TIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM | DEC 2023 – JAN 2024 | VOL 22 | ISSUE 07 | DHS12 | PRICE INCLUDES VAT | AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION fresh takes TOURISTY STUFF THAT EVEN LOCALS WILL LOVE TOP 2024 OPENINGS TO KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR ABU DHABI’S LATEST & GREATEST PLACES TO EAT HAT EVEN LOCALS WILL LOVE starring! ISSN1998-5495 9 771998 54900 0 00517Discover pure luxury at our 5-Star Golf Resort in Abu Dhabi The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa Located on Abu Dhabi’s premier golf course, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is a vital part of the only true golf resort in the capital, offering unique surroundings and a highly attractive location. Our 5-star hotel is an essential part of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club experience - one of the most luxurious golf resort experiences in the Middle East - and home to the HSBC Golf Championship over the last 10 years. Our luxury resort’s 27-hole championship golf course weaves through undulating terrain featuring pockets of palms, ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as seven spectacular saltwater lakes. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is home to a wide selection of restaurants and bars and also features the Heavenly Spa, 2 Swimming Pools & the Westin WORKOUT room.timeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 3 FEATURES AND REGULARS 6 City life 8 Things to do 42 CLYMB quick guide 46 Upcoming UAE hotels 52 Food 56 Nightlife 60 Sport & Wellbeing 62 Shopping 64 Arts & Culture 66 Hype dish Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque PAGE 22 City of lights Manar Abu Dhabi is lighting up the capital, and we’ve got the ultimate guide PAGE 32 Fresh eats and sips We’ve rounded up all the new restaurants and bars from the past 12 months PAGE 12 Visitors in town this winter? The cooler months always mean an inÁux of friends and family members from abroad. If you’re entertaining in December and January, here’s where to go Abu Dhabi Discover the best of the city this month4 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION For many, the New Year marks a fresh start. That might mean resolutions longer than your arm, or focusing on one thing you want to achieve in 2024. If your goal is to try something new, this issue is here to help. Want to travel more? We’ve got all the inspo with our guide to hotel openings next year (you’ll want to book ASAP, trust us). Want to venture out to new hotspots in the city? We’ve rounded up the best restaurants and bars to make their Abu Dhabi debut over the past 12 months. And if you’re just aiming to look at things with fresh eyes, we have all the touristy things to do with visitors over the winter months. Whether you’ve been here Àve days or Àve years, we offer a fresh take on the city even locals will love. Let’s start 2024 how we mean to go on – exploring the city with friends and family. Happy New Year! Hello, Abu Dhabi Dianne Apen-Sadler Group Editor facebook.com/ timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi @timeoutabudhabiyoutube.com/ timeoutgcc Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2023 Time Out Group Ltd, London, UK. Time Out Abu Dhabi PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, London, Mumbai & Geneva ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Editorial Director Holly Sands Time Out Abu Dhabi Editorial Head of Content, Time Out GCC McKenna Grant Tel: +971 4 444 3486 email: mckenna.grant@itp.com Group Editor, Time Out Abu Dhabi & Time Out Doha Dianne Apen-Sadler Tel: +971 2 245 0087 email: dianne.apensadler@itp.com Deputy Editor, Time Out Abu Dhabi Sonali Shah Tel: +971 2 245 0084 email: sonali.shah@itp.com Social Media Editor, Time Out Abu Dhabi Tana van Heerden Tel: +971 2 245 0086 email: tana.vanheerden@itp.com Group Arabic Editor Aline Alkhoury Tel: +971 4 444 3695 email: aline.alkhoury@itp.com Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Tel: +971 4 444 3559 email: bharat.tahiliani@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño Tel: +971 4 444 3591 email: jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad Tel: +971 4 444 3657 email: rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Contributor Hiral Kapadia Events & Marketing Events & Marketing Manager Eleanor Ashton eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Executive Kate Galaktionova kate.galaktionova@itp.com Events Administrative Assistant Aronn Pureza aronn.pureza@itp.com Administrative Manager Siti Sumarsono siti.sumarsono@itp.com Art Head of Design Rita Ghantous Senior Designer Gillian Fletcher Contributing Designer Hiral Kapadia Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Image Editor Jemima Joy Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Video Editor Hana Morsy Videographer Ajith Narendra Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Balasubramanian P Tel: +971 4 444 3871 email: balasubramanian.p@itp.com Distribution & Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Tel: +971 4 444 3669 email: avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Tel: +971 4 444 3236 email: rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Group Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 mobile: +971 56 104 0567 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Commercial Manager Stuart Singleton Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Mobile: +971 52 352 3645 email: stuart.singleton@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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Time Out Abu Dhabi regular news-stand retail price is £3.50/Dhs12.00.TO DUBAI ADS copy.indd 123/11/2023 11:446 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com WE’RE SURE YOU all have memories of playing Monopoly as a kid, whether you keep it classic or like to mix it up with a themed edition. It’s particularly fun at Christmas, and if you’re planning on grabbing a board to bring to the festivities this year, you might want to hang Àre on buying one just yet, because an ofÀcial Abu Dhabi edition is launching. The move was announced with a visit from Mr. Monopoly to Louvre Abu Dhabi. Winning Moves, the team behind the Abu Dhabi Monopoly board under license from Hasbro, said, “We are thrilled to bring the magic of Monopoly to Abu Dhabi. This edition will encapsulate the essence of the emirate, ensuring a game that resonates with both locals and visitors for generations to come.” Abu Dhabi gets its very own Monopoly The price is yet to be revealed, but the Monopoly: Dubai Edition retails for Dhs199. Now the guessing game begins for which iconic sights will make it onto the board. Given Mr. Monopoly started his tour of the city (you can Ànd him around town by following the hashtag #MonopolyAbuDhabi on Instagram) at Louvre Abu Dhabi, we imagine the iconic dome will make the cut. Other top attractions we hope to see include Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. Outside of the theme parks, we imagine Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Hosn and Qasr Al Watan will all make an appearance. Landmarks like Etihad Towers, the Capital Gate Building, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island and Aldar HQ would make it onto our version of Monopoly: Abu Dhabi Edition, although it remains to be seen if Winning Moves feel the same. And, in our opinion, the Abu Dhabi Edition wouldn’t be complete without streets like the Corniche, Electra Street and Muroor Road. O Launching Dec. Available across Abu Dhabi. “Iconic attractions will feature on the board” City Lifetimeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 7 YAS WATERWORLD FIRST opened its doors in 2013, and over the past decade it’s been one of the must-visit attractions in Abu Dhabi. And now there are even more reasons to visit (or re-visit), as Yas Waterworld is adding 18 new rides and attractions to its existing roster. Which means in 2025 you’ll be able to enjoy a total of over 60 rides and experiences. Not satisÀed with adding more fun to the waterpark, Yas Waterworld will be breaking a couple of records in the process, too. The massive project undertaken by Miral will see a 16,900 square meters expansion to Yas Waterworld, increasing its visitor capacity by 20 percent. You can expect a whopping 3.3km of slides added to the mix, including the UAE’s highest slide. In a Àrst for the GCC region, Yas Waterworld will also see an amusement ride in a water park that is integrated within a waterslide complex. Yas Waterworld’s new expansion plans are made with both thrill-seekers and little ones in mind, with smaller-scaled versions of Yas Waterworld’s most iconic rides on the way (we wouldn’t want them to miss out on the fun after all). O Opening 2025. Yas Island, yaswaterworld.com. ALWAYS WANTED TO learn a bit more about the pearl trade in the UAE? Now’s your chance as the Delma Museum has just reopened following renovations. Located 42km off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the museum was once the home of pearl merchant Mohammed bin Jassim Al Muraikhi. Inside, you’ll be able to learn more about the house itself, the pearl trade and daily life on the island more than a century ago, through a collection of objects. Delma Museum also features a majlis, or sitting room, several date presses, and a traditional badkesh or windcatcher which cools down the house. His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “Conserving and reopening Delma Museum is an important milestone in our cultural strategy for the emirate and part of our mission at DCT Abu Dhabi to preserve our cultural and historical heritage, fostering pride in our national identity and sharing Abu Dhabi’s story with the world. “The museum will be a valuable and engaging attraction for visitors, residents and anyone who would like to learn more about Abu Dhabi’s rich and diverse history. It introduces previously unheard tales from our ancient past and shows how our ancestors lived through a collection of artefacts that delves into the rich maritime traditions and intangible heritage practices which have deÀned the emirate’s development.” You’ll need to take a ferry to reach Delma Island, which is priced at Dhs20. O 24/7. Delma Island, delmamuseum.ae. Delma Museum reopens Bigger, better Yas Waterworld 8 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com Things to do Winter pop-up Le Pré has just launched an eco- friendly pop-up space at Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain. Pay a visit and you’ll be able to listen to live music while ordering plates from a number of different food brands, including Eight Pizza, Popup Burger and Matera. O Until Sun Mar 31, 2024. Open Mon-Fri 4pm- midnight; Sat-Sun 4pm-1am. Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain, @lepre.ae.timeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 9 Art newness SOLASTALGIA A new art gallery has just opened on Reem Island Rizq Art Initiative (RAi), which is found at Leaf Tower, just opened in late November with a new exhibition exploring ‘solastalgia’, which is the sorrow and distress people feel as a result of environmental change. Works on display here will come from artists from the Global South. O Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. Leaf Tower, Reem Island, rizqart.com (056 990 8590). ALL THAT GLITTERS Check out a Cartier exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design explores the Maison’s sources of inspiration through more than 400 objects. Don’t miss the inÀnity rooms, which immerse you in animated patterns. O Dhs60 (adults), free (kids under 18) Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565566). DESERT EXPERIENCE Liwa Village makes a comeback This year, Liwa Village will be split into six zones, including a souk area where you’ll be able to shop, eat and head up to a rooftop for spectacular views; the main stage, where both regional and international artists will perform; and the carnival. O Dhs15. Fri Dec 8-Sun Dec 31 4pm-midnight. Liwa, liwavillage.ae. The circus is in town More speciÀcally, The Great Circus of Europe is in Al Ain for a month of dazzling performances from Gandey World- Class Productions. Perfect for the whole family, the show will feature acrobatics, aerialists, contortionists and more. You’ll probably leave wondering “just how do they do it?”. The show will be held at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, and ticket prices start from Dhs75, rising up to Dhs195 for front-row seats. O Dhs75 (bronze), Dhs95 (silver), Dhs125 (gold), Dhs145 (platinum), Dhs195 (royal). Until Sat Dec 16. Fri 7pm; Sat 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm; Sun 2pm, 4.30pm. Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, al-ain.platinumlist.net. Festive wonderland Yas Winter Fest will be taking place at Gateway Park South this December, and you can expect nightly Àrework shows, visits from Santa, carnival rides and more. O Dhs25 (adults), Dhs15 (kids). Wed Dec 6-Thu Dec 7 2pm-10pm; Fri Dec 8-Sun Dec 10 noon- midnight. Yas Island, yaswinterfest.com.Next >