If the big midnight party isn't the whole plan, Abu Dhabi has a solid line-up for the first day of 2027 itself — and it leans heavily on food. Three venues across the capital have confirmed New Year's Day events on January 1, 2027, covering the slow-breakfast camp, the Irish pub crowd and the evening-brunch set.

The most laid-back option is at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, where the Giornotte restaurant is running an extended New Year's Day breakfast called First Light, First Bite. Rather than the usual rushed hotel breakfast window, it runs from 9am all the way to 3pm, so there's time for a second coffee and a pastry refill without anyone hovering. The spread covers breakfast classics, fresh pastries and seasonal dishes. It costs Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house beverages, and Dhs125 for children aged six to 12 — a genuinely family-friendly price point for a five-star property.

If January 1 calls for noise rather than serenity, the new McGettigan's at Reem Mall is hosting a three-hour session from 2pm to 5pm with unlimited food and drink. The house package is Dhs299, rising to Dhs399 for premium beverages. It's pitched squarely at people carrying sore heads from the night before — pub comfort food and a lively crowd being the cure of choice. Worth noting that McGettigan's is a relative newcomer to the Reem Mall spot, so it doubles as a chance to check out a venue many visitors won't have seen yet.

For anyone who'd rather sleep in and start late, Asia Asia at Yas Bay Waterfront is keeping its regular Friday evening-brunch format going on New Year's Day, running 8pm to 11pm. Four courses of Pan-Asian food are served inside or on the terrace overlooking the bay, with three drink tiers: Dhs395 soft drinks, Dhs495 house beverages and Dhs595 with sparkling wine. Yas Bay is one of the capital's livelier waterfront districts, so combining dinner there with a stroll along the marina makes for an easy evening.

Booking ahead is clearly the move — all three take reservations, whether through the venues directly or via their booking platforms, and New Year's Day slots in Abu Dhabi tend to fill up quickly, especially the family brunches.

Who is this for? Travellers already in the UAE for the New Year's Eve celebrations — Dubai is only a 90-minute drive away — who want a softer first day of the year. It's also a handy shortlist for residents planning a low-effort holiday: one long breakfast, one afternoon pub session, one evening brunch, all on a single day. Prices are per person and on par with Abu Dhabi's usual brunch scene, so there are options at most budgets. If you're flying in specifically for New Year, remember that January 1, 2027 falls on a Friday, which is why the regular Friday brunches are running as normal — a rare bit of calendar luck for brunch loyalists.

Story via What's On Dubai