Easter Sunday is on April 21 this year, and restaurants and hotels in the UAE are celebrating it with themed menus, egg hunts and edible gifts galore.
THE GIFTS
Pick up - or cook up - something delicious for your loved ones this Easter. There are chocolate eggs, sweet baked treats and even a do-it-yourself dinner to make your holiday even more special.
Baker & Spice
Until Monday, April 22
Baker & Spice has organic Easter Treats including bunny-ear-shaped cookies, hot cross buns – both chocolate and traditional – and bunny-ear cupcakes in flavours such as blueberry, mint, carrot, Earl Grey tea and red velvet. The sweets are decorated using natural food colouring such as pink from beetroot powder, yellow from saffron and green from spinach.
From Dh8 for bunny-ear cookies; from Dh12 for hot cross buns; from Dh18 for bunny-ear cupcakes, Baker & Spice locations across Dubai, 04 427 9856
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Kibsons
Kibsons and celebrity chef Jenny Morris have created two do-it-yourself boxes in time for Easter celebrations. With a handy recipe card packed inside, you can create a delicious holiday meal. Enjoy a Greek-style Easter lamb with spinach and roasted potato salad (from Dh150), a seared tuna and quinoa salad (from Dh90), and if you have a table full of guests, get both.
Kibsons, available across the UAE, 800 5427667, www.kibsons.com
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Maison Pierre Marcolini
Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini has launched a playful collection of sweets for Easter that celebrate the joys of childhood. The Lovely Hearts family includes traditionally made ganache and pralines and the Easter collection included miniature animals and eggs, as well as hearts shaped like the ears of a magician’s rabbit and little bow ties adorning eggs and other chocolate treats.
From Dh140 for 12 miniature eggs; from Dh205 for 30 miniature animals, Maison Pierre Marcolini, lower ground floor, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 04 551 1000, www.thedubaimall.com
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Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer has Easter treats including the Swiss Chocolate Bennet Bunny (from Dh199), which is almost one kilogram of sculpted chocolate; Moonbeam the Unicorn (from Dh49); and various eggs perfect for hunts, such as the Hide & Seek Egg Hunt Bag (from Dh19) and the solid milk Choccy Eggs (from Dh19). The Swiss Milk Chocolate Egg has hazelnuts and mini eggs (from Dh79) and there’s even the Made Without Dairy Dark Chocolate Egg (from Dh59) for milk-free options. You’ll also find Luxury Hot Cross Buns from (Dh16) and a gluten-free alternative (from Dh25), as well as the non-traditional Salted Caramel and Chocolate Buns and the Mini Chocolate Hot Cross Buns (both from Dh16).
Marks & Spencer locations across the UAE, www.marksandspencerme.com
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MEAL DEALS
We found a number of great deals with brunches and dinners offering a little something egg-stra, including two-for-one deals, vouchers, pool access, kids' events and more.
Bread Street Kitchen
Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21
Bread Street Kitchen hosts two Easter events this weekend. On Friday, the Easter brunch offers families a relaxing dining experience with a culinary masterclass for children as well as playground activities in addition to the annual egg hunt. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the BSK Saturday and Sunday Roast and savour traditional British staple as well as an a la carte menu.
12.30pm to 4pm on April 19, from Dh240; noon to 3pm on April 20 and April 21, from Dh135, Bread Street Kitchen, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 426 2626, restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com
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Wavehouse
Saturday, April 20
Book your spot at the Easter bunny Brunch at Wavehouse, where adults can enjoy the live music, sharing starters, main courses and desserts, while children can keep busy at the Easter egg hunt with Wendell The Rabbit, a mini kids’ buffet in the cinema room, face-painting and unlimited soft play as well as a Dh100 card to play at the Levels arcade.
1pm to 4pm, from Dh199, Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 426 2626, restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com
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JA The Resort
Saturday, April 20
Celebrate Easter with a brunch and egg hunt at Palmito Garden at JA The Resort in Dubai. The brunch includes salad stations, tapas, meat carveries, barbecue stations and dessert stations with Easter eggs, chocolate fountains and more. The menu features confit duck terrine, roast prime rib, butter chicken curry, grilled salmon, and desserts such as nougat sultan, chocolate tart and banoffee pie. There will be bouncy castles, arts and crafts, face-painting, stall games and a mini-golf course. The egg hunt is for both children and adults, and the Easter bunny has hidden prizes in the sand. Enjoy complimentary pool and beach access, too.
