Festive revellers dining at the UAE's hotels on Christmas will have to fork out as much as 25 per cent more for turkey and all the trimmings compared to last year.
Some hotels have also pushed up the cost of a prepared dinner for takeaway.
Hotels blame the rising cost of ingredients for the increase, with many also claiming to have added dishes to their festive menu.
In Jumeirah Beach Hotel's Latitude restaurant, the cost of a takeaway order of a 5 kilogram to 7kg roast turkey, served with roast potatoes, sausages, roast vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy, has risen nearly 18 per cent from Dh675 last year to Dh795 this year.
A bird weighing 9kg to 11kg, with the same trimmings, costs Dh995, up from Dh850 last year.
A hotel spokesman said the price increase reflected the higher cost of ingredients.
The hotel said it had still received more than 230 orders for the takeaway festive meals. Three of the hotel's five restaurants were also sold out for Christmas lunch.
Prices for festive meals have risen elsewhere in Dubai, too.
Diners at the Atrium Restaurant in the Grand Millennium will pay Dh175 per person for a Christmas buffet with one beverage.
The price goes up to Dh285 with unlimited beverages. Last year, the same packages were Dh169 and Dh235, respectively.
The hotel's price for a takeaway 5kg to 6kg turkey with all the trimmings is Dh725, same as last year.
At a time of low inflation in the UAE, food prices have been one of the few cost drivers. Food prices rose 2.7 per cent last month from the year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Elsewhere, The Address Dubai Marina and the Radisson Blu in Dubai Media City have also increased festive meal prices. Christmas dinner at Mazina restaurant in The Address will cost Dh250, up from Dh220 last year.
The cost of the festive brunch package stays the same at Dh395 inclusive of buffet and soft beverages.
Christmas lunch at Chef's House in the Radisson Blu will cost Dh180 with soft drinks, compared to Dh169 last year.
Those celebrating in Abu Dhabi will also be hit in the pocket. Sevilla restaurant at Al Raha Beach Hotel is charging Dh215 for a Christmas buffet, up from Dh185 last year.
"There are additional dishes available this year," said Sharie Malabanan, the food and beverage secretary at the hotel.
The Park Rotana's Ginger restaurant has raised its festive brunch price by Dh10 to Dh235, including beverages.
Le Royal Meridien's brunch package is Dh240, compared to Dh180 last year.
"It is a better offer than last year as we have increased the variety and the dishes are more elaborate," said Sanjeev Kapoor, the executive assistant manager at the hotel.
In Abu Dhabi, restaurants and hotels accounted for more than half of the 1.2 per cent rise in inflation during the first 11 months of the year, according to data from the Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi.