7 Evening brunches in Abu Dhabi

Friday lunchtime feasts are so passé. Here’s our pick of the best brunches on offer in the capital once the sun goes down.

01. Market Kitchen’s Thursday Night Brunch

This restaurant’s modern American cuisine has impressed What’s On in the past (chef Justin Galea, who introduced the concept to the UAE, was crowned Chef Of The Year at the 2015 What’s On Awards) and it’s new Thursday evening brunch features a creative a la carte menu, featuring crispy sushi rice with scallion and chipotle mayonnaise, black truffle pizza with fontina cheese, parmesan-crusted chicken with basil-lemon butter and asparagus, and soy-glazed beef short ribs with jalapeño purée and apple crumble.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8.30pm to 11pm, Dhs220 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6950300. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

02. Sportsman’s Arms Boston Brunch

There’s more to Boston than baseball and moody gang movies starring Ben Affleck – the foodie scene there is pretty unique as well, and you can now try a bit of it every Friday evening in Zayed Sports City. Starters and desserts here are served on sharing platters and diners can choose one main dish each. So what’s cooking? Pulled beef croquettes, pastrami-cured salmon and smoked haddock fish cakes to start, while the mains include Murphy’s beef Irish stew, fish and chips, spring pea risotto or a choice of gourmet pizzas, plus traditional roast dishes served with lamb, beef or turkey. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding, fruit tarts, sorbets, an apple pie and a chocolate brownie.

Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, Fri 7pm to 10pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs275 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 4034235. Taxi: Tennis Centre at ZSC. sportsmanszsc.com

03. Koi’s Supper Club

Koi’s Thursday night brunch is akin to a supper club – guests sit in the lounge area and dishes are served tapas-style to your table. Dishes on offer include creamy rock shrimp tempura and Californian rolls. You also get free-flowing wine and Saketini cocktails (a drink made with rice wine sake) included in the price. They also just launched a Saturday evening brunch, called Gochiso (which means feast in English).

The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8.30pm to 11.30pm, Dhs199 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6783334. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat. koirestaurant.ae

04. BOA’s Thursday Night Supper Club

Now the weather has finally cooled down, it’s time to take advantage of the awesome alfresco dining area at this American steakhouse on the Eastern Mangroves Promenade. Sharing platters are served to your table, featuring nachos, calamari and burrito cheese salad, along with unlimited house drinks.

Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8.30pm to midnight, Dhs249 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6411500. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. boaabudhabi.ae

05. Caramel’s Sundown Brunch

This slick bar and restaurant on Saadiyat likes the concept of an evening brunch so much, it holds it three times a week. The dishes are served to your table and on the menu you’ll find chicken lettuce bites with shitake mushrooms and hoisin sauce, plus chicken lollipops served buffalo-style with blue cheese, and spinach and avocado salad.

The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur to Sat 7pm to 10pm, Dhs199 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6783344. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat Island. caramelgroup.com

06. Teatro’s Wined Down Brunch

The Park Rotana’s fusion restaurant has recently launched Wined Down, which runs every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. You can get refills of selected house drinks and the menu features California rolls, teriyaki glazed chicken wings, crispy calamari and crab cakes, green bean tempura, spring rolls, plus a selection of dim sum.

Park Rotana, Al Matar, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Tue 6pm to 8pm, Dhs175 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 6573333. Taxi: near Khalifa Park. rotana.com

07. Mai Café’s Bite The BBQ

Aloft hosts ones of the original evening brunches in the capital – it’s Thursday night bash is called Bite The BBQ and takes place alfresco by the pool at Mai Café. The menu is a meaty affair, featuring live tandoori dishes, although there is also a salad counter, soups, desserts and live music.

Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 11pm, Dhs135. Tel: (02) 6545000. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com

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