11 new Dubai and Abu Dhabi summer brunches to check out

Here are a selection of indoor brunches to take the heat out of your summer. Verso, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi One of the newest dining spots in the capital has just launched its Saturday La Dolce Vita brunch. The Italian Way buffet will guide guests on a tour of Italy. You'll also have free pool access. Saturdays from noon until 4pm . Prices start from Dh200 (children under 6 go free, those under 12 go half price). For more, go to www.verso.com _________________ Buddha-Bar Beach, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Make your way to Saadiyat Island and join in the Sushi Soiree on a Tuesday. Buddha-Bar Beach’s chef Eko will provide you with unlimited sushi. DJ Bambina and other live performers will provide the music to accompany your authentic Japanese evening out. Tuesday from 8pm to 11pm . Dh300. For more, go to www.stregissaadiyatisland.com _________________ Origins Brunch, Yas Hotel Join the revamped Origins Brunch at what will soon be the W Abu Dhabi. You'll get to enjoy a broad selection of starters and mains, and don't forget to visit the dessert room, which boasts a liquid-nitrogen bar. Let the DJ entertain you as you take in the views of Yas Marina Circuit from the rooftop restaurant. Fridays from 12.30pm until 4pm. Prices start from Dh285 per person. Latecomers pay Dh195 from 4pm to 7pm . For more, go to www.yashotelabudhabi.com _________________ A La Carte Brunch, Abu Dhabi Golf Club The Grill at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has crafted a brunch where the team will serve unlimited food and provide music to enjoy it to. If you haven’t been out to the golf club in a while, this might be a good brunch to check out. Fridays from noon until 3pm . Prices start from Dh220 per person. For more, email events@adgolfclub.ae _________________ Dino’s Bistro Italiano, Pearl Rotana Take the family to the Capital Centre district and try out Dino's Italian brunch. It's a great one for families or those with visitors in the Emirates, and there are three packages available. Along with the buffet, guests can choose from the restaurant's a la carte menu. Fridays from noon to 3.30pm. Prices start from Dh165 per person. For more, go to www.rotana.com _________________ Asia de Cuba, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi The famed Chino-Latino restaurant, which also has outposts in Abu Dhabi and London, transforms each Friday into a scene straight out of 1950s Cuba. But this is no normal buffet affair, as there are plenty of Latin-inspired gimmicks, too. Upon arrival, staff will bring three food boxes to your table – one “snack box” filled with morsels such as ropa vieja (shredded or pulled beef and vegetables) spring rolls, and empanadas, a “sushi box” and the “duck set”, which comes complete with roasted Peking duck, pancakes, guava hoisin sauce, leeks and cucumber. You’ll then be set loose on the buffet – filled with restaurant favourites such as the tuna pica tartare, a sushi bar and fresh seafood – and several food serving stations. But it wouldn’t be Cuba without a live Latino band, so Cubai will be ensuring you’re salsa dancing before the afternoon is over. Friday 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh345, www.asiadecuba.com/dubai _________________ Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm It's probably not a new idea, but the "share and tear" concept at Little Miss India's new brunch is one way to get the family involved. With a menu that centres on regional Indian flavours, this feast is a three-course set menu that features a huge range of sharing-style dishes. Across your different courses, you'll be offered Indian favourites such as kebabs, poppadoms and chutneys, paneer tikka, butter chicken, tikka masalas, dal makhani and a selection of Indian breads and sides. All the while, you'll be sipping drinks from the restaurant's tribal truck bar and looking out over the lights of the Dubai Marina skyline, listening to music from the resident DJ. Saturday, 2pm to 5pm . Prices start from Dh215, www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai _________________ The Lion, The H Dubai The former Black Lion – which now has Nick Alvis and Scott Price, the pair behind Folly in Souk Madinat, at the helm – is where to head for brunch in the form of quintessential British comfort food. Aside from the abundance of natural light and general cleanliness about the place, it's not quite your typical British pub, but the food is top-notch. You'll first be served up a selection of starters (think sausage rolls, Scotch eggs and paté and bread) before you have a choice of a main (more British favourites in the form of fish and chips with mushy peas, as well as Murphy's beef pudding and curried coconut chicken) and then a hearty dessert. British singer and guitarist Richard Simon Kennedy – a regular on the London gig circuit – will be performing your favourites. Friday 2pm to 9pm . Prices start from Dh300 for three hours, www.hhoteldubai.com _________________ Hotel Cartagena, J W Marriott Marquis Dubai You’re not going to find a brunch higher up than this anywhere in Dubai. Located on the 72nd floor of the J W Marriott Marquis, overlooking Downtown Dubai, one of the city’s newest Latin America eateries is offering up a fun sharing brunch in vibrant jungle-themed decor. There will be no ferrying food to and from the buffet here, as it’s an a la carte, sharing-style feast, with a modern take on Latino favourites, such as aji tuna poke, Puerto Rican braised short rib, and passion fruit tres leche. There’s a live DJ, and “surprise entertainment” from the Hotel Cartagena team, too. Friday 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Prices start from Dh295, www.marriott.com _________________ Nezesaussi Grill, Address Dubai Marina If you’re familiar with the rugby championship formerly known as the Tri Nations (now, simply known as the Rugby Championship after the inclusion of Argentina), chances are, you will have heard of this Dubai sports bar stalwart. Nezesaussi is home to all things New Zealand, Australia and South Africa – the name of the venue is a play on the three countries’ monikers. So, for brunch expect Antipodean and Safa favourites: think bangers and mash, pavlova and sliders. There’s also plenty of pool, arcade games and sporting action on the big screens to keep you entertained throughout the day. Friday 12pm to 4pm . Prices start from Dh199, www.addresshotels.com _________________ Hikina, Lapita Hotel, Dubai Parks and Resorts Named after Hikina's "exuberant restaurant manager Lily", the brunch at Hikina, inside the Polynesian-themed hotel, is a perfect alternative to the usual Dubai hotel buffets. There's plenty to choose from at Hikina, with pan-Asian cuisine being the order of the day. There's an appetiser buffet with a fried noodle serving station, which leads you nicely on to mains. For this course you can choose from a range of dishes, including curries, Indonesian satays and pad Thai noodles. The dessert corner comes in the form of "traditional pan-Asian dishes with a Hikina twist", including hot steamed sweet buns, a green tea chocolate fountain and a fried banana serving station. Friday July 6 to September 28, 1pm to 4pm. Prices start from Dh149, www.dubaiparksandresorts.com _________________ Read more: Taste of Abu Dhabi 2018: Celebrity chefs and top entertainers in attendance What’s Dane Bowers up to in Dubai? A guide to Syrian food: we seek out the flavours _________________

11 new Dubai and Abu Dhabi summer brunches to check out

At a loss for things to do as the sun beams down? Here are some refreshing indoor dining options to try out