Flooka Abu Dhabi's Saturday brunch has perhaps the longest brunch hours in the capital. From 12:30pm to 5pm, the chefs at Flooka offer up their signature seafood dishes while live music by Talal Kontar and his band set the mood. On the buffet: seafood paella, fish taouk, grilled fish shawarma, crab and prawn croquettes, grilled lobster and executive chef Ibrahim Osseiran's famous fish kibbeh. There is a special kids' menu and face-painting as well. Flooka Abu Dhabi, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Saturdays, Dh220+, Dh120 for kids. For reservations, call 02 441 8244.
The Terrace on the Corniche, the restaurant that replaced Rhodes 44 at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, has recently introduced its signature Bloody Mary Brunch on Fridays. It's an impressive spread. The brunch usuals are there, but there is an especially large selection of seafood. There is one room (the St. Regis Bar) dedicated to the largest dessert offering I've seen at a brunch. There are also nearly 30 different kinds of cheese on offer. Interesting dishes include handmade beetroot pasta (spinach and plain as well) made to order, the rotisserie chickens (a must-try dish) and the salt-encrusted salmon. There is a large kids' area in an adjoining room (parents at nearby tables have a clear view of the kids) with a kids' buffet, toys and face-painting. Terrace on the Corniche, St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Fridays, 12:30pm to 3pm, Dh295+. For reservations, call 02 694 4444.
Market Kitchen at Le Royal Meridien has an à la carte brunch consisting of a 4-course sharing meal. Start with the seafood platter — which includes Maine lobster, Normandy oysters and jumbo shrimp. Then choose dishes such as the heirloom tomato salad, sweet pea soup, beef short rib hash and a smoked salmon pizza. For mains, there's the roast plateau with rib of beef, lamb chops served with chickpea fries and white fish with lemon crumbs and sweet chilli glaze. Each course is served with sides such as truffle macaroni & cheese and roast potatoes cooked in garlic and jalapeño. For desserts, guests can choose from Market Kitchen's famous salted caramel ice cream sundae, chocolate pudding or Market cheesecake with cherries. Market Kitchen, Le Royal Meridien, Fridays from 12pm to 4pm, Dh250+. For reservations, call 02 695 0300.
Avasa Indian Kitchen has a new family brunch offering — and a new executive chef. Chef Sohan Bhandari started cooking at age 13 and has trained under some well known Indian chefs, including Sanjeev Kapoor. Bhandari's signature dishes include peanut butter chicken, mutton galouti kebab, tandoori lobster, singhara palak chilgoza, jalapeño and mozzarella kulcha and banoffee pie for dessert. Avasa's all-you-can-eat family brunch includes an array of salads, starters, mains, Indian breads, rice and desserts served right to your table. Starting at Dh149, this one's a steal. Avasa Indian Kitchen, The Collection at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Fridays from 12pm to 4pm, Dh149+, 50 per cent discount for kids ages 6 to 12 years, free for kids under 6. For reservations, call 02 674 2221.
Zuma Abu Dhabi's family-friendly brunch includes a spread of authentic Japanese offerings with an a la carte option for the entree, which is prepared to order. Menu highlights: jumbo tiger prawn with yuzu pepper, crispy fried squid and miso black cod. For desserts, choose from green tea and banana cake with coconut ice cream or chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream. Zuma Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Fridays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Dh345+. Pre-booking is recommended. For reservations, call 02 401 5900.
The Foundry's steak and jazz brunch is a Great Gatsby-esque affair that includes an oyster bar, foie gras station, a cheese room, an island of seafood and a charcuterie station. Meat options include milk-fed veal loins from Holland, grass-fed black Angus stripling from Australia, tenderloin from the United States, grass-fed rib-eye and Wagyu flank steak, both from Australia. For desserts, don't miss the eclairs or the mud cake with ice cream. The Foundry, Southern Sun Hotel, Fridays from 12:30pm to 4pm, Dh275+. For reservations, call 02 818 4888.
Safina, a restaurant tucked inside the Saadiyat Beach Club, offers a brunch with a view. The restaurant faces the Arabian Sea and offers a welcome break from the city's noise. Seafood includes oysters and Alaskan king crab, mussels and jumbo shrimp. Guests can also fill up at the live BBQ and pasta stations, the carving stations and the gourmet cheese bar filled with French and Spanish selections. Midway through the brunch, the vibe livens up as DJs Darko de Jan and Ejaz start spinning at 2pm. There is also a dedicated children's entertainment area. Safina, Saadiyat Beach Club, Fridays from 12pm to 4pm, Dh275+. For reservations, call 02 656 3500.
Olea, the all-day dining restaurant at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, has a new Mediterranean-themed jazz brunch fit for families with a dedicated children's area with activities and games to keep little ones busy (complete with a kids' mini brunch). The brunch has an array of seafood, grilled options, live cooking stations and an assortment of desserts to finish the meal. A live jazz band is on hand to entertain. While you'll find plenty to fill yourself up, the best part of this brunch is the view of Saadiyat's beautiful turquoise water. Olea, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, Dh300+. For reservations, call 02 498 8888.
