If you’re not fasting over the Holy Month of Ramadan and you’re desperate for that morning coffee to set you up for the day, we’ve put together a little list of places we love to head to post drop-off or at weekends with the whole family in tow.

21 Grams Bistro

This unique new restaurant that’s opened up just a stone’s throw away from Kite beach has the perfect mix of cosy vibes and tastefully done interiors plus food that’s made using wholesome, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers whenever possible. We love.

Junction of Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Thanya Street, Umm Suqeim 3
T:+971 4 3490744
Open daily 8am – 11pm

Arrows & Sparrows

Fast becoming a fave with many a mama, this gorgeous little cafe in The Greens is super family friendly. With beautiful interiors, a quirky menu and – most importantly – delicious 100% organic coffee, supplied by RAW Coffee Company. Cosy up on one of their benches and order yourself a ‘Latte In A Cone’ (yes, really!) and a babyccino for the littles. Perfect.

Emaar Business Park, The Greens
T: +971 4 5588141
Open daily 8am – 8pm

Baker & Spice

Head to one of our favourite malls and start your day watching yachts glide past the windows as you sip your latte (it’s good to dream about how the other half live, right?). The food is organic, with flavorsome egg dishes and crispy pastries 0r, if you’re feeling adventurous, order the Shakshouka (eggs cooked in tangy tomato salsa spiked with garlic, paprika, and chili), but keep it away from the little ones unless they have a taste for spice!

Dubai Marina promenade
T: +971 4 04 3624686
Open daily 8am – 11pm

Bystro

This Sassy Mama favourite ticks all the boxes, mama. Not only do they do a great cup of coffee, serve fantastic food, and have plenty to keep little tummies happy (the mini pancakes definitely deserve a mention), but there’s a small play area with toys and books that will keep tots entertained while you make it your mission to top up your caffeine levels.

Al Manara, Sheikh Zayed Road
T: +971 4 3368056
Open daily 9am – 4pm

Friends Avenue

We love this super cute little hangout – the coffee is great, breakfast is fab (and portions are huge) and their salads are fresh and delicious. It’s quirky and cosy too, a lovely place to sit and work or catch up with friends.

Cluster T, Fortune Executive Tower, Ground level
T: +971 4 5545813
Open daily 8am – 8pm

Happy Egg

One of the most adorable little cafes we’ve found in Dubai, this little spot on Umm Al Sheif Street is decked out in gorgeous Tribe interiors accessories and serves up the most delicious coffee (and a mean shakshouka too!).

32 Umm Al Sheif Street (same strip as Maria Bonita)
T: +971 4 3944729
Open daily 8am – 3am

Jones The Grocer

Need somewhere for your brekkie/caffeine fix post drop-off? We hear you, mamas! And we are SO grateful for Jones the Grocer whose outlets will be open and serving up everything from the most amazing coffee to coconut flour pancakes in the mornings plus lots more.

Al Manara, Sheikh Zayed Road
T: +971 4 3466886
Open daily 7.30am – midnight

Lafayette Gourmet

Tucked away in City Walk, Lafayette Gourmet is a beautiful space that’s dedicated to all things food! The sister cafe of Lafayette Gourmet in Galleries Lafayette – you’ll find the same passion for delicious coffee and more.

City Walk
T: +9714 4033033
Open daily 8am – 2am

Lime Tree Cafe

This Dubai institution is a firm favourite with mamas around the city for many reasons – not least because it serves a great coffee and slice of cake! And not just that all of their 3 cafes have ‘fun corners’ aimed at keeping the kiddos entertained, allowing mama to sip her coffee in peace.

Sheikh Zayed Road – open daily 7.30am – 9pm
Al Quoz – open daily 7.30am – 6pm
Jumeirah 1 – open daily 7.30am – 6pm
T: +971 4 3256325

Reform Social

Yes mamas, you can still grab your pub grub at Reform Social & Grill! While their outdoor areas are all shut during fasting hours, they serve up breakfast from 8am so this is a fab choice if you’re up early (always?!) and need to get out somewhere that doesn’t mind if the kids are running wild!

