Putt, Munch, Repeat: Golf and Grub to start a week of Food, Fun, and Flavours

Ever wondered what it’s like to put zero skill but all your energy into smashing little white golf balls against the backdrop of Dubai’s skyline? It’s pretty cool. My cousin and I decided to check out TopGolf Dubai on the first evening of his week-long holiday. The entire drive there turned into a therapy session, complete with deep discussions about what kind of cat we’d want someday. (The Middle East has that effect on you.) As we pulled up to the entrance, we could see the multi-level bays stretching into the distance, golf balls flying outwards in graceful arcs. “We should get a picture of that—it looks amazing,” I said. But, true to my infamous lack of focus, my attention immediately shifted to the paddle courts on our right.

Walking into the waiting room, we were greeted by the sight of the Arsenal vs. Chelsea game. Unfortunately, the match ended in a draw, capped off by a heartbreaking last-minute miss that left a room of eight Arsenal fans gasping in collective frustration. What better time to smash some balls... golf balls, that is. Soon, we were called up to our bay and handed a “driver”—a fancy name for a golf club. After completely mishitting my first shot (to no one’s surprise), I slowly started to get the hang of it, just in time for our food to arrive. And let me tell you, I’ve never described food the way I’m about to—but oh my god, it was incredible.

Three little sliders of the most delicious grilled chicken fillets, smothered in rich buffalo sauce, topped with flavorful pickles, and a dollop of cheese, all perfectly nestled in a soft brioche bun. After almost eight hours without food, my taste buds were in absolute heaven. It was also my first time trying tater tots—and wow, a solid 10/10. These crispy bites were loaded with a medley of vegetables, cheese, and chicken, making them utterly addictive. At some point, I realised we had completely abandoned playing golf, opting instead to focus on stuffing our faces with food. Then came a second realisation: this week was shaping up to be all about indulgence—eating like royalty, skipping workouts, and spending the rest of the time with my cousin, exploring everything this incredible Gulf city had to offer.

The following evening, we decided to check out a beachside restaurant. Driving up to Dubai Marina on a Monday evening, we naively expected minimal traffic—only to remember that this is one of the most visited cities in the world. As we searched eagerly for parking, we watched tourists making the most of the night—snapping pictures, enjoying luxurious meals, and cruising in stunning supercars. Once we finally found parking, we made our way to the restaurant. It was a beautifully aesthetic venue, perfectly perched on the beach and surrounded by renowned food chains, all bathed in the golden glow of Dubai’s autumn evening weather. What better way to kick off the night than with a cold piña colada served in a hollowed-out pineapple? "Whoa, Spongebob’s house!" I exclaimed, laughing. Turns out, this is why you always take the waitress’s recommendations - who was very enthusiastic Filipino lady that loved having a laugh.

We decided to indulge in both chicken quesadillas and fajitas. Why did we order both? Honestly, no idea. Was it worth it? Absolutely. The explosion of flavours in every bite made it completely justified. For the sake of adventure, I also decided to try a dish beloved around the world— Sushi. The first bite? Amazing. The second? All I could think was, why do people adore this raw, cold fish dish so much? But I have to admit, they had topped each piece with Tobiko—tiny orange fish eggs. These were oddly addictive, popping in my mouth with every bite and adding an intriguing texture to the experience. That said, my absolute favourite dish of the night was the Dynamite Shrimp. I love shrimp (now), and this dish didn’t disappoint. Each bite was perfectly crunchy, coated in a mouthwatering spicy mayo sauce that danced on my tongue. Every piece felt like a celebration of flavour. But as I savoured the last bite, I couldn’t help but realise—if I kept eating like this for a week, I was definitely going to put on a few extra pounds.