THE APRONS AND HAMMERS DHOW DIARIES - Part 4
- Aprons & Hammers
- May 1
- 4 min read
Guests, Giggles, and a Whole Lot of Fun
When we opened Aprons and Hammers aboard that wooden dhow back in 2011, we thought we were creating a seafood restaurant in Dubai. What we didn’t realise was - we were also creating a place where memories would be made.
Sure, we had the crab buckets, the buttery mussels, and the banging sauces. But what really brought it all to life? The people around the tables. The birthdays, first dates, family reunions, and those joyful hands-in-the-bucket moments that still get mentioned to this day.
Even now, guests come up to me and say, “We miss the dhow - when is it coming back?” Hearing that never gets old. It’s exactly why I wanted to write this post: to celebrate the guests who made The Dhow unforgettable and helped us grow from a fun boat concept into one of Dubai’s most beloved seafood restaurants, with two iconic locations: Aprons & Hammers JBR and Aprons & Hammers Beach House.
Gill – “It was the place I took every visitor.”
Gill was one of our very first regulars. She brought nearly every out-of-town guest straight to The Dhow.
“I used to take every visitor who came to Dubai to Aprons and Hammers. It was such a Dubai icon - casual, fun, a little chaotic - but always delicious.”
Gill still raves about the firecracker prawns - plump, juicy, and tossed in our bold homemade chilli sauce. She never misses a visit without ordering them, and honestly, I can’t see them on a plate without thinking of her.
Zeina – “The mussel bucket in saffron cream… I still dream about it.”
Zeina was a true seafood lover - and she came prepared.
“The Old Bay crab boil was my go-to. It reminded me of summers back in the States. But the mussels in saffron cream? I still dream about them.”
She always came with a big group, rolled up her sleeves, and dove in like a pro. Laughter, stories, seafood flying - Zeina brought the party. She still pops in when she’s in town, and it always feels like a reunion at our restaurant in Palm Jumeirah.
Cindee – “My daughter’s 13th birthday is still one of her favourite memories.”
We’ve hosted a lot of birthdays over the years, but this one always stuck with me.
Cindee’s daughter celebrated her 13th birthday on The Dhow with a group of giggling school friends - and a crab-shaped birthday cake.
“It wasn’t just the food (though the kids loved it!), it was the whole experience - the aprons, the cracking, the friendly team who made it so much fun. It was a night we’ll always remember.”
It didn’t matter your age - Aprons and Hammers was the kind of place where everyone could join in, get a little messy, and have a blast.
Pearl – “My first date was on The Dhow.”
This story always brings a smile.
“Growing up in Dubai, there are some places that don’t just hold memories - they are the memories. For those of us born and raised here, Aprons and Hammers is one of those special places. I remember family dinners by the marina, stepping onto that docked boat like we were setting off on an adventure. It never sailed, but it always brought us somewhere magical, a place filled with laughter, amazing seafood, and the kind of warmth that lingers long after you leave. My first-ever date was there, at sixteen, awkward smiles, kind staff who probably guessed, and the comforting feeling of being somewhere safe. Aprons and Hammers isn’t just a restaurant, it’s Dubai in it’s own way. It’s one of those little cornerstones of growing up here, stitched into our stories, as familiar and loved as the skyline itself.”
Honestly - no other words needed!
Still About Seafood. Always About People.
As part of my blog research, I reached out to the community on the Facebook group “Dubai - The Good Old Days” and was delighted to receive the lovely messages below:
Reading these stories reminds me why we do what we do. Aprons and Hammers has stood out among other seafood restaurants in Dubai because, for us, it has always been about more than just seafood - it’s about connection. A place where you can laugh, share a bucket, and make memories that stay with you long after the sauce is wiped away.
Thank you to everyone who’s shared a moment, a photo, or a story. You’re what made The Dhow special - and what continues to make Aprons & Hammers JBR and Aprons & Hammers Beach House feel like home.
We’re excited to welcome you back - this time with beachside views of the Burj Al Arab and Ain Dubai, and the same big-hearted hospitality.
Next Up: From Dhow to Dubai Icon
In next week’s Dhow Diaries, I’ll share the moment we realised Aprons and Hammers was no longer just a fun seafood idea on a boat - but something bigger. Something that was catching on fast.
Dhow Diaries Part 5: From Dhow to Dubai Icon – The Moment We Knew We Made It.
Until then - aprons on, hammers ready… and let’s get cracking.
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