In the UAE, the word ‘brunch ‘does not refer to a combination of breakfast and lunch as it is in many other places around the world – it is so much more than that. A brunch is a buffet-style dining experience usually served at the weekend. It includes unlimited food and drink and often some form of entertainment.
Most hotels across the capital have brunches in their restaurants at the weekend. Many are designed for adults with sumptuous seafood buffets and all-you-can-drink beverage packages.
Whilst you will always be able to find food suitable for younger guests, some hotels go the extra mile in providing food and entertainment that your children will love, giving you a chance to sit back and relax and enjoy your brunch experience.
Here is our pick of some of the best family-friendly brunches in Abu Dhabi for 2023 brunch season.
Don’t miss our Dubai family-friendly brunch selections over here!
Giornotte at The Ritz Carlton
This is surely one of the best brunches in Abu Dhabi. Giornotte ‘Chef’s Brunch’ manages to get the balance between adult and family-friendly brunch just right. The spread is incredible. Whilst the focus is on Italian cuisine, there is a carvery, an extensive seafood selection, and a selection of South Asian and East Asian fayre.
Children are well catered for, and the chef is very adaptable should your little ones need a few tweaks to their food. There is also a wide selection of dishes suitable for vegetarians.
Live entertainment is provided, and there’s lots of space to run around outdoors. The staff are friendly and supportive of younger guests. Arts and crafts and face painting are sometimes available but do check at the time of booking.
The Saturday Brunch package starts at 320 AED for food and soft drinks, rising to 599 AED for the Champagne package. Children under 6 are free, whereas 6 to 12-year-olds pay 160 AED.
Saturdays 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
The Ritz-Carlton, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi +971 818 8282
Khayal at the Marriott Al Forsan
The dessert table at Khayal is positively shimmering with all sorts of sugary treats. It’s sure to make your little one’s face light up! There’s a circus of kids activities with face-painting and a variety of arts and crafts to keep kids busy between courses. The package also includes entry to the swimming pool for the whole family.
Packages start at 275 AED for soft drinks rising to the 395 AED for house beverages. Children aged 6-11 are charged 95 AED.
Saturdays 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Marriott Al Forsan, Khalifa City Area, Abu Dhabi +971 2 201 4131
Sim Sim Market Brunch at the Saadiyat Rotana
The Market Brunch at Sim Sim offers a huge array of food, including a wide selection of seafood and a dedicated kids’ table. The ambience is relaxed, and indoor and outdoor seating make this a great brunch for those cooler winter days.
There are lots of live cooking stations and a farmer’s market vibe, which add a sense of spectacle to the occasion. There’s also live music and other entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Packages start at 390 AED for soft drinks rising to 615 AED for the bubbles package. Kids under 6 eat for free, whereas children aged 6 to 11 pay 195 AED.
Saturdays 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
Saadiyat Rotana Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi +971 2 697 0000
Sidekicks at the WB
Enjoy a playful family-friendly brunch with bugs bunny and friends at Sidekicks at the WB Hotel. There are character meet and greets as well a superb children’s buffet. This brunch is undoubtedly lots of fun!
There are various live cooking stations for grown-ups, including a carvery. There’s a selection of Asian dishes as well as a variety of pasta and a salad bar. The ambience is special and will keep the whole family happy.
Brunch at Sidekicks costs 185 AED for the soft drinks package and 290 AED for house beverages. Children under 6 eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult (1 child per adult) and children aged 6 to 12 pay 93 AED.
Saturdays 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
The WB Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi +971 2 692 7742
Bubbalicious at The Westin
Known locally for its laid-back atmosphere yet high standard of food and service, The Westin’s Bubbalicious brunch at Fairways restaurant is perfect for all the family.
There’s a mouthwatering selection of indulgent international dishes, from fresh sushi and an array of international live cooking delicacies to roasts and grills. There’s also a wide range of cheese from all over the world. The whole thing is topped off by a spectacular selection of desserts, including homemade chocolates, sweets and cakes and made-to-order crepes, ice cream and sorbets.
There is a variety of entertainment on offer, with live music for the adults and arts and crafts and face painting for the kids. Occasionally the Westin has been known to have a small petting zoo set up during brunches but do check at the time of booking.
The soft drinks package costs 225 AED with prices rising to 625AED for bubbles. The house beverage package is a rather reasonable 395 AED. Kids under 6 are free, with 6 to 12-year-olds expected to pay 125 AED.
