14 ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Abu Dhabi
Still need to make plans for this Valentine’s Day in Abu Dhabi? Well here are 14 What’s On recommended dining deals to help you out…
1. Caramel
For a romantic night out this Valentine’s Day tuck into a three-course meal that includes dishes such as creamy buratta cheese with roasted vine tomatoes, prawn and avocado salad, chargrilled tenderloin with cauliflower puree (pictured), chicken roulade with parmesan and herb stuffing and chocolate fondant with a white chocolate centre.
February 11 to 14
The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs298 per couple, including glass of bubbly each. Tel: (02) 6783344. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat Island. caramelgroup.com
2. 55&5th The Grill
If meat is what you want, head to the signature steakhouse at St Regis Saadiyat Island resort and enjoy a his-and-hers six course menu. If you’re feeling fancy and want to splash the cash, you can pay extra for a romantic set up and a surprise gift for the lady.
February 11 to 14
St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs990 per couple, Dhs1,395 per couple with French bubbly, Dhs1,500 per couple with a romantic set up and surprise gift. Tel: (02) 4988008. Taxi: St. Regis Saadiyat. 55and5thabudhabi.com
3. Emirates Palace
Watch the sun set with a special someone this Valentine’s with a romantic picnic on the beach at Emirates Palace. Couples will be serenaded with cello music as they enjoy a traditional afternoon tea.
February 14
Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, 4.30pm to sunset, Dhs520 per couple. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com
4. Villa Toscana
Tuck into a five-course sharing menu created by Chef Stefano Viola at this posh Italian restaurant. For Dhs175 more (per person) you can opt for the meal to be paired with Italian wines.
February 11 to 14
St Regis Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs425 per person, Dhs600 with Italian wine pairing. Tel: (02) 6944444. Taxi: St Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche. stregisabudhabi.com
*MORE: An Abu Dhabi Valentine’s Day that will cost Dhs100,000*
5. Asia De Cuba
The What’s On award-winning restaurant is offering up two love-themed packages for couples this Sunday. The ‘Be Mine’ menu features a four-course Lovers’ Prix Fixe menu, welcome bellini and rose for the lady while the ‘Love Struck’ menu will see the four-course menu served in a VIP cabana as well as include welcome bellini, bottle of champagne, rose and round trip car transport.
February 14
Nation Riviera, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs900 per couple for ‘Be Mine’ menu, Dhs2,000 per couple for ‘Love Struck’ menu. Tel: (02) 6993333. Taxi: Opposite St Regis, Corniche. asiadecuba.com
6. Cipriani
For an intimate meal overlooking the Formula 1 track, this restaurant will be offering a four-course set menu including risotto with porcini mushrooms, pan seared monkfish with baby artichokes and chocolate hearts with strawberry sauce. And while you’re eating, harpist Lydia Stankulova will be performing live. The a la carte menu will also be available for diners.
February 14
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm, Dhs370 per person. Tel: (02) 6575400. Taxi: Yas Marina. cipriani.com
7. Sambusek
For a Middle Eastern meal this set menu includes a selection of cold and hot mezzeh such as hummus Akari, tabboleh salad, baba ganoj, cheese sambusek, kebbeh al basha and falafel. Then it is on to kebab khishkash, jumbo prawns and royal chicken before you end the meal with jelly ashta with ice cream and mini halawa bell jeben.
February 14
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, Dhs495 per couple inclusive of a welcome drink. Tel: (02) 8135550. Taxi: Rosewood. rosewoodhotels.com
8. Longitude
For an upgrade on the classic ‘dinner and a movie’ visit the Yas Viceroy where you can eat a meal on the rooftop of the hotel in a private cabana overlooking the pool. Guests can choose from a menu that includes Maine lobster with golden beats, sea scallop and cauliflower soup, wagyu beef tenderloin and Atlantic sea bass billet. Afterwards, watch a romantic film under the stars.
February 14
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 9pm for dining, film starts at 9pm, Dhs350 per person, Dhs550 per person with bubbly. Tel: (02) 6560600. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
9. Grills @ Chill’O
Get a head start on celebrations with a Valentine Friday brunch by the pool this weekend at Sofitel Abu Dhabi. Luna Soul will be performing while you chow down on food from nine live cooking stations (there’s even 29 types of cake available!). Shisha menu is available upon request.
February 12
Sofitel Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs315 per person with one shisha flavour, Dhs365 per person with one shisha flavour and house beverage, Dhs440 per person with bubbly. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel. sofitel.com
10. The Beachcomber
If a movie night is what you are after, this open-air venue will screen two romantic movies on Sunday. Will Smith’s Hitch and Tom Hank’s Sleepless in Seattle are on the bill, plus a sharing platter of canapés including chicken croquettes, beef chorizo, fried calamari and shrimp wraps. You’ll also have a choice of either one bottle of wine or Italian Prosecco or four bottles of beer.
February 14
Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs199 per couple. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. sheratonabudhabihotel.com
*MORE: 20 of Abu Dhabi’s Most Romantic Restaurants *
11. Vasco’s
With new Scottish chef John McCallum in the kitchen, you can rest easy that this three-course meal will be good. Sit outside on the terrace for added romance and atmosphere.
February 14
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs220 or Dhs350 with house beverages. Tel: (02) 6811900. Taxi: Opposite Hilton Corniche. hilton.com
12. Fanr
Head to Saadiyat Island for a three-course meal that will include strawberry salad, lobster bisque, salmon with Brussels sprouts and gnocchi, striploin with foie gras and, for dessert, a dark chocolate marquise with cashew nut ice cream.
February 14
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs350 per couple with soft drinks, Dhs400 per couple with bottle of grape, Dhs600 with bottle of French bubbly. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. fanrrestaurant.ae
13. Li Jiang
The Southeast Asian restaurant will have a sharing menu that features a selection of dumplings followed by a pumpkin crab soup, crispy duck rolls, black pepper wagyu beef and black cod.
February 14
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to midnight, Dhs650 per couple with two glasses of French bubbly. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com
14. Marco Pierre White
There’s a five-course menu (think Loch-Fyne smoked salmon with cherry tomato confit and grilled wagyu tenderloin with asparagus), as well as a romantic table set up with ladies receiving a rose on arrival and a box of chocolates created in-house by the resident chocolatier. There’s even a raffle draw too.
February 14
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs495 per person, beverages charged on consumption. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont. fairmont.com/babalbahr