The Beach
Hire one of the Bake cabanas and set up for an afternoon’s relaxation on the beach. They’re big enough for a large family or a big group of friends to hang out in, so you won’t have to eat alone, and you can even draw the curtains around you if you want some privacy or shade from the sun while you’re enjoying your picnic.
Pros: It’s clean, the curtains provide plenty of shade and you get to spend the whole day by the sea after you’ve eaten your lunch.
Cons: Sandy sandwiches. Nobody wants that.
Buy food nearby? There are plenty of cafés nearby that do takeaway (Café Sante does great sandwiches and smoothies) or you can stop in at Spinney’s Khalidiyah.
East Ring Road
Stone pavilions line the East Ring Road where it passes the coast, so picnickers here benefit from both the shade and the cool breeze coming in across the water. Make sure you sit facing the right direction – it’s the difference between a relaxing view of the Arabian Gulf and a panorama of a vicious traffic jam.
Pros: There are plenty of pavilions so you won’t have trouble finding a free one.
Cons: The roar of the traffic and the lingering scent of petrol in the air isn’t the most appetising setting.
Buy food nearby? Bring your own – it’s a long walk to the nearest shop.
Khalifa Park
Khalifa Park has signs all over the place declaring it’s ‘picnic perfect’. But actually this just refers to the fizzy drink vending machines and D Club stalls where you can buy a sandwich or a salad. Places to actually set up eating camp are few and far between, although there are plenty of benches if you’re just on a quick lunch break.
Pros: Kids can go nuts here because there is heaps of playground equipment, sports facilities and even a mini fairground by the entrance.
Cons: Limited green space and there’s a faint smell of sewage in the air at times.
Buy food nearby? Nip across the car park to Twofour54 where there are a few places to get takeaway food. The Social Hub has snacks, cake, sandwiches and coffee to go.
Public Garden
This green zone behind the Hilton hotel gets absolutely packed out at weekends. Plenty of trees make it a cool place to sit even in the hotter months and there are a number of stone pavilions to spread out in or set up a barbecue. It’s a great place for raucous family ball games because you won’t disturb anyone.
Pros: There’s always a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Cons: Lots of construction in the surrounding roads at the moment means the park is dustier than usual.
Buy food nearby? You can visit Adnoc if you get really desperate or run out of snacks.
Capital Garden
Surrounded by high-rise buildings and right in the heart of downtown, this park is something of an oasis for Abu Dhabians. The children’s playground is crammed with swings, slides and other toys, and there are spacious stretches of grass to spread out a picnic blanket A couple of picnic pavilions are available, although you’ll have to arrive early to nab them.
Pros: Convenient location and you can find a nice balance between peaceful spots for the grown-ups to relax in and activities for kids.
Cons: Not quite as scenic as some of the capital’s other picnic areas.
Buy food nearby? Wander towards Hamdan Street for a stretch of fast-food and takeaway joints.
Family Park
This is by far the busiest of Abu Dhabi’s green spaces, although no one seems to mind very much. Expect to see big groups of families and friends with even bigger picnic spreads, having a noisy whale of a time. There’s plenty for kids to do, with rides and a play area.
Pros: There’s a real buzz here at the weekend and you’re close to shops and the beach.
Cons: If its peace and quiet you’re after, this isn’t the place for it.
Buy food nearby? Choithram’s supermarket is a short walk away.
