What’s On previews Christmas in Dubai with leading Christmas Eve deals in Dubai at some of the best restaurants in Dubai, best bars in Dubai.

DUBAI MARINA/JBR/JLT/MADINAT

Blue Orange
The Westin’s buffet restaurant is laying on a lavish festive spread to kick off the celebrations.

Westin Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 5117139. Metro: Nakheel. westinminaseyahi.com


Ossigeno
Ossigeno is planning a set menu incorporating traditional Italian Christmas treats like struffoli, deep-fried dough balls that are an important part of the festive season in Naples.

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Al Sufouh, Dubai, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 3165550. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. royaldiningcollection.com


The Talk
The family friendly festivities at The Talk include carving stations, live jazz, and an appearance from Santa Clause.

Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, 6.30pm to 11pm, Dhs299. Tel: (04) 4498781. Taxi: Movenpick Jumeirah Beach. moevenpick.com


Ski Chalet
Yep, you read that right. Spend Christmas Eve in a winter wonderland overlooking the slopes of Ski Dubai at one of the Kempinski Hotel’s ski chalets. Groups of between six and 12 can book one of the cosy chalets for a traditional turkey dinner.

Kempinski Hotel Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai, Dhs395. Tel: (04) 3410000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. kempinski.com

Kempinski ski chalet - Christmas in Dubai


Palermo Restaurant And Saha Courtyard
The twinkling lights of the tree in Saha Courtyard will add atmosphere to your four-course dinner at Palermo to kick off the festive season.

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Arabian Ranches, Dubai, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Dhs270. Taxi: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. poloclubdubai.com


Societe Dubai Marina
Bad Santa is the theme for this festive bash at retro nightclub Societe, which will be turned into an alternative grotto for the occasion.

Marina Byblos Hotel, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 10pm to 3am. Tel: (050) 3571126. Metro: Dubai Marina. societe.ae


THE PALM

Peacock Alley
We’re already fans of an afternoon tea at What’s On; throw in a little festive magic and we’re in heaven. Guests can tuck into mince pies, Christmas cookies and chestnut cheesecake at Peacock Alley’s special, seasonal tea. Don’t panic, scones are still on the menu.

Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah, The Palm, Dubai, 2.30pm to 6pm, Dhs185. Tel: (04) 8182222. Taxi: The Palm, east crescent. waldorfastoria.com/dubai


Ba
Bored of the traditional festive treats already? How do turkey spring rolls sound for a twist on an old favourite? Head to this What’s On award-winning Chinese restaurant for a set menu sprinkled with quirky, Christmas-inspired dishes.

Fairmont the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs388. Tel: (04) 4573338. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. dineatba.com

Fairmont The Palm - Christmas in Dubai


Seagrill on 25° Restaurant & Lounge
Tuck into Mediterranean specialities such as Organic Tomato & Tuna Salad with Kalamata olives and raspberry vinaigrette and the signature Seagrill Luxury Sharing Platter, which includes king prawns, octopus, diver scallops, lobster and black bream.

Fairmont the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, noon to 11.30pm, Dhs380. Tel: (04) 4573388. fairmont.com 


Crescendo
Toast the occasion on Crescendo’s outdoor terrace beside the resort’s infinity pool. You can take your pick from the international cuisine on offer at the live cooking stations, and a live band will provide the entertainment.

Anantara The Palm Resort & Spa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 7pm to 10.30pm, Dhs300. Tel: (04) 5678888. Taxi: The Palm, east crescent. dubai-palm.anantara.com


DOWNTOWN/DIFC/BUSINESS BAY/AND BEYOND

Reflets Par Pierre Gagnaire
This waterfront restaurant has romantic – and festive – evening for two written all over it. The four course set menu is inspired by Michelin-starred Gagnaire’s culinary creations.

InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Festival City, Dubai, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs790. Tel: (04) 7011127. Taxi: InterContinental Dubai Festival City. diningdfc.com


The Restaurant – The H Dubai
Executive Chef Claudio will be serving up a special 5-course menu putting you in the Christmas mood with succulent turkey, cinnamon-glazed chestnuts, bread stuffing and apple-infused gravy, finished off with creamy bread pudding, Christmas spiced gelato and frangelico zabaglione.

The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs320. Tel: (04) 5018888. Taxi: The H hotel. h-hotel.com


Okku
Couples looking for a cosy Christmas Eve for two should check out the Romansu menu at Okku. Lovebirds can share classic dishes like duck salad, miso black cod and robata steak – complete with a specially selected bottle of wine – for Dhs1,000 per couple.

The H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 5018777. Metro: World Trade Centre. okku.com

Okku restaurant review


Celsius
Start the season with a festive dinner, house beverages and prosecco at Celsius restaurant inside the Radisson Royal Hotel.

Radisson Royal Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 7pm to 10.30pm, Dhs250. Tel: (04) 3080000. Metro: World Trade Centre. radissonblu.com


Stage 2
Guests can sample fine cheeses from around the world, plus two glasses of grape and a festive flute of bubbles.

Vida Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, 7pm to 10pm, Dhs185. Tel: (04) 4238884. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. vida-hotels.com


Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor
Bring some contemporary Eastern flair to your Christmas Eve meal with Amritsari scallops, lamb boti kababs and tawa macchi.

Melia Dubai, Kuwait Road, Bur Dubai, 7pm to midnight, Dhs199. Tel: (04) 3868111. Taxi: Melia Dubai. melia.com


At.Mosphere Lounge
High tea at At.Mosphere is a firm fixture on the Dubai bucket list and Christmas Eve is a great time to tick it off, as the restaurant conjures up a special seasonal version to mark the occasion.

Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, noon to 4.30pm, Dhs580. Tel: (04) 8883828. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. atmosphereburjkhalifa.com


Ballaro
Bring a little Sicilian flair to your Christmas Eve celebrations at Ballaro, which is offering a set menu of market fresh Mediterranean fare.

Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 6.30pm to 11pm, Dhs220. Tel: (04) 4447111. Metro: World Trade Centre. conraddubai.com

Ballaro, Conrad - Christmas in Dubai


Flavours On Two
A pre-Christmas feast that won’t break the bank. Flavours On Two is offering a festive buffet with unlimited house beverages for just Dhs225 per person.

Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 3122210. Metro: Financial Centre. rotana.com


Positano
The fresh flavours of the Amalfi Coast are the inspiration for the menu at Positano. The restaurant is offering a four-course set menu on the 24th.

JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4143000. Metro: Business Bay. marriott.com


La Serre
The festive set menus at La Serre definitely tickle our French fancy, especially the roasted chicken with foie gras and truffle sauce, and the Buche de Noel. That’s a Yule log, for those who didn’t pay attention in class.

Vida Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dhs350 to Dhs600. Tel: (04) 4286969. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. laserre.ae

La Serre - Christmas in Dubai