TIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM AUTUMN 2025 3 Inside 6 Things to do 12 Best brunches in the city 24 Winter events 30 F1 36 Live music spots 52 Desert retreats 60 Food 74 Bars, pubs & clubs 76 Attractions 78 Family & kids 80 Sports & outdoors 82 The last word Features & Regulars On the co ver: Cak e creat ed b y JW Marrio tt Mar quis Ho tel Dubai. Pho tograph y: Aasiy a Jagadeesh Don’t miss Think you know your burgers? It’s time to think again. We took a bite of the city’s offering to reveal the very best patties in town. Just don’t wear white, that’s all we’re saying... Page 46 Black Tap4 AUTUMN 2025 TIMEOUTABUDHABICOM Time Out Abu Dhabi PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Chief Content Officer Holly Sands Time Out Abu Dhabi Editorial Head of Content McKenna Grant (maternity leave) Group Food Editor Yousra Zaki +971 4 444 3255 | yousra.zaki@itp.com Contributing Editor Emilie Hill +971 4 444 3693 | emilie.hill@itp.com Senior Social Media Editor Wyanet Vaz +971 4 444 3307 | wyanet.vaz@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño +971 4 444 3591 | jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad +971 4 444 3657 | rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Events & Marketing Head of Events Eleanor Ashton Events Manager Gavin Moeketski Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Content & Events Assistant Jenna Jordan Events Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga Events Sales Assistant Celine Magpoc Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario email: events@itp.com Art Senior Designer Gillian Fletcher Junior Designer Celine Iskandar-Elhachem Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Production, Distribution & Circulation Senior Production & Distribution Manager Balasubramanian P +971 4 444 3871 | balasubramanian.p@itp.com Production Manager Anand Sundaram +971 4 444 3424 | anand.sundaram@itp.com Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira +971 4 444 3669 | avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai +971 4 444 3236 | rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Chief Commercial Officer Sally Whittam +971 4 444 334/+971 56 104 0567 | sally.whittam@itp.com Advertising Director Mitchell Rowlands +971 58 214 3987 | mitchell.rowlands@itp.com Commercial Manager Mark Burger +971 58 208 3409 | mark.burger@itp.com ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Weekends in Abu Dhabi aren’t just for switching off – they’re for switching it up. And if there’s one thing the capital does exceptionally well, it’s brunch. Think buffets that nail both scale and flavour, and spreads where every dish feels deliberate, not just thrown in for the sake of it. In this issue, we’ve done the heavy lifting (read: eating) and rounded up the brunches worth your weekend calories. Consider this your shortcut to not wasting precious Saturdays and Sundays on “meh”, but on brunches that deliver. And it’s not just about what’s on your plate. Abu Dhabi’s calendar is stacked – Formula 1 is back with its after-race concerts (and nothing else matters), global headliners are on the way and fun festivals are taking over every corner. So clear your schedules, rally the crew and get set for a season dishing up equal parts flavour and bragging rights. facebook.com/timeoutabudhabi youtube.com/timeoutgcc timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi Ed’s pick Don’t miss the unmissable flavours at food festival, Taste Abu Dhabi. (p24) Hello Yousra Zaki Group Food Editorslug 6 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Things t Save the date Explore a new exhibition ... At Louvre Abu Dhabi this season Spend an hour or two exploring a brand- new exhibition in the Louvre Abu Dhabi, showcasing the lives of an ancient dynasty that ruled ancient sites for over two and a half centuries. The new Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire exhibition has brought together everything from glasswork to manuscripts detailing the Mamluk Sultanate and the incredible history behind it. If you want to learn something new, this is where to do it. O Dhs65 (adults), free (kids). Open Tue-Sun 10am- 6.30pm. Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565566). Get outdoors Treat yourself to a pool day ... In the middle of the Abu Dhabi desert Take a cruise out into the desert and set up camp on a lounger at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa for its daily pool pass. Designed to remind you of a traditional oasis, laze under a cabana, place your order at the swim-up bar and be sure Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa Louvre Abu Dhabislug ITC Franklin Gothic st - Heavy - 11pt TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM MONTH 2025 7 to do to stick around to watch the sunset dip below the dunes before drying off and heading home. O Dhs200 (non-redeemable, weekdays), Dhs250 (non-redeemable, weekends). Daily 9am-sunset. Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Al Wathba South, marriott.com (02 204 4444). Watch the meteor shower ... And go with your favourite people This annual celestial event takes place on Tuesday October 21 and Wednesday October 22 when the tiny debris from Halley’s Comet enters the Earth’s atmosphere creating the most beautiful showers of the year. You can spot up to 20 meteors per hour in the wee hours, so why not take an evening desert drive and find a clear, dark sky to spot them. O Free. Tue Oct 21-Wed Oct 22. Mall mania Go snap-crazy at a new photo booth ... And get a free hair makeover Singapore’s popular photo booth Solace Studios is now at The Galleria Al Marjan Island, and you don’t want to sleep on checking it out. Grab your besties and strike a pose against backdrops including everything from a vintage elevator to a washing machine. Oh and there’s a fully free Dyson hair studio to help you get ready. O From Dhs30. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, thegalleria.ae (02 493 7400). Shop in a huge supermarket ... And you can buy giant Nutella jars It’s not the store that’s supersized in here, it’s the products. If you want a satisfying spot of retail therapy, check out Bulk Wholesale’s new selection in Musaffah, where you can fill your trolley with Nutella jars the size of your head, Chips Oman boxes that could feed an entire party and international snacks at some incredible. O Open daily 10am-10pm. Abu Dhabi Industrial City, @bulkt (052 123 0522). Watch the latest blockbuster ... Grab your friends and go Spend an afternoon at Vox Cinemas in Abu Dhabi, which will begin with loading up on Belgian waffles at the Nutella Bar before heading into the MAX screen to watch Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Releasing on Thursday November 13, you can watch the third instalment of the thriller franchise, which follows a team of illusionists and their very special performances. O Released Thu Nov 13. Screening times vary. Abu Dhabi Mall, voxcinemas.com (600 599905) . Star gazing The Galleriaslug 8 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Things to do In the comments What’s got you talking on Instagram... Chipotle is now open HTTPS://MAGNET.ITP.COM/MAGNET/ APP/NAVIGATOR/VIEW_FILE.PHP?SF_ ID=13719348&SL_ID=2&COMING_ FROM=NAVIGATE&R=1758705626&FETCH_ TYPE=IMAGE&A_ID=1&IMG_ ID=13719348&DYNAMIC_ CREATION=1&USER_ ID=1729430&SERVER=NP&A7X=1 “Disney Chipotle Now Taco Bell for the trifecta” @gushchina.legal “Love CHIPOTLE!!!!! I always get the Honey Chicken bowl” @rap4ft2 “It’s about time. ” @craig_lewis32 Got a tip? Email us for the latest hello@timeoutabudhabih.com timeoutabu dhabi stations and sip a glass of something cold all the way until 11pm. O Dhs240 (food only), Dhs290 (house beverages). Fri 6pm-11pm. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, rotana.com (02 307 5551). Have a leisurely lunch at Mika ... And a cheeky glass of grape Time Out Abu Dhabi’s Restaurant of the Year 2025 is making weekday lunches a whole lot more tempting. The award-winning spot is serving up a sweet deal where you can tuck into the chef’s four-course set menu – think refined plates, seasonal ingredients and plenty of flavour – plus a glass of house grape, all for Dhs190. It’s the kind of offer that makes a midday escape feel properly indulgent without the scary bill at the end. Nab yourself a seat on the terrace, where you can watch the yachts glide in and out of Yas Marina. This is the ultimate Sunday activity if you ask us. O Dhs190 (per person). Sun noon-2.30pm. Yas Marina, mika.ae (056 433 1422) . Book a table Have ‘brunch in the park’ ... Plus, kids can eat for free Now that you can enjoy a brunch outdoors, this is your sign to spend the afternoon at The Café in Park Hyatt. Back with its winter brunch, you can sit in the fresh air, pile your plate with fresh oysters and flame-grilled meats and enjoy the live entertainment. Plus, little ones under six dine for free, so your family day out just became a bargain. O Dhs525 (house beverages), Dhs720 (bubbly), Dhs415 (soft drinks). Sat 1pm-4pm. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, hyatt.com (050 740 5323). Try a slice of the newest bakery ... And tuck into crumbly cookies If you’re looking for a new dessert spot, then Stead Bakery should be on your must-visit list this month. Found in Al Zeina, enjoy a massive range of baked goods like croissants, babka, sourdough loaves and crumbly cookies. You can also find quirky treats like a karak cheesecake, Dubai bun dipped in pistachio butter with kunafa and a zaatar sumac pastry that will definitely feature on the ‘gram. O Open Tue-Sun 8am-7.30pm. Al Rahah, @steadbakery (050 731 0084). Tuck into an Italian feast ... With so much cheese Spend your Friday evening filling up on Italian favourites at Dino’s à la carte brunch, where the only requirement is that you leave full. Choose your main course, graze on the seafood, cheese and antipasti Mika Stead BakeryYOUR WEEKEND BRUNCH, ELEVATED Marina Brunch at InterContinental Abu Dhabi brings together Porto Gina’s Italian artistry with Belgian Café’s European classics. Two restaurants. One brunch. Endless flavor – all set against the marina’s stunning backdrop. For inquiries and bookings, call us at +971 50 723 5441 Every Saturday | 1–4 PM at Marina Walk Starting from 199Next >