New year, new start! From desert retreats to beachfront hideaways, ease into 2026 in style.
New Year’s Eve is all about the countdown, but New Year’s Day is where the mood truly settles in. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hotels and restaurants are switching up the pace with brunches that favour long afternoons, good food and easygoing celebrations. Here are the best options to spend New Year’s Day in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Ease into New Year’s Day in Dubai with a leisurely alfresco brunch on Al Diwaan’s terraces. Expect garden-fresh salads, grilled salmon, a live carving station and decadent desserts, all set to soft acoustic melodies and gentle desert light. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 12:30pm to 3pm. AED 345 per guest, with an additional AED 570 for house beverages.
GO: Visit www.al-maha.com for more information.
AURA Skypool
Start 2026 on a high note with an indoor lounge brunch that pairs a three-hour free-flow package with upbeat party vibes. Expect a DJ on the decks, fantastic food and drinks, and vibrant performances to set the tone for a memorable first afternoon of the year. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 550 (house beverages) and AED 800 (Champagne).
GO: Visit auraskypool.com for more information.
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Celebrate New Year’s Day in Dubai with a bountiful brunch at Zala, where vibrant Mediterranean flavours, live entertainment, and a sumptuous spread await. Whether you’re toasting to new resolutions or enjoying the warmth of fresh beginnings, this brunch offers the perfect setting to start 2025 surrounded by family, friends, and the serene desert landscape. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. Prices start from AED 395.
GO: Visit www.babalshams.com for more information.
Blue Door
The FACT award-winning Blue Door ushers in the year with a Turkish Garden Brunch rooted in generosity and renewal. Guests linger over Anatolian dishes at live stations and buffets, beginning with Hatay hummus and roasted eggplant kopoglu with yoghurt and tomato sauce. From the grill, charcoal Adana lamb skewers and grilled jumbo prawns with lemon bring smoky depth. To finish, a sweets buffet offers pistachio baklava, sütlaç rice pudding and Turkish delight. The garden setting, textiles and ambient music create an unhurried mood for fresh beginnings. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 5pm. AED 420 (soft beverages), AED 550 (house beverages) and AED 665 (Champagne).
GO: Visit https://delanodubai.com for more information.
Bussola
Start 2026 in style at Bussola, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, where refined Italian flavours and a relaxed coastal atmosphere set the tone for New Year’s Day. Settle in for a leisurely lunch featuring beautifully crafted dishes, premium beverages and warm, attentive hospitality, all framed by serene seaside views. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. Packages from AED 525.
GO: Call 04 511 7373 for more information.
Bvlgari Resort Dubai
Ease into 2026 with a restorative seaside ritual at Il Caffè. The Detox Brunch blends Italian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours with a lighter touch that feels tailor-made for day one of the year. Expect vibrant salads, seafood and thoughtfully curated plates. The relaxed waterfront setting invites long conversations and gentle recharging, while attentive service keeps the experience unhurried and refined. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 12pm to 4pm. Prices from AED 850 per person.
GO: Visit www.bulgarihotels.com for more information.
Casa Amor
Casa Amor opens the year with its Bohemian Brunch, inviting guests to ease into 2026 by the beach. Expect soulful Mediterranean flavours, abundant sharing plates and a breezy soundtrack that pairs perfectly with sand, sea and sunshine. The mood is lively yet laid back, with polished service and plenty of time to linger. Available on Thursday 1, January from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 495 (soft beverages), AED 695 (house beverages) and AED 895 (premium beverages).
GO: Call 04 777 2222 for more information.
CÉ LA VI Dubai
Start the year above the skyline with a three-course set menu by Head Chef Wai Mon. Begin with Salmon Avocado Maki, pairing fresh salmon with creamy avocado and tobiko, followed by Braised Beef Bao Buns filled with tender, slow-braised beef. For the main course, choose from Miso Black Cod, Grilled Baby Chicken or the signature Black Truffle Sushi Rice Risotto. Finish on a bright note with a Yuzu Meringue Tart that balances citrus and delicate sweetness. Good food and sweeping city views set the tone for the year ahead. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 12pm to 3:30pm. AED 180 per person.
GO: Visit www.celavi.com for more information.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Welcome the new year with a Mediterranean-inspired buffet at Jou Jou Brasserie, complemented by live cooking stations, seasonal specials and a dedicated children’s corner for relaxed, family-friendly dining. Live music sets a celebratory tone, making this an inviting start to 2026. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 455 (soft beverages) and AED 715 (house beverages).
