Taste of Abu Dhabi Returns for 2025!

Taste of Abu Dhabi is making a triumphant return to the nation's capital, and it's building on the success of last year with a host of new inclusions - including new VIP packages, extra activities for the little chefs in your life and plenty more - all brought to you by MENA Live Events.

Tastegoers can expect three days of gastronomic delights featuring some of the most celebrated restaurants in Abu Dhabi, a star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs that'll blow your mind, and a fresh music concept to keep the party going. Let’s dive - or should we say, dine? - right in!

‍

WHEN, WHERE AND WHO!

This November 14th - 16th 2025, Taste of Abu Dhabi returns to Yas Island (with a slightly different location, around the corner at Gateway Park North) for an unforgettable culinary celebration, welcoming food enthusiasts, families and friends to three fabulous days of food and fun! 

Taste of Abu Dhabi will showcase the very best cuisine the city has to offer, with 15 fabulous restaurants in the spotlight, each serving a menu of delectable 'taster' size dishes, ensuring guests can sample their way through the impressive lineup. There'll be options for vegetarians - including Taste’s first vegetarian-only pop-up thanks to Gala Gourmet - and kid-friendly dishes so that no one misses out on the experience. Look out for favourites from previous years, along with some exciting new additions - including Taparelle (yay!), Ilios and Fouquet’s. Yep, that’s Fouquet’s from their home at The Louvre, bringing some French fine dining to the event. Très magnifique! 

Pro tip: You can purchase dishes at the event via credit/debit card or with vouchers included in select ticket packages.

The first 10 restaurants have already been confirmed, including plenty of our personal favourites: 

• Paradiso 
• Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi 
• Ilios
• Craft by Side Hustle 
• Lento
• Gala Gourmet 
• Catch by St. Regis
• Taparelle 
• Oak Room
• The Director’s Club

‍

MEET THE STARS!

A foodie festival wouldn't be complete without some culinary stars, and Taste of Abu Dhabi is serving them up in abundance! You can look forward to three days of exclusive workshops hosted by celebrity chefs where guests can learn culinary secrets, techniques, and insights directly from the experts.

So far the celebrity chef lineup is piping hot! Look out for:

• Gino D’Acampo (yes - that Gino, ‘if my mother had wheels, she’d be a bike’ Gino)
• Matt Preston (hello, Masterchef royalty!)
• Shivesh Bhatia (hopefully with some of his viral No Bake Mango Cheesecake)
• Jenny Morris (as funny as she is lovely - and a personal favourite from 2024)
• Fred Casagrande (meat smoker/BBQ extraordinaire, and all round legend)
• Annika Panikker (chef and food content creator with drool-worthy socials)
• Rich (Dubai 92) 
• Harry Heals 
• Khaled Al Saadi 
• Faisal Naser 
• Warren Mendes 
• Omaka Marie (the smiliest face fresh from the kitchens of Taparelle and Niri)
• Andrew Dickens 
• Joe Nesbitt Larking 
  

Here's the kicker: all workshops are included for free with event entry tickets. You just have to sign up on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Keep an eye out for the chefs’ full schedules at the cooking school, and Taste’s favourite hosts Priti Malik, Zoe Dickens and Andrew Dickens.

‍

DRINKS

Looking for the perfect beverage pairing with your dish or a refreshing drink to cool down after dancing? No worries! Guests can head to one of the 21+ licensed lounges within the event.

‍

FAMILY FUN!

This year's event promises fabulous activities for families with children of all ages, including culinary workshops, a mega kids zone, and plenty of delicious food options. Best of all, kids under 12 can enter the event for FREE!

‍

MEGA KIDS ZONE!

Bigger and better than ever, the kids zone will feature bouncy castles, crafts and tons of activities designed to get kids burning off steam and letting out their creative energy.

Activities are charged individually, and last year included:

A giant Obstacle Course

A massive trampoline

Bungee Jump

Meltdown

Human Crane

Soft Play Area for younger children

Chef's Hat Decorating activities

Apron Decorating

Tie Dye Making

Slime Making

Coin Bank Making

Wooden Magnet Painting

Canvas Painting

Ceramics Painting

Mosaic Art

Hair Braiding

We can't wait to see what new activites are waiting for the little ones in 2025!

‍

NEW IN 2025

Partnering with BMW Abu Dhabi for the first time, look out for two exciting new experiences at Taste of Abu Dhabi this year! Explore a selection of the raciest - and most dynamic -vehicles in town. From fun, family-friendly activities to exclusive test drives, alongside a premium showcase featuring the BMW X3 and BMW 3 Series, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Zoom, zoom!

‍

PASTA-MAKING WORKSHOPS

Alongside all the other fun and fabulous workshops to look forward to, learn insider tips on making the best fresh pasta as you follow along in hands-on classes - again, all included free with your ticket.

TICKETS

Early Bird Tickets are available for purchase at Platinumlist.net, and there are several ticket options to tailor your experience: 

Early Bird Prices

Standard: AED60 *children under 12 go free

Taster Package: AED175

VIP Package: AED299

Friday Team Packages: from AED130 - please contact for more information

‍

Package Inclusions

General Admission

Includes:

• 1 day entry to the event
• Access to Taste culinary workshops (registration first-come first-served on the day)

Taster Package

Includes:

• 1 day entry to the event
• 2 food vouchers
• 2 drink vouchers
• Access to Taste culinary workshops (registration first-come first-served on the day

*Vouchers are distributed at the time of entry into the event.

*Food vouchers may be redeemed for any dish at any restaurant pop-up.

*Drink vouchers may be used for house beverages, soft drinks or water.

VIP Package

Includes:

• 1 day entry to the event
• Fast-track entry to the event
• 3 food vouchers
• 4 drink vouchers
• Access to the Taste VIP Lounge including dedicated entertainment & plush seating options

• Access to Taste culinary workshops (registration first-come first-served on the day)

*Vouchers are distributed at the time of entry into the event.

*Food vouchers may be redeemed for any dish at any restaurant pop-up.

*Drink vouchers may be used for house beverages, select VIP lounge cocktails or mocktails, soft drinks or water.

Looking for the perfect team building outing for your organisation? Taste of Abu Dhabi is offering specially designed packages for companies to take Friday team lunch to the next level. Please contact marketing@mena-events.com for rates and details.

For the latest updates and event details, visit https://tasteofabudhabifestival.com and follow on Instagram @tasteofabudhabi. They've even got a TikTok page: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSLGSvtra/

‍

EXCITED ABOUT THIS?

We have plenty of other great recommendations here:

• THE MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE CAFES IN ABU DHABI
• BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER: INDOOR ACTIVITIES GALORE
• FABULOUS ABU DHABI LADIES NIGHTS TO TRY
• 6 GREAT INDOOR BRUNCHES IN ABU DHABI

‍