Is Taste of Dubai 2026 Worth It? Dates, Tickets & Festival Highlights

Friday, 16 January 2026| Dubai, UAE [ Posted at 8:13 pm]

Dubai’s most loved food festival is back, and it’s bigger than ever. Taste of Dubai 2026 returns from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 8, 2026, transforming the iconic Dubai Media City Amphitheatre into three memorable days experience of food, music and experiences.  With more than 25,000–27,000 visitors expected, this year’s edition promises world-class dining, celebrity chef workshops, live entertainment and family-friendly fun. 

What Is Taste of Dubai 2026?

Presented by MENA Live Events in association with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Taste of Dubai is the city’s ultimate food, drink and music festival. The event brings together award-winning restaurants, globally recognised chefs, interactive cooking sessions and live entertainment under one roof.

This year, you can design your own culinary journey, sampling small plates from Dubai’s best restaurants while enjoying DJ sets, workshops and social lounges.

Read more – Mussafah Drivers, Take Note: Paid Parking Starts This Week

The Restaurants: 15 Must-Try Pop-Ups

Taste of Dubai 2026 features 16 handpicked restaurants, each serving three to five tasting-sized dishes. Plus, a special “Taste Exclusive Dish” created only for the festival will be featured at the event. 

Confirmed Restaurant Line-Up:

1. Leña
2. The Guild
3. Duck & Waffle
4. Akira Back
5. Demon Duck
6. The Beam
7. Khadak
8. Ting Irie
9. LOWE
10. Lento
11. Nama Yoso
12. Maya by Richard Sandoval
13. Indya by Vineet
14. Rhodes W1
15. Suma Gourmet

Every restaurant gives at least one vegetarian option and one kid-friendly dish, making the festival inclusive for all tastes and ages.

Meet the Celebrity Chefs of Taste of Dubai 2026

One of the biggest highlights is the chef programme, featuring free live cooking demos and interactive workshops (first-come, first-served). 

2026 Guest Chefs Include:

• Gino D’Acampo – Italian chef & TV personality
• Matt Preston – MasterChef Australia judge
• Rachel Allen – Irish bestselling cookery writer & TV chef
• Harry Heal – Instagram chef sensation
• Jenny Morris – South Africa’s “Giggling Gourmet”
• Fred Casagrande – Smoking Beard founder
• Andrew Dickens & Joseph Nesbitt-Larking – UK pitmasters

Where to Catch Them:

• BLACK+DECKER Cook School – Hands-on cooking sessions
• Suma Gourmet Firepit – Open-fire BBQ mastery
• Taste Chefs’ Hub – Insider tips, Emirati cuisine & cook-along sessions

VIP Experiences: Upgrade Your Weekend

Want to elevate your festival experience? The enhanced VIP package offers fast-track entry, access to an exclusive lounge and premium comforts throughout the day. It includes:

• Fast-track entry
• Access to the exclusive VIP Lounge
• Plush seating & live entertainment
• 3 food vouchers + 4 drink vouchers

 VIP tickets are limited and are expected to sell out quickly.

Music, DJs & Live Entertainment

Taste of Dubai isn’t just about food. It’s a full festival vibe with two live music zones and dedicated entertainment in the VIP lounge. 2026 Performers Include:

• DJ Big Rossi
• DJ Remix Rich
• Madam
• Pianoman Ryan Gibb
• DJ Gemma G
• Salha and the Million Dollar Trio
• 4 The Music
• DJ Venus

From sunset grooves to late-night beats, there’s something for every mood.

Family-Friendly Fun & Kids Activities

Taste of Dubai remains one of the most family-friendly festivals in the UAE. Here’s the list of family-friendly amenities: 

• Free entry for children under 12 
• Little Chefs workshops
• Kidzapp Adventure Quest with games and activities
• Dedicated kid-friendly dishes at every restaurant

A perfect weekend out for families.

Read more – UAE Child Safety Laws: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Children and Avoiding Fines

Artisan Market, Shopping & Brand Activations

The Taste Artisan Market is a foodie’s paradise, featuring gourmet products, tastings and unique finds. Highlights include: 

• Bread Ahead Bakery (famous crème brûlée doughnuts)
• Queen Bee Honey
• Pure Harvest
• Booch Kombucha
• The Broth Lab
• Fade Fit
• Washington Apples

You will also find free games and activations from brands like Black & Decker, Kibsons, Al Ain Farms, Nutricook and Voyah. Plus, the popular French Pavilion will offer premium tastings and masterclasses.

Read more – The Butterfly Gardens Are Finally Open

Bars, Lounges & Drinks

You can enjoy refreshing beverages at multiple 21+ licensed lounges, with options ranging from classic cocktails to mocktails. Prefer alcohol-free? Drink Dry will offer its exclusive non-alcoholic range across the festival.

New for 2026: Friday Work Social Packages

Looking for a unique team outing? You should select the new Friday Work Social Packages, which are perfect for groups of 10 or more. Starting from AED 130 per person, the package includes:

• Fast-track entry before 3 pm
• Two food vouchers
• VIP lounge access
• Optional drink vouchers

Read more – 5 Things You Must Do Before Global Village Closes Its Doors

Tickets & Prices

Advance tickets are on sale via Platinumlist. Price will increase after February 6. So, early booking is recommended. 

Ticket Options:

• Standard: AED 80 (kids under 12 free)
• Taster Package: AED 185
• VIP Package: AED 350
• Friday Team Packages: From AED 130 per person

Why Taste of Dubai 2026 Is Unmissable?

Taste of Dubai 2026 is more than just an ordinary food festival because of top restaurants, celebrity chefs, live music, family activities and a premium experience. It’s a celebration of Dubai’s diverse culinary scene and vibrant lifestyle. 

Read more – The New Route-Map of Etihad Rail and Additional 11 Passenger Railway Stations across the UAE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)