A monthly press dispatch of the region’s newest, homegrown brands from the desk of NikNak PR
Winter is Coming
Winter is finally arriving in the UAE, bringing cooler evenings, longer shadows, and a welcome shift in the city’s rhythm. Rooftop dinners linger past sunset, desert trails beckon on the weekends, and cosy alfresco cafés invite you to slow down and enjoy the evenings.
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a selection of UAE-born outdoor essentials and seasonal favourites that will make you want to step outside, explore and soak up everything it has to offer: from Cozy Moods’ lakeside and desert picnics, to Spice Grill’s hearty seafood feasts, Organic Foods & Café’s elevated BBQ spreads to MINT Market’s vibrant outdoor pop-ups or even wellness seekers looking for a reset with Wellness Wonderz’ five-day challenge. Think of it as your insider guide to winter in the UAE: where to eat, sip, wander and simply enjoy the cooler side of the city.
01 // THE ALFRESCO ESCAPE
For: Discerning hosts, families, and brands seeking unforgettable moments
Brand: Cozy Moods Luxury Picnics
Think of it as hospitality with an editorial eye. Cozy Moods is a Dubai-based luxury picnic and bespoke events brand, curating styled experiences that turn ordinary gatherings into timeless memories. Founded in the summer of 2021, the brand was born from a passion for storytelling, connection, and creating spaces where elegance meets ease.
At the heart of Cozy Moods are their Luxury Picnic Experiences, fully styled themed setups that combine effortless hospitality with detail-rich design. Beyond picnics, they bring the same magic to bespoke brand activations and intimate private events, tailoring each moment to reflect a client’s unique vision.
What’s new this year? Haute Table by Cozy Moods, a luxury dining concept for elevated indoor and outdoor tablescapes, alongside a new Experience Concierge service designed to make every celebration feel effortless. Looking ahead, mark your calendars for The Dubai Cake Picnic on December 7, a sweet celebration of alfresco indulgence, artisanal treats, and beautifully styled experiences. More details here.
www.cozymoodsevents.ae & @cozymoodsevents.ae_
02 // THE CULINARY TOUCH
For: Seafood lovers who like their meals bold, messy and made for sharing
Brand: Spice Grill, Sharjah and Dubai
The UAE has no shortage of photogenic meals but few combine that wow factor with prices that actually make sense. Spice Grill, a homegrown Filipino restaurant, has built a loyal following for its seafood feasts, smoky BBQs and signature Pinoy flavours that bring people together around the table.
If you’ve ever scrolled past a video of a steaming seafood boil poured straight onto the table, chances are it was Spice Grill. Buckets of crab, shrimp, mussels and corn are cooked in buttery garlic sauces and served the messy, hands-on way. It’s not fine dining; it’s fun dining: big flavours, big portions and that perfect “for the gram” moment.
The restaurant marked its 5-year anniversary at its flagship Sharjah location this October with a special solo seafood feast offer, but the celebrations don’t stop there. This winter, diners can still tuck into sharing feasts, BBQ platters and hearty rice meals that have become fan favourites. For early risers, the brand’s AED 10 breakfast menu with free coffee at BurJuman is one of Dubai’s best morning steals.
From waterfront views in Sharjah to the bustling vibe of its Dubai locations, Spice Grill is all about good food, good company and memorable dining moments.
www.spicegrill.me & @spicegrilluae
03 // BBQ Season
For: Families, friends and grill lovers across the UAE
Brand: Organic Foods and Café
Dubai evenings call for one thing: the sizzle of the grill. Organic Foods and Café makes the BBQ season healthier, tastier, and easier with a line-up of premium organic proteins, gluten-free sauces, freshly baked breads, and ready-to-serve sides. Think ribeye and striploin steaks, juicy beef burgers, peri peri chicken skewers, and lamb shoulder chops, all free from hormones and antibiotics so every bite is clean and full of flavour.
Pair with crowd-pleasers like beef bacon & cheese grillers, lamb & herb sausages, organic brioche buns, and crisp coleslaw, finished with smoky-sweet vegan BBQ sauce or USDA-certified organic ketchup. Add sparkling La Croix and indulgent organic desserts, and you have a spread worth sharing. Even the flame gets an upgrade with Pure Fire Hardwood Charcoal for that authentic BBQ aroma.
organicfoodsandcafe.com & @organicfoodsandcafe
04 // THE POP-UP EXPERIENCE
For: Local design lovers, conscious shoppers, and community seekers
Brand: MINT Market
If the arrival of cooler weather signals anything, it’s the return of Dubai’s favourite outdoor markets, and MINT Market is leading the way with a new season of vibrant pop-up events across the UAE. Known for bringing together homegrown brands, creative entrepreneurs, and sustainably minded shoppers, MINT Market transforms every venue into a celebration of local craftsmanship, community, and connection.
On October 25th and 26th, families can head to The Sustainable City in Dubai for the Family Market, a community-focused event featuring kids’ activities, eco-friendly brands, and wholesome food under the open sky. Expect a day filled with go-karts, face painting, arts and crafts, and plenty more to keep the little ones entertained while you shop, sip, and soak in the community spirit.
And the festivities don’t stop there… on 1st November, MINT Market adds a spooky twist with its Halloween Special at Tap & Grill, Jumeirah Golf Estates. Think trick-or-treating, pumpkin crafts, face painting, costume prizes, and fang-tastic food. A frightfully fun evening for the whole family.
From artisan fashion and handcrafted jewellery to plant-based treats and design-led homeware, each market is an invitation to meet the makers, shop consciously, and reconnect with the joy of local discovery.
mintmarket.ae & @mintmarket.ae
05 // THE WELLNESS CHALLENGE
For: Fitness enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and anyone ready to reset mind and body
Brand: Wellness Wonderz
This season, Wellness Wonderz invites you to turn intention into action with its new five-day challenge set to start during the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30: Curated To Move Challenge. Designed to make wellness simple, structured, and social, the initiative blends movement, mindfulness and motivation through curated mini-boxes packed with essentials to guide you each day.
Across five days, participants will look to complete one movement or wellness-based challenge daily, each tied to an item from the exclusive Wellness Wonderz Mini-Box (AED 199). From strength and recovery to reflection and rest, every day unlocks a new way to move, feel, and connect. To join, simply purchase the box and post your daily challenge, photo or video, tagging @wellnesswonderz. Complete all five challenges, and you’ll be entered into a weekly draw to win a full-sized Wellness Wonderz Box.
More than a challenge, this is a reminder that wellness isn’t about intensity, it’s about consistency. With thoughtful tools, accessible workouts, and reflective prompts, Wellness Wonderz turns everyday movement into a mindful ritual; one box, one challenge, one small win at a time.
