Expo 2020 Dubai has been nourishing more than just minds since opening its doors to the world in October – and now its gastronomic feasts are getting a festive twists for the Christmas season.
Here are some of the tastiest Expo 2020 Dubai festive treats to look out for this month.
ADRIFT Burger Bar
Ring in the new year with fat patties at ADRIFT Burger Bar. Throw into the mix a menu of epic shakes and begin 2022 on a delicious note.
From Dhs350 for guests arriving after 9pm on Dec 31. bookadrift@gatesdxb.com (04 317 3123).
Alkebulan The African Dining Hall
Kickstart the celebrations on Christmas Eve at Alkebulan with an all-you-can-eat offer, including free-flowing house grape and hops. Special Christmas dishes will be offered at all counters, with entertainment in the form of DJs and drummers. Do it all over again New Year’s Eve and welcome 2022 in party mode.
Dhs420. Dec 24 1pm-4pm. Dhs650. Dec 31 8pm-3am.
Alif Café by Farm2Table
Sample the Christmas Party Package at Alif Café, with all dishes served to share. On the move? Enjoy festive specials from the grab and go section.
Dhs175 (unlimited soft drinks for two hours), Dhs275 (enhanced beverages). Until Dec 30. alif.cafe@mediaonehotel.com
BARON
Festive specials are running all month at BARON, which just so happens to boast sweet views of Al Wasl Plaza. Want to hang around to ring in 2022? Celebrate the last day of 2021 with an exclusive set menu of signature dishes.
From Dhs850. Dec 31. book.baron@gatesdxb.com (04 350 9224).
Bread Ahead
If you want to raise your bread-making or baking game over the festive season at the Bread Ahead Bakery School at Expo 2020. Throughout December there will be a whole host of festive-themed workshops that will impart the baking skills required to wow your friends and loved ones. From mince pies to Christmas cookies and Yule logs, you’ll be baking up a storm in no time.
Dhs350. Until Sat Jan 1, 2022. (0800 3976).
Cafe Milano
Indulge in a carefully curated Christmas set menu, including traditional seafood salad and octopus, Ossobuco alla milanese, potatoes and spinach, traditional lasagne and panettone, struffoli, rococo, and mustaccioli. Then, mark the start of 2022 at the Italian institution, with a set menu, inclusive of welcome bubbles. With a singer and live music from 7pm until late, this is a top pick for festivities.
Dhs550 (festive set menu) Dec 25 12pm onward. Dhs950 (New Year’s Eve set menu) Dec 31 7pm onward, info@cafemilanodubai.ae.
Canvas by Coffee Culture
Embrace the festive season at Canvas and choose from a Christmas Canape menu (starting at Dhs150), a Christmas party menu (starting at Dhs195) or see in the New Year with a three-course meal, with unlimited drinks for two hours (Dhs290 soft drinks, Dhs420 house drinks).
canvas.cafe@mediaonehotel.com
De2Have & The Viking Cafe
Enjoy traditional Danish food at De2Have with a Christmas Dinner. Alternatively, try the Danish Christmas treat æbleskiver with homemade jam and sugar, served every Sunday in the Viking Café.
Dec 16-18, 25, 26 and 29. info@restaurantde2have.dk.
Farrago Express Mobility
Enjoy a wide variety of appetisers, mains, desserts, nibbles from a tasty buffet and take advantage of a live pasta station for Dhs99. Kids under eight eat free.
Dec 21-23 11am-10pm.
Floozie Cookies
Indulge in Floozie Cookie’s special December Floozie, a decadent chocolate fudge cookie stuffed with pistachio ganache, drizzled with icing and sprinkled with chopped pistachios.
Dhs16. Until Dec 31.
Food Experience Dutch Dubai
Grab a stroopwafel cheesecake and coffee for just Dhs50. Then, from December 30 through to January 5, score a Broodje Kroket and Bavaria drink for just Dhs60.
Until Jan 5.
Garden on 1
Garden on 1 is the place to head to for lively festive fun. Serving mulled grape all month for Dhs35. Better yet, pull in between December 14 and 25 in an ugly Christmas jumped and you’ll get a glass gratis. Got a nose for knowledge? Put your cranium to the test with a festive quiz on December 21 and 28. Make a day of it with the Christmas Party Package that includes unlimited food and drink for two hours (Dhs220 soft drinks, Dhs295 premium) until December 30. And then make it a New Year’s Eve to remember with a lavish before to mark the arrival of 2022 (Dhs350 or Dhs495 for premium).
gardenonone@mediaonehotel.com
Grand Beirut
Savour an authentic Lebanese experience filled with art, culture and food. Grand Beirut will be offering a special Christmas menu consisting of hot and cold mezzeh, selected grills – including turkey with rice and chestnuts – and desserts (Dhs375). Then, to mark the conclusion of 2021, a New Year’s Eve menu will offer a selection of hot and cold mezzeh, selected grills and deserts (Dhs599).
Irish Village
Enjoy a three-course traditional Christmas menu from one of Dubai’s most beloved Irish pubs and fill yourself with all those festive feels. Warm welcomes guaranteed.