The Lakes
T: +971 4 4542638
Open daily 8am – midnight (liquor served all day)

Tom & Serg

Serious coffee drinkers won’t be disappointed by a visit to Tom&Serg – and now we mention it, neither will serious foodies either. But it isn’t just the menu that makes this Al Quoz warehouse-style café worth a visit, as you’ll find a small kiddie area at the back of the upstairs area too, with books, LEGO bricks, and a couple of play mats. There’s a small table and chairs too, making it possible for the littlies in your party to decamp and enjoy their babycinos together.

Al Joud Centre, Al Quoz
T: +971 56 4746812
Open daily 8am – 4pm and on weekends until 6pm

The Sum of Us

Mmmm, is there anything better than a warm buttered slice of homemade sourdough bread? The Sum Of Us has a comfort menu inspired by all those good old family favourites, sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. And the coffee? A-MA-ZING!

Burj Al Salam
Sheikh Zayed road
T: +971 56 4457526
Open daily 8am – 11pm

XVA Gallery Cafe

What better time to head into the old historic Al Fahidi District than during Ramadan? Get yourself some headspace by wandering the quiet streets before heading to the beautiful XVA Gallery –  home to the XVA Cafe (Gordon Ramsay says it’s his fave in Dubai), rumoured to have the best cheesecake and mint tea in the city.

Al Fahidi Historic District 
T:+9714 3535383
Open daily 7am – 9pm

The post Our Fave Places For Coffee Over Ramadan appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Want to know how to up the veggies in your kid’s packed lunch without getting protests? We have three weeks’ worth of lunchbox recipes for you (all for free!). The best news is that these dishes are big on fresh, colourful vegetables and protein – and they are all nut-free too, as per most school’s requirements. There are some treat recipes in there for snacktime, but we’ve even snuck veggies in here where we can (check out our Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins!).

We hope our meal planner and simple recipes help you out in the kitchen, mama. If you find this useful, please share the love by sending this link to a friend. You’ll never be stuck for the answer to “What’s for lunch mama?” again!

Click here to download Lunchbox Ideas:

Let us know which recipes are your kids’ favourites!

Love,
The Sassy Mama team

The post FREE Kids’ Nut-Free Lunchbox Recipes & 3 Week Meal Planner: FREE Downloadable! appeared first on Sassy Mama.

It’s that time of year again, mamas, when we can eat (and eat, and eat) at incredible prices during Jumeirah Restaurant Week! If you have zero clue what this means and you’re a bit of a foodie then listen up, this is good! From the “Oh, that’s good!”, to the “Oh, that’s new!”, and the “Oh, I need to taste that again!” you’ll want to get involved! From today (29th April) for 7 days (until 5th May), over 40 Jumeirah restaurants will be offering special price menus so that  you can get to experience as many as you like (all of them?!) without breaking the bank (three course set menus or buffet option prices are fixed at AED 150, AED 250 and AED 350). From noodles to oysters, casual meals to fine dining, loosen that waistband and  prepare yourself for a week of feasting! These are some of our absolute faves to try (a full list can be found on Jumeirah.com).

Nomad, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel AED 150 Per Person For 3 Courses
These guys serve up one of the best salmon dishes in town! Coupled with a complimentary beverage you can’t get much better. The menu is designed to impress the most discerning tastes and the open kitchen provides the perfect backdrop to a great meal.

Shimmers, Madinat Jumeirah AED 150 Per Person For 3 Courses
Fancy going Greek on Madinat Jumeirah’s private beach with stunning views of Burj Al Arab? That’s just what you’ll get at Shimmers – together with white washed woods, turquoise shades and sand under your feet. Perfect.

