The long weekend is over (sigh) but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. In fact, it seems there are more things to do in Abu Dhabi than ever before. Are you ready? From delicious new dining experiences, to the best sporting activities, the capital is bursting with fun activities to try.
Let’s make this week the best one ever.
Whether you’re looking for a banging brunch, delicious dining, top night out or amazing activity, you’re covered with all the best things to do in Abu Dhabi.
For more fab things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, click here.
Looking to have a meal on the town or sip the city’s best drinks? Here are the top places for food and drink in Abu Dhabi.
Jog over here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
Get into the arts. For everything cultural click here.
It’s nearly Halloween, are you ready for the spookiest night of the year? For all the latest on Halloween 2021 in Abu Dhabi click here.
That’s your week sorted. Time for some fun.
Dune bashing in Liwa Desert
One of the best things about UAE winters is being able to explore outside. Even after years of living in the UAE, we at Time Out never tire of taking our visiting loved ones for a thrill-a-minute dune bash in the Liwa Desert. If your heart doesn’t start racing as your driver pulls off outrageous manoeuvres, you’re braver than us.
For more UAE extreme sports click here.
Prices vary. desertsafariuae.ae.
Eat dinner with the lions at Al Ain Zoo
Al Ain Zoo is reopening some of its most popular activities and adventures after suspending them as part of precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Check out the dinner with the lions experience, where you can get up close and personal with the king of the jungle. Roar. The experience is available from 9am to 8pm every day, and requires a prepaid booking 48 hours in advance.
Read more about Al Ain Zoo attractions reopening here.
Dhs32 (adults) Dhs10.5 (kids 3-12). Open daily, 9am-6pm. Nahyan the First Street, Al Ain www.alainzoo.ae (800 966).
Find Salt Lake
Looking for a cool spot to explore in Abu Dhabi? Distinct rock formations make this area of natural beauty a real hotpot for Insta fiends, but it certainly warrants the attention. Salt Lake is found alongside the Al Ain highway, close to Al Bihouth, and is characterised by mushroom-esque pillars strong enough to stand on. The delicate flakes of salt give the illusion of snow. Beautiful.
For more cool desert lakes click here.
Find it at co-ordinates 24.1589, 54.5025.
Get your Halloween costume ready
Is your Halloween costume ready yet? Uhhh… what are you waiting for? Head to Partyzone at Yas Mall this week to get ready for the spookiest night of the year.
Click here for more places to buy a Halloween costume in Abu Dhabi.
Timings vary. Yas Mall, partyzone.ae.
Go for one of the hotdogs at Seven Dawgs
When a place is called Seven Dawgs, expectations about the hotdogs are sure to be high. If you’re craving a hotdog (and a walk around the trendy Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park) don’t miss this spot.
For our latest restaurant reviews, click here.
Unlicensed. Open daily Sat-Wed 2pm-midnight; Thu-Fri 2pm-2am. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park, Al Khalidiya (02 546 9766).
Grape and cheese at Lemon & Lime
There are few pairings that are better than grape and cheese, and if you’re looking for the ultimate grape and cheese night, we have the perfect spot. Taking place every Tuesday from 7pm onwards you can head along to Lemon & Lime to enjoy a platter of cheese, grape, cold cuts and more. Packages start from Dhs169 per person and are inclusive of free-flowing grape as well as a great selection of cheeses.
For the best grape and cheese nights in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs159 (per person – two hours). Tue 6pm-10pm. Ongoing. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Sas Al Nakhl (02 619 9999).
Silk and Spice is back
It’s been a long five years since Silk and Spice closed and now the popular Thai restaurant in the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche has reopened. Much to the excitement of fans eager to munch its green papaya salad and Thai green curry – we’re in.
See our first look at the returning old-timer here.
Mon-Sat noon-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche Road, sofitelabudhabicorniche.com/restaurant-bar/silkandspice (02 813 7777).
Snap a pic at the new Forever Rose Café
Have you been to Forever Rose Café? This ‘gram-worthy spot is sure to delight your senses (and your feed) the moment you visit. Serving up breakfast, light lunches, high tea and dessert, it’s well worth a visit for the food alone. Those who haven’t had a chance to snap every inch of the previous locations, should make sure their phones are fully charged.
Read more about the opening here.
Open Sat-Wed 9am-10pm, Thu-Fri 9am-midnight. Yas Mall, Yas West (050 210 0139).
Take a HIIT dance class at Universal Dance & Music
Some might argue that dance is the ultimate HIIT class, and depending on how much heart you put into it, it can certainly get your heartrate up. (Almost as high as the thought of dancing in front of other people). Ginger and her troupe at Universal Dance & Music offer a dizzying array of lessons (from salsa to hip hop, ballet to bachata, zumba to kizomba). You can also chance your arm at some capoiera or send the kids to a K-Pop class or two.
For more HIIT classes click here.
Prices vary. Open Sun-Wed 10am-9pm, Thu 10am-7pm, Fri 3pm-6pm, Sat 4pm-8pm. Al Niyadi Building, Airport Road, universaldmauae.com (02 644 5557).
Try the slow-roasted pumpkin risotto at Montauk
Named after the luxe beach resort in New York state, this cool Al Bateen eatery made an instant impact on the Abu Dhabi dining scene. A lot of that is down to dishes like this slow-roasted pumpkin risotto. The autumnal shades are matched with flavour of sweet paprika and gooey cheese amid the carnaroli rice. Far tastier than a Jack-o’-lantern.
For the best autumn dishes in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs65. Opposite Al Bateen Park Plaza, Al Bateen, instagram.com/montaukabudhabi (02 546 6255).
For more new restaurants in Abu Dhabi click here.
