An immersive, heritage-drive installation inspired by the Mandarin Oriental fan and Emirati craftsmanship, launching beneath the Palace’s iconic Grand Dome this summer.
This summer, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi invites guests to discover The Silk Fold by ETHR Café, an immersive installation created in collaboration with ETHR, an award-winning concept from the United Arab Emirates centred around gentle living and intimate experiences.
Launching beneath the Palace’s iconic Grand Dome from 6 June to 4 September 2026, the experience draws inspiration from the Mandarin Oriental fan and the Emirati Mukhawar, bringing together craftsmanship, coffee culture, live programming and design-led storytelling within an intimate environment created for discovery and connection.
Reflecting Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental’s continued commitment to celebrating local creativity, culture and meaningful exchange, The Silk Fold by ETHR Café has been conceived as a space where guests can engage with Emirati artistry through layered textures, thoughtful details and immersive experiences.
Throughout the summer, The Silk Fold by ETHR Café will host Arabic coffee tasting experiences, curated menu collaborations, live performances, talks and community-led programming, encouraging connection through taste, design and conversation.
Designed to evolve throughout the season, the activation invites guests to linger, discover and return. Guests are welcomed into an environment shaped by light, shadow, craftsmanship and native desert elements, creating a seamless transition from the grandeur of the Palace into a more intimate setting beneath the Grand Dome. Throughout the experience, references to Emirati heritage unfold through textile details, gold talli accents and contemporary interpretations of traditional artistry.
At the heart of the collaboration is ETHR’s interpretation of the Mandarin Oriental fan through the lens of the Emirati Mukhawar, bringing together two traditions connected through ornamentation, craftsmanship and storytelling in a way that feels both modern and deeply rooted in place.
Located beneath the Grand Dome within the lobby of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, The Silk Fold by ETHR Café will be open daily from 6 June to 4 September 2026. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 11pm and Friday to Sunday from 4pm to 12am. Entry is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required.
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