A woman laughing with three others at a Timeleft dinner

New in Dubai? Meet people over dinner

Moving abroad fills your calendar with admin and leaves the evenings empty. A Timeleft dinner in Dubai, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm, is open to everyone, so you might sit with someone who arrived last month and someone who's lived there for years. You can book in English, and all you do is show up.

Dinners

Fri 23 Oct, 8:00 pm

then coffee, Sat 24 Oct, 3:00 pm

Upcoming Timeleft events in Dubai

The next dates in Dubai. Pick one, create your account and book it in the app. In September, 635 people took part in Timeleft events in Dubai, 177 of them at their first Timeleft event.

Find your group

All times are Dubai time.

Where Timeleft events happen in Dubai

We pick the places and book the tables, from Downtown to Dubai Marina. Vegetarian? Nearly every dinner spot has you covered.

We choose the place for each event, and the app shows you where to go before it starts.

Downtown
Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina promenade at night, beside the water and lit towers

Some of the places we book in Dubai

ThaiGoogle rating4.6(872 reviews)
Tong Thai
JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay
25 Timeleft dinners
DinnerGoogle rating4.5(1,075 reviews)
BASTA!
23 Timeleft dinners
French brasserieGoogle rating4.8(1,119 reviews)
Couqley
Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay
25 Timeleft dinners
ItalianGoogle rating4.6(2,504 reviews)
Massimo’s
Park Island, Dubai Marina
20 Timeleft dinners
DinnerGoogle rating4.6(2,675 reviews)
Carnival by Trèsind Restaurant & Bar
18 Timeleft dinners
Latin AmericanGoogle rating4.6(1,542 reviews)
Toro Toro
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
12 Timeleft dinners

Your first dinner in Dubai, step by step

Two people talking over coffee and pastries at a table by a café window

When you book

Pick a day and a language

Book in English or the local language, and we aim to group you with people who picked the same. Booking stays open until 13 hours before.
Before the dinner

We put the table together

Four to six people, chosen from your quiz answers, age band and language, at a restaurant we book. Most people come on their own, and a friend can join you as a +1 whose first event is free.
8:00 pm The start

Sit down

Tell the staff you're with Timeleft and take your seat. There's an icebreaker game in the app if the table wants a starting point.
Next week

Book another

There's an event to book each week, which gives a new city a rhythm before you've built your own.

Safety

Is it safe to meet strangers in a new city?

Every event is at a public venue we've vetted, and there's no one-to-one messaging before you meet. If you report someone, you're never placed with them again.

99%

Over 99% of Timeleft experiences happen without any safety incident, according to the safety framework we published in June 2026.

Read our safety guidelines

Two women laughing together at a Timeleft dinner table by a big window

What members say

Four people talking at a window table in a restaurant

Just moved to Seoul and made some friends on my first timeleft dinner

hpbag

Timeleft member · App Store review
I joined about six months ago because I had just moved to a new city and didn’t know anyone. I found that it’s a wonderful way to meet people and have an enjoyable evening. I think what I like best is that everyone attending is there to meet new people.

GeistGuy

Timeleft member · App Store review
As a shy / introverted person trying to find my way in a new country, this was a lovely chance to meet new people and have great conversations!

SohaniX

Timeleft member · App Store review

Questions from expats

When can I meet people in Dubai?

Dinners, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm. Coffee, Saturdays at 3:00 pm. Booking closes 13 hours before each event, or at midnight the night before if that would fall between midnight and 8:00 am. The dates above are the next ones you can still book.

Do I need to speak the local language?

No. You choose the language when you book, and we aim to put you with people who picked the same.

Is it just for expats?

No. These are regular Timeleft events, open to everyone, so people who just arrived in Dubai meet people who've lived there for years.

Where in Dubai do they happen?

The next ones include Downtown and Dubai Marina. We book the venue, and the app shows you where to go before the event.

Can I go on my own?

Yes. You book on your own and we put the group together, so you don't need to bring anyone.

What does it cost?

Booking takes a Timeleft membership, and the app shows its price in your country before you pay anything.

As many events as you like during your plan. Dinners, coffee and whatever else runs in your city, all on one membership.

Your own food and drinks. You order what you like and pay the venue yourself.

Have more questions?

Visit our Help Center