Abu Dhabi: Foodies, rejoice! Get ready to enjoy a sensational selection of sumptuous food in the UAE capital from December 7 to 23 as the annual Abu Dhabi Food Festival (ADFF) returns.
Spread over 17 days, ADFF will cook up a storm and bring food-lovers, families and friends together to enjoy not only cuisine from some of the best chefs, but also some of the most scrumptious food available in the region.
Running across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, ADFF will serve up 15 new feature events this year.
Here’s a look at what’s cooking:
Street Fest
This is where street art meets street food. Result? A mouthwatering street culture! Discover some of the best street food from over 40 international and UAE food trucks, trailers, carts and pop-ups. You will be amazed by the live creations of some of the best ‘street’ chefs and artists from Asia, Europe and America. There will be so much to see, taste and experience. Kids can take part in break dance workshops or see the pros battle it out in a crazy energetic boy battle. Plus there will be gigs by local and international hip hop and funk artists and a Funky Souk featuring local crafts vendors and their wares.
When: December 8-9, 4pm-12am
Where: Al Ain Zoo
Tickets: Dh40 per day
When: December 14-17, 21-23, 4pm-12am
Where: Lake Park, Corniche Abu Dhabi
Tickets: Dh30
Call: 800 555
Market to Kitchen
Take a chauffeured spin around Abu Dhabi’s local farmers markets and learn how to select the freshest produce with Market Kitchen’s chefs. Then head back to Market Kitchen for a front-row seat as the culinary team prepares the food before your eyes, sharing tips along the way.
When: December 9, 16 & 23, 10am
Where: Market Kitchen, Le Royal Meridien
Tickets: Free
Call: 800 101 101
Food and Fashion
Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi has partnered with Jumeirah at Etihad Towers to host a night of dinner and fashion where you can enjoy a three-course menu at the award-winning Li Beirut and view the latest creations of a selection of fashion designers.
When: December 9
Where: Li Beirut, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
Tickets: Dh300
Call: 800555
2kg Burger Challenge
Do you think you can take the challenge? The 2kg burger is served with steak fries and two large soft beverages. If you complete the challenge in 30 minutes or less the meal is on the house. Fail and you pay Dh149.
When: December 12-19, 7.30-10.30pm
Where: Hickory’s, Yas Links
Call: 02-810 7710
Longest Pizza in the UAE
Itzza Pizza in Abu Dhabi is aiming to raise the bar when it comes to creating pizza records. Known for its one-metre long pizzas, Itzza now plans to create an even longer pizza, in fact the longest pizza ever in the UAE.
So head over to Itzza Pizza to snap a pic of the record attempt and join in the fun. The place will also host a pizza eating competition.
When: December 19, 12-3pm
Where: Itzza Pizza, Airport Road
Tickets: Free
Call: 02-641 8182
Top Secret Long Table
This is the one event all foodies in the UAE wish they are invited to. It will take place in a top secret location and you can’t buy your way in. Only 1,000 guests will be handpicked by 10 food masters. There will be no marketing campaign, no website, no PR campaign, but just a simple message sent one hour before to the 1,000 guests.
When: December 8, 7pm-12am
Where: Secret location
Call: 800 555
Ripe Night Market
This is a community event that supports local businesses by giving them a platform to sell their produce. The Ripe Organic stand as well as other local organic farmers will be selling fruit and vegetables and other organic items including juices and superfoods. The event will also feature live cooking, arts, crafts, fashion, jewellery, fitness workshops, live entertainment, yoga and children’s activities among others.
When: December 9, 3-10pm
Where: Umm Al Emarat Park
Tickets: Dh5
Call: 800 555
40 Mule by Festember
Festember is back for the third consecutive year. The annual arts and entertainment festival is a platform that promotes local and regional entrepreneurs and emerging brands and products. This year’s edition, titled ‘40 Mule by Festember’, aims to showcase an edgy and modern pop-up dining concept.
When: December 13-17
Where: Um Al Emarat Park
Tickets: Dh50
Info: www.festember.co
Truckers Carnival
The perfect mix between a food truck festival and a fun fair, Truckers Carnival will take place daily in front of Marina Mall eye. Besides relishing sumptuous delights from food trucks, you will get to play 10 famous skill games that used to feature in travelling fairs of the 1960s. The food trucks will also be part of the game, as any purchase from them will unlock free tries at the games. To finish off the fun journey, the famous Luminarium giant inflatable installation will complete its Middle East tour at the Truckers Carnival.
When: December 7-23, 4-11pm
Where: Marina Mall parking
Tickets: Free (games are ‘pay as you play’ and journey through the Luminarium is Dh20)
Call: 800 555
Big Piknik
Big Piknik is a new food event concept where you will be asked to use the Piknik, red and white checkered blankets and select a comfortable spot on the thick grass. Giant food items will make up the décor and give the impression to the visitors that the giants could come alive any moment. How would you like a two-metre high ice cream cone for desert? Or a one metre large donut?
When: December 22-23, 12-10pm
Where: Umm Al Emarat Park
Tickets: Free
Call: 800 555
Beach Feast
Imagine being transported to the beaches of Jamaica for a weekend; this is what you can expect at the Beach Feast whilst offering a menu that is definitely synonymous with the Caribbean islands. Jerk Chicken, Banana plantin from Jamaica, Coucou and Flying fish from Barbados, Pepperpot from Guyana are just a few of the national dishes which you will be able to enjoy at the Beach Feast.
When: December 15-16
Where: Yas Beach
Tickets: Dh30
Call: 800 555
Delicious Cinema
Set within the unique arts and culture hub Manarat Al Saadiyat, this dinner soirée will take visitors through a culinary and cinematographic journey composed of five movies and five meals. So get ready for a culinary and cinematographic journey.
When: December 22-23, 6-11pm
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat
Tickets: Dh190
Call: 800 555
Truckers Exit
This rough and tough, no frill set-up right next to the Tyre Repair shop in Ghantoot will see a weekly rotation of some of the best food trucks in the country. This will also be one of the spots to get all the information on all the activities going on during ADFF and to buy some promotional packages.
When: Until December 23, 1-11pm
Where: Shaikh Zayed Road
Tickets: Free
Call: 800 555
Truckers park
Food trucks will stop by at Madinat Zayed Public Park, Al Dhafra. The truckers vibe will not be complete without the musical atmosphere created by some of the best local bands and DJs performing live. When it comes to kids activities, the Funky Souk will help make it an event not to be missed for the whole family.
When: December 15-16, 2-11pm
Where: Madinat Zayed Public Park, Al Dhafra
Tickets: Dh10
Call: 800 555
Zomato Abu Dhabi
Restaurant Week
You will have access to set menus at some of Abu Dhabi’s premier restaurants for a reduced fixed price as part of Zomato Abu Dhabi Restaurant Week. You will be able to order the special menus directly from the Zomato platform and dine in the comfort of your home.
When: December 7-21
Where: City-wide
Call: 800 555