Tortuga, Madinat Jumeirah AED 150 Per Person For 3 Courses
Love Mexican? Can’t get enough of spicy colourful guacamole? Then take a culinary journey to an authentic Mexican home at Tortuga and get stuck into Tuna Chivice, Guacamole, Beef Fajitas and Churros served with a decadent chocolate sauce – just some of the scrummy things on the menu, mamas! Authentic food, a mariachi band and Latin music served with a gorgeous view of the Madinat waterways.

Al Iwan, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah AED 250 Per Person For An Arabic Buffet
Seeking something local? Head to the arabesque ambience of Al Iwan for traditional Arabian delicacies. Not only is the food here totally delicious but the setting is pretty hard to beat too (when else can you eat at the Burj Al Arab for that price?!). From a scenic lunch during the day to a romantic candlelight dinner by  night, experience local cuisine at its best.

The Rib Room, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray AED 250 Per Person For 3 Courses 
Elegant, sophisticated, the perfect place for a quiet dinner date with your loved one (especially if you or she/he loves a great steak). We’d go there for the cheese selection alone…

Nathan Outlaw At Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab AED 350 Per Person For 3 Courses
An opportunity to dine at the Burj Al Arab for an insanely affordable price simply cannot be passed up, mamas, especially when the menu has been put together by one of the world’s best chefs and includes oysters, beautiful fish (both on the plate and in a central aquarium) and a Dark Chocolate Fondant (ahhh get me there right now!).

Pierchic, Madinat Jumeirah AED 350 Per Person For 3 Courses
Possibly one of the most special places we’ve dined at in Dubai (think out in the sea, on stilts, with waves crashing and a view of the Burj Al Arab and beaches), the modern European menu is divine and the ambiance heavenly, definitely one for a romantic dinner a deux and it comes inclusive of AED 150 food & beverage credit. Perfect!

For more details on Jumeirah Restaurant Week, including a full list of all participating restaurants and offers, visit www.jumeirah.com 

The post Jumeirah Restaurant Week Is Back and So Are Our Top Picks appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Whether you’re looking for a post drop-off space to soak up some peace & quiet or tap away at the laptop – or you want to treat the kiddos to a babyccino, there are some seriously sassy and very pretty places to do it in Dubai! And because we’re a little bit instagram obsessed, we went on a hunt for some serious visual inspiration for that million dollar/caffeine shot. So with that, here are a few of our very favourite cafes which qualifiy for the perfect IG feed and the perfect mama hangout.

The post 4 Of The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Dubai appeared first on Sassy Mama.

The occasion:

Is it just me or is this the season you crave a good Sunday Saturday roast?!  Looking for that authentic perfectly cooked British meal? Well Michelin star chef Tom Aikens has setup a wonderful restaurant, Pots, Pans and Boards right on the beach in JBR offering all of the classics from Roast beef to fish & chips, pies to ribs and everything in between (including a breakfast menu that we’re desperate to try next).

Read more: Dubai’s Hottest New Restaurants

The Venue:

Located on JBR walk (near the playground), this relaxed modern venue is ideal for big groups and families – did we mention they have a kid’s corner filled with toys?!! Yes you can enjoy a meal while the kids play in a closed off area of the restaurant where you can keep an eye on them and still have a wonderful view of the beach! I hear they even have board games for the grownups!

The vibe:

A little bit of the UK here in Dubai with a chilled out fun vibe and happy staff who were great with the kids! This spacious restaurant can accommodate any party size and those big buggies too.

The Food:

Not only does Pots Pans & Boards do amazing roasts but they also have some other classics you may be craving… proper fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, steak and chips… and your children will also get a great healthy meal at a temperature they can eat straight away! No blowing on the food for half an hour Mamas, hooray!

Everything we ordered was delicious and the quality and presentation was perfect!

Read more: FOODIE NEWS FLASH, April 2018: New Restaurants & Cafe’s In Dubai

Room for improvement:

Nothing! If you’re looking to enjoy your food as a family then Pots Pans & Boards have thought of it all.

