Looking for a fabulously festive place to feed the fam on Christmas Day, Mama? Celebrate in style in one of these family-friendly venues – but make sure you are quick, as tables are filling up fast!
1. West 14th
What’s the best thing about staying in Dubai over Christmas, Mamas? The weather, of course! So why not embrace beautiful December temperatures by heading to a festive beach BBQ on Christmas Day? When it comes to fabulous food in a truly stunning setting, West 14th is top of our list – and their Christmas Day BBQ will create festive memories the whole family will treasure forever. Start by taking your pick from a tempting selection of salads, before tucking into plates of BBQ Christmas Turkey, Turkey & Stuffing Skewers, and Lamb Roast (there’s nothing like Christmas lunch cooked on a BBQ, right Mamas?). And for those with a sweet tooth, there will be a tempting selection of festive desserts to finish your meal in style, while the kids enjoy live entertainment throughout the day and a magical visit from Santa Claus. It’s the perfect way to celebrate in style!
1pm-4pm. West 14th, Oceana Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah (+971) (0) 4 44 77601, reservation@west14th.ae
Price: Adults: 250 AED (soft drinks), 420 AED (house beverages), 499 (house beverages and bubbles). Kids: 99 AED (6-12 years old), Complimentary (Up to 5 years).
2. Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate – Al Bahou
If you’ve been lucky enough to sample the family-friendly brunch at Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate in the past, you will know that it’s one of the best in town for kiddos – and it gets even better on Christmas Day! Kicking off at 12.30pm, Al Bahou is the perfect place to head with the family to carry on the celebrations after all the gifts are unwrapped. Excited littlies can expect a plethora of fun activities, including face painters, a movie theatre, a bouncy castle, Christmas carols, and a jolly visit from Santa – and that’s not to mention the food, which will delight young and old alike with offerings from all of the hotel’s restaurants to make sure there is something to tempt every palette (including turkey and all the trimmings, of course!) Meanwhile, kids can take their pick from their own “Power Bites Buffet Station”, filled to the brim with yummy savouries and sweet treats!
12.30pm-4.00pm, Al Bahou, Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate (+971) (04) 444 5613, dine.ibnbattuta@movenpick.com
Price: Adults: 449 AED (soft beverages), 599 AED (house beverages) and 799 AED (champagne package). Kids: 225 AED (7-12 years), 99 AED (3-6 years), Complimentary (Up to 2 years).
3. Al Qasr – The Hide
When stockings have been opened and presents have been unwrapped, it’s time to head to lunch – and the Christmas Brunch at The Hide, Al Qasr, will definitely keep the festive spirit alive. The kids will be delighted to discover the American-style restaurant decorated like a winter wonderland – and the food won’t disappoint either, with classics including roast turkey with homemade cranberry sauce (we’re licking our lips just thinking about it!) A two-piece band will keep the festive tunes rolling, whilst a visit from Santa (bearing gifts, of course!) will conclude the perfect day!
12.30pm-4pm. The Hide, Jumeirah Al Qasr. (+971) (0)4 432 3232, restaurants@jumeirah.com
Price: Adults: 750 AED (soft drinks), 850 AED (house beverages). Kids: 375 AED (4-11 years), Complimentary (Up to 3 years)
4. Anantara The Palm – Crescendo
If you are looking for a brunch where the festivities just keep coming, the Fork & Cork Brunch at Crescendo is the place to take the fam. Live cooking stations will keep the traditional, festive fayre coming (as you take in those fabulous views of the coast), whilst there will be festive decorations at every turn, lively tunes, and a special raffle draw at the end of the brunch with some seriously covetable prizes. And if the kids are hoping for a special guest, they’ll be in luck – as a visitor from the North Pole will also be attending, with a bag of exciting gifts to hand out to lucky little diners!
1pm-4pm. Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. (+971) (0)4 567 8304. restaurants.dubai@anantara.com
Price: Adults: 345 AED (soft drinks), 499 AED (house beverages), 599 AED (bubbly), 699 AED (champagne). Kids: 175 AED (6-11 years), Complimentary (up to 5 years).
