Saturday brunch is practically a competitive sport in Abu Dhabi, and a new round-up of the capital's best offers plenty of evidence why. From yacht-marina party affairs to quiet family buffets, there's something on the table for every kind of weekend — most of it running from around 1pm to 4pm, with soft-drink packages starting as low as Dhs199.
Yas Island is the epicentre. Bar du Port brings a French Riviera flavour to Yas Marina with Mediterranean plates and a resident DJ (packages from Dhs320, rising to Dhs680 for Champagne), while Mika serves chef Mario Loi's Riviera small plates nearby from Dhs299. Over at Yas Bay, Central is the standout family option: burgers, shakes and Dhs100 of arcade credit included in every package, with kids' prices from Dhs200 and teen tickets at the soft-package rate of Dhs250. For a louder night out, Lock, Stock & Barrel runs an evening 'Saturday Night Live Brunch' from 8pm to 11pm for Dhs200 flat, and Siddharta Lounge's rooftop Sensory Brunch (7pm to 11pm, from Dhs259) pairs pan-Asian dishes with unlimited drinks and a DJ.
Saadiyat Island handles the classy end. Park Hyatt's spread includes live BBQ stations, freshly shucked oysters, caviar, lobster benedict and a dessert atelier, with a kids' club on hand (Dhs415 soft, Dhs525 house). Jumeirah's White brunch returns on October 17 with live cooking stations and beachside music from Dhs375, and Saadiyat Beach Club throws in optional pool and beach access for an extra Dhs200 after brunch ends.
Elsewhere, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr's Grand Brunch spans three restaurants — including Marco Pierre White's steakhouse — from Dhs345, SUSHISAMBA brings Rio energy to Etihad Towers (Dhs495 soft), and Zuma's Baikingu brunch remains the benchmark for upscale Japanese. Budget picks include Tiki Pacifico's Polynesian-themed Aloha Brunch at Al Raha Beach (from Dhs199, hula dancers included) and McCafferty's four-hour Irish affair at Hilton Yas Island, also Dhs199.
Why it matters: if you're visiting Abu Dhabi over a weekend, brunch here is more than a meal — it's the social event of the week, often with entertainment, kids' activities and hours of drinks included. Book ahead, especially for the marina and Saadiyat venues, and note that most packages tier up by drinks: soft, house, sparkling, Champagne.
