The festive season is officially underway, and like always, we are staying ahead of the curve to find the best places to celebrate the most magical time of the year.

In true holiday spirit —with a touch of planning, of course—GRAZIA prepared a list of the city’s best offerings. From opulent Christmas Eve brunches to dinners with classic holiday dishes, GRAZIA brings you a guide to Christmas in Dubai.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

To truly celebrate a season of festive flavours, one-starred Michelin restaurant Dinner By Heston Bluementhal is here to invite you for an indulgent journey to taste exquisite British flavours. For the whole month of December, guests can wallow in a five-course set menu of blooming tastes at Dhs980 per person. From the Roast Scallops & Cucumber to the Salmon Dressed in Verjus, this restaurant is here to serve you only the best.

For reservations visit www.atlantis.com

Alizée

Bringing Christmas right to your plate, everyone’s favourite beach club and restaurant will open its doors with a festive menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Set to take place on December 24 and December 25, 2024, Alizée brings classic French festive feasts, from its famed oysters to its seafood delights and the Pâté en Croûte. Topping it all off with a classic, guests can expect a night with  the season’s staple, a savoury turkey. With a plethora of options before you, visitors can pick between a set menu with soft beverages priced at Dhs495 or a menu with house-beverage pairing at Dhs695.

For reservations visit www.banyantree.com

Fairmont THE PALM

Fairmont The Palm is taking you on a Christmas journey. From afternoon tea at Mashrabiya Lounge, a tree-lighting ceremony, a Brazilian-styled Christmas Eve dinner at Frevo priced at Dhs345, and a Christmas brunch at Boldy Asian with prices starting at Dhs250. This time around, Fairmont goes all-in for the Christmas spirit, already starting the celebration, guests can order their savoury Festive Turkey Takeaway paired with an indulgent set of desserts priced at Dhs550.

For reservations visit www.fairmont.com

Eugène Eugène

Embracing the festive spirit, Eugène Eugène brings a touch of a French Christmas. Already in the works to transform their botanical-styled restaurant into Dubai’s winter wonderland, Eugène Eugène is boasting its vibrant Christmas days with its celebratory feast, with packages ranging from Dhs325 to a premium package of Dhs625. Set to sparkle the night with a three-hour experience, guests are invited to embrace the season with the bistro’s six-metre-tall Christmas tree.

For reservations visit www.eugeneeugene.com

Armani Hotel Dubai

A hint of Italian elegance for Christmas? Always an exquisite choice. From December 20 to December 30, 2024, Armani/Ristorante, helmed by the Michelin-starred Chef Giovanni, invites you to savour a six-course festive menu for Dhs799. Expect nothing short of perfection, as traditional Italian flavours meet refined aromas, delivering a holiday dining experience like no other.

For reservations visit www.armanihotels.com 

Palazzo Versace

There’s no shortage of celebrations at Palazzo Versace. Starting its Christmas Eve with the Festive high tea at Mosaico priced at Dhs378 for guests of two, and entering Christmas Day with brunch starting at Dhs400 and closing the night with a lavish Christmas dinner buffet (showcasing global flavours and the classic turkey roasts) priced at Dhs275.

For reservations visit www.palazzoversace.com

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

Reeling in the winter of the Middle East for the festive season, Bab Al Shams invites you to experience the Desert Pool Villas in classic Christmas decor. Adding a touch of winter to the desert, guests will be transported to a Christmas wonderland with an array of events, from tree lighting (Dhs100), afternoon tea (starts from Dhs195), private Christmas roasts (Dhs650), and Christmas day brunches at Zala, Bab Al Shams promises a season that will simply be unforgettable.

For reservations visit www.babalshams.com

Nonya

Perched on the 44th floor of the Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Nonya, a hub for all things Pan-Asian, invites guests for brunch on December 25, 2024. Set to boast seasonal flavours, Nonya raises the bar (and glass) with a festive menu and live music to pair. Packages start from Dhs245 to Dhs 599, inclusive of a variety of drinks.

For reservations visit www.nonyadubai.com

Ce La Vi

Bringing you a Michelin-level Christmas experience, Ce La Vi, known for its exquisite platters fusing Asian influences to classic dishes invites you for a three-course lunch primed with the usual gusto of soft yet savoury tastes. With a hearty lunch on Christmas Day priced at Dhs180, it will feature an array of starters such as the creamy burrata salad, a main course with turkey roasts, and sweet delights like the winter berry pavlova.

For reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

Fi’lia

Always a place elevating experiences, Fi’lia, the award-winning bistro will bring a touch of Italy to your plates this coming festive season for Dhs395. Set to serve a five-course Christmas sharing style menu this December 24 and 25, 2024, Fi’lia will share its classic starters the Focacceta, the mouth-watering antipasti the Tagliere Misto or the Capesante, with the primo, secondo and dolce selections set for the festivities.

For reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

The Guild

A blend of brasseries, The Guild, known for its innovative concept, invites guests for a delightful time to celebrate the season with its Christmas four-course meal paired with drinks and entertainment. With its notable Soho charm making its way to be the Christmas hot spot, the bistro located in ICD Brookfield Place, will start their Christmas lunch from 1pm to 4pm on December 25, 2024 priced at Dhs450.

For reservations visit www.theguilddubai.com

Mina Brasserie

Mina Brasserie is launching their Christmas brunch and afternoon tea at the Four Seasons DIFC this December. Transforming the vibrant Penrose Lounge menu to an exquisite festive afternoon tea, award-winning Pastry Chef Nicolas Lambert will offer sustainable and locally sourced ingredients starting at Dhs290. Inviting you to taste their signature Christmas brunch menu, Chef Michael Mina will roll the season with a Christmas buffet this December 25, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm. Inclusive of beverages, prices start from Dhs355 per person.

For reservations visit www.fourseasons.com

Mott 32

From signature Chinese plates with a fusion of Pan-Asian influences for Christmas Day, Mott 32 is brining an Asian-styled Christmas lunch fiesta from 12:30pm to 5pm coming this December 25, 2024. With prices starting from Dhs475, this restaurant promises a day to appease your Christmas cravings with the right flavours.

For reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

Netsu

Renowned Japanese steakhouse Netsu by Ross Shonhan is offering a weekend Christmas feast with a well-curated menu of gratifying starters, the famed sushi experience, the sought-after main course meals and Netsu’s signature CHristmas Yul Log and Chestnut Ice cream to top it all. Prices start form Dhs550 to Dhs795 per person with drinks.

For reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

One&Only The Palm

Never lacking in flavour, One&Only The Palm is welcoming the winter season with a set of exclusive experiences at Zest, the go-to Italian restaurant. From a lively seafood corner, a bustling station of pizza and pasta offerings, a bread display, and savoury al fresco wine evening priced at Dhs525.

For reservations visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Ristorante Loren

For a merry season, Ristorante Loren is livening up its Italian Rivera inspired restaurant with festive dishes at Palm West Beach. Always in pursuit of excellence, expect a night of indulgent buffets, sweet desserts, and a special added dish for the season.  The culinary journey set on December 25, 2024 is priced at Dhs450.

For reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

Xu

Bringing the party to Kempinski Hotel, XU is calling you to celebrate Christmas Day with a Cantonese-styled brunch. The high-energy filled bistro will elevate December 25, 2024 with a three-hour experience coupled eith holiday dishes and signature cocktails priced at Dhs295.

For reservations visit www.xudubai.ae

Jou Jou Brasserie

Jou Jou Brasserie is soon to open its doors this December. The Mediterranean mosaic-styled restaurant located at The Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach will serve an excellent menu of lavish Christmas dishes, seafood and an array of sweet desserts for Dhs775 inclusive of soft beverages.

For information and reservations visit www.sevenrooms.com

LPM Restaurant & Bar

This Christmas, LPM Restaurant & Bar is set to bring the French Riveria in a Christmas glow, brimming a curated festive menu priced from Dhs610 to Dhs980. For diners, expect a menu of flavourful tastes like the beef tartare and others which can be paired with exquisite unlimited champagne.

For reservations visit www.lpmrestaurants.com

The Maine

Introducing a new addition for the season, The Maine invites you to tastes the Traditional Maine Lobster rolls topped with the highest quality of Osciestra legacy caviar, part of its Christmas Day three-course brunch partnered with free-flowing drinks and festive cocktails. For a 30 per cent discount, guests can book before November 30, 2024.

