Watch the Super Bowl
Stars ’N’ Bars will be showing this year’s NFL Super Bowl live and you can order unlimited American hoppy beverages for Dhs100. This year’s final is between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, with Beyonce providing the half-time entertainment. Some NFL trivia for you: the head coaches of the two teams are brothers. Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49ers, his brother John the Ravens.
February 3, Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Island (02 565 0101).
Eat great Indian food
There are a lot of Indian restaurants in this city. So who do we recommend if you’re on a tight budget? Chhappan Bhog does fantastic thalis and great snacks such as the rice puff-filled bhel puri. You won’t pay more than Dhs70 for a massive blowout meal and they deliver as well. Salam Bombay, again off Electra Street, also serves great food at bargain prices and, again, deliver. We suggest trying their creamy, slightly sweet malai kofta and the curious paneer Frankie wrap. And last but not least let’s not forget an Abu Dhabi institution: Evergreen Vegetarian Restaurant, just off Electra Street, has some of the finest food we’ve tasted in the city. Try their huge dosas. Three people can eat very handsomely in here for under Dhs40.
Salam Bombay, behind Dharjah Islamic Bank, Electra Street, Madinat Zayed (02 677 7076). Chhappan Bhog, Sas Al Nakhl (02 677 8864). Evergreen Vegetarian Restaurant, Al Markaziyah (02 676 7361).
Chomp on a steak
Great service, a good selection of grape and a chunky piece of steak are available at Le Beaujolais for less than Dhs100. While you’re there, we recommend trying the raspberry crème brûlée at this very authentic, alluring French eaterie.
Mercure Centre Hotel, Al Markaziyah (02 633 3555).
Play a cheap round
Lady golfers can get a lesson from PGA assistant professional Victoria Hasset for a cheap as chips Dhs50 if you’re a member at Yas Links. It costs Dhs100 for non-members and all lessons include a complimentary coffee or tea voucher.
www.yasisland.ae (02 810 7710).
Enjoy a bargain lunch
New Korean restaurant Sura, in the Cristal Salam, do a business lunch deal for Dhs65. You get to choose a starter, main and dessert. And if that kind of deal makes you want to sing with joy, you can warble in one of their karaoke rooms.
Cristal Salam, Tourist Club Area dining.abudhabi@cristalhospitality.com (02 659 7715).
Get fit at Train Yas
Run or cycle around a genuine F1 track every Tuesday at Train Yas. And the good news is this one won’t cost you Dhs100; it won’t even cost you one dirham: it’s free!
Yas Island, Tuesdays 6pm-9pm, www.yasmarinacircuit.com.
Have an ice cream
What’s so special about an ice cream? This one costs you only a single dirham. Granted, you have to run the gauntlet and walk around a huge furniture shop at the same time, but when it comes for a value for money bargain, this is perhaps the best, and sweetest, the city can offer.
Dhs1, Yas Island, www.ikea.com/ae.
See Sneezy and Dopey
TOAD staff are often both of these (thanks to air-con and deadlines) but we’re actually talking about Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, a great show being performed at the National Theatre at the end of February. The cheapest tickets retail at Dhs99 each.
February 28-March 1, National Theatre, Old Airport Road (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street), tickets are Dhs99, www.timeouttickets.com.
Get a man mani-pedi
One of the city’s quirkier male grooming centres, Samer Spa and Salon do a mani for Dhs70, a pedi for Dhs100 and you can get a hand and a foot massage for Dhs100 as well. Or get a more manly shave for Dhs50. There’s a certain novelty factor going here but the service is excellent and the staff polite.
Samer Salon and Spa, Al Muroor Road, behind Red Cresent (02 642 2264).
Learn something
Head to the garden city of Al Ain and take in some culture. The National Museum takes an ethnographical and archaeological look at the history of the UAE, including jewellery dating back to 1780, a collection of old
photographs and even examines farming methods and instruments. The archaeological section features items from the Stone Age through to the Islamic Period, including pottery and arrowheads.
Dhs3 for adults, Dhs1 for kids. Open Saturdays-Thursdays 8am-7.30pm, Fridays 3pm-7.30pm. www.adach.ae, info.museum@adach.ae (03 764 1595).
Become a make-up guru
Need help working out how to get the best from your cosmetics? Learn how to get smokey eyes and apply foundation, highlight your features and apply evening make-up at Bobbi Brown, who offer free lessons which last 45 minutes.
Bobbi Brown, Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7178).
Listen to tunes
Not got the money for a fancy iPod? This First1 2GB MP3 Player is available from Carrefour, and comes with a voice recorder and an FM radio for a bargain Dhs89.
www.carrefouruae.com.
Ride a bike
We all know that Abu Dhabi has some truly beautiful beaches, right? Get fit and take in a decent view down at the Corniche by hiring a bicycle. Byky have a fleet on the Corniche they loan out for a paltry Dhs25 an hour.
Take tea
Fancy a brew and some sarnies and cakes while taking in views of the Arabian Gulf and natural mangroves? Yas Links Golf Course offers a Tea Forté package every Wednesday and Sunday, at a price that won’t make you jump in the ocean.
Dhs89, Wednesday-Sunday 3pm-5.30pm, www.yasisland.ae (02 810 7710).
Save the planet
The Eco Future exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat is a great way to show your kids how climate change is affecting the planet. It’s an incredibly interactive exhibition, with four characters guiding visitors through the exhibition. A family ticket for four will cost you less than Dhs100.
Dhs80 for a family of four, www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae, manaratalsaadiyat@tdic.ae (02 657 5800).
Devour cheap Chinese
Beijing is a cracking authentic Chinese restaurant and you know the food’s the real deal because of the number of Chinese people eating in there. The portions are huge and two people can easily eat for Dhs100 or less.
Madinat Zayed, Al Falah Street, (02 621 0708).
Create some new clothes
There are plenty of tailors in the city, and we suggest trying Noor Al Balooshi which is great for adjustments and creating new outfits from scratch. They also have a whole room full of buttons, lace ribbons, sequins, diamantes and more. We’re confident you’ll spend much less than Dhs100 for most alterations.
Off Najda Street near Masala Magic.
Make a splash
Take the kids to Murjan Splash Park and dive into seven water-based attractions for kids up to the age of 12. Send them sailing on the 257metre long lazy river while you unwind with a cup of tea.
Dhs40 for kids over 75cm tall, kids under are free. Weekdays 3pm-7pm (Tuesday is Ladies’ day); Weekends (Friday and Saturday) 10am-7pm. murjan@adm.abudhabi.ae (050 878 1009).
Get a pizza the action
Pizzeria Italiana have a great meal-for-two offer available. A mere Dhs40 will get you a large pizza, a regular salad, two soups and two soft drinks.
Al Diar Dana Hotel, Al Meena (02 645 6000).
Buy bangles
Head to Al Jaber Gallery in Souk Central Market and pick up some earrings and bangles for under Dhs100.
www.aljabergallery.ae (02 266 7700).
Bag cheap perfumes
Brand names everyone will recognise (Gucci Rush, Burberry Weekend, Caroline Herrera 212 Sexy to name a few) – are sold in plain packaging at Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes, so only cost around Dhs100.
Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes, the Souk Central Market (02 622 8739).