Dhs165. Until Dec 26.
michelle.mealy@theirishvillage.ae
Jubilee Gastronomy
Jubilee Gastronomy is hosting a five-course Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve (from Dhs550) and a Christmas Day set menu with sharing starters, turkey and desserts (from Dhs400). Things ramp up for New Year’s Eve when a seven-course set menu with premium beverages (Dhs1,995) awaits revelers.
book.jubilee@gatesdxb.com
Jubilee Mixology
Head to Jubilee Mixology for New Year’s Eve and enjoy a selection of canapes and premium beverages with stunning Al Wasl Plaza views (Dhs 1,995). The rooftop bar overlooks Al Wasl Dome which features the world’s largest 360-degree projection. The open-air space has a chic, homely feel, with a live DJ spinning a soundtrack of house, modern beats, lounge, jazz and much more.
book.jubilee@gatesdxb.com
Kojaki
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas at Kojaki. Kojaki’s 12 days of Christmas promotion will see the Korean-Japanese restaurant offer various special offers and discounts until December 23. From free sides and coffee to a fifth off your entire bill, there’s plenty to check out, so don’t delay.
(052 500 9299).
Kutir
Delight in a five-course set menu of festive Indian delicacies curated by Michelin-star chef Rohit Ghai this Christmas (December 24 and 25). Or choose to ring in the New Year at Kutir with an authentic feast of Indian dishes.
From Dhs375. book.kutir@gatesdxb.com
Long Chim
Diners can savour a selection of signature dishes inspired by traditional Thai cuisine from a festive seven-course menu. A few of the flavourful options include soft shell crab with curry powder, oysters with nam jim, Thai coconut ice cream and a tantalising Bangkok Martini. Want more? Dip into a New Year’s Eve, six-course set menu full of luxe options including southern curry of lobster.
Packages from Dhs280. hi@longchimdubai.com
Mangrove Philippines Cuisine
With the restaurant’s Hang a Dream promo, diners will receive a raffle tag for every Dhs100 worth of food purchased, giving them the chance to win a Dhs100 voucher to redeem in January. Diners will also receive a festive gift when spending over Dhs350 until December 31.
mangrovecafephils@gmail.com
M-Eating Italy
Been a Gouda boy or girl this year? Then you deserve a tasting experience of gorgonzola, grana padano, mozzarella di bufala campana and pecorino romano M-Eating Italy Pavilion.
Free. Dec 24-25 11.30am.
Mudra
Sample the Christmas Canape Menu at plant-based Mudra (starting at Dhs150) or try the Christmas Party Menu (starting at Dhs195) for a real flavour kick. Mudra will also be offering a Christmas Eve brunch with plant-based favourites from 1pm to 4pm (starting at Dhs195). Enjoy with a glass of mulled grape in hand all throughout this month (Dhs35).
Until Dec 31.
thein@mediaonehotel.com
Scarpetta Mercato
Celebrate the festive season at Scarpetta and dig into Italian signature dishes from December 24 to 26 with a six-course set menu from Dhs450. Then toast the final day of 2021 with five rounds of Italian delicacies from Dhs600.
book.scarpetta@gatesdxb.com
Schengen Lounge
The Schengen Lounge will offer a festive lunch and dinner all this month (12pm-11pm), with a selection of Luxembourg cuisine. Luxembourg’s master chef Kim Kevin De Dood has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants, with the culinary supremo overseeing a team of 35 at the Luxembourg Pavilion, sharing the cuisine of his homeland with the world.
restaurant@expopavilion.lu
The Local Aussie Grill
Enjoy an authentic Aussie Christmas Day BBQ from 10am to 11pm, with lamb chops, dry-aged tomahawk, grilled prawns, grilled octopus, avocado and potato salad. From the Cold Bar, enjoy chilled tiger prawns and Dibba Bay oysters. Christmas treats such as Christmas lamington, pavlova and candy cane soft serve will satisfy the sweet cravings together with a delicious selection of hot and cold Christmas beverages. From Dhs65.
The National by Geoffrey Zakarian
Nab an exclusive festive set menu from Dhs450 every day until Boxing Day. Then, on New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will be offering a set menu of five courses from Dhs850.
Until Dec 26. book.thenational@gatesdxb.com
VEG’D
Is there anything better than a Christmas sandwich? Try the Christmas Special Wrap (Dhs45) at VEG’D, with turkSOY stuffing and cranberry, for the lunch festive dreams are made of.
Until Dec 31.
XYST
With delicious seasonal specials including roast squash and chestnut quiche and roast garlic and kale hummus, XYST’s Matthew Kenney brings his unique, plant-based approach to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Book the Christmas Canape Menu (starting at Dhs150) or the Christmas Party Menu (Dhs195) for ultimate festive gains.
Until Dec 31 (52 2366 124).
2020 Club by EMAAR
This festive season join 2020 Club by Emaar for a special gourmet festive brunch on December 17, 24 and 25. Expect a lavish buffet spread in a chic, inviting environment, accompanied by mesmerizing views of Al Wasl Plaza, with a DJ providing live entertainment (soft beverages Dhs288; select house beverages Dhs388). Prefer a bit of surf and turf? Enjoy the Oysters, Grills & Hops deal with a platter of fresh oysters, select house beverages and grill selection, served alongside dazzling views from the stunning rooftop venue (Dhs250; 5pm-12am, daily until December 30). Or sample the festive afternoon tea with a selection of delectable scones, sandwiches, soft beverages and teas and coffees (Dhs160; 1pm-6pm, daily until December 30).
expo2020@emaar.ae
