Wondering where to celebrate on the big day? We’ve spent hours – nay, days – hounding your favourite places to find out who’s offering what.
Chamas, InterContinental
Arriba, arriba! Hurry up and book this Brazilian restaurant for December 24, 6pm-midnight, and eat your body weight in South American rotisserie churrascaria. Turkey stuffed with farofa – toasted yuca – will be carved in front of you and served with a passionfruit jus. Resident Colombian band, Quattro, will play salsa and meringue on tibales. Dhs150 kids, Dhs299 with welcome beverage, Dhs395 with festive beverages.
Visit www.dining-intercontinental-ad.ae (800 423 463).
Horizon Restaurant, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
If you’ve spent 2013 eating your way through buffets another one won’t hurt. On Christmas Eve 7pm-10.30pm Horizon will serve a seasonal buffet for Dhs175, while Christmas Day brunch runs 12.30pm-4pm for the same price, with kid’s activities.
Visit www.rotana.com (02 657 0200).
The Forge, Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Dine in style at this steakhouse, which will serve a five-course set menu from 7pm-midnight on Christmas Day. The highlight? Wagyu tenderloin topped with foie gras served with truffle-scented potatoes. The menu costs Dhs700 with house beverages; à la carte will also be available. Over 13s only; kids 13-16 eat at a 25 percent discount.
Visit www.ritzcarlton.com (02 818 8282).
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
On December 25 Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, Frankie’s Italian Restaurant, CuiScene and Chameleon will combine forces for a brunch to end all brunches. Chameleon will be transformed into a winter wonderland where children can play on Wiis and Playstations or decorate cookies for free – then meet a certain overweight man with rosy cheeks. Dhs369, Dhs599 with bubbly and premium drinks, Dhs185 for kids six-12. Price includes a one-day pool and beach voucher.
Visit www.fairmont.com (02 654 3238).
Dine, Aloft
On December 24-25, Dine will host a brunch with festive favourites and free flowing beverages 7pm-11pm – so you’ll have time to make it to bed before Santa visits. You can also lunch noon-4pm on Christmas Day. Dhs265, Dhs95 kids four-12.
Email 3357.relax@alofthotels.com or visit www.aloftabudhabi.com (02 654 5121).
Lemon Tree, Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
Have a Feliz Navidad – Spanish for Merry Christmas – with a four-course dinner of unlimited tapas, paella and Spanish beverages from 7pm. Flamenco dancer Raquel Castilla will perform at 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.20pm. Dhs155.
Email fnb.hiabudhabi@ihg.com (02 657 4858).
Bord Eau, Shangri-La Hotel
On Christmas Eve dine in style at Bord Eau, the Shangri-La’s French fine dining restaurant, which will be serving a five-course set menu 7pm-11pm for Dhs600. On Christmas Day brunch will include grape pairings and a welcome glass of bubbly for Dhs550 (noon-5pm).
Visit www.shangri-la.com (02 509 8555).
Aqua, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Enjoy the view as you enjoy a five-course set-menu on December 24, 8pm-11pm. It costs Dhs400, or Dhs550 with a bottle of Italian grape. On Christmas Day, have a bubbly brunch 12.30pm-4pm for Dhs550 (Dhs400 with juice). Kids won’t miss out – they can gorge on miniature burgers and bagels, cookie and Haribo stations at Rosebuds, visit a play area on the third floor, all while wearing child-size chef hats and jackets (Dhs150). Later, party with DJestivo at the hotel’s open-air bar, Glo, 11pm-2am.
Email AbuDhabi.Reservations@rosewoodhotels.com (02 813 5555).
Rozanah
Yas Marina’s only Lebanese restaurant is open December 24 for a six-course roast dinner followed by Christmas pudding – you’ll get crackers, too (Dhs165, kids Dhs90). The following day Rozanah will open noon-4pm for a turkey brunch. Father Christmas will pop by with free gifts for children. Dhs125, kids under six eat free.
Email info@rozanah.ae (050 811 5414).
Cafe D’Alsace
This casual eatery overlooking Yas Marina will serve roast turkey and beef followed by Christmas pudding December 24 for Dhs165, Dhs90 kids. Go the next day noon-4pm for a festive meal with crackers and a visit from Santa. Still got room for dessert? Nibble on gingerbread, Christmas pudding and Yule log. Dhs125, kids under six eat free.
Email info@cafedalsace.ae (050 811 5414).
The Park Bar & Grill, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Work your way through the five-course set menu December 24-25, 7pm-11pm, which will include scallops, foie gras and turkey for Dhs500 or Dhs850 with grape. There’s also a Christmas Day sitting 1pm-4pm – you’ll have all the trimmings plus grilled Omani lobster for Dhs400, or Dhs500 with selected beverages.
Visit www.abudhabi.park.hyatt.com (02 407 1234).
Palm Garden, Yas Viceroy
Christmas Day brunch at the Palm Garden, 12.30pm-4pm, is all about the turkey, Christmas puddings and mince pies. Dhs290, Dhs390 including house beverages, Dhs460 including bubbly; Dhs100 kids five-12, under fives eat free.
Email dining@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com (02 656 0600).
The Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
The Anastasia Lina Duo from Greece will provide entertainment for diners enjoying the Christmas Day buffet 12.30pm-4.30pm. Dhs300, Dhs400 includes house beverages; Dhs65 kids six-12 years, Dhs100 kids 12-15. Book a week in advance.
Visit www.crownplaza.com (02 656 3055).
Royal Orchid, Hilton Abu Dhabi
Traditionalists will choke on their stuffing but turkey with red curry sauce and lychee sounds good to TOAD. The four-course menu (7pm-11pm, December 24) will end with a mousse with passionfruit powder and chocolate rocks. Dhs199.
Visit www3.hilton.com (02 692 4247).
Paco’s, Hilton Al Ain
Got kids? If they’re already bored with their new toys then you’ll be glad of the face painting and bouncy castle at this international buffet on Christmas Day, noon-4pm. Dhs150, Dhs220 with house beverages.
Email alaininformation@hilton.com (03 706 7006).
Café Palmier, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Celebrate Christmas Eve, 7pm-11pm, with dinner on the poolside terrace. Dhs195, Dhs280 with grape, hops and house beverages; Dhs97.50 kids. The following day, Café Palmier will host a brunch 1pm-4pm with presents from Santa Claus, games and pizza-making workshops in WhEAT. Dhs499 with grape, hops and house beverages; Dhs100 for kids six-12, under sixes eat free.
Email restaurants.lrmad@lemeridien.com (02 695 0413).
Le Deck, Monte-Carlo Beach Club
Visit Le Deck noon-4pm on Christmas Day and you can feast on starters which will be served buffet-style, while the main and dessert will be à la carte. Santa Claus is expected to make a star appearance. Dhs275, grape extra.
Visit www.montecarlobeachclub.ae (02 656 3555).
