The Croft in the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel and Suites is rolling out a four-course set menu on Christmas Day. Designed by executive chef Darren Velvick, the menu includes crispy mushrooms; prawn tempura; broccoli and stilton soup; chicken liver and foie gras pâté; roasted turkey; and beef tenderloin, plus a choice of four festive desserts.
• December 25 from 1pm to 7pm, Dh299; Dh100 for children ages 6 to 12. Call 04 319 4794
Head to The Ritz-Carlton Dubai for a festive outdoor Christmas day brunch. Served in Caravan and on the Gulf Lawn, the lavish banquet includes a stunning view of the sea. A live jazz band will be on hand while Santa entertains the kids.
• December 25 from 1pm to 4pm, Dh595 with soft drinks and juices; Dh320 for children ages 5 to 12. Call 04 318 6150
New French restaurant Bistro Des Arts on the Dubai Marina promenade has a four-course set menu with classic dishes: escargots cooked in garlic butter; Fine de Claire oysters and smoked salmon served on French bread; chicken with honey-roasted winter vegetables; beef Wellington with a French twist; a traditional bûche de Noël (yule log); and more.
• Available for dinner on December 24 and for lunch and dinner on December 25 and 26, Dh295. Call 04 551 1576
For a feast fit for a king, head to The Hide in Al Qasr Hotel. The sharing-style menu includes traditional roast bronze turkey with all the trimmings; beef tenderloin; and a dish we've not seen on offer anywhere else: the turducken – a chicken stuffed into a duck, stuffed into a turkey. Head chef Brian Voelzing will also serve a traditional ballotine with turkey breast, Spanish cured beef, herbed chicken mousse and duck confit.
• December 25 from 12pm to 4pm, Dh550 with soft drinks; Dh450 for children ages 12 to 20; Dh250 for ages 4 to 11. Call 04 432 3232
Gordon Ramsay's newly opened Bread Street Kitchen and Bar at Atlantis, The Palm, will serve its first Christmas brunch on December 25, and will also offer a three-course set menu for Christmas dinner.
• Brunch is Dh550 per person. To check out all the festive offers at the hotel, visit www.atlantisthepalm.com/festive
Book brunch at Giornotte in the lush setting of the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. There are more than 30 live cooking stations, including a slow-roasted Wagyu beef-leg carving station with cranberry sauce and Yorkshire pudding. There's also a Dolce dessert room with panettone, Christmas cookies, minced pies and yule logs. A pianist will entertain.
• December 25 from 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh600. Dh160 for kids age four to 12 and a 25 per cent discount on those from 13 to 16. Call 02 818 8888
Try one of the Christmas brunches at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Go Italian in Circo with a Tuscan four-course set menu and live entertainment from noon to 4pm for Dh295. Or have a Lebanese-inspired Christmas in Byblos Sur Mer, where you'll get a variety of mezze dishes and mixed grills to celebrate with family and friends from 12.30pm to 4.30pm for Dh325. Or, if you're feeling carnivorous, head to Chamas, the Brazilian steakhouse, to gorge on an endless supply of meat. Chamas will also have magic shows, face painting, a clown and juggler for kids.
• December 25 from noon to 4pm, Dh325
Head to the Westin Abu Dhabi for the Santalicious Brunch at Fairways. Guests will dine on international cuisine with plenty of festive favourites. The Westin Choir will sing Christmas carols to set the mood and children will be entertained by a magician, face painter, bouncy castle, clown and a visit from Santa Claus.
• December 25 from 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh420; Dh305 for kids (children can also build their own gingerbread house with a DIY kit in The Lounge from 7am to 10pm, Dh99 per kit)
The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is hosting a Christmas brunch that spans multiple restaurants, including Frankie's Italian Restaurant and Bar; live cookery stations at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill; and international fare in CuiScene. There will be a buffet, children's activities and a visit from Santa, too.
• December 25 from 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh399; Dh199 for children age 6 to 12. Brunch guests will also receive a voucher for one-day access to the pool and beach, valid from January 5. Call 02 654 3238
Try the Christmas day brunch at The Garden in the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi. The international buffet will serve roast turkey, roast potatoes, mince pies, festive desserts (including a traditional Christmas pudding) and more. There will be live entertainment and Santa Claus will pop in.
• December 25 from 12:30pm to 4pm, Dh240. Call 02 616 6838
