Seasonal twists on classic brunches, traditional roasts, and tasty two-for-ones. Here’s where to spend Christmas Day in Dubai…

It really is the most wonderful time of the year, and although we may not have snow (we always preferred sand anyway), there’s no reason we can’t get in on the festive action.

While we’ve rounded up the best the city has to offer for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, turkey takeaway, office shindigs, New Year’s Eve and everything else Christmas right here, this one’s all about the big day.

So here are 28 feasts we’re bookmarking to tuck into this Christmas, aka Monday December 25…. 

Bleu Blanc by David Myers

Bleu Blanc is already causing a buzz on the Dubai foodie scene, and this Christmas day it will host its first Christmas brunch, complete with the traditional French ‘chapon’ (rooster), along with other Bleu Blanc delicacies. It will come with four hours of house beverages, or for an extra Dhs200, upgrade to bubbly and cocktails.

Bleu Blanc by David Myers, Renaissance Downtown, Business Bay, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs499 house, Dhs699 premium. Tel: (04) 512 5555. bleublanc-dubai.com

Galvin

New City Walk hotspot Galvin is serving up a three course Christmas menu all day from 12pm to 11.30pm. There’s a choice from four starters, mains and desserts and includes a glass of french bubbles to toast the big day. There’s both traditional and more modern options to choose from too, plus it’s served up on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Galvin, The Square, City Walk, Dubai, 12pm to 11.30pm, Dhs295 (Dhs258 without glass of bubbles). Tel: (04) 590 5444. galvindubai.com

We Brunch

Popular Marina party brunch We Brunch is throwing a festive edition of their party-hard brunch complete with Santa, presents for the guests and a snow machine. There will be a festive twist on the international buffet, and a range of Christmas themed cocktails.

We Brunch, Accents, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs299 soft, Dhs399 sparkling. Tel: (056) 694 4538. webrunchdxb.com

Armani/Ristorante

Chef Alessandro Salvatico has created a six course degustation menu for the festive season. Dishes at the fine dining Italian include a parmesan and truffle crème brûlée, glazed spiced veal cheek, grilled Angus beef tagliata and a black truffle gratin.

Armani/Ristorante, Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs550 soft. Tel: (04) 888 3666 . armanihoteldubai.com

The Croft

Celebrate Christmas at the popular British gastro pub, offering up all your favourite roast English treats with all the trimmings. Just be prepared to roll out the door with a belly bigger than Santa afterwards. With live entertainment on the terrace, you can spend the entire day celebrating with your four-course set menu with table dessert buffet…

Dubai Marriott Harbour, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 12.30pm onwards, Dhs325 for food only. Tel: (04) 319 4000. marriottharbourdubaidining.com

Dusit Thani

Spend Christmas Day at Dusit Thani and tuck in to food stations at three specialty restaurants on the 24th Floor Benjarong Thai Restaurant, PAX Ristorante and The Californian Restaurant. There will be gifts for the kids and a special visit from Santa.

Dusit Thani, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs225 soft, Dhs325 house, Dhs425 premium. Tel: (04) 343 3333. dusit.com/dusitthani/dubai

Vida Downtown

The Vida Downtown Urban Picnic Brunch is getting a festive twist this Christmas. Spend the day relaxing by the pool and outdoor terrace and fill up your picnic basket with the special festive food options prepared by the chef.

3in1, Vida Downtown, Downtown Dubai, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs295 soft, Dhs345 premium, Dhs148 children. Tel: (04) 428 6888.  vidahotels.com

Lima

Lima Dubai invites guests for a Christmas day with a Peruvian twist. The City Walk spot is offering a four-course sharing menu with a choice of unlimited house beverages which includes cocktails.

Lima, City Walk, Dubai, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs325 soft, Dhs500 house. Tel: (056) 500 4571. Taxi: City Walk. limadubai.com

The Scene by Simon Rimmer

There’s a five-course British menu with three hours of free-flowing drinks on offer for the big day at The Scene by Simon Rimmer. It will be a traditional festive spread, plus a smaller three course menu for the kids for Dhs99. The same offer is available at their sister restaurant in DIFC, Jekyll & Hyde.

