CHRISTMAS EVE

Alba Terrace

The venue’s popular Weekend Spritz is getting smothered with festive spirit for Christmas Eve. But since it’s a Tom Aikens restaurant it’s going to be a classy affair with live music and menu items such as spaghetti vongole, panettone, and fresh wood oven-fired fare. The drinks will be just as sophisticated, with plenty of the titular spritz blends available alongside Almalfi-inspired mixology.

The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen, choose a three hour window between 12.30pm to 5pm Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs495 bubbles. Tel: (0)2 208 0000. editionhotels.com

Cafe Milano

Christmas Eve at fine-dining Italian restaurant Cafe Milano has a very European accent. The menu features shareable ‘dolci Natalizi’, a crab meat salad with festive touches, homemade pasta (of course), and a traditional Milanese festive dish – pan-seared monkfish with pumpkin puree.

Four Seasons Hotel, Jazeerat Al Maryah, 6pm onwards, prices from Dhs410. Tel: (02) 02 333 2222. fourseasons.com

Cove Beach Abu Dhabi

It’s all about the sun, sea and sleigh bells at Cove this Christmas with a seasonally enhanced version of its Friday brunch, which takes the form of a four-course set menu. As the clock hands tick closer to Santa’s sled-off, you can enjoy a three-course dinner menu, starting at just Dhs150. Expect nostalgic Christmas songs mixed up with other retro classics served by a trio of DJs DVS, Keeny, and Nuf.

Makers District, Al Reem Island. 1pm to 5pm, starting from Dhs249, dinner starting from Dhs150. Tel: (056) 398 7895, @covebeachabudhabi

Fairmont Bab al Bahr

It’s beginning to look a lot like brunchmas at Fairmont Bab al Bahr, with its multirestaurant festive Friday brunch, including food stations showcasing the culinary might of CuiScene, Marco’s and Bridges Bar. An Old Papa Chrimbo visit will be popping in for a pre-emptive toy delivery.

Fairmont Bab al Bahr, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs249 with soft drinks, Dhs347 with house drinks, Dhs649 premium, under 12s 50 per cent off. Tel: (0)2 654 3333. fairmont.com