GO: Email restaurants.dubaijb@fourseasons.com for more information.
La Cantine Beach
Begin 2026 at La Cantine Beach’s Recovery Morning, featuring ice baths, IV drips, and wellness shots, followed by a New Year’s Day Brunch. Starters include yellowfin tuna ceviche with avocado and sweet onion vinaigrette, and burrata with roasted figs and rocket leaves. Choose a main of seared seabass fillet with citrus and marinated fennel, or roasted striploin finished with truffle jus. Desserts close the experience with a warm apple tart tatin and vanilla ice cream, or profiteroles with chantilly and chocolate sauce. Live musical performances carry the mood into the evening. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 5pm. AED 485 (soft beverages), AED 585 (house beverages) and AED 695 (Champagne).
GO: Visit https://delanodubai.com for more information.
Mott 32
Savour a carefully crafted menu that celebrates new beginnings, blending superb signature dishes with innovative culinary creations. Set the tone for the year ahead amidst beats from a live DJ, and stunning skyline views at this FACT award-winner. Available on 1 January, from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 495 (soft beverages, indoors), AED 595 (soft beverages, outdoors), AED 645 (house beverages, indoors), AED 695 (house beverages, outdoors), AED 995 (champagne, indoors) and AED 1,045 (champagne, outdoors).
GO: Visit https://mott32dubai.com for more information.
Palazzo Versace Dubai
Giardino invites you to enjoy a lavish New Year’s Day buffet that spans a variety of traditional Middle Eastern and global cuisines. With live cooking stations serving everything from kebabs to grilled meats, Giardino sets the stage for a memorable meal. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 5pm. AED 400 (soft beverages), AED 500 (house beverages), AED 620 (sparkling wine) and AED 860 (Champagne).
GO: Visit www.palazzoversace.ae for more information.
Park Hyatt Dubai
Ease into New Year’s Day in Dubai on the waterfront terrace with sweeping views of Dubai Creek and the skyline. Traiteur Brunch returns with an abundant spread that moves from fresh seafood to roasts and refined patisserie, supported by a considered drinks selection. The atmosphere is celebratory without feeling rushed, thanks to a live band and warm service. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 495 (soft beverages), AED 700 (sparkling) and AED 850 (Champagne).
GO: Email festive.parkhyattdubai@hyatt.com for more information.
Prime68
Begin the year with flavour at Prime68’s New Year’s Day Brunch. This three-course set menu is paired with fine beverages and skyline views, offering an elevated steakhouse experience that sets the tone for the year ahead. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 350 (soft beverages), AED 495 (house beverages) and AED 595 (bubbly).
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for more information.
Tasca by José Avillez
Start 2026 with Tasca’s New Year’s Day Brunch, framed by sweeping sea views and an easy live band soundtrack. The Portuguese sharing menu leans into fresh seafood, crisp salads and comforting plates, complemented by signature drinks and welcoming service. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 495 (soft beverages), AED 695 (house beverages) and AED 895 (premium beverages).
GO: Email modub-tasca@mohg.com for reservations and more information.
Yalumba
Celebrate New Year’s Day in Dubai inside Yalumba at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. Settle in for a brilliant brunch featuring fresh seafood, global favourites and desserts, designed for a celebratory first day of the year. Live entertainment keeps the energy high for all ages, with DJ Ford on the decks and fun activities for kids. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 365 (soft beverages), AED 465 (house beverages) and AED 545 (premium beverages).
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for more information.
Abu Dhabi
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel
Start the year the Italian way at Verso. Settle in for a long, unhurried brunch filled with Italian classics, refreshing drinks and sweet treats. The mood is warm, and the flavours are bold, so gather friends and family, raise a glass and let Verso set the tone for a delicious year ahead. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 11:30am to 4pm. AED 350 (soft beverages) and AED 450 (house beverages).
GO: Call 02 510 1234 for reservations and more information.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Begin 2026 with the New Year’s Day Garden Brunch at Turquoise. Set in lush outdoor surroundings, the afternoon unfolds at a leisurely pace with a selection of seasonal dishes, fresh salads, premium roasts and tempting desserts. Celebratory beverages flow as you bask in winter sunshine and sea breeze. Available on Thursday, 1 January from 1pm to 4pm. AED 895 per person.
GO: Call 02 492 2222 for more information.
