One of the best holidays of the year for foodies is Christmas, with its spread of delectable sides, rich desserts and, of course, the bird – the star of the show.
For those of you not cooking this year – and why would you, when the finest chefs and restaurants reside in our very own city? Here’s our guide for dining out in Dubai, featuring Christmas Eve dinners, Christmas day brunches, traditional feasts and international fare.
Christmas Eve In Dubai
Raffles Dubai
Celebrate Christmas Eve at Raffles Dubai, where they will be spreading the Christmas vibe by transforming their ballroom into a market with roasted chestnuts, a four meter high gingerbread house and carvery.
Address: Raffles Hotel, Oud Metha, Dubai
Time: 7pm to 11:30pm
Price: Dhs345, Dhs495 (With Beverages)
Tel: (04) 3248888
Marco Pierre White Grill
This is our top pick for Christmas Eve dinner!
Marco Pierre White will be serving this extravagant and elegant menu: chestnut soup and scallops with a beetroot, yuzu and truffle sauce, followed by Barbary duck with butternut squash and juniper berries. Last but not least, a delicious sticky toffee pudding with whisky parfait and hazelnut crepe.
There’s no need to say more – the menu says it all!
Address: Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Date: Dec 15 to 24
Time: 8pm
Price: Dhs650
Tel: (04) 4447444
Reform Social & Grill
How about some traditional British food this year for Christmas? Enjoy their set menu or if you’d like, you can take your kids and enjoy their outdoor area where they will be having a family style BBQ with turkey burgers and minced pies.
Address: The Lakes, Emirates Hills, Dubai
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Price: Dhs350 (With Beverages)
Tel: (04) 4542638
The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill
Mulled wine anyone? The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill will be giving out complimentary mulled wine all day, so if you’re thinking wine with a two-course festive feast, then this is definitely the place to be.
Address: Citymax Hotel, Al Barsha
Time: Noon to 11pm
Price: Dhs75 (With Beverages)
Tel: (04) 3198767
Teatro
Teatro will drive your taste buds wild this Christmas by serving you a four-course set menu of their best signature dishes.
Address: Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed, Dubai
Price: Dhs399
Tel: (04) 3438000
Fogo Vivo
If you’re not a traditional Christmas kind of person, then this is the place for you. Latino music will be taking its place with a delicious Brazilian buffet.
We told you they’re different!
Address: JA Ocean View, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
Time: 7pm to midnight
Price: Dhs245, Dhs345 (with beverages)
Tel: (04) 8145599
Jamie’s Italian
Known for their delicious Venetian fish stew, Jamie Oliver’s first international Italian arm will make sure you have an unforgettable Christmas doing what they do best.
Address: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Road Dubai
Time: Noon to Midnight
Price: Dhs429
Tel: (04) 3808890
Armani Ristorante
The first thing that comes to mind when you read Armani is elegance, and that’s what they’ll be delivering this Christmas. Enjoy Armani’s six-course blend of classic and contemporary Italian dishes.
Address: Armani Hotel, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown, Dubai
Time: 7pm to 11:30pm
Price: Dhs1, 250 (with paired beverages)
Tel: (04) 8883444
Rixos The Palm
Enjoy your holidays under the stars this year to the tune of a live saxophonist and the perfect Turkish influenced Christmas seafood fair.
Address: East Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Price: Dhs270
Tel: (04) 4575555
Christmas Day In Dubai
Talk Restaurant & Lounge
Offering you a Russian-inspired menu on Christmas, make sure you join them for brunch with live jazz music.
Address: Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Duabi
Time: 12:30pm to 4pm
Price: Dhs250
Tel: (04) 4498888
The Ivy
Enjoy your meal with Ciaran Fox, Rachael Calladine and pianist Stoyan Stoyanov. Make sure you leave some room for their four-course set menu.
Address: The Westin Dubai Seyahi, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Price: Dhs550 to Dhs790 (with bubbly and house beverages)
Tel: (04) 3994141
QUBE Sports Bar
Instead of doing what you do every Christmas, maybe it’s time for a change – go out with a group for a game of pool, darts or shuffleboard this year.
Address: The Meydan Hotel, Dubai
Time: Noon to 4pm
Price: Dhs279 (with beverages)
Tel: (04) 3813780
Roberto’s
If you are all about tradition, then this is definitely the place to be! Serving you their classic roast turkey, homemade pumpkin ravioli and oven baked lasagna.
Think Italian style!
Address: Building 1, DIFC, Dubai
Time: Noon to 3pm
Price: Dhs380
Tel: (04) 3860066
The Gramercy
The Gramercy’s mouth watering three course Christmas lunch is sure to make you feel the Christmas vibe you’ve been looking for, featuring a slow roasted turkey and cinnamon glazed sweet potatoes.
And as soon as you arrive you get a glass of bubbly on the house!
Address: Building 3, DIFC, Dubai
Time: Noon to 4pm
Price: Dhs225
Tel: (04) 4377511
The Rivington
Take a trip to England this Christmas with Rivington’s four-course dinner, serving you turkey, roast quail, Stilton cheese, Yorkshire Parkin cake, clementine arctic roll and sweet sherry trifle.
That’s not it! What’s Christmas without presents? All diners will get a gift from under the tree. Excited?
Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai or Souk Al Bahar, Dubai
Time: Noon to 11pm
Price: Dhs450
Tel: (04) 3666464 – (04) 4230903
McGettigan’s
They’ve gone the full nine yards with their decorations to make you feel at home. At both their branches, McGettigan’s is offering a three-course meal – turkey and ham and every side you can imagine.
Address: McGettigan’s JLT, McGettigan’s World Trade Centre, Dubai
Time: Noon to 4pm
Price: Dhs160
Tel: (04) 3780800
Maya
Craving something other than turkey and the stuffing this year? Who said you can’t enjoy Christmas with some guacamole and tacos?
And on the water! The premium package underneath also offers access to the pool and beach.
Address: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, Dubai
Time: Noon to 4pm
Price: Dhs350, Dhs450 (With Beverages)
Tel: (04) 3165550
Sloane’s
Celebrate Christmas this year with Santa! Sloane’s is not only offering you a turkey, but also beef wellington and prime ribs if you’re a meat lover.
Address: Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Price: Dhs420, Dhs550 (With Beverages)
Tel: (04) 3176000
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
No matter where you’re from or how far away you feel from home, Jumeriah’s Creekside Hotel is offering an international feast this year, with a classic festival featuring cuisines from around the world.
Address: Sheikh Rashid Road, Garhoud, Dubai
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Price: Dhs275, Dhs375 (With Beverages), Dhs575 with bubbly
Tel: (04) 2308555
Al Dawaar
How about enjoying the holidays on a revolving rooftop restaurant? Enjoy Al Dawaar’s Christmas spread this year with their turkey, salmon, oysters, duck and much more.
Address: Hyatt Regency Dubai, Deira Corniche, Dubai
Time: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Price: Dhs220
Tel: (04) 2091234
WE SAID THIS: Merry Christmas from the Empire!