Family friendly
Azur
For an ideal family dining spot this Christmas Day, head to Azur at Raffles Dubai, where, as the grown-ups tuck into the quintessential festive feast with all the trimmings, the kids can duck in and out of dinner, to join in with all the entertainment on offer at the
restaurant. With clowns and face painting to be enjoyed, there’ll also be a special visit from Santa Claus to enthrall the littl’uns.
Cost From Dh299 (Under 12s, Dh150, and children under six go free)
Raffles Dubai. December 25, 12.30pm-3.30pm. Call 04 324 8888
Bubblicious
Enjoy a delicious traditional but very bubbly Christmas Day with dishes from Mina Seyahi’s Blue Orange, Hunter’s and Spice Emporium restaurants. In the bubbly package at the family fave, sip on free-flowing Laurent Perrier and other house beverages, and enjoy the in-house jazz band. And for the kids, there’s acrobats, a petting zoo and a visit from Father Christmas.
Cost From Dh590 (Under 12s Dh300)
Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. December 25, 1pm-4pm. Call
04 399 4141
Horizon
Gather your nearest and dearest for a Christmas to treasure, that’s close to the beach but without actually getting your toes wet. As Santa Claus drops by to pay a visit to the children, tuck into Horizon’s delicious international buffet, which will be stocked full of delicious treats, including traditional favourites, as well as fresh salads, Middle Eastern fare and a mind-boggling array of desserts.
Cost From Dh249 (Under 12s Dh125)
Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. December 25, 12.30pm-4pm. Call 04 428 2000
Traditional
Fairways
Keep your festivities traditional this year at the newly opened Fairways at the Westin Abu Dhabi. A full festive spread will be on offer, including roast turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding for dessert. And all of the children who have been good this year will be visited by Santa, with a choir on hand to perform festive songs throughout the day.
Cost From Dh450
Westin Abu Dhabi. December 25, 12.30pm-4pm. Call 02 616 9999
Mazina
Savour all of your festive favourites at Mazina at the well-located Marina hotel, with a special Christmas Day brunch. Promising to be stocked full of all the most-loved traditional treats you just can’t be bothered to cook yourself this year, pile your plate high with roast turkey, roast potatoes and mince pies – plus, there’s a delicious eggnog station too.
Cost Dh395
The Address Dubai Marina. December 25, 12.30-4pm. Call 04 436 7777
Rivington Grill
This perfectly British restaurant is opening its doors to two set-menu sittings on Christmas Day that will give homesick Brits a bit of a fuzzy feeling thanks to the traditional music, crackers on the tables and gifts under the tree. Tuck into a three-course meal, choosing from a variety of starters including artichoke soup and truffled scones, a delicious turkey main with all the trimmings and a selection of desserts, including Christmas pudding, plus eggnog.
Cost Dh500
Souk Al Bahar, Dubai. December 25, 12pm-2pm or 2pm-4pm. Call 04 423 0903
All out glam
Al Dawaar
Treat yourself to some glamorous Christmas celebrations at Dubai’s iconic revolving restaurant, Al Dawaar. As you take in the ever-changing views across the city, you can enjoy the delicious spread of classic roast turkey and traditional roast beef, or avoid the traditional route altogether and opt for succulent seafood with hammour, salmon, oysters and more on offer.
Cost Dh220
Hyatt Regency Dubai & Galleria. December 25, 12.30pm-3.30pm. Call 04 317 2222
Amwaj
For a Christmas Day with more than a dash of sophistication, head to the ultra-chic, nautical-inspired surroundings of the Shangri-La’s Amwaj. Don your most stylish frock and enjoy the festive pre-brunch cocktail reception, before tucking into an extensive seafood spread for starters as you enjoy the live jazz performance from the band. Pick your main course from the chef’s à la carte menu and then tuck into the buffet of tempting desserts to finish off your festive meal. And, in true Christmas form, there’ll be
a prize draw, so you could be taking home a special prize to top off your super-chic day!
Cost From Dh250
Shangri-La Dubai. December 25, 12pm-3pm. Call 04 343 8888
Latitude
Get glammed up for a Christmas Day celebration at Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Latitude restaurant. The impressive bubbly brunch will include all the traditional and brunch faves, so expect turkey, as well as Asian fusion, Arabic and Italian delights. Choose a table indoors or spend the day al fresco on the terrace. Also try some of the most impressive gingerbread creations you’ve ever seen for dessert.
