The event brings together open-air cooking and chefs.


If the image of gathering around a fire and eating your food makes you feel warm inside, then this is for you. The Meat and Mountains food festival takes place on 29 November and 20 December at Jebel Hafit Desert Park, Al Ain. So, bring your sense of adventure and appetite, as an exciting experience awaits. 

Now in its fourth edition, Meat and Mountains is hosted by Jebel Hafit Desert Park and curated by Cucina del Sul. The open-air festival offers immersive dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy unlimited BBQ feasts cooked by local chefs. The meats have been supplied by Meat House Gourmet Butcher, and there are food and beverage stations. 

Meat and Mountains

At Meat & Mountains, guests can enjoy BBQ Sultan’s Texas smokehouse-style brisket and wings, and Qure Drinks’ mocktails. Panamericana offers authentic Mexican street food, and Nabulsi Knafeh showcases outdoor cooking over coals. 

If you’re after a local touch, Meats & Mountains includes guided art and archaeology hikes, traditional Arabic coffee stations, live falconry demonstrations, and the chance to sample fire-cooked harees and watch traditional bread-making. Plus, Emirati favourites range from karak tea to lugaimat. 

Meat and Mountains

Look out for the camp with recreational activities including bonfires, live entertainment, kite flying and vouchers to Al Ain Zoo. If you’re looking to make your trip longer, book an overnight stay at Jebel Hafit Desert Park’s camping and glamping locations.

Ola, a co-founder of Cucina del Sul, explained: “Meats & Mountains is more than a festival – it’s a celebration of food, culture and community. We invite food enthusiasts to escape the bustle of city life and embrace the beauty of the desert living while connecting with kindred spirits over incredible flavours.”

Tickets start from AED 378 per person for adults and AED 94 for children. 

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GO: Visit https://cucinadelsul.zbooni.com for more information.