Dh5,000 Nando's and Burj Khalifa fireworks — Downtown Dubai's blowout New Year's Eve deals


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Casual dining favourites at The Dubai Mall have been unveiling their extravagant New Year's Eve packages and deals — with many offering prime seats for Burj Khalifa's world-famous fireworks.

From KFC to Starbucks and some very pricey peri-peri chicken, here's a look at how you can ring in the New Year in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Timings vary and it's recommended to arrive early. Reservations are required.

For revellers in Abu Dhabi, here's our round-up of New Year's Eve events in the city.

Nando's

Nando's cheeky New Year's Eve menu. Photo: Nando's
Nando's cheeky New Year's Eve menu. Photo: Nando's

The South African casual dining venue is offering an all-you-can-eat deal.

However, booking a cheeky Nando's to enjoy the midnight spectacle will set diners back Dh5,000.

The menu includes its signature peri-peri chicken, a wide variety of sides and desserts, as well as unlimited tea and coffee.

From Dh5,000; 600 542525

Pizza Hut

Enjoy your pizza with a slice of Burj Khalifa fireworks here. Photo: Pizza Hut
Enjoy your pizza with a slice of Burj Khalifa fireworks here. Photo: Pizza Hut

The pizza chain has two set menus for New Year's Eve. The first option includes two medium pizzas, one pasta, two sides, a special drink as well as unlimited soft drinks and water. It comes with a chocolate cake, too.

The other features the same items, except it only comes with one medium pizza.

From Dh1,300 per person; 600 569999

Five Guys

The popular American burger shack will offer unlimited food and drinks. There is no special menu for the occasion, but diners can choose from their classic selection of beef and chicken burgers, hotdogs and milkshakes.

From Dh1,500 per person; 04 380 4117

Carluccio's

The Italian restaurant will host a four-course dinner and the packages come with free-flowing beverages.

Guests will be given mixed olives and a bread basket as a starter. The rest of the menu includes truffle burrata, rigatoni prawn and pistachio, as well as charcoal-grilled rib eye.

Desserts include a classic panettone, panna cotta, a sponge soaked with vanilla syrup and a chocolate tartufo.

From Dh2,625; 052 227 9434

ZouZou

A set dinner menu awaits at this Turkish-Lebanese fusion restaurant. Different seating options are available. The menu features classic regional delights including spicy potato, mixed grills and a baklava mix for dessert.

From Dh1,000; 04 394 6394

Vapiano

Vapiano's menu to ring in the New Year. Photo: Vapiano
Vapiano's menu to ring in the New Year. Photo: Vapiano

The Italian spot's New Year's Eve set menu has been crafted by chef Roberto Sense. It includes bruschetta and salad as appetisers, a choice of pasta or pizza for mains and tiramisu or panna cotta for dessert.

The packages come with unlimited soft drinks, juice, water and coffee.

From Dh700; 04 589 7981

Din Tai Fung

How many xiao long baos can you eat? Unlimited food and drinks will be on offer at the casual Chinese restaurant.

Aside from the free-flowing bites and beverages, and spectacular fireworks at midnight, the restaurant will have plenty of entertainment throughout the night in the form of a photobooth, face painting for little ones and an hourly raffle with prizes.

From Dh1,900; 04 320 0477

Hafiz Mustafa

The popular Turkish venue has three different seating options in its alfresco area.

The various packages give guests Dh500 back to spend on food and drinks from its regular menu.

From Dh1,000; 04 584 4694

Black Tap

The beloved burger bar is rustling up a bespoke menu to end the year with a bang.

Packages come with unlimited snacks and beverages. Diners can choose one burger and one special milkshake as part of the offer.

From Dh1,200; 04 330 5103

Texas De Brazil

Showcasing Brazilian smokehouse traditions, think, chicken, beef and lamb, the menu also has a selection of seafood such as king crab legs and oysters, as well as a wide array of desserts.

There will also be live entertainment in the form of Brazilian dancers.

From Dh1,000; 04 339 9099

PF Chang's

The popular Asian fusion restaurant has a set menu for New Year's Eve. Starters include dynamite shrimp and caesar salad. Sushi and sashimi are available for appetisers. For the main course, choose one from kung pao chicken, wagyu steak, duck, Mongolian beef or salt and pepper prawns.

From Dh1,700; 04 419 0211

TGI Fridays

Three seating options are available at the American casual dining spot. Meanwhile, the New Year's Eve set menu has potato twisters, sliders, blackened chicken alfredo pasta and a sizzling veggie fajita among other TGI Fridays favourites.

A molten chocolate cake or a brownie are available alongside a selection of house drinks.

From Dh1,500; 04 325 3214

Dish Dash

The Levantine restaurant arguably has the best spot for the Burj Khalifa show thanks to its close proximity. Prime seats are priced at Dh3,500.

On the set menu are salmon tartare and caesar salad for starters, a signature mix grill for the main course and an apple crumble for dessert. The packages include two mixed drinks and unlimited soft beverages.

Prime seating Dh3,500; 04 557 8901

Starbucks

The famed coffee shop will offer unlimited food and drinks for New Year's Eve. The package comes with a free tumbler as well.

Dh1,600 per person; 04 419 0196

Tim Hortons

The Canadian coffee chain is offering unlimited food and drinks for Dh3,000 per person.

Along with it, comes prime seats with views of the New Year's Eve show. However, there are other seating options available with other food and drink packages. Groups of 10 or more will receive special discounts.

From Dh1,000; 800 8467

KFC

KFC's menu
KFC's menu

The American fast food chain will offer a set menu with nine pieces of chicken, six pieces of wings, a twister sandwich, large popcorn, cookie and chocolate cake. The package comes with unlimited iced tea.

Dh1,299 per person; 054 420 0233

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

While you're here
Updated: December 24, 2022, 9:09 AM