Festive food

Can’t face the thought of slaving away over a hot oven for another Christmas? Follow our lead and book the family a nice dinner out with this list of options.

English classics
For the 12 days of Christmas, The Ivy at Emirates Towers has a variety of delicious festive specials featured on its a la carte menu. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the restaurant will serve a beautiful four-course menu featuring traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, chocolate Buche du Noel with sour cherries and a white chocolate and peppermint bombe. Customers can choose from lunch or dinner, with prices from Dh450.
Call 04 319 8767

Festive barbie
Take advantage of the wonderful weather with an outdoor brunch. Cabana at The Address Dubai Mall promises to boost your spirits with a festive barbecue fired up by Chef Alain Gobeil and house DJ playing contemporary music. From 12.30 to 4pm, priced at Dh295 including unlimited selected beverages.
Call 04 438 8888

Go healthy
Have yourself a holistic Christmas. Balance Café, the wellness-themed restaurant at Oasis Center, features a mouth-watering combo treat comprising a selection of starters, main course and desserts for Dh79 from December 20 to January 5. On the menu are Mojo-style guinea fowl and chocolate mousse with exotic fruits, with the aim being to please distinct taste buds while offering, even to the most health conscious, a guilt-free option to indulge. The nutritious and value-for money offerings at the café have been consciously pieced together, keeping in mind the calorie content and effects of food groups on different body types.
Call 04 515 4051

Eat the world
Put the world on your plate at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. Their festive brunch brings together the best of all their different outlets for a festive buffet priced at Dh195 per person. Christmas delicacies from the Italian La Moda, Persian Shabestan and Japanese Minato complement Prime Rib Live Carving from the Palm Grill steakhouse. From 12:30 until 4pm.
Call 04 205 7033

Italian style
Try something different this year by going Italian at Christmas. Amici at the Yas Viceroy Hotel has an exceptional lunch menu designed for foodies. Begin with warm Parmesan fondant with black truffle and chicken livers puree, before moving on to roasted turkey with pumpkin, potato flan and porcini mushrooms and round it all off with the fantastically names Chocolate and Coffee Dome with Limoncello ice cream. From Dh395 including non-alcoholic beverages.
Call 02 656 0000

French exotica
Voi, at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, takes diners back to the beauty, romance and spirit of French colonial Southeast Asia in the 1920s. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, chefs at Voi will serve a five-course gourmet dinner priced at Dh690.
Call 04 453 0444

Desert delights
Give the family a year-end treat by escaping to the desert over Christmas weekend. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, hidden away in the heart of the Empty Quarter, has planned a variety of ways to celebrate. For the kids, an advance Festive Party on December 23, priced at Dh125, features a snack buffet with all their holiday favourites and a special present. On Christmas Eve, go gourmet at the Suhail rooftop bar and enjoy an exquisite five-course menu featuring fine meats and fresh seafood while enjoying sweeping views of the dunes. Priced at about Dh600 per person, including unlimited bubbly and mulled beverages. On Christmas Day, the resort’s Al Waha offers a sumptuous brunch buffet for about Dh250 per person. Rooms at the hotel begin at Dh1,400 per night.
Call 02 886 2088

Photo with Santa
Santa Claus makes his home at Sezzam, at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates until December 25. Children visiting can get their photo taken with the man himself in his grotto, while parents can enjoy the live carolling by the Kempinski Choir. Priced from Dh195 including soft drinks, from 11.30am to 5pm.
Call 04 409 5999