Taste of Abu Dhabi returns this weekend and here’s how you can make the most of it

Abu Dhabi’s biggest weekend of food, drink, and live music is almost here. With only a few more days to go until Taste of Abu Dhabi kicks off, the city is gearing up for three days of cooking workshops, celebrity chef demos, live bands, family fun, and plenty of reasons to spend the whole weekend outdoors. Tickets are already moving fast, so if you’re planning to go, see below for our exclusive discount code, and ten insider tips to help you enjoy it like a pro

1. Cook with celebrity chefs - for free

Yes, free. Celebrity chefs including Gino D’Acampo and Matt Preston will be running cooking sessions across the festival’s signature features. Registration opens an hour before each session, and spots fill quickly.

At the BLACK+DECKER Cook School, you can dive into hands-on recipes with the chefs, ending with a friendly mini-competition.

The Taste Fire Pit brings you up close with live-fire cooking hosted by expert pitmasters. Expect flames, smoky flavours, and a chance to try your hand at grilling with premium Exit 10 BBQs.

New this year, the Kibsons Chefs Hub offers creative workshops focused on global cuisines, zero-waste cooking, and fresh ingredients straight from the Kibsons pantry.

2. Dance the night away with two new bands

Sandstorm brings Irish, Scottish, and folk energy to the Taste stage on Friday and Sunday. It’s their first time at the festival, and if you love live music, you’ll be clapping and singing along before the night is over.

On Saturday, MADAM takes over. They are known for their looping, vocals, fiddle-driven beats, and high-energy performances. One of Time Out Dubai’s top bar bands, they’re making their Taste debut too.

There are multiple 21+ beverage outlets dotted around the event if you’re looking to cool off between sets.

3. Test drive a brand-new BMW

Thinking about a new car? Or just curious? BMW is offering complimentary test drives of its latest 1, 2, 3, 4 Series and X Series models right at the festival. Grab a wristband from the BMW stand and enjoy some extras including a 360° video booth and retro photobooth for the perfect memory.

4. Join free mini coffee classes and pasta-making workshops

If coffee is your love language, Coffee Planet is hosting 30-minute masterclasses exploring everything from brewing techniques to flavour profiles.

Prefer carbs? Sagra’s pasta-making masterclasses let you roll, shape, and taste your own fresh pasta. Schedules will be released closer to the weekend, so keep an eye out.

5. Try a line dancing class

Boot Scoot UAE is bringing the country vibes to Taste. Expect upbeat hits, crowd participation, and a warm-up that will have you smiling even if you have two left feet. All sessions take place on the Taste Stage.

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ABU DHABI REVIEW'S EXCLUSIVE 20% OFF CODE: ADRXTASTE20

Click here to book your tickets and remember to add the code in CAPS LOCK

in the promo box (top right corner)

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6. Get a personalised caricature at the MINI Corner

Whether you're heading over solo or in a group, the MINI Corner will have an artist ready to turn you into a playful caricature — free of charge.

7. Be one of the first 100 through the gates

Drink Dry is giving a complimentary premium 0.0% beverage voucher to the first 100 guests each day. So, if you needed any motivation to arrive early, this is it.

8. Upgrade to VIP for the full experience

If you're looking for a more relaxed way to explore the festival, the VIP Lounge offers three food vouchers, four drinks, comfy seating, and its own entertainment lineup. Tickets are limited, so book early.

9. Keep little foodies entertained

Each day at 2:30pm, Taste’s cooking features will host a kid-friendly session perfect for curious mini-chefs. All sessions are first come, first served.

There’s also a dedicated Splash N Party Kids Zone with trampolines, bungee jumping, arts and crafts, and more. Prices vary depending on the activity.

And a handy note for parents - every restaurant onsite has a kid-friendly dish, and children under 12 enter the event completely free.

10. Let the teens do their thing

New this year, the Gen X Kids zone caters specifically to older children and teens. Think silent disco, games, prizes, glitter face painting, and a supervised hangout space. Parents can drop them off for one or two hours while exploring the festival. Pricing is AED 65 for one hour, or AED 105 for two.

Tickets and timings

Advance purchase tickets start from AED 80 and are expected to sell out. Prices rise at the door. Tickets can be bought at Platinumlist: https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/tasteofabudhabi

Taste of Abu Dhabi runs from:

• Friday, 14 November: 2pm – midnight

• Saturday, 15 November: 2pm – midnight

• Sunday, 16 November: 2pm – 10pm

This year’s edition is expected to welcome more than 19,000 visitors, with 16 top restaurants serving curated taster menus, world-class chefs from around the globe, and non-stop entertainment across the weekend.

For updates and full details, visit https://tasteofabudhabifestival.com