The Scene, 4th Floor, Pier 7, Dubai Marina, Dhs375 soft, Dhs550 house, Dhs650 sparkling, Dhs99 kids. Tel: (04) 222 2328. Metro: Dubai Marina thescenedubai.com

El Sur

Not in the mood for turkey this Christmas? Try something truly different with El Sur’s Tapas Brunch. Enjoy your Christmas lunch al fresco on the terrace, and tuck into a range of modern tapas and a free-flowing beverage package. Plus, they’re offering all guests a two for one deal, making the house beverage package Dhs198 per head. 

El Sur, The Westin Mina Seyahi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs265 soft, Dhs395 house (Dhs133 and Dhs198 with two for one offer). Tel: (04) 399 7700. Tram: Mina Seyahi. westinminaseyahi.com

McGettigans Souk Madinat

With two sittings at noon to 4pm & 4.30pm to 8.30pm, guests can enjoy a three-course meal including a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings and five house beverages for Dhs349, or Dhs399 for a free flowing beverage option.

McGettigan’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, Dhs349 with five drinks, Dhs399 with free flowing drinks. Tel: (04) 447 0219. Taxi: Souk Madinat. Mcgettigans.com

Folly by Nick & Scott

There’s nothing quite like Christmas dinner being served up by two British chefs, and so for Christmas the award-winning Nick Alvis & Scott Price have created a traditional menu with a wine pairing option and courses to include Halibut, barbecued chestnuts and red cabbage, Roast turkey dinner and Christmas Pudding Parfait.

Folly by Nick & Scott, Madinat Jumeirah, 4pm to 8pm, Dhs495 or Dhs845 with wine pairing. Tel: (04) 447 0219. Taxi: Souk Madinat. folly.ae

Wanderlust, JW Marriott Marquis

Join one of Dubai’s best party brunches served with a seasonal twist. The Festive Wanderlust brunch features 11 live stations and a whopping 360 dishes. You’ll deserve a well earned nap after scoffing that lot. Guests must be over 21.

JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs425 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4143000. Taxi: JW Marriott Marquis. jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

Ritz Carlton DIFC

Cafe Belge Terrace

If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to splurge on brilliant Belgian classics, this is it. Café Belge turns into a winter wonderland for the Christmas Day Grand Brunch, with a traditional feast, live music and a visit from Santa himself.

DIFC, Dubai, noon to 4pm, Dhs390 with soft drinks, Dhs590 with house drinks, Dhs640 with prosecco, Dhs740 with champagne, Dhs155 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 3722323. Taxi: Ritz Carlton DIFC. ritzcarlton.com

Rixos Premium

If eating mass quantities of Turkish food is your ideal December 25 situation, look no further than Turquoise, as the Festive Christmas Brunch includes traditional Turkish cuisine in addition to live cooking stations and international dishes. Look out for the singing chefs…

The Walk, JBR, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs370 with soft drinks, Dhs570 with house drinks, Dhs670 with champagne. Tel: (04) 5200000. Taxi: Rixos Premium. premiumdubai.rixos.com

Yalumba

Aussie favourite Yalumba, situated near Dubai Airport, is offering up a festive version of their famed party brunch on December 25. Think of mix pastas, shellfish, roasts, curries, cheese and molten chocolate with a mix of premium drinks. There’s indoor and outdoor seating available too

Yalumba, Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs549. Tel: (04) 217 0000. yalumbadubai.com

Mövenpick JLT

It’s all about overindulgence at this time of year, and Nosh at Mövenpick JLT has lined up a day of unlimited food and drinks to mark the occasion. Feast on a traditional Christmas dinner buffet and international dishes to the sound of a live jazz band, DJ and Christmas carols. Plus, book before December 15 and get a 20 per cent discount.