Saturdays 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm
The Westin Golf Resort and Spa, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi +971 2 616 9999
Aqua at the Rosewood
Serving delicious delicacies from across the globe, Aqua’s brunch is second to none in terms of quality. Despite being called ‘The garden brunch’, there is indoor and outdoor seating with buffets inside and live cooking stations on the terrace.
Children can dine with mum and dad or choose to head to the children’s buffet by the kids club. Here they can find gourmet burgers, pizza, popcorn, and a chocolate fountain amongst the child-friendly fayre.
Access to the supervised kids’ club is included, and the staff do go above and beyond to ensure that your little one is safe and happy. Pool access is also part of the package, so don’t forget your swimming kit! This is undoubtedly one of the most family friendly brunches in Abu Dhabi.
Prices start at 255 AED for food only, rising to 455 AED for the Champagne package.
Saturdays 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
The Rosewood Hotel, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi +971 2 813 5550
Dino’s Bistro Italiano at The Pearl Rotana
Heaps of spaghetti and oodles of ice cream are sure to impress mini-Italian food lovers as well as keep mum and dad satisfied. Whilst there are some buffet stations, most food is served directly to the table, which is great if you don’t want your little people running around with plates of food.
Packages start at 180 AED for soft drinks and rise to 250 AED for a house beverage package.
Saturdays and Sundays 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm and Fridays
The Pearl Rotana, Capital Centre, Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi +971 2 307 5551
Learn more about Dino’s Bistro Italiano Brunch here.
Frangipani at Nurai Island
Want something luxurious and special to enjoy with the family? How about setting sail for brunch on a lush desert island?
Frangipani restaurant on the luxurious Nurai Island offers a wonderful brunch, including access to the hotel’s fantastic kids club, adventure playground and mini water park. The island has several beaches and pathways through the trees which are great for little (supervised) explorers.
This is a wonderful day out for all of the family but does require full payment in advance. The only drinking water on the island is Voss, which comes with quite a high price tag if you need to buy it outside brunching hours.
The buffet isn’t as diverse as some in Abu Dhabi, but there are lots of salads and mezze dishes as well as a variety of Mediterranean and Mexican main course options.
The highlight of the brunch is the ample selection of high-quality cheeses as well as a beautiful French-inspired dessert stand. There are some options specifically for children, but not as many as you may find elsewhere. The approach here does seem to be quality over quantity.
Soft drinks packages are 450 AED, the mixed drink package is 550 AED, and the sparkling wines package is 750 AED. Children under 4 are free, whilst children aged 4-12 pay 225 AED. These prices include the 20-minute boat transfer and access to many of Nurai Island’s other facilities.
Saturdays 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Zaya Hotel, Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi +971 2 506 6222
Click here to find out more about the Nurai Island Resort
Our Top Pick for a Family-Friendly Brunch in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Beach Club
Brunch by Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful beach at Safina restaurant at Saadiyat Beach Club. Choose to sit indoors or out on the shaded terrace as you enjoy a sumptuous buffet featuring a variety of live cooking stations as well as sushi, salads and cold cuts. There really is everything that you could imagine at this 5* location.
In addition to the exquisite selection of food, there is often live entertainment. Service is also of an exceptionally high standard, whether you’re sitting in the restaurant or ordering drinks from the poolside.
Access to the kids club makes the Safina brunch one of the most family-friendly brunches in Abu Dhabi. This comes at no extra cost and includes a supervised play area, arts and crafts, and much more. This, in conjunction with the chance to upgrade your brunch package to a beach club day pass to enjoy Saadiyat Beach and the relatively reasonable prices, make this the ultimate family-friendly Abu Dhabi brunch and one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi with kids.
Prices start at 299 AED for the soft drink package rising to 499 AED if you want to indulge in champagne throughout the afternoon. Both packages can be upgraded to include a beach/pool day pass for an additional 200 AED. Children under 6 can eat free of charge whilst children aged 7-12 need to pay 99 AED without beach and pool access or 199 AED with.
Saturdays 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi + 971 02656 3536
To find out more about Saadiyat Beach Club click here.
We hope that you have found our list of the best family-friendly brunches in Abu Dhabi helpful. Please note that all information was correct at the time of writing. Prices, food selections and entertainment are subject to change at short notice. All brunches should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
Before you go… Important things to consider planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Check the most up-to-date COVID entry rules for Abu Dhabi.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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