What we loved:

The quality of the food, and coming away knowing your child has had a proper healthy meal – and Mummy has had an amazing banoffee pie! It’s also in a great location so once you’ve finished your meal you can head off to the park with the kids or to the arcade and burn off of the yummy puddings! Will definitely be back for more.

Read more: Recipe: Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Artichoke, Lemon and Chilli Tapenade

Details:

Tom’s Roast
Friday & Saturday 12pm – 4pm
Sunday 6pm onwards
For reservations please visit the website here or call: +971 4 4561959

The post Tiny Bites: A Family Meal British Style At Pots, Pans & Boards appeared first on Sassy Mama.

School mornings are hectic. Add to that the not-so-small task of packing lunch boxes and it can all get too much! I vowed to pack lunch boxes the evening before but frankly by the time the kids go to bed I’m not in a state to do anything hugely productive. And now, my wonderful helper has been away on a well-deserved holiday for five weeks so anything (everything) to make life a little easier while my husband and I juggle school runs, laundry, cooking, cleaning, pets and the constant picking up that comes with gets my vote. My latest discovery? A brilliant new packed lunch service by BookMunch, one of our favourite family friendly cafes in Dubai, whose founder Dareen is a mama herself and understands exactly what the kids need to be taking into school (so you can rest assured that the menus won’t include anything you wouldn’t give them yourself).

Read More: The Sassiest Mama Awards: Dareen Charafeddine 

Whether you’re running out of lunchbox ideas, you need a helping hand or you want to introduce your kids to new recipes and flavours, these school lunches can do it all! The menu is fun and rotational over six weeks, designed to expose children to lots of tastes while still offering simple and familiar foods (so they don’t get freaked out – we know how kids can be!!). And because Dareen is really particular about the quality of the ingredients that get used, you can rest assured that there’ll be fruit and veggies hidden wherever possible (the beetroot brownies were GENIUS!) and that your little people aren’t eating anything icky.

Read more: 5 Back to School Lunch Box Recipes

We signed up for a five day plan (and have since extended because the kids are loving it, as are hubby and I (particularly because sometimes, if there are leftovers, we get to eat them too . And here’s the thing, these lunches are NOT crazy expensive! Five days will cost you AED 130 per child for under six year olds or AED 160 per child for 7-11 year olds and 20 days AED 420 or 520. Not bad right?! Here’s how it works. You book your child’s plan by filling out an online form, make payment by bank transfer et voila, all done. A lovely chap on a bike has been arriving at our home every evening before 9pm with beautifully packaged lunches for my three. Which brings me to the other thing – children eat first with their eyes so the super cute packaging including little ‘eat me’ stickers and other fun mottos don’t go unnoticed. And Dareen says that you’ll soon be able to return all packaging for re-use/recycling which is BRILLIANT! Hubby and I then pop the boxes in the fridge before adding them to our children’s lunch bags the following morning. And what lucky, lucky kids they are! While my lunch on most days is a piece of bread with whatever I can find in the fridge or a quick bowl of leftovers, my little ones are enjoying everything from potato salad with chicken, basil and peas (a big fave), mini croque monsieurs, deconstructed lasagna and then desserts and snacks including orange segments dipped in chocolate, fruit pots, mini muffins and more. Yum!

Check out their website for a sample menu. Occasionally one of them will grumble about something (middle child doesn’t like green grapes, only red ones – go figure..) but they try everything and most of it gets gobbled up. BookMunch are able to take into consideration any allergies or dietary requirements so that’s not a problem in most cases. Any special requests are charged at an extra of AED 7 per child per day (eg gluten free, dairy free, egg free, allergies to certain fruits etc). They’ll happily discuss your needs etc with you to make it all work – and vegetarian meals are available at no extra charge too. Healthy, delicious, easy, easy, easy (did I say easy?), these lunches have been a complete savior – we might just sign up for another week or so…..

Read more: Annabel Karmel’s Superfoods For Healthy Kids (Bye-Bye Cough!)

BookMunch currently deliver to all areas in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Please allow for 24-hour processing time. To know more click here.

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