Cluster A, JLT, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs 199 for buffet with soft beverages, Dhs299 for buffet with house beverages, half price under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 4380000. Taxi: Mövenpick JLT. movenpick.com

Reform

British gastropub, Reform Social & Grill will be hosting a four-course Christmas brunch which offers a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by mince pies, a yule log and a cheese board.

Reform The Lakes, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs400 soft, Dhs530 house, Dhs660 sparkling, Dhs195 children. Tel: (04) 454 2638. Taxi: The Lakes. reformsocialgrill.ae

Lucky Voice

For an especially rowdy Christmas, head to Lucky Voice, where the three-course lunch will be accompanied by a live DJ spinning Christmas cheese, as well as the infamous lip sync battle.

Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks, Dhs450 with sparkling wine. Tel: (800) 58259. Taxi: Grand Millennium Hotel. luckyvoice.ae

One & Only Royal Mirage

Expect oysters on ice, white asparagus and caviar and foie gras terrine at the chic White Glove Festive Brunch, as well as an extensive selection of top class roasts.

Beach Road, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs460 with soft drinks, Dhs740 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 3999999. Taxi: One & Only Royal Mirage. oneandonlyresorts.com

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa

Escape your Christmas tree-cluttered living room and luxuriate in chic spot Brasserie 2.0. The festive brunches includes traditional turkey and all the trimmings, as well as live music and children’s entertainment.

Le Royal Méridien, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs475 with soft drinks, Dhs625 with house drinks, Dhs950 with champagne. Tel: (04) 3995333. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa. leroyalmeridien-dubai.com

Bread Street Kitchen & Bar

Gordon Ramsay knows how to make a good British roast, so we’ll be expecting all the traditional trimmings alongside the now-legendary turkey Wellington.

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs95 children. Tel: (04) 4262626. Taxi: Atlantis The Palm. atlantisthepalm.com 

Jumeirah Al Qasr

The Al Qasr Brunch is famous for a reason, and if you haven’t tried it yet its Christmas themed special is reason enough to head down. Three restaurants (The Hide, Al Hambra and Arboretum) partner up for a three-and-a-half hour brunch of foodie heaven.

Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs850 with house drinks, Dhs375 under-11s. Tel: (04) 4323232. Taxi: Jumeirah Al Qasr. jumeirah.com

Anantara The Palm

The popular Fork & Cork brunch will be given a festive makeover, with live entertainment and a special visit from the big man in red himself.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs445 with soft drinks, Dhs655 with house drinks and sparkling wine, Dhs750 with champagne, Dhs199 under-11s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 5678888. Taxi: Anantara The Palm. anantara.com

BQ – French Kitchen & Bar

Inject some European elegance into your celebrations with the Christmas brunch at The St Regis’ picturesque French eatery, where you can expect a seafood and oyster bar in addition to a roast.

Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs595 with house drinks, Dhs695 with champagne, half-price under-12s, under-fours free. Tel: (04) 43555577. Taxi: St Regis. stregisdubai.com

Manzil Downtown

Reserve a table at this family-focused feast where the traditional Christmas dinner is give a local twist of Middle Eastern flavours.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4238899. Taxi: Manzil Downtown. vida-hotels.com

BICE

Make it an Italian Christmas at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, where the team serves up a five-course feast with a modern Italian twist.

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, JBR, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs430 with champagne. Tel: (04) 3182520. Tram: Jumeirah Residence 1. hilton.com

La Ville Hotel & Suites

Chival is swapping turkey for goose this festive season, served with six sides: potato dumplings, red cabbage, mixed vegetables, chestnuts, roasted marzipan apples, and Christmas dessert, which you can choose to eat at the restaurant or package it up and eat at home. Available until December 28.

La Ville Hotel & Suites, Citywalk, Dubai, Dhs450 (for two people), Dhs750 (for four people). Tel: (054) 3095948. Taxi: La Ville Citywalk. livelaville.com/festive

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