12.30pm to 4pm, from Dh190, Palmito Garden, JA The Resort, Dubai, 04 814 5604, restaurant.reservations@jaresorts.com
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Flow Kitchen, Fairmont The Palm
Friday, April 19 and Sunday, April 21
Brunch at Flow Kitchen features a variety of specialities and favourite Easter dishes. Children between 18 months and 16 years can enjoy complimentary access to the Falcon Kids Club for painting, arts and crafts, and an Easter-egg hunt, as well as a petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, ducks and more.
12.30pm to 3.30pm, from Dh395, Flow Kitchen, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 457 3457, palm.dining@fairmont.com
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Zoco
Friday, April 19
Zoco offers a Mexican and Latin American-style Easter with a brunch feast and egg hunt. Chef Manuel Sanchez and his team cook up dishes such as Veracruz-style fish, lamb barbacoa, Mexican style zucchini, chicken enchiladas and sautéed shrimp. The Easter-themed dessert counter includes pastries, Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. Mariachi Duo will perform live and the Easter Egg Hunt for adults and children includes prizes. There’s a dedicated kids’ corner with face-painting and interactive games. Two adults dine free when accompanied by four children.
12.30pm to 4pm, from Dh265 for adults; from Dh135 for children aged six to 12; free for children under six, The Atrium, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 04 437 0044, zocodubai.com
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The Meat Co
Until Sunday, April 21
Families visiting The Meat Co outlets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this Easter holiday can enjoy a free kid’s meal for a child under 12 when a main course is purchased. Choose among seafood dishes such as Atlantic cod filet (from Dh180) and Maine grilled lobster (from Dh275) or a selection of meats such as the Wagyu marble (from Dh455) and the Japanese F1 2GR Blood (from Dh595), or go the vegetarian route with potato gnocchi (from Dh100) or wild mushroom risotto (from Dh105). Then kids can choose among the half-portion of chargrilled chicken breast, half-portion of fish and chips or the 200-gram New Zealand fillet.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi; Souk Al Bahar and Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, www.themeatco.com
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Azure Beach
Sunday, April 21
Celebrate Easter seaside at Azure Beach with a special brunch featuring Asian fusion cuisine. Then relax on a sunbed on the lawn and enjoy live entertainment from a DJ and saxophonist, a visit from the Easter bunny and more.
1pm to 4pm, packages from Dh225, Azure Beach, Rixos Premium, JBR, Dubai, azure-beach.com
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Cipriani Dubai
Sunday, April 21
Book your spot at Cipriani this Easter and enjoy a four-course menu with dishes featuring seasonal produce and spring vegetables, such as baked white asparagus with hollandaise, lamb spezzatino with artichoke and mashed potatoes and pan seared monkfish with artichoke. Dessert includes tiramisu with coffee or tea.
Noon to 11.45pm, from Dh400, Cipriani Dubai, Gate Village, DIFC, 04 347 0003
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The City Grill
Until Monday, April 22
The City Grill offers a special deal this Easter week, buy a steak and get a steak and Easter dessert free. Choose among meats such as South African rump and prime rib, Argentinian grass-fed filet, Australian Angus sirloin and rib eye, American prime cuts and Tomahawk steak. Desserts include millefeuille, profiteroles and malva pudding.
5pm to 1am, Sundays to Fridays; 4pm to 1am on Saturdays, The City Grill, Level 1, The Atrium at Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 04 437 0022, www.thecitygrillsteakhouse.com
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Gaucho DIFC
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20
Enjoy an Easter roast at Gaucho DIFC, with a two-for-one offer. Friday is the Easter Roast Brunch and Saturday is the Easter Saturday Roast, and both feature a menu that includes roast beef, spatchcock chicken or sea bream fillet accompanied by roasted potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sautéed broccoli and Yorkshire pudding. Dessert is banana and coconut mess or chocolate brownie with ice cream and honeycomb. Children will enjoy the drawing and colouring stations.
Noon to 3.30pm on Friday; noon to 11.30pm, from Dh215 for the main roast; from Dh270 for two courses; from Dh320 for three courses, Gaucho DIFC, Dubai, 04 422 7898, www.gauchodubai.com
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Neos
Wednesday, April 17 to Tuesday, April 23
Visit Neos and indulge in some seasonal drinks served inside chocolate-draped Easter eggs, with spiced beverage mix, chocolate infusions and drops of espresso. Try the Pavlova, inspired by the Australasian dessert, made with vanilla and cinnamon and topped with coconut meringue foam. Or try the St Alexander, with chocolate-flavoured sweetener, cream and nutmeg.
