THE APRONS AND HAMMERS DHOW DIARIES - Part 1
- Aprons & Hammers
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Where It All Began - On A Traditional Wooden Dhow
Hi, I’m Nichola Fettis – (everyone calls me Nicci).
I am one of the co-founders of Aprons and Hammers, and I’ve been lucky enough to call Dubai home for the last 30 years. It’s where I raised my family, built lasting friendships, and - back in 2011 - where I helped launch a restaurant concept that began on a wooden dhow which grew into something far beyond what we imagined.
Aprons and Hammers didn’t start in a fine dining restaurant; instead, it began on the water, aboard a traditional wooden trading dhow docked at Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), right in front of Le Méridien Mina Seyahi. At that time, licensed restaurants in Dubai were typically found within 5-star hotels, which often made them feel stiff and formal - along with being quite expensive. This unique setting made Aprons and Hammers all the more special, offering a “fun-dining” instead of a “fine-dining” experience.
My husband and I were long-time members of DIMC - it was one of those rare places in Dubai that truly felt like a tight-knit community. You’d go for a coffee, a casual walk, or a bite to eat and always bump into someone you knew. It had that warm, unpretentious energy that made it feel like home.
The Dhow opened as Aprons and Hammers in August 2011 and quickly became a beloved spot for both Dubai residents and tourists alike. Its unique waterfront location and vibrant atmosphere attracted many, and soon yachts would pull up alongside us, to pick up their takeout orders. This lively scene not only enhanced our reputation but also solidified our place in the minds of those seeking a fresh and fun dining experience in the heart of Dubai.
My kids spent countless hours enjoying dinners on The Dhow, donning oversized aprons as they learned to crack crabs. It truly became a cherished part of our family history, a place where my children grew up and created lasting memories.
Looking back, it’s evident that we were in the right place at the right time. Our journey wasn’t something we planned or researched; my husband and I came from a media background, far removed from hospitality. This experience reveals how a chance encounter can completely alter the course of our lives, taking us down a path we never anticipated.
One afternoon, a group of us were having lunch with a friend who happened to own The Dhow. At the time, it was being used as a fine dining seafood restaurant, but it wasn’t doing well. At some point during the meal, he turned to us and asked, “What do you think we could do with The Dhow?”
And that was our moment … we all pitched in with our ideas and Dirhams!
We had a Eureka moment - something completely opposite of what was already there. We had just come back from a trip to Boston, where we’d visited this incredible crab shack: buckets of steaming seafood, cold beers, people laughing, cracking shells with hammers, bibs on, sleeves rolled up - it was messy, delicious, and fun. And it stuck with us. We kept thinking, why don’t we have this kind of place in Dubai?
So, that’s where the idea for Dubai’s first crab shack was born. We took the exact opposite approach to fine dining and leaned into casual, hands-on seafood served with a hammer and an apron.
We wanted to create a space where people could relax, get messy, and just enjoy good food without fuss or formality and somehow, this floating wooden Dhow became the perfect home for that vision.
Within weeks, we began to transform the space by removing the white tablecloths, sanding the original wooden tables, redesigning the menu, and replacing silverware with wooden hammers.
We envisioned buckets brimming with crabs, shrimps, mussels, and rich homemade buttery sauces. Little did we know that moment - our conversation over lunch at DIMC - marked the beginning of something truly special.
The famous seafood buckets!
The Dhow was a firm favourite for 7 years, but unfortunately, we were closed down in July 2018, when the marina in DIMC was redeveloped into what is now Dubai Harbour.
I’ve been touched by the fact that many long-time Dubaian’s still hold a deep affection for Aprons and Hammers on The Dhow. I’ve been frequently asked when we might bring The Dhow back, as many of our regulars often reflect on their unforgettable experiences there. Many have begun sharing their memories and photos with me, and I’m excited to showcase those in an upcoming episode of this blog series.
In next week’s post, I’ll take you behind the scenes and chat to some of the amazing people who helped us launch Aprons and Hammers – including The Dhow Manager -who is now our Group Operations Director – still sailing this ship with us today!
From our humble beginnings on a traditional dhow to vibrant locations like the Aprons & Hammers Beach House and JBR, the journey has been nothing short of incredible. Thanks for reading and for being part of this journey. Whether you were there in 2011 or you’ve just discovered Aprons & Hammers Dubai at Palm Jumeirah or JBR, I’m so happy you’re here.
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