5. Bab Al Shams – Al Forsan
Camel rides on Christmas Day? No problem, Mama – if you book the Christmas Day Festive Brunch at Bab Al Shams, that is! Imagine sitting back and enjoying beautiful desert views, sumptuous plates of food, and the sound of carol singers as you soak up the festivities. Meanwhile, the kids will be busy with camel and pony rides, getting their faces painted, and enjoying performances from jugglers, kite flyers, and magicians. Sounds like the perfect day, right Mamas?
1pm-4pm. Al Forsan, Bab Al Shams. (+971) (0)4 809 6194 BAS.Restaurants@meydanhotels.com
Price; Adults: 445 AED (soft drinks), 595 AED (house beverages), 795 AED (bubbles). Kids: 223 AED.
6. Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club – Palermo
Finished unwrapping the presents, Mama? It’s time to head over to Palermo at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, where you will enjoy a fabulously festive afternoon with the family! Head over to the live cooking stations to create your perfect Christmas lunch (with all the trimmings, of course) – and get ready to see the magic in the eyes of the kiddos, with pony rides, a bouncy castle, and plenty of festive entertainment to keep the smile on their face all day long!
1pm-4pm. Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. (+971) (0)4 362 7880
Price: Adults: 375 AED (soft drinks), 475 AED (house beverages). Kids: 110 AED (6-11 years old), Complimentary (up to 5 years).
7. Fairmont The Palm – Flow Kitchen
The Sassy Mama team (and our littlies) are big fans of the Falcon Kids Club at Fairmont The Palm – and every little guest of the Christmas Day Brunch at Flow Kitchen gets free access throughout the afternoon, where they can take part in lots of fun, festive activities on a first-come-first-served basis)! Meanwhile, the brunch itself will feature a lavish selection of different cuisines (including turkey and all the trimmings, of course!), along with a delicious spread of festive deserts and specially designed cocktails. We’ll say cheers to that!
12.30pm-3.30pm. Flow Kitchen, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. (+971) (0)4 457 3457. Palm.Dining@Fairmont.com
Price: Adults: 355 AED (soft drinks), 495 AED (house beverages). Half price (6-12 years old), Complimentary (under 5 years).
8. Jumeirah Beach Hotel – Beachcombers
Get ready for some festive magic at the Beachcombers Christmas Day Brunch, which will serve a traditional Christmas fayre in its beautiful beachside location. Both adults and littlies will be impressed by the spread of food and drink on offer (including a dedicated buffet area for kids) – and as we’d expect from this family-friendly venue, there will be lots of festive-themed activities to keep the kids busy, including balloon bending, face painting, an acrobat show, and a visit from the man in red to hand out presents to lucky kiddos!
1pm-4pm. Beachcombers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. (+971) (0)4 432 3232, restaurants@jumeirah.com
Prices: Adults: 685 AED (prosecco brunch), 750 AED (champagne brunch). Teens: 520 AED (12-20 years). Kids: 175 AED (4-11 years), Complimentary (up to 3 years).
9. Manzil Downtown – Boulevard Kitchen
Fancy taking in a stunning city vista as you tuck into your Christmas lunch, Mama? That can be arranged at Manzil Downtown’s ‘Festive Brunch With a View’ at Boulevard Kitchen. A great one to take visiting friends and family, the brunch will be set over two floors, with spectacular views of Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and the open kitchen. And let’s not forget the food, as the whole family will be licking their lips when they catch sight of the selection of delicious regional dishes. Can we join your table, Mama?
1pm-5pm. Manzil Downtown, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Old Town. (+971) (0)4 423 8899. connect.downtown@vida-hotels.com
Price: Adults: 225 AED (soft drinks), 325 AED (house beverages). Kids: 115 AED (6-11 years), Complimentary (Up to 5 years).
10. Meliá Dubai – Estrellas Rooftop Lounge
If your perfect day features sunshine, pool dips, a delicious spread of food and drink, and chilled soundtracks, Spanish hotel Meliá Dubai is the place to head on Christmas Day with the family! The hotel’s Christmas Pool and Lunch Brunch will take place at Estrellas Rooftop Lounge – and while the adults eat and drink in the sunshine, the kids won’t be forgotten with a giant gingerbread house, fun kid’s corner, and an appearance by Santa Claus himself!
1pm-5pm. Meliá Dubai, Port Rashid (+971) (04) 386 8111, melia.dubai@melia.com
Price: Adults: 199 AED (soft drinks), 299 AED (house beverages). Kids: 99 AED (6-12 years), Complimentary (up to 5 years).