Looking for fantastic things to do week? You’ve come to the right place. From the very best places to eat and drink, to awesome activities, to celebrations and more, we’ve got you covered. Ready for a great week?
For more fun things to do in Abu Dhabi this week, click here.
It wouldn’t be the weekend without a banging brunch. For your essential guide to brunching in Abu Dhabi, head here.
Want to try a great new dining destination? Click here for all the greatest restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For top bars, click here.
If keeping active is your thing, head here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
That’s your week sorted. Are you ready?
Ace a photography class at Manarat Al Saadiyat
Looking to pick up a new hobby? Manarat Al Saadiyat is known for its awesome art classes, and offers a diverse programme of exhibitions from both UAE and international artists, along with special events, art fairs, panel discussions, film nights and all manner of workshops. It also has its own dedicated photography studio that encourages snappers from all walks of life to take up the visual arts form, hosts community driven exhibitions and offers a full calendar of activities and programmes.
For more top photography classes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai click here.
Prices vary. Open daily 10am-8pm. Saadiyat Island, manaratalsaadiyat.ae (02 657 5800).
Break a sweat at Roar Fitness
Looking to join a HIIT class this week? Roar Fitness is helping we layabouts get into shape with some curated personal training. More than two decades on, you can tap into its main man Lee Harrison’s knowledge of strength and stamina training on a one-to-one basis or as part of Roar’s boxing or core strength training sessions. He also offers kids’ fitness classes, giving you the perfect excuse to drag the lot of you off the sofa. Let’s hear that roar.
For more HIIT classes click here.
Prices and venues vary. roarfitness.org (050 882 7618).
Eat grilled octopus at VaKaVa
Octopus might be the marmite of the seafood world, but we’re in love with this dish by VaKaVa. This spot might have only just opened its doors in Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, but it’s quickly made a name for itself. Simple yet effective, its octopus 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.
For Abu Dhabi’s best octopus dishes, click here.
Open Tue-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri 2pm-1am, Sat 1pm-11pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Al Bateen (02 811 5666).
Get into the autumnal spirit at The Coffee Club
An Australian café with more than 400 outlets around the world, this chain is an easy choice for casual healthy options. They’re clearly pumpkin-lovers and stick it in soup, salad and keto bowls. There is even a pumpkin and chickpea coconut curry that might even be healthy as well as pleasingly autumnal. Spiced with cumin and turmeric, it has extra spinach and cherry tomatoes to fill out the flavour.
For more autumnal dishes in Abu Dhabi click here.
Al Forsan Village, Khalifa City, thecoffeeclubme.com (02 556 6167).
Go full vegan at Alba Terrace
Thinking of trying a vegan dessert? Go to Alba Terrace for sundowners and stay for the vegan dessert. The mixed red berry pudding is a dreamy combination of chia seeds, almond milk, cardamom, agave and vanilla served with mixed red berry purée made up of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, lemon juice and gluten-free oats. Fresh berries, cashew cream, a sprinkle of pistachio and dairy-free pistachio ice cream seal the deal. Don’t sleep on the vegan dishes. Click here for more vegan desserts in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily 7am-11pm. Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen, albaterrace.com (02 208 0000).
Have a meal on the terrace at The Garden by Bay View
Looking to get outside after work this week? The Garden by Bay View at Beach Rotana is back, serving up the perfect spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the Abu Dhabi winter. Sit outside with friends or family, eat a delicious meal, or share drinks with colleagues with a view of Al Maryah island. Enjoying an al fresco experience is always top of our to-dine list, and this spot is the perfect place to unwind. The Garden serves up a healthy menu of the freshest ingredients – grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, local-line fish and crisp veggies, sound good?
Click here for all things happy hour in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 4pm-1am. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 697 9000).
Ladies’ Night at Loca
We love Loca – this Mexican bar is notorious for hosting some of the most popular nights out in the city, playing a brilliant mix of retro and current tunes, and for having a buzzing bar area. That’s all without mentioning those legendary bowls of guacamole (they look so simple, but just can’t be replicated at home). Ladies head to this spot on Wednesday from 7pm to midnight to get a starter, a main course and unlimited Mexican mixed drinks for Dhs145. Be sure to arrive hungry.
For more foodie ladies’ nights click here.
Dhs145. Wed 7pm-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 582 3639).
Try Japanese fusion dishes in front of the big screen
Sushi in front of the silver screen? It’s the combo we didn’t know we needed. Akira Back has teamed up with the UAE’s VOX Cinemas for THEATRE, so when you head to watch the latest release you can dine in style. Expect a Japanese menu that includes Back’s signature plates. Delicious.
For new blockbusters to see in UAE cinemas click here.
Al Jimi Mall, Nation Towers, The Galleria Al Maryah Island and Yas Mall, uae.voxcinemas.com.
Visit the new hops garden
Looking for an al fresco experience this week? Live music, cold bevvies, live barbecue, shisha, quizzes, music bingo, family activities and more – sound good? That’s what you’ll find at The Green: the capital’s biggest pop-up hops garden open at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. This spot is open daily, and open to visitors of all ages, so bring the whole gang.
Read more about The Green here.
Open daily, Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Oct 1- April 30 2022. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club @thegreenabudhabi.
Yoga in the park at Umm Al Emarat Park
Looking to find your zen mid-week? Umm Al Emarat Park is launching a free wellness programme with four free meditation or yoga sessions for park visitors each month. Head to Umm Al Emarat Park on a Wednesday and you’ll find a free programme for yogi masters, meditation gurus and beginners alike. Every Wednesday at 6.30pm, the park’s partners will collectively provide free meditation and yoga sessions to help the community slow down, find inner resilience and achieve full self-awareness. That’s one mindful thing to do this week – namaste.
For more about yoga in the park click here.
Free. Wed 6.30pm. Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, www.ummalemaratpark.ae.
