- The festival features 16 top regional restaurants serving exclusive taster-size dishes.
- Watch and cook free with celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo and Matt Preston on-site.
- Two new bands, Sandstorm and MADAM, bring high-energy beats to the live stage.
- Free car test drives, line dancing, and barista classes offer non-foodie fun all weekend.
The clock is ticking down to the biggest weekend of the year for foodies and music lovers. In just 10 days, Taste of Abu Dhabi returns, promising three days of culinary festivity, live music, and family fun. This festival is the ultimate showcase of the region’s dining scene, bringing 16 of the very best restaurants together for an unparalleled tasting opportunity. The festival is tapping into the collective desire for experiential, high-value entertainment, packing the weekend with so many free features and fresh additions that visitors of all ages can find their perfect activity.
The core appeal of Taste of Abu Dhabi lies in its mix of elite culinary experiences and accessible fun. This year, the chef line-up is seriously impressive. You can step into the BLACK+DECKER Cook School or the new KIBSONS Chefs Hub to join exclusive, free cooking sessions with global stars like Gino D’Acampo and Matt Preston. These aren’t just demos; they are hands-on workshops where you learn new recipes, kitchen secrets, and even compete for a mini-prize. For those who prefer fire to finesse, the Taste Fire Pit offers a sizzling showcase of live-fire cooking and grilling masterclasses.
Beyond the kitchen, the atmosphere is set to be electric. The festival features the UAE’s best bands and DJs providing lively entertainment across multiple stages. Making their Taste debut are two bands guaranteed to get the crowds dancing:
- Sandstorm: Bringing unmatched energy with Irish, Scottish, and folk music on Friday and Sunday.
- MADAM: Crowned one of Time Out Dubai’s Top 10 Bar Bands, delivering an adrenaline-fuelled blend of live looping, vocals, and fiddle-driven beats on Saturday.
While the 16 restaurant pop-ups are the main draw, serving taster-size dishes so you can create your own full tasting menu, the festival is filled with unexpected, free additions that elevate the overall experience. BMW is offering complimentary test drives of their latest 1, 2, 3, and 4 Series and X Series lineup, complete with a 360° video booth for a souvenir. Coffee lovers can snag a spot in a Barista Coffee Masterclass, while those looking to mix things up can join the Sagra Pasta-Making Workshops or free Line Dancing Classes with Boot Scoot UAE. Even the first 100 guests each day can grab a complimentary premium 0.0% beverage from Drink Dry.
The festival also caters expertly to the whole family. Children under 12 get free entry. The Splash N Party Kids Zone offers trampolines and bouncy castles, and new this year, Gen X Kids provides a dedicated zone for older kids and teens, complete with silent discos and games, allowing parents to explore the festival fully. For those seeking maximum comfort, VIP tickets offer lounge access, plush seating, and curated vouchers.
With 19,000 foodies, friends, and families expected over the weekend, now is the time to secure your spot. Advance tickets start from just AED 80, offering a significant saving before prices increase at the door.
Purchase your advance tickets now at the official website before prices increase and packages sell out.
