With Australia's National Day taking place on January 26, a number of restaurants across the UAE are launching limited-edition menus or one-off events to ensure it’s a very g’day.
Whether you want to learn more about the country’s cuisine, get a taste of home or sample new treats with your mates, here’s where to go.
Enjoy a special Australia Day brunch at PJ O’Reilly’s
The casual hangout spot in Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi will be hosting Great Australia Day for the seventh year in a row – so you can be guaranteed plenty of fun at the annual brunch, held in partnership with Aussies Abroad.
Inspired by the country's love of all things grilled, there will be an all-you-can-eat poolside barbecue serving a variety of meats while DJ Sonya Mac will be on the decks.
Friday, January 29; 1pm-4pm; prices start at Dh149 per person (Dh50 extra for pool access); Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, 800 101 101; restaurants.lrmad@lemeridienhotels.com
Sink your teeth into limited-edition burgers and bites from Jones the Grocer
The restaurant chain and gourmet retail store is turning up the heat with a selection of sweet and savoury dishes, available from Friday, January 22, to Tuesday, February 9.
Sink your teeth into the True Blue Aussie burger, with Australian wagyu, roasted beetroot, grilled pineapple and a fried egg; Out Crabbin’, a tempura-battered soft shell crab with mango and pomegranate salsa; the Barbie Beef burger, with pulled beef brisket with barbecue sauce, battered onion rings and grilled pineapple; or the Chook-o-dile Dundee, a lemon-pepper crumbed chicken burger with spiced labneh. For dessert, there are lamingtons, with strawberry or raspberry jam, or the “Luv the old Pav”, a meringue with lemon curd and fruit.
The brand has also launched special Australia Day hampers online that are great for gifting.
Friday to Tuesday; January 22 to February 9; available across all Jones the Grocer stores in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and online; jonesthegrocer.com
Enjoy a fair dinkum Australia Day menu at Grove Road by Bystro
The Australian restaurant at The Pointe is celebrating National Day with a limited-time menu of popular dishes from Down Under. For one week from Friday, January 22 onwards, visitors will be able to sample some classic Aussie favourites such as chicken parma, gourmet meat pies and Melbourne fish & chips (with dimmies and potato cakes) and Bunnings-style hot dogs. For dessert, tuck into treats such as the vanilla slice or lamingtons. A choice of Australian '80s and '90s tunes will also keep the vibe into the evening.
Friday to Saturday, January 22 to 30; opening hours; a la carte menu; The Pointe West on Palm Jumeirah; 04 564 9874; groverd.com/
Aussie favourites from three renowned Dubai restaurants
Those craving classic Australian comfort food can also head over to any of Bull&Roo’s venues between Sunday, January 24, and Saturday, January 30. That means The Sum of Us, Tom&Serg and Common Grounds (which has branches in JLT, Mall of the Emirates and DIFC) will be serving up dishes designed to transport you straight to Australia. On the menu are jam doughnuts, lamingtons and the ever-popular chicken parma.
Sunday to Saturday, January 24 to 30; a la carte dishes; multiple locations and timings; bullandroo.com
Try the Aussie menu at The Blacksmith
Hungry blokes and Sheilas can head over to the barbecue joint for Australian favourites, available for a limited-time only, starting from Tuesday, January 26. From the chicken parma to the Aussie meat pie, and a lamington dipped in chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut, there’s plenty to tantalise the tastebuds. Guests can choose to sit indoors or on the terrace as they take in Aussie tunes by UAE singer Dan Batchelor.
Tuesday to Saturday, January 26 to 30; a la carte with prices starting at Dh49; Wyndham Dubai Marina Hotel, Dubai Marina; 04 407 8873
