CHRISTMAS day
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
If you like rocking around the Christmas treats, you should probably consider visiting the Anantara this December 25. Its special dine around brunch allows you to hop between Ingredients, The Pool Deck and Mekong, enjoying a range of festive (and alternative) food, gorgeous mangrove views and there’s a pretty good chance Father C will be dropping in to distribute this year’s gifts.
Anantara Eastern Mangroves, Al Kheeran, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs325 with soft drinks, Dhs475 with house drinks. Tel: (05) 503 5121. @anantaraeasternmangroves
Butcher & Still
Chef Marshall Roth is whipping up a traditional Christmas brunch at Butcher & Still. Dig into a selection of fine dining holiday favourites, trimmings galore, and a deep ladel of that mulled vibe.
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island,
1pm to 4pm, Dhs390 per person. Tel: (02) 333 2222, @butcherandstill
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
This hotel has a few options for festive celebrations, but our pick of the gifts has to be the Christmas Market Brunch. Stack your plate with station served hits from the hotel’s dazzling array of restaurants, with sashimi from Café Sushi, barbecue stations on The Terrace and a whole load of Marco Pierre White creative
Christmas juice thrown in, too. Elsewhere, you’ll find sing-along Christmas carol sessions, live entertainment, a raffle with exciting prizes and of course, a visit from Santa and his elves.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr,
Khor Al Maqta, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs395 with soft drinks, Dhs545 with house drinks, Dhs795 bubbles. Tel: (02) 654 3333. @ fairmontbabalbahr
Festive panto
We’ve had enough of the food options. Wait, ‘Oh no we haven’t’. Well, having a theatrical break won’t hurt, anyway. This classic princess story is a pantomime classic. Crystal slippers, bungling butlers, comic relief in the form of Buttons, ugly sisters, fairy Godmothers, and the age-old romantic story of Cinderella and the Prince’s ‘will-they-wont-they?’ saga. Expect singalongs, choruses of ‘ he’s behind you’ and all the fun of British Christmas carry-on. December 16 to 27
Theatre by Erth, Khor Al Maqta, Dhs97. abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Fairways
Like the man in red himself, this family-friendly ‘Santalicious’ brunch is big, well-rounded and comes with the option of helping your belly shake like a bowl full of jelly. On the menu there’s a Yuletide focused buffet, carving stations and signature festive beverages, paired with live entertainment including a visit from Santa.
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with house drinks, Dhs245 children from seven to 12 years. Tel: (0)2 616 9999. fairwaysabudhabi.com
14 Garage
The festive season is all about going big. Big portions, big gestures of good will, and we’re not sure who needs to hear this but *winks* big presents. On that theme, you’d do well to head for W Abu Dhabi –
Yas Island’s B.I.G Christmas Day brunch at Garage. We’re talking deck-ing the halls with seasonal DJ spun tunes, sweet treats delivered by elves, a visit from Big Papa C, and there’s even an after-brunch drinks deal at W Lounge where you can enjoy 2-for-1 drinks. This deal is available both on Christmas Eve and Day.
W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs310 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks, Dhs650 bubbles. Tel: (0)2 656 0000. garageabudhabi.com
Graphos Social Kitchen
Our ‘ brunch of the month’ hosts a special Christmas
Day brunch with over 10 live stations and a dedicated activity zone for children.
Come dressed as your favourite characters of Christmas for the chance to win prizes.
Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs429 with soft drinks, Dhs549 with house drinks, Dhs649 bubbly. Tel: (0)2 2086900. dineatgraphos@hilton.com
Giornette
Upgrade your Christmas gastronomy with the festive edition of Giornette’s wildly popular Chef ’s brunch. We’re talking Wagyu beef, foie gras, Asian food, pasta cooked à la minute, fresh seafood, healthy selections, and there’s turkey, too. Old mate white beard will be here, too.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs650 with house drinks, Dhs750 for premium bubbles. Tel: (02) 818 8888, @ritzcarltonabudhabi
Grills@Chill’O
Brunch alfresco this festive season at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche where there’s more than chesnuts roasting on an open fire. Diners can get stuck into a rotisserie-focused international buffet with live grills, roasted veal leg, prime ribs, honey glazed turkey and Atlantic salmon. Pair your meal with house drinks or bubbles, enjoy live music and, if you’ve sleighed the good behaviour this year, you might get some one-on-one time with Mr Kringle. Offer available both Christmas Eve and Day.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi. 12.30pm to 4pm. Dhs255 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks, Dhs395 bubbles, Dhs95 children from seven to 12 years. Tel: (0)2 813 7777. sofitelabudhabicorniche.com
Khayal
The Yuletide brunch at
Khayal is always an absolute cracker. Leap (red)nose first into the festive feels with a Santa’s sack proportioned buffet selection, six live stations and a meet and greet from the executive branch of the North Pole’s toy logistics and distrubution team.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Khalifa City, Dhs299 with soft drinks, add Dhs149 for house drinks (or Dhs199 for bubbles), kids under 12 Dhs99. Tel: (0)2 201 4131. marriott.com
Kuzbara
The festive edition of the Eat, Play, Laugh features all the usual wonderful favourites such as seafood stations, Indian tandoors, Asian counters, Malaysian cuisine, plus turkey, Christmas pudding and mulled wine.
Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, from Dhs275 to Dhs425.
Tel: (0)2 3047777. marriottdowntown abudhabilife.com
Nahaam & Sole
Choose between Nahaam serving casual classic favourites by the pool or Sole offering Italian delicacies. They’ll be performances and a Santa visit.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Dhs525 with soft drinks, Dhs625 with house drinks, Dhs725 with bubbly, Dhs200 for children six to 12 years, under sixes free. @conradetihadtowers
Oak Room
The Oak Room is hosting a very British Christmas, with added fine dining. Pick your three-hour session from the frosty window of 1pm to 5pm, and for anybody not ready to remove the paper crowns just yet, Annex is throwing a three-hour festive sunset session with bites, bubbles and bountiful beverages for Dhs368, including house drinks and bubbles.
The Abu Dhabi Edition, Dhs345 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs645 bubbles, after brunch package Dhs248 (soft) and Dhs368 (house). Tel: (0)2 208 0000. editionhotels.com