6 GREAT INDOOR BRUNCHES IN ABU DHABI

The best thing about indoor brunches is that the focus flips to the food and the drinks with a side-eye to the vibe. We think these brunches are some of the unsung heroes of the April-September brunch scene, these are brunches that you're guaranteed to enjoy.

WHITE BRUNCH

JUMEIRAH AT SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT

Great for: meat, sushi, desserts and holiday feels

20% OFF WITH BB+

This is probably the best brunch in terms of both entertainment and desserts in Abu Dhabi and definitely one of our favourites. The ambiance is chilled, the selection is broad and the taste of the food top. And there is, of course, the chocolate art ... Our advice? Start here and finish here!

Everything about this brunch gets better every time we try it, from the excellent roast meats, the luscious, cold, fresh seafood selection to the outstanding sushi, sashimi and nigiri, Asian station and plentiful and upscale Indian options. There are also good vegetarian offerings: a beautifully displayed vegetable tower and salads that were outstanding - the German potato salad stood out.

Desserts surpassed the usual impeccable White standards. We loved the cream-filled macarons, the eclairs, the vibrant green ‘apples’ on sable that turn into something else entirely once cut into and the most divine apple mille feuille. The chocolate table is literally everything chocolate: from the giant turtle and the octopus to the little chocolate bites and the treasure chest!

There's entertainment in the form of an excellent duo, great music in between sets and little bits for children including a supervised colouring area, face painting and a giant jenga.

This is somewhere to bring your guests to give them the quintessential Abu Dhabi brunch experience but also the best place for families and groups to come together and know that everyone will be highly entertained and well fed.

Time: Saturdays, 1PM - 4PM

Price: Soft AED350 | House AED475 | Champagne AED600

20% off with BB+

Booking: 02 811 434

PACHAMAMA BY EBER VILLABOS

CONRAD ABU DHABI ETIHAD TOWERS

20% OFF WITH BB+

This pop-up brunch is here for a good time, but sadly not a long time so make sure you check it out before they wrap up in June. This is a fabulous Peruvian brunch, the flavours coming out of Chef Eber’s (ex-VaKaVa) kitchen are sure to impress. The menu changes all the time but we are confident in saying that this is some of the best food in Abu Dhabi, and a brunch that really is for foodies. Our stand-outs were the excellent corn pancakes, cachapas, the chicken stuffed croquetas and the absolutely incredible picanha beef for main. Drinks were also exceptional - don’t miss the caiparinha!

We love a 4-hour brunch you can linger over, especially when it’s something a little different like this - you have time to take in all the flavours and aren’t rushing through each dish. The warm hospitality of the grooving and shaking staff add to an already excellent DJ vibe, and with 20% off for BB+ subscribers it really is a no brainer. Don’t miss it!

BB+ subscribers enjoy 20% off

Availability: Saturdays 1-5PM

Price: AED290 soft package | AED450 house package

Booking: 02 811 5666

BARBOSSA

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Grab your mates, grab your date, grab your birthday squad - in fact, we wouldn’t mind betting you could even rock up alone to this brunch and you’d soon make some friends to enjoy the afternoon with! There's something about Mexican that just screams ‘good vibes’ and Barbossa certainly delivers.

They serve up a drinks range that really impresses: yes, you have the classic margs, and in six different flavours, no less, but they sit alongside five other tasty cocktails, several beers, and even prosecco on the house package! Did we see trays of tequila shots being ferried to the massive group next to us? Try it and see for yourself!

The food is plentiful, and as fresh and delicious as you’d hope! The starters alone are a fiesta on the plate - birria tacos with pulled beef, avocado mango salad as light as can be, and chicken flautas are highlights - followed by your choice of tacos, mains you’ll find just have to make room for, and of course - dessert!

Add in a DJ who understands the assignment - getting the brunch crowd up and dancing with back to back nostalgic hits - and dancers who appear with boundless energy to tie it all together, and you’ll find it hard not to have the best Saturday afternoon in the city!

Availability: Saturdays,1PM-5PM

Price: AED249 soft package | AED399 house package | AED599 Champagne package

Booking: 050 185 8068

TASTE OF TEATRO FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

PARK ROTANA

We all love a casual night out at a great price, and Teatro brings us that in spades! The menu is an eclectic mix, perfect for people who fancy a little bit of everything.

Make your way through the menu of signature dishes featuring classics from the southern Mediterranean and South East Asia. We enjoy both the tenderloin steak and creamy gnocchi, swiftly followed by superb butter chicken, kung pao prawns and duck spring rolls.

The sushi at Teatro is always fresh and fun - pick up your favourites from the sushi bar and watch the chefs at work preparing it.

Desserts don't disappoint and are the perfect way to finish this amazing value brunch.

Time: Fridays and Saturdays 7PM - 11PM

Price: AED195 soft, AED295 house including cocktails, AED120 for children aged 6 to 12

Booking: 02 657 3317

CRUST

FOUR SEASONS ABU DHABI

Brunch at Crust is like your very unpretentious but very wealthy aunt - it's not till you get up close that you realise that her necklace is actually diamonds! The brunch has a loyal following, and for very good reason: without doubt, the food at Crust is among the best in a brunch offering in Abu Dhabi. The selection isn’t vast, but the quality of the buffet items, paired with the outstanding pass-arounds, make for an enormously good time.

Our tactic is to go up to the buffet once to get some of the outstanding sushi, seafood and bits and pieces that might be classed as starters, possibly head up again for a plate from the carvery but then stay in your seat and resume your chat, so as not to miss the chefs passing by your table with upscale dishes made with the best ingredients, prepared in front of you, and served hot-off-the-press.

You'll venture out of your seat one last time for a sashay around the dessert buffet, which has an ever-changing selection of upscale patisserie items, destined to thrill lovers of a sweet treat.

This is a brunch for foodies: there's no live entertainment, but the service is impeccable and friendly and the food provides its own form of theatre - we're here for it.

Time: Saturdays 1PM - 4PM

Price: Soft AED320 | House AED420 | Kids 6-12 AED135 | Kids 0-5 AED50

Booking: 02 333 2444

DIRECTOR’S CLUB BRUNCH

THE WB HOTEL ABU DHABI

A table brunch that brings the goods straight to your plate, you’ll be treated to premium cuts and fine beverages. With sharing-style starters, a choice of main - yes, that choice includes a tomahawk! - and an array of delightful desserts, you will be spoiled for choice.

Live entertainment keeps things fun, and a special Little Director's menu is available for the kids. Post-brunch, head up to The Overlook to unwind over drinks and watch the sunset for a perfect finale to the afternoon! This is probably Abu Dhabi's most underrated brunch and an absolute must-try.

Time: Saturdays 1PM - 4PM

Price: AED275 soft package | AED399 house package | AED599 premium package | AED135 kids 6-12

Booking: 02 815 0000