10 ABU DHABI DINING DEALS YOU'LL LOVE THIS SEPTEMBER

Summer holidays are done for another year, school is back, and those pockets are probably feeling a little emptier, but we've got plenty of great deals up our sleeves to get you out of the house on a budget - and there’s something for everyone!

Whether you want one of the best value high teas in town (with a twist), unlimited spritz any day of the week, a cracking Friday night with just the right vibes (and bottomless drinks), Braai Day celebrations for our South African mates or a breakfast deal to put a smile on your face, you’ll find it here. What are you waiting for? Jump in!

GALA HIGH TEA

GALA RESTAURANT | AL ZAHIYAH

Making a splash with their wholly vegetarian gourmet Indian menu, GALA is now serving up high tea with a difference - and plenty of choices! A steal at just AED75 per person, you’ll feel right at home with the bright, cosy space and smiling staff.

Choose two savoury treats - the likes of paniyaram with korma, tangy chickpea potato cups, falafel and avocado chutney or an Indian crackle sampler with assorted dip are bound to impress - and one sandwich option. Balance it out with two sweet choices, our favourite part of any high tea: think rose pistachio scones with fresh cream & house jams, mango coconut mousse or cardamom macarons.

Round the afternoon out with a drink from a selection of teas, coffees, iced & spiced assam chai or saffron kawa. Giving ‘traditional high tea with an Indian twist’, it’s one to pop on your radar this month - perfect for an afternoon catch up with the girls or a fun treat for the little ones in your life.

Availability: daily | 4.30PM - 6.30PM

Price: AED75 per person | unlimited

Bookings: 050 248 8506

BUSINESS LUNCH

HAWKSBILL | SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

Fancy a great lunch deal while getting your fix of picturesque views on the side? Gaze across the greens toward the sea from Hawksbill’s terrace, or make yourself comfortable in the relaxed interiors as you tuck into a weekday lunch that won’t leave you hungry.

First up, it’s a choice between two (AED109) or three (AED139) courses - trust us, you’ll find room for dessert here, so opt for three! Start with a choice of salads, before moving onto your main: Cajun chicken breast, pan-fried seabass fillet, a hearty steak and chips or a vegan pie mean there will be no ordering regrets - all are tasty. Desserts are decadent - enjoy a burnt Basque cheesecake, almond crust brownie with spiced chocolate mousse and salted caramel ice cream, or a vegan chocolate and peanut butter tofu mousse with mixed berries.

We love a good business lunch, and this one certainly fits the brief. Even better: it’s vegan-friendly, with a vegan option in each course -now that's something we love to see!

Availability: Monday - Friday | 12PM - 3PM

Price: AED109 2 courses | AED139 3 courses

Bookings: 056 660 8780

LE PETIT-DÉJEUNER BREAKFAST DEAL

LE BISTRO BY SALMONTINI | LE ROYAL MERIDIEN

Le Bistro by Salmontini has already won us over with their tasty main menu offerings, vibey evenings, and a fabulous BB+ exclusive menu we keep returning for. Their best kept secret? Definitely breakfast. Le Petit-Déjeuner is available daily, and is dishing up some delicious options.

Start with overnight oats or a choice of croissants, before moving onto mains: choice from a parade of all the best egg dishes - eggs your way, Florentine eggs, shakshuka, Turkish eggs, eggs royale (complete with Salmontini’s signature smoked salmon) - or a decadent chocolate pancake. Your third course is filled with ‘other delights’, or as we like to call it breakfast-dessert: San Sebastian cheesecake, tempting French toast with banana brulee, peaches and salted caramel sauce (we know - yum!) or a seasonal fruit bowl that’s as pretty as a picture. The deal is rounded out with your choice of coffee.

It’s breakfast fit for a king - or queen - without the royal price tag: 2 courses will set you back AED69, or 3 courses just AED99. Fancy a lighter breakfast, or want to linger over a mid-morning snack in the relaxed morning ambiance at Salmontini? Their coffee and croissant deal is a steal at AED20.

Availability: daily | 8AM - 12PM

Price: AED69 2 courses | AED99 3 courses | AED20 coffee and croissant

Bookings: 02 557 4460

APERITIVO SPRITZ

MARCO’S ITALIAN | FAIRMONT BAB AL BAHR

Don’t wait for the weekend! Enjoy a spritz any day of the week at Marco’s Italian. Aperitivo Spritz is your new favourite daily happy hour, pouring out unlimited glasses of the good stuff for two hours from 6PM.

Whether it’s an afterwork tipple, day-to-night drinks with the gang or the prelude to a night on the town, there’s hardly a situation we can think of that won’t be improved by a chilled spritz - especially as summer drags its way to a slow end! AED110 gets you bottomless sips - think Aperol, Limoncello and Hugo spritz - along with an antipasti platter to linger over. Feeling peckish? Add on a pizza - it's never a bad idea!

Availability: daily | 6PM - 8PM

Price: AED110 per person | unlimited spritz with antipasti platter

Bookings: 02 654 3238

BIRRA AND PIZZA NIGHT

AMALFI RISTORANTE | LE ROYAL MERIDIEN

Not much says ‘Friday night’ like a beer and some pizza, and Amalfi has nailed the brief with their Birra and Pizza night. Unlimited bottled beer - Peroni and Heineken - awaits, and if you aren’t a beer drinker, don’t worry - you’ll enjoy the selection of house wine on offer too. With selected pizza to munch on (and it’s the kind of pizza you can really sink your teeth into!), for the pocket-friendly price of AED120 this one makes for the perfect easy going date night or catch up with a group of friends.