Cost From Dh495
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. December 25, 12.30pm-4pm. Call 04 406 8999
Something different
Cabana
If you fancy casting all the usual traditions aside and having a totally different Christmas Day, then head down to the super-chilled BBQ Brunch at Cabana, which is sure to be nothing like sitting at the dinner table wearing a novelty knit. Relax poolside as Chef Alain Gobeil fires up the barbie, cooking Angus beef burgers, a selection of seafood, lemon chilli-marinated quail and turkey for those who simply can’t do without. Plus, there’ll be a DJ playing some fun, festive tunes too. We’ll be requesting Last Christmas!
Cost From Dh225
The Address Dubai Mall. December 25, 12.30pm-4pm. Call 04 888 3444
Bateaux Dubai
Hop onboard the Bateaux and enjoy your Christmas Day with sweeping views of old Dubai along the Creek. Tuck into a delicious three-course lunch and sip unlimited beverages as you dine accompanied by the live entertainment for a totally unique way to spend the day.
Cost Dh580
Moored on the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek opposite the British Embassy. December 25, 1.30pm-4pm. Call 04 399 4994
Al Waha
For the ultimate UAE Christmas Day, travel through the Liwa Desert to the amazing Qasr Al Sarab resort and enjoy your festive dinner with fantastic views across the dune. Sample delicious meats and the freshest seafood from the tranquil comfort of Al Waha restaurant, as well as a delicious Christmas dinner buffet, sipping on festive mulled wine.
Cost From Dh250
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi. December 25, sittings throughout the day. Call 02 886 2088
Fun with friends
Spice Island
One of the most popular spots for group dining in Dubai is opening its doors to the Christmas crowds for a traditional spread with their trademark international twist. Expect all the faves, including roast turkey with must-have sage and onion stuffing and gravy, Beef Wellington with red wine sauce and roast potatoes, and live cooking stations which will be serving up Italian, Mongolian, Tandoori and Japanese treats. Plus, in-house band, Sugar Free, will be blasting out Christmas hits.
Cost From Dh249
Crowne Plaza Deira, Dubai. December 25, 12pm-4pm. Call 04 262 5555
Yalumba
With free-flowing Taittinger Brut Reserve NV and a lavish buffet, offering up
a spectacular Christmas Day array of food and all things merry, Yalumba is guaranteed to be a blast this Christmas. Enjoy seafood platters, filled to the brim with gravlax, lobster and seafood terrine, and traditional carving stations with all the turkey and cranberry sauce you could desire. Or you could take the Aussie route and tuck into kangaroo.
Cost From Dh599
Le Méridien Dubai. December 25, 4pm-9pm. Call 04 702 2455
Carnevale
The name says it all, and the bubbly brunch at Carnevale is a fail-safe for a memorable Christmas Day with your friends. With the buzzing atmos courtesy of its Italian roots – and Italian-inspired Christmas menu on the day – an unbeatable view of the Burj Al Arab and a four-course set meal, including house beverages, for a fantastic Christmas vibe like mama used to make, head on down.
Cost Dh400
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. December 25, 12.30pm-6pm. Call 04 406 8999
For grown-ups
Al Muntaha
Could there be anywhere as photo-op-worthy as enjoying your Dubai Christmas at one of the city’s most iconic spots, the Burj Al Arab? Enjoy your festive celebrations 200 metres above the beach, gazing over the Arabian Gulf in one of the most elegant spots in Dubai – the Al Muntaha restaurant. The chic eatery will be serving up a delicious fusion of contemporary, fine dining European cuisine, with the mixture of grown-up glamour and delicious food making for a perfect Chistmas Day – and the ideal spot to take visiting friends and family. Then, after dinner, why not head up to Sky Bar, to while away the afternoon in the hotel’s super-chic – and super-famous – venue? Remember though, you must book tables in advance.
Cost Dh580
Burj Al Arab, Dubai. December 25, 10am-3pm. Call 04 301 7600
Quest
For the ultimate grown-up’s Christmas, book in at the newly opened Quest in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. Sixty-three floors up in this modern fine-dining restaurant, you’ll enjoy 360º views of the city, and the festive four-course menu Chef de Cuisine, Benjamin Whatt, has prepared especially for the occasion. Lunch includes soft beverages and bubbly on arrival.
Cost From Dh610
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi. December 25, 12pm-3.30pm. Call 02 811 5555
Nineteen
Enjoy Christmas with a little extra sophistication this year, as you sample an array of culinary delights and refreshing beverages while looking out across the 18th hole of the manicured golf course outside this stylish restaurant. With a main buffet area to choose from, the selection isn’t as huge as you may find elsewhere, but the offerings are more thoughtful and the setting more chilled. We like.
Cost From Dh315
The Address Montgomerie, Dubai. December 25, 12pm-3.30pm. Call 04 390 5600
