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ABU DHABI ON A PLATE HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF CULINARY SEASON IN THE CAPITAL FIND YOUR CONTENTS CONTENTS 3 CONTENTS CALENDAR DINING PAGE 8 PAGE 20 Abu Dhabi Culinary Season events, plus Discover the emirate’s exciting restaurant scene, more unmissable happenings in the capital. from celebrity chefs to superb Emirati eateries. ABU DHABI TOP 20 NIGHTLIFE PAGE 62 PAGE 68 The capital’s very best attractions Where to find the city’s best and experiences, at a glance. bars and clubs. 4 CONTENTS SHOPPING CULTURE PAGE 74 PAGE 78 In the mood to spend? You’re spoilt for Discover Abu Dhabi’s most choice in the city. Here’s where to head. inspiring cultural experiences. OUTDOORS LIFE IN ABU DHABI PAGE 84 PAGE 90 From white water rafting to cycling, Ten things everyone who visits there’s no shortage of excitement. the capital needs to know. 5 6 HELLO, ABU DHABI Dear food-lovers, I am delighted to welcome you to the Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, a celebration of food across the capital. Food is truly at the heart of culture and we are fortunate to live in a city that brings together people and cultures from all around the world in a unique blend. The Abu Dhabi food scene is one of the world's richest, with hundreds of cuisines, and exceptional restaurants available across the city. The Abu Dhabi Culinary Season sheds light on how food unifi es us all through a series of events and experiences designed to delight, engage and most importantly satiate your appetite for delicious food from all over the world, including our very own Emirati cuisine with its famed hospitality. As part of the culinary season, the capital will celebrate food with restaurant week promotions, including a major dine and win promotion, and will feature key events, such as Taste of Abu Dhabi, Mega Mela and World of Food. During the Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, you will also get the opportunity to experience all that the UAE capital has to offer, including awe-inspiring cultural landmarks, from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Qasr Al Watan, in addition to an exciting array of entertainment and shopping options around the city. The capital will also host numerous world-class events, such as the F1 Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and award-winning artist, Bruno Mars, for an incredible performance on New Year’s Eve. We welcome you and look forward to acting as your guide as you embark on an inspired culinary journey embodied in the vibrant culture of Abu Dhabi. Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing, Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi Welcome to one of the most vibrant cities in the world – a capital of culture, art and experiences unlike any other in the region. From dining in restaurants led by Michelin-lauded chefs to stepping back in time and learning about the Arabian Peninsula’s desert-dwelling heritage, Abu Dhabi presents an endless cultural degustation, regardless of whether you’ve spent a lifetime in the UAE or are visiting for the very fi rst time. This guide works like a menu of the best of the city, taking you from the exciting culinary happenings of the next few months through to the best of shopping, adventuring and relaxing. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll fi nd fantastic options to choose from. So grab a spoon – it’s time to dig in. Paul Clifford, Group Editor, Time Out Abu Dhabi 7 CALENDAR ESSENTIAL EVENTS 8 ESSENTIAL EVENTS CALENDAR WELCOME TO ABU DHABI CULINARY SEASON 9 CALENDAR ESSENTIAL EVENTS ABU DHABI CULINARY SEASON The capital city’s celebration of all things food runs from October 31 to December 14. These are the events and promotions you don’t want to miss. For more details, please visit www.adculinaryseason.ae YAS MEGA MELA headlining the three-day festival and belting out all OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 2 their top hits, while Dhol drummers and Bhangra The largest Indian lifestyle and cultural festival in performers, live bands and DJs will perform for the region is headed to the capital from October the crowds. In addition, enjoy a slew of pampering 31 to November 2. From health and beauty as well treatments at the health and beauty zone, go for as an extravagant daily fireworks display, celebrity a six at the cricket academy, savour the delights chefs Vicky Ratnani and Sandeep Sreedharan will of Indian cuisine at the tasting experience or shop be demonstrating their culinary prowess with a till you drop at the bazaar. A dedicated kids’ play series of live cookery demonstrations and share area will keep little festival-goers entertained. A their latest recipes. Bollywood singing sensations fantastic weekend for the whole family. Ankit Tiwari and Kanika Kapoor (pictured) will