The UAE is tackling this issue of work-life balance and the government recently introduced a 4.5-day work week for Emirati government employees.
Laszlo Szirtsey | Getty Images News | Getty Images
They say it’s risky to play with a winning formula – especially when that formula results in massive revenue for Covid-battered restaurants and is one of the pillars of the country’s tourism offering.
So, when the UAE government announced that it was shifting its weekends from Fridays and Saturdays to Saturdays and Sundays to align with global markets at the start of the year, Dubai’s hotels were trying to reassure their fun-loving residents. Were early to realize that their biggest fear wasn’t – brunch wasn’t “finished”, they were just going on a Saturday.
Brunches in Dubai are legendary and have always been unattainable in their extreme extravagance. Traditionally starting at 12.30pm and sometime after 4.30pm, these all-you-can-eat drinks reinforce the image of Dubai as a champagne bottle popping, sunshine soaking, lobster crackling, party playground We do.
In fact, brunch is a much-anticipated weekend treat for the city’s hardworking residents – and make no mistake, despite the designer label and bumper supercars, this is a city where people work very hard for their tax-free dirham.
in a recent study By mobile tech company KC, Dubai came out at the top in the work intensity category for having the highest working population, meaning full-time employees often work 48 hours per week.
The UAE is tackling this issue of work-life balance and the government recently introduced a 4.5-day work week for Emirati government employees, meaning they now have time off for worship and family gatherings on the Islamic holy day. Also get half day of Friday.
However, most expatriate-dominated private sectors will still operate all day on Fridays – so restaurants are switching brunch to Saturdays – a change that has accommodated in Dubai food with a shrug.
In fact, the only serious problem now for hungry weeknights is which brunch to choose, with new options across the emirate such as Bleu Blanc in the newly opened St. Regis Downtown Dubai. There guests can enjoy extravagant creations like the Wagyu beef donut with truffle mayo and endless Champagne for 700 UAE dirhams ($191).
Not to mention old-school “classic” brunches like Bublishius at the Westin Dubai Mina Seiyahi resort, where diners can indulge their taste buds in three restaurants and a spacious outdoor terrace for dirham 695 with unlimited fizz, including a spacious The fresh seafood display is topped with lobster. , crab, prawns, mussels, and heaps of fresh cracked oysters.
David Tully, head of media at Dubai’s Middlesex University, told CNBC: “I don’t think people need a little bit of incentive to go back to brunch after the weekend changes.”
“They can turn brunch into a Tuesday and people will find a way – Dubaiites just say no to an expensive, overpriced smorgasbord. Covid cannot destroy a time-honored tradition, the progress of brunch in this city. Nothing breaks.”
The American expatriate said: “I think Aristotle called it catharsis – after the slogan of the work week, people need a little Dionysian extravaganza on the weekends to let off some steam.”
Brunch is a much-awaited weekend feast for the city’s hardworking residents.
Karim Sahib | AFP | Getty Images
Meanwhile, Stephanie Hughes, the British managing director of the Dubai communications firm, who has been a brunch-goer since moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2014, says the new Saturday brunch is a good thing.
“It’s even better because now we go to brunch and enjoy a great day and then indulge in a relaxing, traditional Sunday roast the next day to recover from the festivities,” she told CNBC.
She continued: “Now it seems there are more brunch options, better quality of food, and different times to choose from.”
Swedish expat Victoria Stevenson, who goes to brunches most weekends with her Scottish husband, says she has also noticed that Dubai venues up their game to pull in punters.
“I think entertainment has become a part of brunch; when we go back to visit Europe, we’ll really miss that scene,” she told CNBC.
Although some brunches continued during the height of the pandemic, most were reduced dramatically and included safety measures such as table spacing, hourly table sanitization, screens and table service, as opposed to the usual buffet set up.
Many strict protocols have now been removed by Dubai hotels – although the usual buffet of table service and setting up of many food stations may take some time.
Not that it matters.
Hotels are making every effort to keep big-spending brunch customers coming back and their efforts seem to have paid off in recent weeks with bookings that appear to be a spinoff of so-called “revenge tourism” – a recent concept that Consumers are more eager to travel after the lockdown restrictions.
“There’s definitely been more demand this year,” Elif Yazoglu, general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton at Dubai’s beachfront Jumeirah Beach Residence, told CNBC.
“For everyone to get back to normalcy, be social, share meals with family and friends, have casual conversation and get lots of laughs—brunch is a relaxing weekend option.”
Yazoglu says the hotel’s brunch on Saturdays has been smooth sailing in terms of guest acceptance.
“Since the weekend itself has shifted for everyone who was previously out of work on Fridays but now works that day, obviously prefer Saturday brunch.”
He added that after a tough few years for the hospitality industry due to COVID, 2022 is upbeat – backed by good weather, expo 2020 excitement and travel trends returning to normal.
“We have also noticed that there is a great demand for outdoor spaces – if the weather favors it – and our biggest advantage is our large garden with stunning views of Ain Dubai. [Dubai’s iconic observation wheel] And Bluewaters Island,” she said.
