We have made a barktastic discovery a 50-minute car drive away from Dubai., right next door to Sharjah and, okay, a little further away from Abu Dhabi.
Kite Café in Umm Al Quwain is not only child-friendly, but dog-friendly too.
The cute eatery, which wouldn’t look out of place on Phuket’s Patong Beach, welcomes the whole family from the tiniest of tots to the furriest of friends – it’s pawfect for the whole gang.
It’s Dhs25 per dog and Dhs50 for adults for the whole day, but there are camping options too for Dhs380 per night, which includes the tent that is already up when you arrive.
We are told that we don’t have to pay for our three kids, but get the feeling this is at the discretion of whoever happens to be on the welcome desk at the time.
You can grab a lounger and umbrella on the sand and then let your four-legged friends off the lead to explore the fenced in beach and to swim in the sea.
Breakfast dishes are available from 7am with firm favourites poached eggs and avocado as well as an acai bowl on offer, while you can go for burgers from the barbecue or a hearty bowl of pasta for lunch or supper.
The kids are thrilled with the ice cream selection too, while the dogs make do with a bowl of water and some scraps from the table.
You can wash it all down with a deliciously refreshing mocktail, or a hot or iced coffee.
Don’t have a pet pup? Don’t worry, it’s still worth the just-short-of-an-hour’s journey out there with the kids.
The water is shallow meaning little ones can wade safely in the sea and throw a ball or stick for any of the numerous dogs running along the sand and splashing about in the sea – full disclaimer, we can’t guarantee they will bring it back.
The drive back doesn’t seem quite as long and is certainly a lot more peaceful. All that running around on the beach and jumping in the sea has worn them all out, dogs included.
A successful trip to the seaside for the whole gang. We will be back.
Dhs25 (dogs), Dhs50 (adults). Kite Beach Center and Café, Shaik Saud bin Rachid Al Mualla Road, Umm Al Quwain, www.kitebeachcenter.ae (055 507 3060)
