Valentine's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai: Food festival to kick off with unmissable deals, date-night ideas, dinner in the sky

Love is in the air at Expo 2020 Dubai this month, with unmissable Valentine's Day deals and date-night ideas to put the spark into relationships – and onto taste buds, too – with a once-in-a-lifetime setting for the year's most romantic day.

From baking workshops to dinner in the sky, customised 'selfie' cocktails and a nine-course Thai menu to really spice things up, Expo 2020 Dubai invites visitors to share their love across the world.

Valentine's Day kicks off the Expo 2020 Dubai Food Festival with fantastic foodie offers up until March. The Food Festival will also feature Expo Restaurant Week from 14-27 February, BBQ Festival from 18 February-6 March and Dine Around the World from 21 February-13 March.

1851 Bar

The specially crafted "Love is in the Air" cocktail – available on 14 February only – is crammed full of vibrant berries, making it a fun, flirty concoction with which to toast to your relationship.

Dh65, UK Pavilion, Opportunity District

2020 Club by Emaar

The bright, airy 2020 Club by Emaar will be serving afternoon tea for two, as well as a romantic four-course dinner for a lingering night out. Both the indoor area and breezy terrace boast stunning views directly onto Al Wasl Plaza on one side and the impressive Saudi Arabia Pavilion on the other. Dinner guests will start with marinated watermelon amuse bouche, followed by pea and brie soup, a choice of confit salmon or mushroom crêpe for mains and vanilla strawberry custard for dessert.

Dh599 per couple for Valentine's Day four-course set menu with a bottle of grape; Dh320 per couple for afternoon tea, Al Wasl Plaza

Adrift Burger Bar

This month, Adrift is turning the heat up with the launch of the H.O.T – their spiciest burger yet – available until 31 March. Served with crispy fried jalapenos, chipotle mayo and pepper jack cheese, this is comfort food at its best. There's even a side of extra hot sauce if you want to spice up things even further. AED 65, Mobility District

Alkebulan African Dining Hall

Alkebulan's special Valentine's menu, available from 1-14 February, celebrates with sumptuous dishes such as the sembe taco of slow-roasted round steak, Saharan herb-crusted lamb chops and a seductive Nyangbo ground chocolate dessert with tonka caramel and smoked vanilla sable.

Dh150 per person, Jubilee Park

Baron

Baron's exclusive set menu for two on 14 February features scallops with charcoal and miso butter, kale salad and king mushrooms for starters, and a choice of monkfish or wagyu for mains, followed by a light and airy mille-feuille, with two glasses of bubbles included.

Dh300 for two, Al Wasl Plaza

Bombay Brasserie

Celebrate Valentine's Day South Asian style, as Bombay Brasserie lays on a three-course meal with a vibrant blend of classic and contemporary cuisine, plus unlimited house beverages. The intimate candlelit setting sets the tone for an unforgettable culinary journey, with a complimentary box of chocolates to round off the evening on a sweet note.

Dh220 per person for three-course menu and house beverages, India Pavilion, Al Forsan Park

Bread Ahead

Bread Ahead's Valentine's Workshop is a special baking class teaching novices and master-bakers alike how to bake perfect red velvet cupcakes with a luscious berry centre, as well as heart-shaped shortbreads.

February 12, 1300 GST; February 13, 1700 GST; February 16, 1300 GST; Dh300 per couple, Mobility District

Canvas by Coffee + Culture

The speciality café is perfect for a Valentine's Day pit stop, with buy one get one free on coffees and a complimentary dessert with all main courses. The Valentine's rose latte, made with rose water and garnished with rose petals, guarantees a pleasant caffeine buzz to perk you up for the rest of the day.

Buy one get one free for couples, Opportunity District

De2Have

At De2Have, Denmark, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea come together for gastronomical magic prepared with fresh, seasonal produce. On Valentine's Day, it's offering a special three-course menu with a heart-printed graffiti cocktail included. Begin with salmon served with dill and cucumbers, followed by veal with celery topped with a hazelnut glaze and finish with a rich brownie adorned with red berries.

Dh250 per person, Denmark Pavilion, Mobility District

Evok

Chocolate and Valentine's Day go hand-in-hand, which is why Evok, in the Colombia Pavilion, will be selling special boxes of chocolate bonbons in 13 different flavours with a blend of herbs, spices and fruits to commemorate the occasion, available from 11-15 February.

Dh30, plus buy three get one free, Colombia Pavilion, Opportunity District

Floozie Cookies

Vegan stuffed cookie brand Floozie is sharing the love with their creation of the month: a chocolate fudge cherry pie biscuit with a sweet, tangy cherry pie filling, topped with a dark chocolate button and sprinkled with dried cherries and gold. Too tempting to reserve for Valentine's Day only, the cookie will be available for the whole of February.

Dh16, Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, Sustainability District

Graffiti Cocktails

Guests can pre-order cocktails with their favourite couples photo for the special price of Dh99. The photo can be taken at the bar, or romantics can surprise their other half with an pre-made cocktail by sending in a photo in advance to contact@graffiticocktails.com.

Dh99, Denmark Pavilion, Mobility District

Jubilee Gastronomy & Mixology

One of the most sensational spots at the Expo 2020 Dubai site, Jubilee offers a beautifully styled interior or the rooftop terrace, with unbeatable views across Al Wasl Plaza, as a venue from which to enjoy a sumptuous five-course meal and expertly mixed cocktails. Oysters with apple foam set the tone for the evening, followed by green asparagus, octopus with parsnip, monkfish with a saffron emulsion and tenderloin with kimchee. A dessert of textures of white chocolate with a red glaze adds the final romantic touch.

Dh600, Al Wasl Plaza

Kutir

Presenting an upscale Indian experience, Kutir – the brainchild of celebrity chef Rohit Ghai – will be serving a stellar set menu paired with bubbles. With starters including salmon with mooli (giant radish) and chicken fry, diners will then enjoy a choice of pan-seared seabass, chicken tikka masala or paneer makhani, with a trio of kulfi promising to hit the sweet spot for dessert.

Dh599 per couple, Opportunity District

Long Chim

Long Chim is laying on the love with its Maa Long Chim Valentine Special – a nine-course menu including chicken satay and sweet and sour prawns, topped off with a sticky coconut cake with caramelised dates, with an option to include special rose bubbles.

From Dh360, Mobility District

Mangrove Philippine Cuisine

In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is a hugely popular celebration, so Mangrove Philippine Cuisine is going all out with a sharing menu for two filled with Filipino favourites including lumpia de cebu (five spice spring roll beef with vegetables) and pancit canton (stir-fry egg noodles with shrimps)and a red rose for ladies. Available from 12-14 February.

Dh140-150, Philippines Pavilion, Sustainability District

M-Eating Italy

If there are two things Italians are famous for, it's passion and creativity, and M-Eating Italy will not disappoint this Valentine's Day. Its tantalising set menu features a welcome glass of bubbles with a smoked fish bite, followed by a selection of Mediterranean fish. Next up is carnaroli rice with smoked cheese and radicchio, while the main dish is a succulent tenderloin with flan of spinach and potato cream. Diners are advised to save room for dessert: a decadent bread pudding with ice cream.

Dh260, Opportunity District

Mudra

Dh550 per couple, Al Wasl Plaza