What’s On has the ultimate guide to Christmas in Abu Dhabi, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day brunch offers and more.

More…
– Takeaway turkey in AUH
– Festive fun in AUH
– Christmas Eve DXB
– Christmas Day DXB
– Boxing Day DXB

CHRISTMAS EVE 

Royal Orchid
For an Asian take on the holidays, head over to this restaurant to enjoy a buffet dinner featuring specialties from Thailand, Beijing, Singapore and Mongolia.

Royal Orchid, Salam Street, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs99. Tel: (02) 6779911. Taxi: Royal Orchid, behind ADCB head office on Electra Street. theroyalorchidgroup.com

Avasa
For a spicy celebration this Christmas, this Indian restaurant’s set menu will see guests dine on achari paneer tika, organic quinoa salad, Pondicherry fish or prawn curry and baked yoghurt banoffi pie.

Avasa, The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs249. Tel: (02) 6742221. Taxi: The Collection Saadiyat Island. facebook.com/avasatheindiankitchen

Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Dig into an Asian style buffet at Toshi with main courses such as lobster and beef teppanyaki on offer. While you’re there, check out the hotel’s carolers for some festive fun.

Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, Dhs245. Tel: (02) 4953890. Taxi: Grand Millennium Al Wahda. millenniumhotels.ae

Park Rotana
’Twas the night before Christmas and the hotel’s signature restaurant, Teatro, was serving a four-course champagne dinner. The venue will be decorated with hand-blown glass and Venetian masks, making for a theatrical theme to help you and your family celebrate the season.

Park Rotana, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs395 to Dhs650. Tel: (02) 6573320. Taxi: Park Rotana. rotana.com

Shangri-La Hotel
For a cultural twist on your festive celebrations be sure to check out Hoi An, the Vietnamese restaurant. A special four-course set menu will be served. However, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then an a la carte menu is also available.

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, Dhs300. Tel: (02) 5098555. Taxi: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri. shangri-la.com

BOA
For an evening of festive food check out this steakhouse. A special set menu will include scallop carpaccio with candy fruits, chickpea velloute soup with crayfish, and black truffle and cod fish confit with braised lentil and broccolini potato.

Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs550 with soft drinks, Dhs620 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6411500. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. easternmangrovespromenade.ae

Southern Sun
 Abu Dhabi
Gather a group of family and friends and head to this hotel’s steakhouse, The Foundry. A five-course set menu is available, plus a carol singer. If you’re lucky, you may just catch a glimpse of Santa, too.

Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs275 with soft drinks, Dhs375 with wine and champagne. Tel: (02) 8184888. Taxi: Southern Sun, Al Mina Street, Tourist Club. tsogosunhotels.com 

CHRISTMAS DAY

Saadiyat Beach Club
Safina is offering diners a themed four-course set menu on Christmas Day. Jumbo prawns to start, next up is a roasted pumpkin soup and then a rack of lamb. For dessert, a traditional Christmas pudding completes the meal.

Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs400 to Dhs585 with four grape beverages. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Club. Saadiyatbeachclub.ae

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
Celebrating Christmas in the desert? Visit Suhail restaurant for a special five-course dinner. But before that, visit the resort courtyard from 5pm to 6.30pm for drinks and a visit from Santa Claus.

Qasr Al Sarab, Liwa, Abu Dhabi, Dhs650. Tel: (02) 8862088. Taxi: Qasr Al Sarab, Liwa. qasralsarab.anantara.com

InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Can’t decide what cuisine you want? Why not try three – Brazilian, Japanese and Belgian – at this hotel’s Marina brunch. Serving up dishes from Chamas, The Yacht Club and The Belgian Café, this brunch will also feature Christmas carolers and have a bouncy castle for the kids.

InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, noon to 4pm, Dhs250 to Dhs285 with select beverages. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental Abu Dhabi. ihg.com

Park Hyatt
 Abu Dhabi
Take the kiddies to a Christmas Day brunch at The Café. While adults dine on a selection of festive-themed foods from the buffet, the youngsters will be entertained at Camp Hyatt. Then burn off all those calories by relaxing at the hotel’s beach and swimming pools, which is included in the price.

Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs520 with house drinks, Dhs640 with premium drinks. Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt, Saadiyat. abudhabi. park.hyatt.com

Fanr
For a touch of culture with your Christmas celebrations, make your way to Manarat Al Saadiyat for a festive three-course menu. Options include beetroot cured salmon, pan-fried crispy sangara fish, roasted onyx beef skewers and homemade German dessert apple strudel.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs175 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with wine, Dhs425 with champagne. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Fancy yuletide on Yas Island? This hotel will be decking the halls of their magnificent Diyafa Ballroom for a very traditional Christmas lunch. So if you’ve got a hankering for pomp and ceremony then check this out. There’ll be plenty of food, of course, plus, live festive tunes, entertainment for children and a visit from the famous Kris Kringle, too.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs300 with soft drinks, Dhs400 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6563000. Taxi: Crowne Plaza Yas Island. crowneplaza.com/abudhabi

Rosewood 
Abu Dhabi
Aqua, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, will host a family brunch on Christmas day. If you’d rather celebrate with a festive meal in the evening, try Lebanese eatery Sambusek or the What’s On Awards 2014 Favourite Indian restaurant winner Spice Mela and the What’s On Favourite European restaurant Catalan, which will be serving a la carte menus during dinner.

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs450
with wine, Dhs550 with champagne. Tel: (02) 8135565. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com

BOXING DAY

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Boxing Day can only mean one thing – more food. Head down to Saadiyat Island for a daytime brunch and a special Michael Jackson tribute concert, ‘King of Pop – The Legend Continues’ in the evening.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, noon to 4pm, Dhs310 to Dhs480 with house beverages, packages inclusive of regular ticket to the concert. Tel: (02) 5578000. sbgolfclub.ae

Dusit Thani 
Abu Dhabi
Christmas isn’t over just yet.
To keep the merry celebrations going, check out this Boxing Day brunch at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. As well as a selection of cuisines from around the globe, there’s a dedicated children’s play area in which your kids can play with all the toys they received the previous day.

Dusit Thani, Al Ittihad, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs215 with soft drinks, Dhs310 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6988888. Taxi: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. dusit.com

Zuma
A special Boxing Day brunch will be served at this What’s On Award-winning newcomer to the Abu Dhabi restaurant scene. Situated on Al Maryah Island, the Japanese eatery will welcome a visit from Santa who will be giving out presents to children under 12 years of age.

The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs345 with soft drinks, Dhs445 with house drinks, Dhs555 with champagne and sake. Tel: (02) 4015900. Taxi: The Galleria. zumarestaurant.com

Iris
Celebrate the end of Christmas while soaking up the views of Yas Marina. Hosting a special ‘Le Brunch’, this buffet will feature multiple food and beverage stations.

Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 4pm, Dhs200 food only. Tel: (055) 1605636. Taxi: Yas Marina. irisabudhabi.com

Yas Viceroy
Treat yourself to all the trimmings with this post-Christmas brunch at Origins
on Yas Island. Enjoy a wide selection of live cooking stations serving up seafood, grills, international dishes, a carvery, desserts and more. There’ll also be a DJ spinning tunes.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks, Dhs450 with champagne. Tel: (02) 6560000. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com