34 spots to celebrate Christmas in Abu Dhabi

Tis’ the season! And there is plenty on in Abu Dhabi this Christmas. Here’s where to book your festive feasts…

Friday, December 23

01. Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island

Kick off your celebrations early at the Park Hyatt’s brunch, which features a carvery, an oyster bar and more. Santa will be in attendance and there will be games and arts and crafts available to keep kids amused.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs450 to Dhs650. Tel: (02) 4071138. Taxi: Park Hyatt Saadiyat. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com

02. Saadiyat Beach Club

Friday Christmas brunch will be served in Safina and will feature a barbecue, turkey with all the trimmings, a seafood bar and traditional Yule log for dessert.

Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs275 to Dhs475. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Club. saadiyatbeachclub.ae

03. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Enjoy brunch at not one, not two, but four outlets down at the creek this year – CuiScene, Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse & Grill, Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar and Cedar Lounge are all part of the same event, which of course will feature turkey with all the trimmings.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, 1230pm to 4pm, Dhs299 to Dhs549. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont. fairmont.com/babalbahr

04. St Regis Abu Dhabi

You’ll need a head for heights at this event – Festive Brunch In The Clouds takes place in the hotel’s suite on the 48th and 49th floors, meaning you can tuck into your turkey while taking in the views of the Corniche.

St Regis Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, noon to 5pm, Dhs500 to Dhs750. Tel: (02) 6944444. Taxi: St Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche. stregis.com

05. Yas Viceroy

Celebrate the festive season while taking in the views of the F1 track on Yas Marina at all-day dining restaurant Origins.

Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs225 to Dhs480. Tel: (02) 6560000. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

06. Jumeirah At Etihad Towers

Head to the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Nahaam for the usual turkey with all the trimmings, plus a seafood grill. There will be live music from jazz and pop group PreDestinations.

Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs285 to Dhs495. Tel: (02) 8115555. Taxi: Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com

07. Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Stop press: you don’t just have to eat turkey over the holiday season. If you want local flavours, head to Sambusek for their Beirut Market Brunch for a variety of Middle Eastern dishes.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs199 to Dhs349. Tel: (02) 8135552. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com

Saturday, December 24

08. Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

Head to Café Milano for a Christmas Eve dinner dubbed the ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes.’ There’ll be plenty of seafood including smoked scallops, roasted octopus, salt cod, roasted Chilean sea bass and more.

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to midnight, Dhs600 and up for adults, Dhs150 for children aged five to 12 years. Taxi: Four Seasons. Tel: (02) 3332222. fourseasons.com/abudhabi

09. Cipriani

Head to this Yas Island restaurant for a festive a la carte menu featuring homemade veal tortellini with cream, Christmas turkey with chestnuts and for dessert, panettone with mascarpone sauce.

Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 6575400. Taxi: Yas Marina. cipriani.com

10. Grand Millennium Al Wahda

Head to their all day dining outlet for a festive dinner buffet serving turkey and all the trimmings, plus festive desserts.

Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Al Wahda Complex, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs145. Tel: (02) 4439999. Taxi: Next to Al Wahda Mall. millenniumhotels.com

11. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara

Head to the dunes of the Western Region for an international buffet in Al Waha restaurant this Eve, where turkey, foie gras and oysters are on the menu.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara, Liwa, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 10.30pm, Dhs450 to Dhs750. Taxi: Qasr Al Sarab, Liwa. qasralsarab.anantara.com

12. Koi

This neat Japanese restaurant will serve brunch twice on Christmas Eve. On the menu you’ll find Vietnamese prawn spring rolls, raw papaya and shrimp salad, miso marinated black cod and Thai chicken curry. They’ll also be going leftfield and serving turkey.

The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 5pm to 8pm, 7pm to 10pm, Dhs295 to Dhs495. Tel: (02) 6783334. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat. koirestaurant.ae

13. Fanr

The restaurant situated at Saadiyat’s art hub is serving a Christmas Eve family barbecue buffet featuring lobster bisque soup, salads, roast turkey with all the trimmings, chilli garlic prawns, shish tawook and lamb kofta. Bread and butter pudding and stollen bread slices are available for dessert.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 9pm, Dhs175 to Dhs325. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. fanrrestaurant.ae

14. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi

Visit the hotel’s Asian restaurant Cho Gao for a four-course set menu, with a festive twist added to the dishes.

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs175 to Dhs225. Tel: (02) 6166261. Taxi: Crowne Plaza. ichotelsgroup.com

15. Danat Al Ain

Head to the Garden City of Al Ain and the Danat’s Arabesque restaurant for a Christmas-themed buffet that includes house beverages in the price.

Danat Al Ain, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs145. Tel: (03) 7046000. Taxi: Danat Al Ain. alain.danathotels.com

16. Emirates Palace

The Palace’s award-winning seafood restaurant Sayad will be serving a five-course set menu this Christmas Eve.

Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, 6.30pm to 11.30pm, Dhs600 to Dhs750. Taxi: Emirates Palace. Tel: (800) 86823. kempinski.com

17. Brasserie Flo

The classy French restaurant is serving a festive roast lunch featuring honey-roasted goose, roasted beef strip loin and veal sausage wrapped with turkey bacon.

Venetian Village, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 6.30pm, Dhs260. Tel: (02) 4041931. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton

18. Hilton Abu Dhabi

Italian restaurant Bocca has cooked up a four-course set menu featuring Burrata cheese, heirloom tomatoes, green asparagus and balsamic vinegar to start, homemade tagliolini with pumpkin purée and tiger prawns, plus sea bass fillet with beetroot risotto and asparagus foam.

Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs229. Tel: (02) 6811900. Taxi: opposite Hilton Corniche. hilton.com

19. Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting And Golf Club

The hotel’s Palm Greens restaurant is serving a traditional festive buffet with live entertainment and a raffle draw on the night.

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting And Golf Club, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 1am, Dhs120. Tel: (03) 7026425. Taxi: Al Ain Shooting Club. aesgc.ae

20. InterContinental Abu Dhabi

Churrascaria restaurant Chamas was a winner at the 2016 What’s On Awards and this Christmas Eve they’re serving a full Christmas buffet plus 16 cuts of meat. There’ll be live music from a Latino band.

InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 11.30pm, Dhs345 to Dhs435. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental hotel.

21. Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana

There’ll be plenty of festive cheer at the hotel’s restaurant Horizon, which is serving a traditional buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Dec 24 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dec 25 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs185. Tel: (02) 6570200. Taxi: Khalidiya Palace. rotana.com

Sunday, December 25

22. Centro Capital Centre

You don’t have to shell out big bucks to enjoy Christmas dinner. Go to c.taste for a themed meal that will only set you back Dhs290 or less.

Centro Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs190 with soft drinks, Dhs290 with house beverages. Tel: (02) 4096512. Taxi: Centro Capital Centre near Adnec. rotana.com

23. Beach Rotana

The hotel is getting doubly festive this Christmas Day – it’s holding a Mega Brunch in its Al Thuraya ballroom and its usual Essence Best Of The Beach Brunch, which features dishes from all-day dining outlet Essence, plus German restaurant Brauhaus and Asian outlet Benihana.

Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (02) 6979350. Taxi: next to Abu Dhabi Mall. rotana.com

24. St Regis Saadiyat Island

At the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Oléa, you’ll find carving stations with turkey and more, seafood and cheese – lots of cheese. In fact, you’ll be able to try more than 40 types, from France, Italy and the UK. Imagine the dreams you’ll have that night.

St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs500 to Dhs700. Tel: (02) 4988008. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat. stregis.com

25. Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

The brunch at Giornotte is famous for being so big that you’re given a map to navigate all the cooking stations. The Christmas Day episode will be just as huge, with over 30 live cooking counters serving wagyu beef leg with Yorkshire pudding, oysters, plus mince pies, Yule logs and more for dessert.

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs600 to Dhs900. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com

26. Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown

La Piazza is the venue for Christmas cheer at the Holiday Inn – it’ll be serving a buffet including turkey with all the trimmings.

Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs125 to Dhs195.
Taxi: Holiday Inn off Electra Street. ihg.com

27. Westin Abu Dhabi

The Westin wins the prize for the best name for a Christmas feast – The Santalicious Brunch takes place at all-day dining outlet Fairways and will feature roast turkey and beef, a selection of salads, international cuisines plus Christmas pudding.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs305 to Dhs620. Tel: (02) 6169999. Taxi: Westin. westinabudhabigolfresort.com

28. Le Royal Méridien

Café Palmier is hosting brunch at the hotel and there’ll be carol singers and entertainers, plus Santa will pop in to dish out some presents.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs299 to Dhs499. Tel: (02) 6950300. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

29. Todd English’s Olives

The celebrity chef’s Mediterranean outlet has two sittings on Christmas Day. On the menu is roasted turkey, herb-roasted prime rib of beef with mash potatoes and poached asparagus, and pan-seared sea bass fillet. There’s face painting and a visit from Santa to keep the kids entertained as well.

Venetian Village, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs225 to Dhs400, 6.30pm to 11pm, Dhs220. Tel: (02). 4041941. Taxi: next to Ritz-Carlton. venetianvillage.ae

30. Dusit Thani

Christmas lunch will be served at the Thani in Urban Kitchen and on the menu is, you guessed it, turkey, along with seafood, grills, Christmas-themed pastries, gingerbread cookies and more.

Dusit Thani, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs199 to Dhs299. Tel: (02) 6988137. Taxi: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. dusit.com

31. Le Méridien

This hotel in Al Zahiyah celebrates Christmas in The Village, meaning you can try dishes from Greek restaurant Acropolis, all-day dining outlet Latest Recipe and Italian eatery Pappagallo. There’ll be turkey with all the trimmings plus pasta dishes, seafood counters, lots of cheeses and Christmas pudding.

Le Méridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs285 to Dhs595. Tel: (02) 6446666. Taxi: Le Méridien. lemeridienabudhabi.com

32. Inakaya

The Japanese restaurant has a lunch and dinner menu for Crimbo (the dinner includes six courses), plus the staff will perform sanbonjime (hand clapping) and mochi (a kind of ice cream dessert) pounding ceremonies while you eat.

Venetian Village, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs275 to Dhs345, 6.30pm To 11pm, Dhs295. Tel: (02) 4041921. Taxi: Venetian Village, next to Ritz-Carlton. venetianvillage.ae

33. Sportsman’s Arms

This pub is serving a four-course brunch menu for Christmas Day, featuring New England clam chowder, wild mushroom terrine and duck carpaccio to start, and mains such as traditional roast turkey or roast beef with all the trimmings, herb crusted fillet of salmon, or roast butternut squash risotto. Puds include Boston cream pie served with mocha chocolate ice cream.

Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, noon to 3pm, Dhs195 to Dhs345. Tel: (02) 4034235. Taxi: Tennis Centre at ZSC. sportsmanszsc.com

34. Yas Links

Yas Island’s golf club will be dishing out brunch on Christmas Day – expect all the usual yuletide favourites, plus a ginger bread decorating competition for the little ones.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 11.30am to 3pm, Dhs250 to Dhs350. Tel: (02) 8107710. Taxi: Yas Links, Yas Island. yaslinks.com