be O From Dhs20. Oct 31-Nov 2. www.yasmegala.ae. 10 ESSENTIAL EVENTS CALENDAR TASTEMASTER SERIES OCTOBER 31 TO DECEMBER 14 The season’s biggest highlight, the Tastemaster Series will celebrate the city’s gourmet dining destinations with Michelin-starred chefs. Diners will be able to enjoy bespoke signature menus and interact with the culinary masters behind the cuisine. Some of the greatest chefs who will showcase their skills are Nicholas Isnard and Wang Zheng at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri from October 30 to November 1, and November 11 to 16 respectively, among others. TASTE OF ABU DHABI Kapoor. This year’s event will also be home to a NOVEMBER 7 TO 9 showcase of Emirati cuisine and culture, cooking It’s back, with a stellar line-up of foodie fun. challenges hosted by Al Ain Farms and Kibsons, Among the celebrity chefs attending this year latte art workshops and a bake-off tent hosted by are Masterchef host John Torode, Michelin- ICCA Dubai, with the chance to win baking and starred chef Jean Christophe Novelli, Kunal patisserie courses worth Dhs25,000. And if that’s Kapoor and Eric Lanlard (pictured) who will be not enough entertainment in one weekend, Brit making appearances and doing live cooking reggae band UB40 and UK super group BoyzLife performances alongside top Abu Dhabi chefs. will be taking to the stage too. Guests will also be able to try dishes from O Dhs60 (day tickets Fri-Sat), Dhs150 (Thu), Dhs290 restaurants including Dai Pai Dong, Butcher & (three days). Nov 7-9. du Arena, Yas Island, Still, Sambusek, Roberto’s and Namak by Kunal www.tasteabudhabi.com. 11 CALENDAR ESSENTIAL EVENTS DINE & WIN RAFFLE NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 14 A celebration of the city’s bustling culinary scene. As part of the Dine & Win campaign, customers who dine at participating restaurants will be eligible to enter a raffle draw and stand a chance to win amazing prizes. PIT STOP MENUS December 2, a spectacular array of dining offers NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 2 will be available at some of the best eateries in As the whole region gears up for the hugely the emirate. Stay tuned to www.timeoutabudhabi. anticipated Abu Dhabi Formula One Race Week, com for the very best restaurant promotions in the Time Out Abu Dhabi will be curating special, lead up to the Grand Prix weekend, which is already limited-edition menus at 50 restaurants across the promising to be one for the ages. capital to show off the very best dining in the city. O Various locations. Nov 14-Dec 2. Running from Thursday November 14 to Monday www.timeoutabudhabi.com. TIME OUT ABU DHABI RESTAURANT AWARDS NOVEMBER 26 It’s that time of year again. This November 26, Time Out Abu Dhabi will be announcing the best eateries in the city in a glittering ceremony at its Restaurant Awards 2019. After another full year of anonymous reviews across Abu Dhabi, restaurants will be crowned in categories including Best Chinese, Best Italian, Best Brunch and Best Outdoor, in addition to the fiercely contended Best Newcomer. O November 26. Stay tuned to @timeoutabudhabi on Twitter for all the winners as they’re announced. 12 ESSENTIAL EVENTS CALENDAR DELICIOUS DEALS WORLD OF FOOD NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 14 DECEMBER 5 TO 9 Delicious Deals will be bringing World of Food Abu Dhabi will span across five a food extravaganza to the days from December 5 to 9 in one of the capital’s capital of the UAE. A city wide favourite parks, Umm Al Emarat, where everyone will promotion that will see multiple be entertained whether looking for the best foodie restaurants across the malls of deals or just a day out with the family. The event will Abu Dhabi offer special meal feature an attempt at a Guinness World Record for deals to diners through exciting the world’s largest variety of desserts at one time in offers and promotions. one location. SIAL MIDDLE EAST 2019 DECEMBER 9 TO 11 Returning to Abu Dhabi for its tenth year, SIAL Middle East is an enormous trade show that provides a platform for food, beverage and hospitality companies looking to make their mark in the region. Expect more than 1,000 exhibitors from more than 45 countries, in addition to 30 national pavilions. In 2018, the event welcomed more than 28,000 visitors. For 2019, activations during SIAL include La Cuisine, a culinary competition organised by the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Emirates Culinary Guild, which is open to chefs of all age and ability level. SIAL will also host the UAE National Coffee Championships, bringing together the region’s most talented baristas. Conferences at this year’s event will include panels tailored to those attending, with previous years’ editions having featured talks on healthcare in F&B, coffee in the skies and engaging with influencers from the region.