1 Al Qasr
Brunches in Dubai have always been lavish. Al Qasr is, however, the culinary equivalent of a stretched Hummer. It spans three restaurants and we’re pretty sure there are two Time Out-ers and a former intern still wandering around from a visit two years ago. Don’t worry about them – they’ll be stocking up on wagyu burgers, antipasti, piles of cheese and trifles.
From Dhs480. Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Dubai (04 432 3232).
2 Bubbalicious
A genuine institution. In medieval times, bards would have written poems about events like this. Probably reserving a stanza or two to mention the hundred types of cheese and the fact that it also spills out across three entire restaurants and a terrace in Dubai. The Abu Dhabi version is a little more restrained but no less impressive.
From Dhs450. Fri 12.30pm-4pm. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina (04 511 7139). From Dhs336. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Sas Al Nakhl (02 616 9999).
3 Emirates Palace
Street food is still trendy and Abu Dhabi’s most iconic hotel will always be luxurious. Combine those elements and you have one of the most interesting gourmet brunch concepts in the land. Picture loads of live cooking stations, “stalls” serving up food from around the world and a beautiful garden and you get the idea.
From Dhs370. Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Emirates Palace, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi (02 690 7999).
4 Giornotte
As a general rule of thumb any brunch that requires a map to navigate is probably going to be at the more lavish end of the spectrum. Especially when that map has destinations such as scallop or foie gras stations, a chocolate experience and a Peking duck area. It is worth noting this is a particularly welcoming brunch for vegan diners, too
From Dhs299. Fri 1pm-4pm. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi (02 818 8282).
5 Nahaam
Showstoppers are important. With nitrogen ice cream, flambéed crêpes, glasses of liquid gold, a DJ, al fresco tables, live music, à la carte offerings at your table and an enormous spread we think this Jumeirah hotel brunch has all the bases covered.
From Dhs390. Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi (02 811 5666).
6 Saffron
An absolute carnival of a brunch. Drag your eyes away from the food (clocking in at more than 200 dishes and around a couple of dozen live cooking stations) and you will see an up-for-it party crowd revelling hard. Don’t be surprised to see dancing, conga lines and people on tables at this adult-only brunch.
Dhs535 (Over 21s only). Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai (04 526 0780).
7 Traiteur
This picked up the Best Brunch award at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2019 and it’s excellent – it is as simple as that. To make ourselves drool we will add that there is a massive cheese station, an entire room dedicated to seafood, plus roasts, a bustling walk-through show kitchen and gorgeous Dubai Creek views as well. It is not the cheapest brunch in this list, but it’s potentially the most impressive.
From Dhs495. Fri 1pm-4.30pm. Traiteur, Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira (04 602 1814).
