The capital’s restaurants are serving special menus to mark the Year Of The Dog, which falls on February 16, and you can also celebrate at Ferrari World and on Al Maryah Island

Dai Pai Dong


The What’s On Award-winner is serving a Chinese New Year Feast package featuring Shrimp Har Gow, Cantonese roast duck, traditional roasted short ribs, and braised ‘E Fu’ with lobster. You can catch Al Maryah Island’s Chinese New Year fireworks display from here on the 16th, at 9pm, as well.
Until February 28
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs228. Tel: (02) 8135550. Taxi: Rosewood. rosewoodhotels.com

Emirates Palace


The hotel is celebrating the Year Of The Dog with a daily lunch in the Etihad Ballroom. As well as traditional Chinese dishes, there will be dragon dancers and oriental decorations.
February 16 to 20
Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs333. Tel: (02) 6907999. Taxi: Emirates Palace. emiratespalace.ae

Cho Gao


Abu Dhabi’s original Cho Gao has a special four-course set menu available all day to mark Chinese New Year. On the menu is jellyfish salad, sweetcorn crab soup, steamed sea bass and more.
February 16
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 11pm, Dhs140. Tel: (02) 6166261. Taxi: Crowne Plaza. ichotelsgroup.com

Sevilla


It’s all about brunch for this outlet’s celebrations – head here for mains such as steam garoupa Hong Kong-style, Singapore chilli crab, Chinese buns, dim sum and soft shell crab.
February 16
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs240 to Dhs348. Tel: (02) 5080555. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. alrahabeach. danathotels.com

Stratos


Le Royal Méridien’s revolving restaurant has a Chinese- themed yum cha menu available, a fireworks show and Chinese-inspired cocktails at this supper club-style event.
February 16
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Fri 8pm to 11pm, Dhs325. Tel: (02) 6950300. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

Cho Gao Marina Walk


One of the capital’s newest Asian restaurants will be serving a special brunch to mark the Year Of The Dog, with tunes from DJ Lucy. There’s a sushi station, plus main dishes such as steamed fish with ginger soya, and a dim sum counter.
February 16
InterContinental, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 4pm, Dhs299 to Dhs485. Tel: (800) 423463. Taxi: InterCon. dining-intercontinental-ad.ae

Li Jiang


Head to the Ritz-Carlton’s pan-Asian for a traditional menu featuring a Yu Sheng salad, a dim sum basket, and mains such as golden sand king prawn and wok-fried US tenderloin. There’s deep fried fruit and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
February 16
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi, Fri 7pm to 11pm, Dhs280. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com

Benjarong


Thai restaurant Benjarong is also celebrating with a four- course set menu – you get starters, a soup, a main course and a dessert for the price.
Until February 16
Dusit Thani, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs200. Tel: (02) 6988137. Taxi: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. dusit.com

Hakkasan


The menu here has been created by Hakkasan chefs all over the world. On it you’ll find Szechuan wind-dried oyster with lotus root with crispy rice in man tou, wok- fried native lobster in superior stock with edamame and caviar, lamb in seaweed soy with celery and more.
Until March 4
Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, Dhs598. Tel: (02) 6907999. Taxi: Emirates Palace. hakkasan.com

Shang Palace


Head to this Chinese restaurant for a five-course celebratory menu featuring Chinese New Year dumplings, spring festival soup and clay pot-cooked yellow range chicken. The hotel is hosting a traditional Chinese lion dance at the hotel on February 16 at 11am.
Until February 17
Shangri-La, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, Dhs590 for two. Tel: (02) 5098888. Taxi: Shangri-La. shangri-la.com

Ferrari World


Abu Dhabi’s theme park is celebrating with its annual festival. Expect acrobats, a bamboo garden with life-size pandas, and some Oriental flavours.
February 16 to 26
Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, timings vary. Tel: (02) 4968000. Taxi: Ferrari World. ferrariworldabudhabi.com

The Galleria


Head over to Al Maryah Island to celebrate the Year Of The Dog. There will be a daily Chinese opera performance, lion dancers, arts and crafts (think lantern making and calligraphy) and traditional drummers. There’ll also be an exhibition of pieces by acclaimed Chinese paper cutting artist Yuan Chengxiang, a fireworks display on February 16 at 9pm and a food market. The majority of Al Maryah’s celebrations though take place this weekend, February 15 to 17.
February 13 to 26
The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6166999. Taxi: Galleria, Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae