What kind of a coffee will a dad whose kids forgot to treat him on Father’s Day be drinking?
A depresso. *Groan*, yes.
Now that we’ve got the obligatory dad joke out of the way, let’s help you save Father’s Day so it isn’t Daddy’O groaning because his pride and joy – you – forgot the one day of the year dedicated to celebrating how special he is. Yes, it’s today June 21, which is Father’s Day in the UAE. It snuck up on ya, didn’t it?
You don’t have to run from pillar to post hunting for something fun to do for your dad, or your partner if you have young kids, or for that father-figure in your life whom you want to thank for all the sage wisdom.
We’ve done the grunt work so you can walk away with the glory!
Pssst! Some of these are valid for the whole week and others until the end of the month.
1. A relaxing massage
Not all heroes wear capes, but they sure do love a fluffy spa robe. Pop goes the stress with this Super Dad spa treatment at Paramount Hotel’s Pause Spa. Trust us, even the most macho dad out there needs all the TLC he can get. Fatherhood is hardwork and this combo of a full-body massage, a 30-minute anti-ageing facial from Chateau Berger (French skincare brand) will leave him feeling like a brand new man. Spa vouchers are valid until June 30, so your father can schedule an appointment based on his convenience if today’s too short notice.
Where: Pause Spa, Paramount Hotel Dubai
Price: AED 550 for 90min full body massage and 30 minute express anti-ageing facial
Reservations: Call 04 246 6777
2. Spacation solitude
The gift of me-time is one of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse or father to ensure they continue being the great dads they are without being burnt out.
Amara Spa at Park Hyatt has a blissful day of self-care planned for dads. Switch up school drop-offs and prepping school lunches for a 90-minute Stress Release Head and Body Massage. The package also gets pops’ access to the spa’s sauna and pool facilities to unwind. What’s more, as a measure of ultimate pampering, dads will be served their own Bento Box lunch by the pool.
Where: Amara Spa, Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek Resort
When: Offer valid until June 30
Price: AED 800 per person
Reservation: Call 04 602 1660 or email amaraspa.parkhyattdubai@hyatt.com
For Foodie Fathers
Your dad probably taught you that there’s nothing called a free lunch, but the following Dubai restaurant’s beg to differ. At least on Father’s Day, some items are on the house for the man of the house.
3. An Italian-style drinks and dessert
Your padre deserves only the best and while it’s too late to whisk him off on a trip to the Bel Paese, that doens’t mean he can’t enjoy a slice of the dolce vita here in good ol’ Dubai.
Isola, the gorgeous Italian restaurant at Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse is hosting ‘A Toast to Papà’ celebrations today for Father’s Day. All day today, the Mediterannean eatery is offering every father a complimentary drink and dessert with their dinner.
Where: Isola Ristorante, Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse
When: June 21, from 7pm-11pm
Reservations: Email info@isolarestaurant.com
4. Free dessert
We all believe our dad is a sweet man but restaurant chain China Bistro and India Bistro are doubling down on that belief by handing out free sugar to daddy this Father’s Day. Every father who dines in with his family at either restaurant during lunch or dinner time today will enjoy a a complimentary dessert to indulge his sweet tooth.Desserts that will be up for grabs include Honey Noodles with Ice-Cream, Baked Gulab Jamun, Kesar Ras Malai, and much more.
Where: across China Bistro and India Bistro outlets
When: June 21, from 12pm-4pm and 7pm-11pm
Reservations: Visit www.chinabistro.co or www.indiabistro.co
5. Free iced mocktails
Is your dad the coolest cat in town? He can chill out down with complimentary iced mocktails at Bombay Bungalow, the modern Indian restaurant at JBR known for its Instagram-friendly decor and upbeat ambiance. No reservations required, just saunter in and grab a spot of lunch or dinner with your father and he’ll get to sip on refreshing quencher such as Bombay Chaas (creamy buttermilk), Pepsi Summer Float (fizzy ice cream soda), Bungalow Special (Roohfza syrup-infused buttermilk and watermelon lassi), karak chai on the rocks and more. The restaurant’s menu is well-regarded for its clever take on Indian favourites such as Pao Bhaji Fondue, Butter Chicken Omlette and others that you’d dad would get a kick out of..
