We’re back to the grind this week, and you know what that means… we have all the best things to do in Abu Dhabi on our minds, and there’s good news – the week ahead is looking seriously cool in the capital.
With temperatures winding down and the summer season firmly behind us, the city is coming out of its hibernation with a long list of cool things to do.
For more fun things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, click here.
Looking to have a great meal? Head here for all the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For top bars to check out, click here.
Love to stay fit? Click here for the best of sport and wellbeing in Abu Dhabi.
If you’re a culture vulture, click here for the best of Abu Dhabi arts and culture.
That’s your week sorted. Let’s go.
Check out this recently reopened Vietnamese spot
If you love Vietnamese food you’re going to love the recently reopened Hoi An Vietnamese restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri. Head there from Tuesday to Saturday and you’ll find the new Super Sapa daily changing menu available from 6pm to 9pm. Unlimited starters, a changing menu of mains and desserts, and all of your Vietnamese faves? We’re sold. The soft drinks package will set you back Dhs168 per person, while the house package costs Dhs248 with selected grape, hops, and mixed drinks. If you’re a Golden Circle menu you’ll also get 25 percent off.
Dhs168 (soft) Dhs248 (house). Tues-Sat 6pm-9pm. Shangri-La Hotel and Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi (02 509 8555).
Dine in the Dark at Bab Al Qasr
Ready for a completely different dining experience? Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences is always a top spot to visit in Abu Dhabi and now we have one more reason to head there with the new Dining in the Dark experience. Pitch Black Dining can be found at Fresh Basil and takes you from light to dark and known to unknown. Are you ready? No electronics or light-emitting objects are allowed in the pitch-black dining room including cellphones, watches, lighters and cameras. The lack of distractions (including the lack of light) sharpens diners’ senses – allowing you to focus on the tastes, fragrances, mouthfeel and sounds around you.
Dhs249. Mon-Fri 7.30pm-10pm. Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences (056 992 2078). Read more about the dine in the dark experience here.
Engage with culture at ADIHEX
The Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) is back for its 18th edition in September. The event is the Middle East and Africa’s largest annual event dedicated to the sectors of hunting, equestrian and the promotion and preservation of local heritage. There will be equestrian and falconry exhibitions, veterinary products and services, hunting and camping equipment for sale, and even a saluki beauty contest. Woof.
Sep 27-Oct 3. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, adihex.com. More info here.
Have a meal at the newly renovated West Bay Lounge
Love the beach? Looking for a great resort to hang out in this week? The temperatures are starting to wind down in the capital (at last) and West Bay Abu Dhabi is open just in time. Changes to the lounge include a glass exterior to keep temperatures cool, a deck overlooking the Abu Dhabi Corniche shoreline, and an enhanced menu.
Click here for more on the opening. Open daily 6am-11pm. West Bay Lounge, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche (02 681 1900).
La Brioche in Khalifa City has reopened
Early summer 2021 was the end of an era when the original La Brioche in Khalifa City closed for 3 months to receive a much-needed renovation, but the wait is over and La Brioche is back with a new interior. If you’re in Khalifa City you should definitely stop by to see it.
Open daily, 8am-11pm. Khalifa City, 16 street, sector 12 (02 556 7076).
Stay wild with a road trip to Green Mubazzarah
Cooler temps mean all the more reason to check out the UAE’s awe-inspiring natural beauty – even the hot springs of Green Mubazzarah in Al Ain. Located at the bottom of Jebel Hafeet, the landscape is covered in grassland, and feels like an oasis in the desert. Well worth hitting the road to explore.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.105453989417622, 55.7491859. For more beauty spots in the UAE, click here.
Take an outdoor HIIT class with Strike Fitness
The temperature is winding down and that means it’s time to take your exercise outdoors. Head to Strike for a class that’s sure to get your heartrate up. With its idyllic location on Al Bahar Beach, you will have the shimmering waters and pristine sands as your backdrop while you get in shape. Boxing, calisthenics, yoga, muay Thai and the real art of stretching are all on offer. Plus, if you want to really ramp it up you can put your names down for some circuit training. A top HIIT class in Abu Dhabi. Let’s go.
From Dhs50 a session (block of ten). Times vary. Al Bahar Beach, Corniche Street, strike.ae (050 303 2594).
Try a special culinary collaboration at VaKaVa
The Cuatro Manos (Four Hands) dinner at VaKaVa brings together incredible dishes prepared by chefs Richard Sandoval and Eber Villalobos for an evening of amazing food and flavours. The chefs will showcase dishes from Mexico and Peru over two nights from Tuesday September 28 to Wednesday September 29 from 7pm to 11pm. The four-course menu includes cold and hot starters, sharing mains, dessert, and a drink for Dhs350. Signature dishes include the traditional smoked guacamole, sea bass ceviche, pulled lamb shank and creamed potato. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, which includes coffee tres leches with coconut ice cream and strawberries, or crispy churros with manchego ice cream.
Dhs350. Sep28-29 7pm-11pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road (02 811 5555).
Tune in and watch Andrea Bocelli headline the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony
World-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli will headline a glittering galaxy of stars who will perform at Expo 2020 Dubai’s opening ceremony. The iconic operatic singer will be joined by Grammy nominated, Golden Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day; Platinum selling British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding; international mega-star pianist Lang Lang; and four-time Grammy-winner Angelique Kidjo in a star-studded line-up.
Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony Thu 6.30pm, expo2020dubai.com/en/news/expo-tv. Expo 2002 Dubai: Dhs95 (one day), Dhs195 (30 days), Dhs495 (six months). Oct 1 2021- Mar 31 2022. Dubai Exhibition Centre, expo2020dubai.com.
To get a 30-day pass for the price of a single day ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai, click here.
For everything you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai, click here.
Visit one of the UAE’s oldest cinemas
More than 20 years old, Al Mariah Cinema in downtown Abu Dhabi is one of the oldest continuously operated cinemas in the UAE with a seating capacity of more than 2,000 over nine theatres. With recently upholstered seats and wonderfully colourful lobby area, the gold class ticket is exclusively for couples and ladies, and with seats grouped in pairs in the theatre it makes for a rather intimate movie-going experience.
From Dhs50. Al Najda Street (02 678 5000). Click here for more cinema experiences in Abu Dhabi.
For more ace things to do in Abu Dhabi, click here.