5pm to 2.30am, from Dh60, Neos, Address Downtown, Dubai, 04 888 3444, dine@emaar.com
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Address Dubai Marina
Saturday, April 20
Book your spot at the Pirates and Mermaids Brunch at Mazina at Address Dubai Marina for an entertaining Easter. The international feast includes live cooking stations and a dessert station with an Easter twist. There will be egg painting and plenty of chocolate treats. Dress up the little ones as a pirate or a mermaid to participate in the best-dressed competition. Activities for kids include egg-decorating, napkin-folding and a muffin competition.
12.30pm to 3.30pm, from Dh325, Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, 04 888 3444, dine@emaar.com
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The Foundry
Friday, April 19
The Foundry at Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is hosting its Friday brunch – now including a beef Wellington station, poke raw bar and make your own burrata – with a fun Easter theme along with a chocolate buffet with cakes and pastries. Children will be entertained with face-painting, a visit from the Easter bunny and an egg hunt all around the restaurant.
12.30pm to 4pm, from Dh275, The Foundry, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, 02 818 4888, abudhabi.dine@tsogosun.com
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The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Sunday, April 21 to Tuesday, April 23
Enjoy a bottomless brunch and afternoon tea at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. Olea hosts the Epicurean Brunch on Easter Sunday with delicacies including rabbit galantine with grilled pears, loaded devilled eggs, braised lamb shank and roasted butternut pumpkin with goat cheese. The band Zero Funk sets a relaxing tone. In addition, the Easter Afternoon Tea includes sandwiches, cakes, scones, pastries and beverages.
1pm to 4pm on April 21, from Dh380 for brunch; 2pm to 6pm on April 21-23, from Dh195 for afternoon tea, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, 02 498 8888, www.marriott.com
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Alloro
Friday, April 19
Alloro hosts a Tuscan Easter brunch with a lavish buffet and presents for children. Enjoy home-cooked Italian food in an elegant setting.
1pm to 5 3pm, from Dh169, Alloro, Wyndham Hotel Dubai Marina, Dubai, 04 407 8872, info@allorodubai.com
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Hillhouse Brasserie
Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21
Hillhouse Brasserie has a special Easter menu, with three courses including a roasted lamb carvery. Children can enjoy an Easter eg hunt, decorating Easter eggs with chef Joanne, and playing in the bouncy castle and tepee in the garden area.
Noon to 4pm, from Dh175, Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai Hills Golf Club, Dubai, 800 666353, jrgreservations@jumeirah.com
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The Blacksmith Smokehouse
Thursday, April 18
The Blacksmith Smokehouse presents an Easter-themed version of its Hot Turkey Thursday evening brunch, and there's not an egg in sight. The unlimited three-course meal includes BBQ chicken wings, corn hush puppies, pulled lamb sliders and chicken tenders. The venue's smoker Ol' Betty will also churn out a new item: smoked orange rabbit with roasted honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. The Easter menu also includes smoked turkey, smoked brisket and fried catfish as well as traditional Deep South sides such as BBQ beans, sweet potato and coleslaw. Dessert is an orchard cobbler with peaches, apples, blueberries and strawberries.
7pm, packages from Dh250, The Blacksmith, Wyndham Dubai Marina, Dubai, 04 407 8873, info@theblacksmithdubai.com
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FUN WITH EGGS
If there are children in your family, then an egg hunt is essential this Easter. Here are some events that feature this traditional event and other innovative activities.
Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences
Sunday, April 21
Artisan Kitchen at Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences serves up an Easter brunch with classic and seasonal dishes including stations for Moroccan and Japanese food, fresh seafood, a carvery station, and a selection of desserts. At 2.30pm, take part in the Easter egg hunt with prizes including a five-kilogram chocolate egg.
1pm to 4pm, from Dh250, Artisan Kitchen, Bab Al Qasr Residences, Abu Dhabi, 02 205 3003, www.babalqasr.com
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Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Friday, April 19
Enjoy an Easter-themed buffet at The Bay at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, where there will be Easter egg designing, themed jewellery designing, bunny hunts, face-painting and more for the children at Little Nomads kids’ club. The Easter-themed brunch includes sharing starters, a carving station, dessert buffet and a kids’ buffet.
