For Christina’s 40th birthday tiki dream tour, we visited all four Trader Vic’s locations in Dubai—and sat down with two of the visionaries behind the magic: Ximena Lopez, Regional Director MEA, and Manuel Gastelum, Culinary Director MEA. From frozen Mai Tais at Palm Jumeirah to wood-fire ovens and international expansion, they share how Trader Vic’s keeps its legacy alive across cultures. We talk tiki training, menu adaptations, and what makes the Middle East a uniquely vibrant home for the brand.

Oh—and yes, we tasted every signature cocktail.