If your week in Abu Dhabi needs some shaking up, there's a decent spread of new openings, workshops and evening deals to work with this week.
Over at Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi Industrial City, a new restaurant called ANA has opened its doors, serving contemporary Emirati dining daily from 10am to midnight. Worth a stop if you're already out that way, or reason enough to make the trip.
For something more hands-on, Studio Al Thuraya at Zayed National Museum in Saadiyat Cultural District is running an interactive workshop on Emirati coffee blending using traditional tools, held every Wednesday and Friday until August 28. It costs from Dhs35 on top of your museum entry ticket, and it's a good excuse to finally visit the museum if you haven't yet.
Move, eat, and unwind
If your idea of a good time is exercising next to dinosaurs, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has you covered. Its microformer fitness sessions take place beneath the dinosaur displays on August 3 and 17, from 7pm to 9pm, but only 10 spots are up for grabs each time, so this one needs booking ahead.
Emirates Park Zoo has launched a new night experience this month, starting at 7pm for Dhs85 per person, with animal encounters and activities included. The zoo recently picked up the Best Destination in the UAE title at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards, so it's clearly doing something right.
On Yas Island, Antonia is running hands-on cooking masterclasses throughout August, teaching guests how to make pasta and pizza from scratch, with sessions on various dates across the month.
Over in Rabdan, The Butterfly Gardens is launching its first ever painting workshop, Brushes & Butterflies, every Thursday in August from 8am to 10am. It costs Dhs240 per person and includes garden access, so you get the creative session and the scenery in one go.
For an evening wind-down, Marco's Italian at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Khor Al Maqta has an Aperitivo Hour running daily from 5pm to 7pm. Dhs100 per person gets you free-flowing Aperol Spritz alongside antipasti, which is a fairly solid deal if you're looking to start the evening right.
And if beer is more your thing, Up & Below at Courtyard by Marriott WTC Abu Dhabi has a brew pint of the month for just Dhs15, available Saturday to Thursday from 5pm to 11pm. There's also a happy hour from 7pm to 9pm with drinks starting at Dhs25.
Whether you're after culture, fitness, food or just a relaxed evening out, there's something in this list worth building your week around.
Reported by What's On.