From lavish festive tasting menus to all-you-can-eat-and-drink, enjoy a pre-Christmas get together with your friends or colleagues at one of these hangouts…

Friends, squad, Dubai family, gang, whatever you call them, life wouldn’t be the same without them. Being an expat in the city isn’t always easy and it’s the support from the friends we make here that makes it all worthwhile. If you’re travelling over the Christmas break, don’t forget to plan a festive get-together before you go.

We’ve sourced all of the best places in Dubai to enjoy that Christmas meal with your crew.

Here’s 10 of the best Christmas party packages in Dubai this year. 

Origins

Round up your loves ones or your favourite office mates and head on down to Origins at Vida Emirates Hills  to enjoy a hearty festive meal. The sharing style menu includes a roast turkey, sage and apple stuffing, beef short ribs with peppercorn gravy and Brussel sprouts with chive crumbs. It will cost Dhs190 per person and the offer is also available at Vida Downtown and Vida Creek Harbour.

Origins, Vida Emirates Hills (also available at Vida Downtown and Vida Creek Harbour), until Tues Dec 31, noon onwards, Dhs190 per person (excluding drinks). Tel: (04) 888 3444. vidahotels.com    

Basta

Don’t fancy turkey? Indulge in an Italian feast this festive period with Basta’s group package. Available from December 8 for groups of 10 or more, it’s priced at Dhs235 per head with soft drinks or Dhs455 with house beverages. On the menu you’ll find wood-fired pizza, beef lasagne, plank roasted salmon and panettone to finish.

Basta, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, Business Bay, Sunday Dec 8 to Monday Dec 23, noon to midnight, Dhs235 soft, Dhs455 house. Tel: (04) 512 5522. basta-dubai.com

La Serre

La Serre is offering a fancy French four-course festive feast from Sunday December 1, inclusive of a seasonal welcome drink. For Dhs450 per person, make your way through indulgent dishes including foie gras terrine, roast turkey ballotine and chestnut meringue. If you group is nine people or more, you can enjoy the meal for Dh440 instead.

La Serre, Vida Downtown, Downtown Dubai, Sunday Dec 1 to Wednesday Dec 25, lunch 12pm to 3.30pm, dinner 7pm to 11pm, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 428 6969. laserre.com

COYA

For a lavish meal this festive period, check out Coya’s Dhs640 per person tasting menu, available for groups of 15 or more. The five-course meal includes a selection of festive dishes including pollo asado (whole roast chicken), flan de ternera a la parrilla (grilled beef flank) and hombro de cordero (lamb shoulder). The menu is available between December 1 and 26.

COYA, Four Seasons Jumeirah, Jumeirah, Sunday Dec 1 to Thursday Dec 26, Dhs640. Tel: (04) 316 9600. coyarestaurant.com/dubai

Karma Kafe

Enjoy a festive celebration overlooking the Dubai Fountains at Karma Kafe. The Pan-Asian restaurant is offering a festive menu with a twist featuring dishes such as shrimp tempura with peanut butter chilli sauce, wok stir fried brussels sprouts and black Angus tenderloin steak. You can choose from three different menu options, starting at Dhs215 for food only, or add on the drinks package to suit your group. The festive menu is available from Saturday December 14 to Monday December 30.

Karma Kafe, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Saturday Dec 14 to Monday Dec 30, from Dhs215. Tel: (04) 423 0909. karma-kafe.com

Folly

Enjoy a Christmas party menu overlooking the Souk Madinat waterways and Burj Al Arab this December. Folly by Nick and Scott is offering guests a three-course festive menu for Dhs300 available for either lunch or dinner between Sunday December 1 and Monday December 30, where you can expect a traditional Christmas menu.

Folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat, Jumeirah, Sunday Dec 1 to Monday Dec 30, lunch 12pm to 2.30pm, dinner 7pm to 9pm. Tel: (04) 430 8535. folly.ae

DRIFT

DRIFT’s elegant French restaurant is offering two festive packages; one for lunch and one for dinner. Both are available for groups of 10 or more between Sunday December 1 and Friday January 10. On the lunch menu you’ll find dishes such as cured salmon carpaccio, roasted pumpkin tortellini, roasted chicken, lamb roast and pain perdu. The menu is priced at Dhs145 for two courses or Dhs185 for three. The dinner menu includes poached lobster, beef wellington, duck l’orange and chocolate fondant and will cost Dhs395 per person, excluding drinks.

DRIFT Beach Dubai, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina, Sunday Dec 1 to Friday Jan 10, from Dhs145. Tel: (04) 315 2200. driftbeachdubai.com

The Bungalow

For a more laid-back festive affair, The Bungalow is offering an all you can eat and drink package daily throughout December. For Dhs250 per person, groups of four more can enjoy four hours of unlimited food and house beverages. You can go anytime after 5pm between Sunday December 1 and Monday December 30 and the four hours will begin when you arrive.

The Bungalow, La Mer, Jumeira 1, Sunday Dec 1 to Monday Dec 30, 5pm til late, Dhs250. Tel: (054) 994 7971. bungalowdubai.com

Roberto’s

Italian favourite Roberto’s has festive lunch and dinner packages available for groups of eight and above from Sunday December 1 to Monday December 23. The three-course lunch menu is priced at Dhs195 for food only and Dhs225 with soft drinks, available daily between 12pm and 3pm. The four-course dinner can be enjoyed between 6pm and 11pm and will cost Dhs275 for the food or Dhs305 inclusive of soft drinks. Dishes include Wagyu beef tartare, home-made ravioli, slow-cooked veal cheek, grilled sea bass and Roberto’s special Christmas dessert.

Roberto’s, DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Sunday Dec 1 to Monday Dec 23, lunch 12pm to 3pm, dinner 6pm to 11pm, from Dhs195. Tel: (04) 386 0066. robertos.ae

Bleu Blanc

Indulge in an French feast at Bleu Blanc this Christmas time. Available from December 8th for groups of 10 or more, the meal is priced at Dhs255 per head with soft drinks or Dhs485 with house beverages. On the menu you’ll find foie gras, crab toast, ember roasted salmon, roasted turkey, and gingerbread creme brulee.

Bleu Blanc, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, Business Bay, Sunday Dec 8 to Monday Dec 23, noon to midnight, Dhs255 soft, Dhs485 house. Tel: (04) 512 5533. bleublanc-dubai.com

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