This time last year I was in the midst of deliberating where to have the all important Christmas Day lunch in Dubai. With so many options available it’s fair to say you are spoilt for choice. If you’re feeling a bit bewildered by all the options available then I’ve updated the list of favourites for 2019 to help with your decision making. Some are very popular and others already sold out so get your skates on if you haven’t already booked yours…
For the wow and ‘only in Dubai’ factor…
Al Qasr, the Madinat
The Al Qasr Christmas brunch is similar to their famous Friday brunches (see our review here) with extra Christmas cheer and dazzle. This has the wow factor in abundance with food from across their three restaurants – The Hide, Arboretum & Al Hambra. The setting alone is enough to impress. This is the perfect choice if you want to do Christmas in true Dubai fashion but you’ll be lucky if you bag yourself a table, it’s a popular (and pricey!) one.
Price
AED 895 per person including Champagne | AED 795 per person including alcoholic beverages | AED 695 per person including soft beverages | AED 350 for children aged 4 to 11 | Children below 4 years of age dine with compliments.
Mina A’Salam
Another great option if you’ve missed out on the above is it’s neighbour – the Mina A’Salam Christmas brunch which features their two restaurants Tortuga and Hanaaya. This is another favourite Friday brunch for the wow factor (full review here) and is very impressive both in terms of food and location.
Price
This brunch is ever so slightly cheaper coming in at AED 850 per person including Champagne or AED 750 per person including alcoholic beverages. The soft drinks package is AED 500 per person and it’s AED 200 per person for children aged 4 to 11. Children below the age of 4 dine with compliments. Both brunches run from 12:30 to 16:00.
Kitchen Connection, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Revamped last year the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is offering a Christmas day brunch at their Kitchen Connection restaurant (previously Latitude). As with all the Jumeirah options expect high quality offerings and a wide range of choice here. There’s also views of the Burj Al Arab for the perfect Dubai post brunch pictures.
Price
Soft drinks package is AED 545, house beverages AED 720 and bubbles AED 785.
If you’ve missed out on the brunches for the above options it’s worth noting that they also offer Christmas Day dinners in the evening from a la carte offerings to buffets. Most are available on Christmas Eve too.
For the party lovers…
Wanderlust, JW Marriott Marquis – Business Bay
If you’re looking to see Christmas in with a party then Wanderlust brunch in Business Bay might be the perfect choice. It also has a wide range of food options with live cooking stations, as well as a good selection of drinks of course. It’s also a reasonable price for a Christmas Day brunch.
Price
At AED 425 for house beverages this is a reasonable option. You can also add Tattinger bubbles for AED 545 all in. It runs from 1-4pm.
For a taste of Britain…
The Scene
Always a popular one if you’re missing home at Christmas time. This Pier 7 restaurant by Brit Simon Rimmer will bring the UK to you with some great British fare plus amazing Marina views! The Christmas Day menu is a 5 course affair with all the classics you can expect from a British Christmas Day.
Price
The price starts from AED 375 for 5 courses and soft drinks, with the house beverage package coming in at AED 550 or AED 650 for bubbles too.
The Croft
The Croft is another option if you’re looking for a British option and a traditional Christmas choice. This is a set menu rather than a brunch with a choice of starter, main and dessert. There’s the traditional roast as well as Beef Wellington or Salmon to take your fancy. Although the view isn’t quite as spectacular as The Scene (with the current building work opposite!), it still has an outdoor area if you wanted to take advantage of the weather or sit inside to see the chefs in action with the open plan kitchen.
Price
This is a really reasonable option at AED 199 for food only or AED 349 for 2 hours of house beverages. As it’s not a brunch as such there’s also more flexibility on when you dine with servings from midday until late.
If you want to ditch the Turkey for something different…
Prime 68 Steakhouse, JW Marriott Marquis – Business Bay
For the wow factor and excellent steak Prime 68 is the perfect choice to tempt diners with. If you haven’t visited you’re in for a treat not only from the food but also from the amazing views as the restaurant is situated at the top of the JW Marriott Marquis Towers. This brunch runs 1-4pm.
Price
AED 650 with house beverages.
Hakkasan
A new addition at Atlantis joining Nobu and Yuan is the famous Hakkasan. If you like your Christmas with a Cantonese twist then this could be the perfect choice.
Price
This an evening option from 6.30 – 11pm and prices starting at AED 498.
The kid pleasers…
Flow Kitchen, Fairmont – The Palm
A popular one for all the family. There’s excellent food on offer in the form of a traditional Dubai style brunch here as well as a wide range of entertainment for the kids. It’s a great option on the Palm as an all rounder and crowd pleaser. It’s on 12.30 – 3.30pm.
Price
AED 395 (soft drinks), AED 495 (for house beverages). AED 198 (6-12), and free (below 6 years).
The Irish Village, Garhoud – SOLD OUT
The Irish Village is another traditional option and a very reasonable one at that. The kids are covered too with a visit from Santa and a gift. There’s also live music to keep everyone entertained.
Price
AED 199 for food and AED 99 for children.
Other favourites…
Eat & Meat – No. 1 Sheikh Zayed Road (H Hotel), World Trade Centre
Hollywood Brunch, Delphine – Dubai
One of my favourite Dubai brunches and the one we ended up going for last year. The Hollywood Brunch offers a Christmas Day brunch with a great buffet selection plus a wide selection of set menu options. Make sure you save room for the desserts! There’s brilliant live entertainment on offer too. Plus the decorations are amazing! The icing on the cake is that this is also 2 for 1 on the festive offers as part of the Entertainer, – rarity on Christmas Day!
Price
AED 450 for food and sparkling package or AED 350 for soft drinks package.
Nineteen, The Address Montgomerie Emirates Hills
Another favourite, this venue is a welcomed oasis with beautiful terrace views although the interior is pretty as well. It’s a relaxed affair for all the family with visits from Santa too. You can expect all the traditional fare here as well as a few Italian classics thrown in for good measure!
Price
AED 590 (house) or AED 450 soft drinks.