It’s a sparkly new week, full of potential and full of cool things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Feeling hungry? We’re kicking the week off with awesome dining experiences and foodie events. There are two cultural festivals to try, new movies to see, and mega openings that are about to take our lives in Abu Dhabi to the next level.
There’s no need for Sunday blues, there’s plenty of fun things to do in Abu Dhabi this week.
For more incredible things to do in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Heading out for a meal or drink? We have the top places for food and drink in Abu Dhabi right here.
Don’t forget about culture and art. Here are all the coolest cultural activities in the city.
The most wonderful time of the year is around the corner. Wondering what to do for Christmas 2021 in Abu Dhabi? We’ve gotchu.
Spending time with the kids? Here are the best things to do with the kids in Abu Dhabi.
Your week is sorted, let’s go.
Check out Abu Dhabi’s first Pickl
Pickl opened this weekend to huge fanfare, and it’s not hard to see why. One of Dubai’s favourite homegrown burger joints, Pickl has been teasing an Abu Dhabi opening for months now. The doors are officially open at Mamsha Al Saadiyat with burgers, shakes, and sandos available.
Check out our first look at Pickl in Abu Dhabi here.
Open Sat-Wed 11am-1am, Thu-Fri 11am-2am. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, eatpickl.com.
Don’t miss the Al Hosn Festival
Abu Dhabi’s annual Al Hosn Festival is ending on Saturday December 4 and it’s definitely not one to miss. The festival is being organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and will have an engaging programme of performances, art installations, film screenings, culinary experiences, crafts and design.
Click here to learn more about the festival.
Nov 25 to Dec 4. Qasr Al Hosn, alhosn.ae/
Go to the grand opening of Yas Bay Waterfront
Brand new (and much anticipated) restaurants, a pier and artwork by international artists – we’re talking about Yas Bay Waterfront. Asia Asia, Hunter and Barrel, Paradiso and Lock, Stock & Barrel are part of the grand opening. We hear there will be plenty of activations, events and live entertainment. There will even be a parade and fireworks throughout the month of December.
Read more about the new area here.
Opening Dec 1. Yas Island, yasbay.ae.
HIIT class at Sweat
Ready to get your heart racing? This fitness studio is all about digging deep to bring out your strongest self. This is HIIT as you’ve probably not seen it before. The 60-minute cycling class combines pedal power and strength training, while the TRX Full Body offers an hour of suspension training with short bursts of cardio.
For more HIIT classes to try in Abu Dhabi click here.
From Dhs80 a session. Opening times vary. Andalus Hotel, Al Seef Mall & Resort, sweatuae.com (02 444 5543).
Enjoy a decadent dessert for National Day
In celebration of the UAE’s big 50th National Day, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has created a super limited-edition “Golden Jubilicious” dessert at its steakhouse, The Forge.
Celebrate the Golden Jubilee with a delicious 75 percent dark chocolate dessert topped with a golden syrup upon serving (what else?). It’s only available on December 1 and 2 so do not miss out on the special sweet.
For more about The Forge click here.
Dhs55. Dec 1 & 2. The Forge, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqta (02 818 8888).
See the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival celebrates the culture of the UAE with arts, crafts, food and loads of things to do. The festival is running until April 1, 2022 at Al Wathbah, a suburban neighbourhood of Abu Dhabi near Bani Yas. You can expect over 4,500 international cultural events, more than 650 performances and over 130 workshops for kids over the course of the festival.
Nov 18 to Apr 1, 2022. Open daily 4pm-midnight. Al Wathbah South (800 555).
Slurp spicy Thai food at Aroy Dee
If you’re ever wandering down Electra Street and stumble across a cosy little restaurant that’s bursting at the seams with warm vibes and delicious smells, you’ve probably discovered Aroy Dee Thai Restaurant. It’s bringing the fire in more ways than one.
Read the full Time Out review here.
Open daily, 11am-midnight. Electra Street, near ADCB Head Office (02 666 5461).
Watch Cry Macho at the movies
It’s been a while since a good old-fashioned Western came to UAE cinemas. The film stars Clint Eastwood as Mike Milo: a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder. He takes a job from an ex-boss to bring the man’s son home from Mexico. They’re forced to take the back roads to Texas, and face an unexpectedly tough journey.
Click here for new movie releases in the UAE.
Releases Nov 25. Rated PG13.
Whitewater rafting at Wadi Adventure
Whitewater rafting in the desert? It’s actually possible. The manmade rapids of Al Ain prove you can achieve even your wildest watersports dreams. There’s kayaking and surfing here, too.
For more of the best watersports in Abu Dhabi click here.
Daily. 11am-7pm. Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, wadiadventure.ae (03 781 8422).
Try the grilled octopus at VaKaVa
VaKaVa might be a relative newcomer to Abu Dhabi, but it has quickly made a name for itself with exquisite Latin American dishes courtesy of chef Richard Sandoval. Simple yet effective, its juicy tendril comes grilled Peruvian style in lime juice, garlic and red onion, balancing the protein against a hard-to-pin sweetness that’s impossible to resist. It comes served with chimichurri and potato salad, because carbs are life.
For more octopus dishes to try in Abu Dhabi click here.
Open Tue-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri 2pm-1am, Sat 1pm-11pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers (02 811 5666).
Zany vibes and drinks at Bambu
Looking for a bright new spot on the Abu Dhabi nightlife scene? You must’ve heard of Bambu by now. Eye catching décor, pan-Asian and Latin dishes, vibey themed nights, and the all-important flower wall (for the ‘gram, duh). We’re all about it.
Read the full review of Bambu here.
Open daily, 12.30pm-midnight. Crystal Hotel, near Madinat Zayed (050 672 7903).
