WHY WE’RE NOT FINE DINING - WE’RE FUN DINING

Let’s rewind to 2011.

Dubai’s restaurant scene? Slick, serious, and mostly hidden inside hotels. You’d walk in and be met with white tablecloths, whispering waiters, and a sense that dining was something to be observed - not enjoyed.

But that wasn’t me.

I didn’t want to build another overly polished place where everything looked perfect but felt lifeless. I wanted to create something more laid-back. More lively. More real.

That’s how Aprons and Hammers came to life - a restaurant where the food was generous, the atmosphere was easygoing, and the rules of fine dining were tossed overboard.

No Rules! Just Cracks, Claws and Cold Brews

Seafood Buckets and a Good Time!

We opened on a traditional wooden dhow docked at DIMC and flipped the script on what seafood restaurants in Dubai could be.

Our idea? Buckets of crab. Hammers on the table. Aprons on. Laughter echoing across the deck. No velvet ropes. No cutlery tutorials. Just great food and good vibes.

Who Said Seafood Had to Be Serious? We Made It Fun

I wasn’t trying to rebel - I was just tired of all the sameness. Tired of seafood being

treated like a museum piece trying to eat crab with a knife and fork, I wanted a place

where people could relax with “a come as you are” feeling, connect, and get a little

hands-on.

The Spirit of Fun Dining

We’ve always believed dining should be a joy, not a performance.

Here’s how we do things:

• Aprons on, hammers ready

• Hands-on, not hands-off

• Loud laughter, not library voices

• Flavour-packed, not fuss-packed

• Generous portions, with hearty homemade, flavorful sauces

We kept the seafood quality high, the sauces rich, and the atmosphere easygoing.

Chef Ahmad brings serious skill to every boil, bake, and butter sauce - we just serve it the Aprons way.

Fun Dining! The Aprons Way

Why it Works

Our guests come back again and again, not because we follow the fine dining rulebook - but because we threw it out:

• You get to roll up your sleeves and really dig in.

• You get full. You get flavour. You get memories.

• Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, it still feels exciting.

We’re interactive, unfussy, and unapologetically lively - and that’s what keeps things fresh.

The Kind of Place Where Being Yourself Feels Just Right

Come As You Are

There’s no dress code. No pressure. No performance.

Just great seafood by the sea, friendly service, and that feeling of being part of something a little different.

Whether you’re cracking crab at JBR, enjoying beachside dining at our restaurant in Palm Jumeirah, or popping into Wicked Crab at Dubai Hills Mall - you’re part of our family.

We’re Not Here to Impress. We’re Here to Connect

Still Standing Out

In a city filled with glittering fine dining and upscale seafood restaurants, Aprons and Hammers remains proudly grounded in the things that matter:

• Big flavours

• Warm hospitality

• And unforgettable moments shared around the table

Tie Your Aprons. Pour The Sauce. Let The Fun Begin.

We’re not fine dining. We’re fun dining. And we’re proud of it.

If, like me, you love the kind of dining that’s loud with laughter, full of flavour, and free from fuss - then you’ll fit right in at Aprons and Hammers.

From seafood dining in JBR to our beachside restaurant in Palm Jumeirah—we thank you for making us one of Dubai’s go-to seafood restaurants. 

Aprons on, hammers ready… let’s get cracking.

 Nichola Fettis - Co-Founder, Aprons & Hammers