12.30pm to 3pm, from Dh395, The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, www.mandarinoriental.com
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JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Saturday, April 20
Have brunch at JA Hatta Fort Hotel in the Hajar Mountains, and adopt a bunny that children can “pet-parent” from afar. Register your interest upon arrival, and children can meet the bunnies on the lawn, where they can choose their favourite, pick a name and draw a picture of their new friend. Families be asked to sign official adoption documents though the bunnies will remain in their natural mountain habitat and be professionally cared for. Kids can receive updates on how their bunny is doing in Hatta. Enjoy egg decorating, an egg hunt, brunch, games for adults and more.
Noon to 4pm, from Dh165, JA Hatta Fort Hotel, Hatta, Dubai, 04 814 5400, jaresortshotels.com
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Stoke House
Friday, April 19
Visit Stoke House for Easter brunch and enjoy seafood, pizzas and barbecued meats as well as plenty of chocolate sweets for an Easter treat. Children will enjoy the activities including games, egg-painting, an egg hunt with the Easter bunny, a cookie masterclass and film screenings of Disney classics.
12.30pm to 3.30pm, from Dh165 for members; from Dh195 for non-members, Stoke House, Trump International Golf Course, Damac Hills, Dubai, 04 245 3939, www.stokehouse.ae
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The Galleria
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20
Visit The Galleria on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, where children can enjoy themed arts and crafts and meet the Easter bunny who will be hopping around sharing chocolate eggs. The restaurants along the Waterfront Promenade are featuring Easter menus and weekend brunches.
3pm to 9pm, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, www.thegalleria.ae
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The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Friday, April 19
The London Social Brunch takes on an Easter twist with a journey along the Underground stations to explore flavours of Banglatown and Little Beirut, along with traditional Easter roasts, minced meat pies and carvery featuring maple-glazed turkey with all the trimmings and Yorkshire pudding. There are 12 cooking stations throughout the resort’s gardens and a dessert station with chocolate crafts, fondues and Easter eggs. Enjoy a live musical performance of British hits while the children enjoy activities, an appearance by the Easter bunny, a petting zoo and an egg hunt that takes them on an adventure across the resort.
1pm to 4pm, from Dh395, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, JBR, 04 318 6150, dine.dubai@ritzcarlton.com
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Walnut Grove
Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21
Walnut Grove is hosting an Easter egg hunt each day from Friday to Sunday featuring handcrafted chocolate eggs hidden at both restaurant locations in Dubai. Children are invited to search for them for the chance to win prizes including milkshakes, slices of cake and dinner vouchers.
1pm to 4pm, Walnut Grove, City Walk Phase 2, Al Safa and The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 04 344 4441, info@walnutgrove.ae
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Anantara Eastern Mangroves
Friday, April 19 and Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28
Anantara Eastern Mangroves in Abu Dhabi hosts an Easter Brunch & Drunch at Ingredients, featuring gourmet fare, chocolates and holiday treats. Children will enjoy the egg hunt, egg-decorating, face-painting and games.
12.30pm to 4pm for brunch, from Dh276; 4pm to 7pm for drunch, from Dh150, Ingredients, Anantara Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi, 02 656 1000, emdining@anantara.com
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The Westin Abu Dhabi
Saturday, April 20
The Westin Abu Dhabi Spring Fair includes an Easter egg hunt for ages two to 14, with more than 1,000 plastic eggs filled with prizes including vouchers, and the eggs can be redeemed for a real chocolate treat. Visit the market stalls of handicrafts, accessories and more. At 2pm, local dance schools showcase their talents with dance performances. At 6pm, enjoy a sunset yoga session led by an expert yogi. Food is available all afternoon at Fairways and The Retreat, where you can purchase street food and drinks.
Noon to 7pm, free, The Westin Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/westinabudhabigolfresort
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Emirates Palace
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20
Emirates Palace offers two days of al fresco springtime fun with an Easter brunch on April 19 and an Easter picnic on April 20. The first food, live entertainment from the resident pop and blues trio, as well as a kids’ corner with a buffet, carnival games, face-painting and a visit from the Easter bunny. The picnic on the lawn includes a menu of chargrilled meats and vegetables, a dessert hut with waffles and crepes and an ice cream wagon. There will be an Easter egg hunt and kids’ entertainment and sports.
12.30pm to 4pm on April 19, from Dh370; from Dh180 for children aged 10 to 12, free for children under 10; 2pm to 5pm on April 20 with the egg hunt at 3pm, from Dh465 per person; from Dh230 for children aged six to 12; free for children under six, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, 02 690 7999, restaurants@emiratespalace.ae
