with a relaxed, well-equipped base to return to in between.

The offer is bookable for stays until 6 September 2026, and forms part of a wider IHG Hotels & Resorts initiative running across more than 190 hotels and resorts in the Middle East, Africa, India and South Asia, giving guests the same extended-stay flexibility wherever they choose to book.

Hospitality

KEETA TEAMS UP WITH EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH SONY PICTURES’ SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY CAMPAIGN IN THE UAE

Published

13 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Keeta, the international on-demand food delivery platform backed by global technology leader Meituan, announced an exciting co-promotion with Empire Entertainment to launch a UAE campaign inspired by Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day, releasing in cinemas July 30th bringing together entertainment and everyday convenience in a unique experience for customers across the UAE.

Built around the campaign theme “Delivering A Brand New Day,” the collaboration is designed to make every day easier, brighter, and more rewarding through memorable experiences that go beyond food delivery.

Running throughout the campaign, customers can take part in a series of interactive experiences, including in-app challenges, exclusive rewards, mall activations, and the chance to win cinema experiences inspired by the highly anticipated theatrical release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The campaign will also feature immersive pop-up experiences at some of the UAE’s most popular shopping destinations, allowing families, movie fans, and customers to engage with the brand through interactive games, exclusive prizes, and entertainment-led experiences.

The collaboration reflects Keeta’s commitment to creating memorable experiences that go beyond everyday delivery, connecting customers with the moments, brands, and experiences they love.

As Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in cinemas on July 30th, Keeta invites customers across the UAE to join the celebration and discover how every order can help deliver a brand new day. For additional information about Keeta, download the app from [HERE].

Hospitality

JAMES CAFÉ UNVEILS NEW SEASONAL BEVERAGES INSPIRED BY SUMMER FLAVOURS

Published

1 day ago

July 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

From floral matcha blends to bold espresso creations, the new line-up captures the essence of the season in every sip

James Café introduces a new collection of seasonal beverages, bringing together vibrant flavours, elevated ingredients, and a fresh take on café classics.

At the heart of the new menu is a creative exploration of matcha, reimagined through a series of distinctive flavour pairings. From the tangy brightness of Hibiscus Matcha to the soft, aromatic notes of Lavender Matcha, each drink balances the earthy depth of ceremonial-grade matcha with a unique seasonal twist. Variations such as Vanilla Matcha and Berry Matcha introduce a smoother, more indulgent profile, combining creamy textures with subtle sweetness.

For coffee lovers, the offering leans into both comfort and experimentation. The Crème Espresso delivers a rich, full-bodied coffee topped with a silky foam and a hint of vanilla, while the more adventurous Volcano Espresso pairs bold espresso with ginger ale and vanilla, creating a layered drink with a distinctive, slightly smoky finish.

Each beverage is priced at AED 32 and is available across all James Café locations in Abu Dhabi. Designed to reflect the lighter, brighter mood of the season, the menu blends delicate florals, fruity notes, and bold coffee profiles, offering something for every palate, whether you’re looking for something refreshing, indulgent, or quietly comforting.

Highlights from the seasonal menu: