Sticking around in Dubai for Christmas? There are countless festive brunches and dinners happening across the city, with many of them 'bucket-list' experiences that cost close to Dh1,000.
But if you'd rather have a more chilled-out lunch or dinner for closer to the Dh300 mark, here are 10 options to book now.
Ammos, Rixos JBR
This one is an evening meal, but it's such a good deal, we had to mention it. The Greek restaurant has a taverna vibe, and a beautiful outlook toward the ocean. It's serving special Greek mezze trays to customers from 7pm to 9pm on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day – the platter, served with a bottle of house wine, is Dh95. Bargain.
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25, Wednesday, January 1; 7pm-9pm; Dh95; Rixos Premium JBR, Dubai; 052 777 9473; www.ammosgreek.com
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
The Ranches Restaurant is a nice, light and airy space, and their Christmas Day lunch is a reasonable Dh330 per adult, and Dh185 per child (and there will be a happy hour on drinks, too). You can expect turkey with all the trimmings, as well as a general buffet.
Wednesday, December 25; 12pm-4pm; Dh330; Arabian Ranches, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, Dubai; 04 360 7935; www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
Cascades, Fairmont Dubai
The family-friendly brunch at this Sheikh Zayed Road hotel will include turkey, festive desserts and a kids' section – it's Dh110 for children (aged 6 to 11); Dh300 per person with soft drinks and Dh450 with unlimited house beverages.
Wednesday, December 25; 12.30pm-4pm; from Dh300; Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; 04 311 8316; www.fairmont.com
Luchador, Aloft Palm
This Mexican restaurant on the Palm Jumeirah has amazing views out to the ocean and back to the Dubai mainland: their Christmas Day brunch will see tacos and the like brought to your table, accompanied by margaritas or a drink of your choice. Prices start from Dh195 with house drinks, but the premium drink package is Dh295.
Wednesday, December 25; 12.30pm-4pm; Dh195; Aloft Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 247 5550; www.luchadordubai.com
Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr
This waterside Thai restaurant is a Dubai classic, and their all-you-can-eat Christmas Day brunch is Dh245 for adults and Dh145 for children aged 4 to 12. Expect sweet sticky rice with mango, green curry and more. The beverage packages are where it gets pricier: it's Dh350 for soft drinks, Dh495 for house beverages and Dh650 for premium house beverages.
Wednesday, December 25; 12pm-3.30pm; Dh245; Jumeirah Al Qasr, Umm Suqeim, Dubai; 800 666 353; www.jumeirah.com
Palmito Garden, JA Beach Hotel
If you fancy an al fresco brunch that won't break the bank, then JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel's garden offering is a great option. There will be festive dishes, live entertainment and hopefully a lot of sunshine. The big guy in red will visit at 2pm, too – what a VIP guest. It's Dh250 per person with soft drinks, and Dh395 with house drinks.
Wednesday, December 25; 12.30pm-3.30pm; Dh250; JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, Jebel Ali, Dubai; 04 814 5566; www.jaresortshotels.com
Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem
This seafood restaurant has to have one of the best views of the Burj Al Arab in town. For lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, it's sticking to its a la carte menu and prices, which means you won't pay more just because of the time of the year. The seafood mixed grill (Dh220) feels appropriately decadent for the big day.
Wednesday, December 25; 12.30pm-3.30pm and 6.30pm-11.30pm; a la carte prices; Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim, Dubai; 04 432 3232; www.jumeirah.com
Seafire, Atlantis, The Palm
The steakhouse in the Palm Jumeirah mega-hotel is serving a five-course set menu on Christmas Day for Dh395 per person, including welcome cocktails. The meal includes beef croquettes, roast turkey and Black Forest cheesecake. The a la carte menu is also available.
Wednesday, December 25; 12pm-4pm; Dh395; Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 426 2000; www.atlantis.com
Segreto, Madinat Jumeirah
Hidden among the laneways of Souk Madinat and with a rooftop terrace, Segreto has a magical vibe. The Christmas brunch is Dh245 with soft drinks, Dh325 with house beverages and Dh435 with premium drinks, while kids' packages cost Dh150. Expect an Italian feast, including risotto, burratine con panzanella and vitello tonnato. There will be a singer-saxophonist duo providing entertainment, too.
Wednesday, December 25; 1pm-4pm; Dh245; Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Dubai; 800 666 353; www.jumeirah.com
The Irish Village, Studio City
The Irish Village in Garhoud is all sold out for Christmas Day, but there's still space at the Studio City branch's lunch. A three-course meal is Dh160 per adult, and a children's roast is Dh45 (and includes a gift from Santa): drinks need to be bought separately. There will be face painting and live music, too.
Wednesday, December 25; 12pm-4pm; Dh160; Studio One Hotel, Dubai Studio City; 04 241 8444; www.theirishvillage.com
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Read more:
Christmas markets to visit in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah
68 things to do in the UAE this December: from free foodie events to festive days out
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