3 New Saturday Brunches In Abu Dhabi

Everyone who loves a chat, loves a table brunch. If your idea of a great Saturday afternoon out is great food, drinks and entertainment, alongside a good old catch up with your other half or your friends, these three new brunches in Abu Dhabi are a great place to start.

They're all very different: one is a casual, Italian feast, while one, starting later in the day brings Mediterranean vibes to a whole new level. The third is an exercise in gentility - with high end food and views to match.

LA TERRAZZA BRUNCH AT ANTONIA CHIC

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

We love Antonia Chic for its fabulously daring decor, its gorgeously engaging staff and now we love the terrace and with it, the amazingly good value Saturday brunch.

It's Italian fare at its finest! Sit outside or inside, enjoy great beer and wine or, if you have BB+, prosecco, and loosen your belts - it's about to get interesting!

Start at the buffet which holds beautiful salads, a massive antipasti platter, frittata, a fun make-your-own bruschetta station and the most superb suppli and meatballs. Don't overdo it: there's a ton more to come.

Mains include a great risotto, a delicious seafood gnochetti, the famous Antonia pizza al taglia (we love the diavola!) and cacio e pepe pasta made by chef in the pecorino wheel. We may be biased, but the best part of all is the unlimited tiramisu at the end, providing you have any space at all!

This is one of Abu Dhabi's best value brunches, with outstanding Italian food and drinks. The staff and the DJ make this a ton of fun and it will be one you have on repeat this winter.

Time: 12PM - 3PM

Price: AED295 soft and house, upgrade to prosecco with BB+

Booking: 02 622 0480

TAPARELLE BRUNCH

MANARAT AL SAADIYAT

Taparelle is deservedly enjoying its time as the new 'it' spot in Abu Dhabi and the Saturday brunch is a great place to start if you've never been. It's the brainchild of Chef Omaka and Imad Obeid, both of whom have had recent success for the sister ship, Niri, on the MENA 50 Best Restaurants list.

We think Taparelle will soon follow suit ... if brunch is anything to go by!

Brunch starts at 3PM - and is this not the perfect time to do it?! You'll enjoy a selection of sharing starters, a main each and a gorgeous feuilletine for dessert. Our favourites from the menu include the absolutely luscious chicken for main, the crispy skinned sea bass, the excellent carpaccio and that dessert, which hits all the right notes without being overbearing. We also have a lot to say about the pizza, whose dough is 48 hour proved, and baked in the wood fired oven right there in the garden. Watch the pizzaiolo make it from start to finish then marvel at the authentic taste that comes your way.

Drinks are excellent and plentiful, both in terms of cocktails and mocktails (get the aubin or the luna!) and the champagne package is the best value in Abu Dhabi. It goes without saying that the  garden ambiance can't be compared with anywhere else in Abu Dhabi and as night closes in, you'll really feel like you could be in a French jardin, or on a New York City rooftop. Step off for a few hours: this brunch is worth every fil.

Time: 3PM - 6PM

Price: AED300 soft, AED350 house, AED400 champagne

Booking: 056 746 2649

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AFRICAN LOUNGE BRUNCH

FLAMINGO COLLECTION

Set in the lush garden of the Lounge, with views overlooking the sea, walking into this brunch signals the ultimate relax.

Choose three starters between two people - don't go past the tuna tartare, the corn fritters and the miso grilled aubergine.  The tartare was our dish of the day where the garlic chips and sesame seeds added crunch, while the chewy apricots make for a sweet element that was great with the miso/yuzu dressing.

The ‘corn fritters’ are a take on corn tempura - absolutely delicious dipped into the herby aioli on the side. Finally, the miso grilled aubergine not only looks stunning, it tastes delicious, the dukkah elevating the flavour of the aubergine spectacularly.

Mains are also good, with the squat, plump short rib sliders being our favourite dish. Finish with some fairly spectacular desserts - we recommend the strawberry mille feuille but for those of you who just can't say no to sticky toffee anything, the madeleines are a delicious finale.

Cocktails offer levels of flavour while the one mocktail on the list is well-executed - would we have liked to see more of these, yes!

The brunch is a great one if you're looking for a low-key celebration or a date brunhc - it's comfortable, chic and the food is good.

Timings: Saturdays 12PM - 4PM

Pricing: Soft package AED 360 | House AED 465 | Premium AED 640

Booking: 02675 9302