You can get anything and everything you want in Abu Dhabi, including pool access brunches.
And with temperatures kissing the 45º mark on a regular basis, cooling down while knock back as much food and drink as our bellies and belts can handle, is pretty high on our brunching agenda.
Got your swimsuit on?
Here are the brunches that allow you to dip your toes (and head) in Abu Dhabi.
Aqua
Aqua by name and aqua by nature. The Wood & Fire Saturday brunch in this swish restaurant sees pool access granted with every package. For grub, you can munch tuna tartare, duck rillette, flank steak, and a selection of salads and desserts between dips.
Dhs310 (food), Dhs410 (unlimited grape and hops). Sat noon-3pm. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Glow – Poolside Sports Bar
You can embrace your inner mermaid or Aquaman at this poolside sports bar in the Aloft Abu Dhabi. For Dhs199 brunchers can wolf down as much grub as they want, plus have a dip in the pool every Thursday evening. Premium beverages are included too. That’s cool.
From Dhs199. Thu 7pm-10pm. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (054 306 1029).
Horizon Restaurant
The carnival-themed brunch at the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana features Mediterranean street food, tonnes of competitions (and prizes), and cool tunes from Dhs139. Looking to get wet? Add Dhs60 for pool access.
Dhs139 (soft drinks), Dhs60 (adult pool access), Dhs79 (kids) Dhs40 (kids’ pool access). Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Corniche Road (02 657 0223).
You might also like: Brunching over Eid Al Adha? Here’s the list of Eid Al Adha brunches taking place in Abu Dhabi
Nahaam
Nahaam and SOLE combine forces to bring diners the Nahaam Summer Brunch every Friday. You can wrap your lips around food from 12 live stations including foie gras, oysters, burgers, Japanese street food, slow roasted sirloin, salmon gravlax and more from Dhs370. And when the mood strikes, you can enjoy a dip in not one, but two infinity pools.
Dhs 370 (soft drinks). Dhs 495 (house beverages) Dhs 625 (Premium Grape) AED 695 (Bubbles) Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Al Bateen (02 811 5666).
PJ O’Reilly’s
One of the oldest Irish establishments in the capital understands it’s important to cool down when you are voraciously going through platter after platter of food as well as unlimited drink. And this summer, you can enjoy free-flowing platters and an assortment of signature dishes from Dhs149 (plus Dhs50 for pool access) when you brunch at PJ O’Reilly’s on Fridays from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
Dhs149 (soft drinks), Dhs225 (house drinks), Dhs275 (premium drinks). Fri 4.30pm-7.30pm. Le Royal Méridien, Sheikh Khalifa Street (800 101 101).
Saadiyat Beach Club
One of Abu Dhabi’s top beach clubs does a Friday Brunch along with a day pass, so you can cool down as the mercury levels rise. The Saadiyat Beach Club enables brunchers to nibble on grills, raw bars and more from Dhs299 from 1pm to 4pm. And if you fancy some pool action, it will be an extra Dhs200.
Dhs299 (soft drinks), Dhs399 (house drinks), Dhs499 (premium), Dhs499 (soft drink and pool access), Dhs599 (house drinks and pool access), Dhs649 (premium and pool access). Fri 1pm-4pm. Saadiyat Island (02 656 3536).
YBar
Take a trip back in time and indulge your inner ’90s child with this brunch full of clichés and fun from the decade. Prices start from Dhs202 where you’ll have access to Blue Grill Steakhouse, Ybar and Choices as well as the pool, every Friday from noon to 4pm.
From Dhs202. Fri noon-4pm. Yas Plaza, Yas Island (02 656 4000).
Dried off from your pool access brunch in Abu Dhabi? Here’s a list of all the brunches taking place in the capital currently.