Where: The Beach Mall, JBR
When: June 21, from 8:30am-12am
Price: a la carte
Contact: Call 800 6928779
6. Discounted family dinner
The Dubai Mall joint Social House is conveniently located with unhindered views of the Dubai Fountain, and easy access to the Dubai Aquarium if you’ve got tots in tow and want to ensure Father’s Day out sees them bond with their papa. The trendy casual dining spot is offering hungry dads and their families a 20% discount on their total bills so they can feast on the likes of spaghetti arabiatta and the shrimp aglio olio pizza, chilli garlic prawns.
Where: Social House, The Dubai Mall
When: June 21, from 9am-12am
Contact: Call 04 339 8640
7. Dad’s day out fine-dining
Dig deep into those pockets and splurge on your main man with CLAP’s special Father’s Day menu. The Japanese restaurant in DIFC is honouring fatherhood with a six-course menu of luxe Japanese delicacies by chef Renald Epie that pulls out all the stops. Dad and you will savour Scallop foie gras, a world-class selection of sashimi, nigiri and sushi rolls, main courses such as Wagyu Beef Tomahawk accompanied by Kisami Mash Potato, Vegetable Kushiyaki and Chimichuri sauce. Desert will involve Mochi ice cream and Kalamansi Tart. Yummmm. It’s an experience dad will be dining out on for months!
Where: CLAP, DIFC
Price: AED988
Reservations: Call 04 569 3820 or visit https://claprestaurant.com
8. Sports for your old sport
Teach the man who taught you how to play catch and ride a bike a new sport? It’s possible with the sports lessons packages at Dubai Creek Resort’s Academies.
If your dad’s always dreamed about puttering around on the putting green, Golf by Peter Cowen will ensure his swing is on form with individual private lessons starting from AED 1,500 for 4 lessons.
Tennis more his speed? Serve him with this tennis lesson package he’ll love. The Tennis by Peter Burwash International course starts from AED 1,680 for 6 lessons.
For golf bookings: Call Golf Academy at Dubai Creek Golf on 04 2054 6666 or email golf.academy@hyatt.com
For tennis bookings: Cakk Jake Gard’ner on 055 6152 697 email jake.gardner@pbitennis.com
Valid until: Both golf and tennis lessons offers are valid until June 30
9. Buy him a box of cupcakes
Sometimes, a man just wants a sweet treat and some sweet jokes from his sweet child. You can ditch the big gestures and opt for small cupcakes that are big on love from homegrown bakery Sugargram. They’ve packed all the sweetness of the father-child bond into a special Father’s Day cupcake gift bundle of 25 cupcakes and the silliest dad jokes so you and your baba can haha together. The box will also include a special Father’s Day Vanilla Tin(y) with ‘Dad <3’ scrawled atop it in icing. The entire bundle costs AED 170, order via Deliveroo.
10. Paint a picture with papa
Are you and your dad as close as two coats of paints? Okay, we’ll stop with the puns but for sons and daughters who want to do something meaningful to mark Father’s Day, artbox subscription service We Love Art has created a special giftbox.
You can either purchase the art box, complete the painting and gift your masterpiece to your father or you can have it delivered home and clock in some quality time with dad by working on the artwork together.
The box comes equipped with a hand-sketched outline of a famous artwork of yoru choice, three paint brushes, a palette and paint. It also includes a step-by-step guidance and instruction video to ensure that the final artwork is much more sophisticated than the squiggly lines and blotchy finger-painting dad would proudly display in his office.
Price: AED 299
Website: www.weloveart.com/shop/