Weekends are made for slowing down and enjoying your city at a gentler pace. Whether you're spending time with a partner, catching up with a friend, or indulging in some solo time, pairing an art experience with a great meal offers the perfect way to recharge. Art & Dine invites you to explore a pairing that’s imaginative and full of flavour. We're heading to the capital and straight onto Saadiyat Island for an afternoon of teamLab Phenomena and pulling up a chair at Ting Irie in Abu Dhabi to end the day.
Art at teamLab Phenomena, Abu Dhabi
Begin your day at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, an immersive art space that feels like stepping into another dimension. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this futuristic gallery invites you to explore interactive digital artworks that react to your presence. Projections ripple and shift as you move. Light and sound change with each step, creating an experience that is deeply personal and endlessly photogenic. If you staying in the UAE for the summer, this is the perfect activity to add to your bucket list.
Top tips, it’s best to secure tickets in advance, as sessions can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Ticket prices are AED150 for adults, AED115 for youth, and AED50 for children, so if you're heading down with the family, it's worth planning ahead. Be sure to wear something comfortable, as high heels aren’t allowed in the exhibition space — sneakers or flats are ideal. If you're planning to take photos (and you will), here's another tip: opt for white or solid-coloured outfits to stand out beautifully against the vivid projections and light displays.
Dine at Ting Irie Abu Dhabi
After a few hours surrounded by this sensory world, it's time to ease into something equally expressive but rooted in a different kind of culture. Just a short drive away on Saadiyat Island, Ting Irie brings the warmth and energy of Jamaican cuisine to the capital. With bold flavours, colourful plates, and an easy-going vibe, it's the perfect place to sit back and let the afternoon stretch out. Share dishes like jerk chicken tacos, pepper shrimp, or fried plantains, and sip on something fresh and tropical while the sun begins to dip. The beach views along Mamsha Al Saadiyat are unmatched.
If you're doing the day solo, this is still a perfect route. teamLab gives you space to wander at your own pace, fully immersed in the art. Ting Irie Abu Dhabi welcomes solo diners with the kind of atmosphere where a good playlist and a cold drink are more than enough company.
So, the next time the weekend rolls around and you’re in the mood to make it count, this Art & Dine duo offers something more than just a day out. It’s a full experience, creative, flavourful, and beautifully paced. Ideal for when you want to feel a little more connected, a little more inspired, and a lot more alive.
Visit: teamLab Phenomena and Ting Irie Abu Dhabi Instagram
Hayley is passionate about everything 90s, from art and fashion to music. Her love for glossy, artful coffee table books started early during her days in book publishing and has only grown since. She collects luxury magazines from around the world, enjoys exploring creative workshops around the city, and always chases dinners with a view, preferably by the beach.
