10 places to spend Christmas in Dubai

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The Eloquent Elephant
Where: Taj Dubai
What you get: Visit the rustic ‘gastro grotto’ for a traditional British Christmas. The Christmas Day brunch has a choice of two sittings (wither 12.30pm to 4pm or 5pm to 8.30pm) full of all the classic festive eats and free-flowing drinks.
Price: From AED395
Contact: +971 4 4383131

Café Rouge
Where: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Best for: Gallic lounging
What you get: For a laid back Christmas Eve, we recommend Café Rouge’s live jazz performance while enjoying warm fig and goats’ cheese salad, Gravlax of Atlantis salmon with horseradish crème fraiche and, for veggies, a tasty nut roast. On the 25th, a brunch is on the menu, with chestnut-stuffed roast turkey with cranberry sauce.
Price: Brunch AED250 per person
Contact: +9714 554 6438

Cabana
Where: The Address Dubai Mall
Best for: A festive party
What you get: Cabana comes alive on the 25th with interactive cooking stations – and chefs who’ll celebrate just as much as you – lavish food spreads in the Brazilian churrasco style, plus old school classics like eggnog and hot chocolate. It’s as close as a glamorous al fresco poolside restaurant will ever come to making you feel like you’re in a snowy log cabin, and the DJ only adds to the party atmosphere.
Price: AED295 (soft drinks), AED385 (house beverages), AED150 (children (6-11). Under 6s free.
Contact: +9714 888 3444

Iris Dubai
Where: The Oberoi, Dubai
Best for: A merry chill-mas
What you get: Iris is all about laying back – the closer to horizontal you are, the better. This year, Iris Dubai’s Le Brunch offers its own take on festive jollity with a fun all-day session, with snowy decorations and delicious treats to celebrate the holiday – think candy canes, snow-covered cupcakes and seriously snackable bites to eat. A live band playing festive hits will get you in the spirit, if that lot doesn’t.
Price: AED360 (soft drinks), AED460 (house beverages), AED560 (bubbly), AED650 (premium)
Contact: +971 5 695 11422

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Where: The Address Dubai Marina
Best for: A well-done Christmas
What you get: Worth going for if only to use the pun “Ruth’s Christmas,” this Marina-based steakhouse is offering fun with all the trimmings throughout December. At brunch on the 25th, the US chain takes a festive twist on some classic dishes, including a Voodoo Shrimp starter, cuts of juicy steak and a turkey carving station. There’ll be crackers and paper hats on every seat, too.
Price: AED350 (soft drinks), AED450 (house beverages), AED550 (Laurent Perrier)
Contact: +971 4 454 9358

Catch
Where: Dubai, Fairmont, Sheikh Zayed Road
Best for: A merry fishmas
What you get: Catch has become a fast favourite among foodies in Dubai since its opening earlier this year. Its trendy, exposed-brick vibe and moustachioed mixologists making it a hit among hipsters. It’s got a special menu for December 24 and 25, plus a New Year’s Eve blowout, all of which make use of the restaurant’s speciality – an unrivalled expertise when it comes to sumptuous seafood.
Price: From AED490
Contact: +9714 332 5555

Na3Na3
Where: The Address Dubai Mall
Best for: Local flavour
What you get: Well, hopefully a lesson in how to pronounce the name for a start. It’s actually na’ na’, which is the Arabic for “mint”. After that, this is a lavish Middle Eastern-style seafood brunch on December 25 that also manages to make room for turkey and even swing by Japan for some sushi and sashimi if, for whatever reason, that’s what you want on Christmas Day. Children get their own buffet, access to the Qix Club and a visit from you-know-who.
Price: AED325 (soft drinks), AED450 (house beverages), AED162.50 (children aged 6 to 11)
Contact: +9714 888 3444