Restaurants in Abu Dhabi are putting on their Christmas hats with brunch and dinner offers galore — complete with all the classic holiday dishes that can be enjoyed amid a sea of lavish seasonal decor.
Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will fall on a weekend this year, significantly expanding the likelihood of people wanting to eat out.
Scroll through the gallery above for a list Christmas brunches and dinners available in Abu Dhabi
Here's a round-up of some of the top spots to dine at during the festive weekend in the capital.
December 24
Brunch at Nahaam
This spot at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is hosting an authentic British Christmas Eve affair, called Pardon My Brunch. Guests can enjoy decorations inspired by Christmas in London, and tuck in to seasonal delights such as a selection of light nibbles, including octopus carpaccio, to hearty main course options such as a traditional roast turkey.
There is also a cozy breakfast corner, numerous British pie options, as well as home-baked desserts, including Bakewell tart, jam roly poly and Dorset apple cake.
12:30pm-4pm; from Dh375 for adults, Dh200 for kids; Al Bateen; 02 811 5666
Dinner at Talea by Antonio Guida
A five-course Christmas Eve dinner will be served at the Michelin-starred Emirates Palace venue. The curated set menu features exquisite dishes including John Dory cooked with bergamot leaf and a traditional Italian panettone. The package also comes with a Christmas-inspired welcome drink to kick-start the fine-dining evening.
6:30pm-10:30pm; Dh650 per person; West Corniche Road; 02 690 9000
Brunch at 49ers Steakhouse and Club
This Le Meridien restaurant is offering an affordable Christmas brunch at its festive dining experience that features a selection of pastas, flatbreads and quesadillas. Other items on the menu include salads, sliders and an array of sweet treats.
1pm-4pm; from Dh149; Tourist Club Area; 02 645 8000
Brunch at Coya
A parade of mouthwatering Peruvian dishes are on offer at this Four Seasons Hotel restaurant on Christmas Eve. Diners can start with Coya's popular creamy guacamole or another signature appetiser platter. For main course, choose from a range of classic Latin American dishes, including slow-cooked beef ribs, corn-fed baby chicken, Chilean sea bass rice pot, miso salmon and vegetarian quinoa with ricotta cheese and pumpkin. An after-brunch party is set to cap the night with a resident DJ blasting Latino tunes.
12:30pm-3:30pm; from Dh298 for the brunch, a la carte prices for the after-party; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 306 7000
Dinner at LPM Restaurant and Bar
Recently appointed global executive chef Adriano Cattaneo's dishes are on the Christmas Eve dinner menu at this French restaurant. Starters include foie gras terrine, salmon tartare with potato wafers and caviar, as well as a green bean salad with black truffle. For main course, there is chicken foie gras ballotine, roasted turbot with artichokes and langoustine ravioli. Diners can round off the dinner with sweet treats, including a chocolate and mandarin log.
6pm-11pm; Dh595; The Galleria, Al Maryah Island; 02 692 9600
Dinner at Olea
Expect a magical festive evening at this Mediterranean restaurant in The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, with picturesque ocean views, white marble decor and a palm-tree-lined terrace, all while a live musical trio serenades diners. On the menu are fresh seafood, traditional roast turkey and tender grills served straight from the oven.
7pm-11pm; from Dh325 for adults, Dh150 for kids; Saadiyat Island; 02 498 8888
December 25
Lunch or dinner at Martabaan
At this Indian fine dining restaurant in Emirates Palace, celebrity chef Hemant Oberoi is showcasing a special festive menu spotlighting the vibrant flavours of India. Although no immediate details about the menu are available, the chef reportedly enjoys cooking with lemon grass. He has also served numerous famous personalities, including former US president Barack Obama, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Available from 12:30pm-10:30pm; Dh350 per person; West Corniche Road; 02 690 7999
Brunch at Buddha-Bar Beach
The beachfront venue, known for its stunning location at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, is hosting a feast of specialities from the Pacific Rim — such as sushi, ceviche, and robata grills. The bar's resident DJ will set the mood, with the help of a saxophonist to complete the holiday ambience.
1pm-4pm; from Dh425 for adults, Dh200 for kids; Saadiyat Island; 02 498 8888
Brunch at The Foundry
Live stations of foie gras, pasta, risotto and shawarma are only some of the appetising offerings at this Southern Sun restaurant for Christmas Day brunch. To make it even more festive, there is a saltbush lamb carvery station with all the trimmings, as well as a chef-curated dessert menu full of Christmas specials.
12:30pm-4:30pm; from Dh325 for adults, Dh110 for kids; Tourist Club Area; 02 818 4888
Brunch at Garage
This restaurant at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is hosting a party-style Christmas Day brunch, complete with foot-tapping tunes. On the festive menu are bao buns with turkey char siew and confit duck and poached salmon loin among other delectable dishes. There is a seafood bar, as well as a tart bar for sweet treats.
1pm-4pm; from Dh450; Yas Island; 02 656 0000
Scroll through the gallery below for the best of Christmas brunches in Dubai
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