For reservations visit www.themaine.ae

Piatti By The Beach

Another staple beachfront restaurant is set to embrace the Christmas season with Italian dishes to experience a menu of festive plates in Dolce Vita style. While enjoying the sharing style menu, Piatti By The Beach offers relaxation with a picturesque view of the Dubai skyline and live music

For reservations visit www.raffles.com

Raffles The Palm

Raffles The Palm has set the tone of the season with the myriad of its restaurants and lounges. From high tea at Blüthner Hall, a Christmas buffet at le Jardin or a variety of flavours between Japanese restaurant Matagi or a cinema gastro soirée at Sola Jazz lounge — they have something for everyone.

For reservations visit www.raffles.com

Riviera by Jean Imbert

Evoking the true sense of a French Christmas, Riviera, located in The Lana Hotel is promising elegant Mediterranean dishes inspired by the travels of Jean Imbert on December 25, 2024 priced at Dhs650. Serving both lunch and dinner, enjoy the restaurant’s generous plates and quality wine pairing to enjoy Christmas.

For reservations visit www.dorchestercollection.com

Shimmers

Inviting you to celebrate Christmas Day in style, Shimmers’ brunch menu pledges to make your festive season all the more unforgettable with a Greek-style menu. Paired with unlimited drinks, and the stunning view of the Burj Al Arab, there’s truly no other perfect way to celebrate the winter season on 2024

For reservations visit www.jumeirah.com

Tasca

On the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, the one starred Michelin restaurant by José Avillez is set to serve an enchanting Portuguese Christmas celebration with his signature dishes priced from Dhs495 onwards including drinks.

For reservations visit www.mandarinoriental.com

Anantara the Palm

Leisure and dining are a perfect combination that Anantara The Palm Dubai invites you to experience this coming Christmas. Hosting a lavish brunch and dinner package for guests dining at Crescendo starting from Dhs360 for adults and Dhs245 for children, Anantara promises a night to remember featuring their always-exclusive dishes. All the while, Anantara The Palm embraces the spirit of the season even further with live music and choir.

For reservations visit www.anantara.com

Jamavar

Fine dining restaurant Jamavar is here to celebrate the season with a touch of India. Set to embark on its first culinary journey for the festive season, this ultra-opulent Indian palatial restaurant is offering a delightful array of impeccable flavours priced at Dhs525 per person. But, to set the tone to a higher note making it even better, guests can upgrade to pair their plates with an exquisite wine pairing for Dhs450 to complement each bite.

For more information visit www.jamavarrestaurants.com

One&Only Za’abeel

At One Za’abeel, the winter season is where hospitality and leisure experiences hit the high level for an array of unforgettable memories. Across their finest offerings, from a curated dinner menu for Christmas Eve, a festive afternoon tea to brunch, this five-star hotel is here to house and cater to your Christmas wishlist down to the littlest bits. Experience a myriad of celebrations from their top restaurants Aelia, Andaliman, Sagetsu by Tetsuya and Tapasake.

For more information visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

DRIFT Dubai

There’s no shortage of to-dos at DRIFT Dubai. But for this season, there’s one thing the GRAZIA team will surely enjoy. With Christmas Eve just around the corner, DRIFT invites you to their newly opened DRIFT Sea Lounge for a touch of beach side elegance while you celebrate Christmas Eve. Priced at Dhs395, you can gratify in a sharing style menu perfectly curated for those searching for a hint of France this season.

For reservations [email protected]

La Maison Ani

Chef Izu Ani is bringing the spirit of Parisian Noël to Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue this December with La Maison Ani. Open daily from 9:30am to 11:30pm, the restaurant invites guests to celebrate the season with elegant festive décor, breathtaking views of the Dubai Fountains, and a specially curated holiday menu. From the rich Foie Gras Sando to the reimagined Turkey Breast with mixed berry sauce, each dish captures the magic of the season, offering a dining experience filled with warmth, sophistication, and a touch of French charm.

For reservations [email protected]

At.mosphere

This festive season, celebrate in unparalleled luxury at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s highest dining destination. On December 24, 2024, indulge in a five-course Christmas Eve tasting menu featuring dishes like Wild Langoustine with Caviar and Saint Jacques with Foie Gras and Winter Truffle, priced at Dhs1,250 per person. The festivities continue on December 25, 2024, with a decadent Christmas Day Brunch, where highlights include Bresse Chicken with chestnut and salsify, priced at Dhs1,250 per person. Set against stunning views of Dubai’s skyline, At.mosphere promises a holiday celebration to remember.

For more information visit www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com