Say Hello To Fairmont’s Grand Brunch, Reimagined - One Of Abu Dhabi’s Best Brunches

Food

Get your walking shoes on: this buffet is huge! Starting with the good stuff, launch right in with local caviar from right here in Abu Dhabi and a cascade of freshly-shucked Dibba Bay oysters, followed by overflowing buckets full of fresh seafood. Up next, alllll the best meats await: perfectly cooked beef Wellington, whole salt-crusted salmon, succulent roast chicken and the most tender, fall-apart-at-your fork, 15-hour beef short rib and roasted lamb. You’ll be transported to Italy with freshly made pasta, cooked exactly to your liking, cooked-to-order pizza and a DIY burrata and Italian salad station. Don’t skip the ramen station - even more delicious in the cool weather. 

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Work your way through an epic cheese and charcuterie selection, fresh salads and ceviche, before you hit the most impressive sushi selection from Cafe Sushi - we could fill up on this alone. Inside, streetfood and Mexican specialties await, alongside a delicious Spanish flatbread and generous seafood paella, fried buttermilk chicken and local specialties - the shish tawook is delish. Fairmont’s Indian selection is unsurprisingly excellent - the aromatic burst of spices from the top notch biryani topped with a whole leg of lamb speaks for itself. Head outdoors for the fresh grill - steak, prawns or lobster, anyone? - and a whole lamb on the spit. 

Dessert is wide-ranging, and you’d be hard pressed to try everything. Alongside a chocolate fountain - what brunch is complete without one? - and a generous bunch of tarts and cakes, try the made-to-order acai bowls and lemon sorbet topped with fresh fruit. We couldn’t go past a fabulous milk cake topped with berries.

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‍Chef Abi and his team are incredibly passionate about what they're doing: every element of brunch has been thoughtfully pulled together, and every member of the team has a beaming smile on their face - it’s a lovely atmosphere! If that’s not enough, ingredients from Fairmont’s very own garden are woven through your meal: chillies, tomatoes, eggplants and herbs. Sustainable and as fresh as you can get!

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A Moment For The Pass-Arounds

Get ready for not one, not two but FOUR pass-arounds throughout the afternoon. 

1. Tasty peking duck pancakes (changes week to week, but always an Asian-themed trolley)
2. Saffron risotto with veal cheeks (changes week to week, but always Italian-themed) - this was divine! 
3. Tomahawk with cafe de Paris butter, flambéed at the table - what a showstopper!
4. Arabic dessert trolley - fresh kunafa on our visit, but also changed up regularly! 

It’s a lovely touch, and added a little theatre having some extra treats delivered straight to the table - no matter how full you are, you’ll find them difficult to turn down.

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Drinks

If you love a brunch where the mocktails aren’t an afterthought, Fairmont’s Grand Brunch is going to tickle your fancy. Light and delicious elderflower combined with jasmine tea went down a treat, and the fruit punch is lovely and refreshing too - not overly ‘juicy’ and it arrived looking the part of an elegant brunch beverage. 

Cocktails hit the mark - a great selection of classics, you’re not limited to one or two choices here - and there’s a sparkling wine included in the house package alongside beer and house wines. Upgrade to Italian prosecco if you’re feeling extra fancy.

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Entertainment

If you can’t imagine brunch without a side of live music, pull up a seat in Marco’s: resident musician Nathan is tinkling the ivories, playing guitar and belting out hit after hit throughout the afternoon. 

Each week, look out for roving entertainers, too. We were transfixed by the magician - seriously, how do they do it? - and other weeks you’ll find balloon artists and performers doing the rounds. 

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Kids 

Nab a seat for family-friendly dining in CuiScene, or outside by the grass where the kids can let loose. There’s plenty the kids will love to eat - from pizza and pasta to streetfood burgers, tender meat, yummy shawarmas and endless sushi for all the junior sushi fiends - as well as a bottomless dessert buffet. Good luck prying them away from the chocolate fountain, endless scoops of icecream, churros and fresh crepes. 

Make the most of the supervised Kids Clubhouse, with games, play equipment and movies through the afternoon, as well as space on the grass to run around outside to make room for dessert.

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After Brunch, The Party Doesn’t Stop! 

Don’t let the post-brunch momentum die! There’s no need to find somewhere for kick-ons after Fairmont’s Grand Brunch - just stick around for the afterparty. Hosted by Bridges Bar, the perfect casual setting for post-brunch bar vibes. With its lively ambiance, as well as a DJ kicking off from 4PM, you’ll be hard-pressed to drag yourself away without a dance, the cherry on top of an epic day at brunch.

Perfect for a date or a big group for your next birthday, super approachable if you have kids who need their own space, ideal if you have guests and want to show them what the brunch scene is all about (and wow them with Grand Mosque views across the water) - this is a brunch that has the lot! Easily one of the best brunches in Abu Dhabi, Fairmont’s Grand Brunch deserves all the praise - and we’re happy to give it! 

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Fairmont Grand Brunch

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Timing: Saturdays | 1PM - 4PM

Price: AED345 soft package | +AED150 house drinks | +AED225 Italian Bubbly | 50% off kids aged 6-12 | kids under 6 dine free

Bookings: +971 2 654 3333 or email dining.bab@fairmont.com or click here

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