Want to double up on the Friday deals? Aperitivo Hour kicks off daily from 5PM, with 3 Aperol spritz or 3 glasses of house wine and an antipasti platter for AED99. We seldom pass up an Aperol for a taste of those Italian Riviera holiday vibes, so we’re sold!

Availability: Friday | 6PM - 8PM

Price: AED120 per person | unlimited beer and wine with pizza

Bookings: +971 02 6950461

GO GEISHA LADIES NIGHT

ASIA ASIA | YAS BAY

Thursday ladies night? Tick!

Yas Bay backdrop? Tick!

Two courses, three drinks, excellent Pan-Asian cuisine? Big tick!

Go Geisha is Asia Asia’s popular Thursday ladies night, and it’s the perfect way to get a headstart on the weekend. As the sun dips low and the waters of Yas Bay reflect the city lights back, tuck into a two-course meal with some delicious options on the menu. Asia Asia does sushi so well, the dragon maki is hard to pass up, while the striploin and cashew nut chicken are staples for a reason! The dessert options are a true Asian treat: oolong tea cream with homemade gingerbread squares off against mango rice pudding for your attention.

Paired with three beverages of your choice, sip up a storm with the girls for just AED250, and an extra course for just AED50 so you don’t have to rush off - it’s basically Friday!

Availability: Thursday | 6PM - 12AM

Price: AED250 per person - ladies only | AED275 including sparkling | +AED50 additional course

Bookings: 04 423 8302

BRAAI DAY

PJ O’REILLY’S | LE ROYAL MERIDIEN

Ok, so Braai Day is officially September 24th, but celebrating midweek just isn’t as much fun! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th for an afternoon recognising national heritage and unification for all our South African friends, and all of their friends - it’s an open invite!

Gathering around to share a meal cooked over open flames, enjoy a BBQ-style brunch at PJ O’Reilly’s, with mouthwatering grilled meat and traditional dishes from home. Drinks will be flowing, and live music by YFY will keep the vibe high - not that it’s needed as the South African contingent kicks into gear. Nab an adult ticket for 4 hours of food, drinks and merriment for AED299, and bring the kids along for AED125. Stay cool with a pool pass for just AED50 extra.

Tickets are on sale via Virgin Tickets now.

Availability: Saturday, September 28th | 1PM - 5PM

Price: AED299 adults | AED125 kids (6-12 years) | +AED50 to add a pool pass

Bookings: tickets available via Virgin, here.

SUSHI & SAKE NIGHT

LI JIANG RESTAURANT | THE RITZ-CARLTON ABU DHABI, GRAND CANAL

Sushi and sake are a recipe for a great night out, especially when enjoyed with views of the Grand Mosque as a backdrop! We think this makes for a perfect date night, but don’t take our word for it - Li Jiang awaits.

Make sure you arrive hungry, as you’ll be tucking into unlimited sushi, sashimi, and maki rolls all evening. Washed down with sake or some delicious handcrafted Asian specialty beverages, this is a must try for Japanese fans. A sushi feast along with a house beverage & sake package will set you back AED270. Not a big drinker, or behaving on a school night? No worries - you can enjoy the Japanese delicacies for AED180.

Availability: Tuesdays | 6PM - 11PM

Price: AED 180 - food only | AED270 - house beverage & sake package

Bookings: 02 818 8203

NOCHE MEXICANA FRIDAYS

LOCA RESTAURANT & BAR | THE GALLERIA

The weeks are long and Friday nights are short - but they don't have to be! Toast to another week of hard work and the possibilities of the weekend ahead with Loca’s Noche Mexicana Friday night set menu and free flow drinks! It’s great value: AED210 will net you bottled beer, wine and margaritas, or for just AED175 enjoy soft drinks and mocktail margaritas. Switching from work mode to fiesta mode has never been easier!

Managed to nab an early Friday escape? Get the party started with Loca’s daily happy hour - you can enjoy AED30 drinks from noon until 7PM.

Availability: Friday | 6PM - 12AM

Price: Soft AED175 | House AED210

Bookings: 02 582 3639

SAHHA THEME NIGHTS

SAHHA | GRAND HYATT ABU DHABI

You’ll never go hungry at Sahha! Theme nights every night of the week mean you can enjoy a feast of epic proportions whenever the hunger pangs hit, and for the month of September enjoy this 2-for-1 deal on dinner. For AED240, you can take a date or a mate along with you!

The Market Dinner Buffet brings rich flavours to life from Sunday to Thursday. Enjoy a vibrant market atmosphere, complete with live cooking stations and an array of culturally inspired dishes that celebrate authentic tastes from across the globe. Asian Night Market heats up your Friday night with a silk-route-inspired marketplace buffet, where traditional recipes are prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Specialties from Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia all share the spotlight for lovers of Asian cuisine, and the market vibe is on point.

Saturday is a more local culinary affair, with Taste of Arabia, Sahha's Arabic night full of live-grilled specialties, tantalising mains like rich lamb ouzi and aromatic oven-baked Musakhan chicken, with an array of traditional desserts to finish. No matter which day you visit, make sure you arrive hungry!

Availability: daily | 6.30PM - 10.30PM | Market Dinner Buffet Sunday - Thursday | Asian Night Market Friday | Taste of Arabia Saturday

Price: AED240 for two people | two for one all September

Bookings: 02 510 1234

ENJOYING THESE ABU DHABI DINING DEALS?

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