Explore Abu Dhabi’s culinary delights with tasting menus and live entertainment.
Deciding where to dine in Abu Dhabi can be a challenge, especially with so many restaurants to choose from. Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 makes that decision easier by bringing 16 restaurants together under one roof, allowing food lovers to explore a variety of flavours without having to order a full meal at each venue.
Returning for its fourth edition, the popular food festival will take place from November 13 to 15, 2026, at Gateway Park North on Yas Island, in partnership with BMW Abu Dhabi Motors.
Visitors can look forward to tasting portions from some of the city’s restaurants, appearances by celebrity chefs, live musical performances and a redesigned children’s entertainment area.
“We’re so excited to bring Taste of Abu Dhabi back for its fourth year,” said Maddy Spicer, General Manager, MENA Live Events.
“We’ve introduced some fantastic new additions for 2026, including a completely new entertainment line-up, re-imagined Candy Land Kids Zone and a brilliant mix of restaurants and celebrity chefs. There’s something for everyone this year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Yas Island for a weekend full of great food, live music and family fun.”
Explore 16 restaurants at one festival
Food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample dishes from 16 participating restaurants, each offering a selection of three to five tasting-sized portions.
The format allows visitors to discover new dining spots, enjoy familiar favourites and explore different interpretations of popular dishes, all in one location.
Whether you’re interested in trying something new or comparing signature creations from different restaurants, the festival offers an opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi’s diverse culinary scene without committing to a full dining experience at each establishment.
Participating restaurants at Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026
The restaurants taking part in this year’s festival include:
- Soraya
- Marcella
- Beetza by ERTH
- Ergon by ERTH
- Tanjun by 99
- Almayass
- Oak Room
- Desert Lotus
- The Directors Club
- Lento
- Paradiso
- Ting Irie
- Pincode
- Villa Toscana at St. Regis
- The Ramen Bar
The complete tasting menus are expected to be revealed soon, giving visitors a closer look at the dishes they can enjoy during the three-day event.
The festival will also feature several dedicated lounges for guests aged 21 and above, offering spaces to relax and enjoy beverages alongside their food.
Celebrity chefs to headline Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026
Three well-known culinary personalities will lead this year’s programme, bringing their expertise, cooking techniques and signature styles to the festival.
- Gino D’Acampo: The Italian celebrity chef and television personality will showcase his passion for Italian cuisine, sharing his distinctive approach to traditional favourites.
- Rachel Allen: The acclaimed Irish chef and cookbook author will offer practical cooking advice, demonstrating techniques and ideas that visitors can recreate at home.
- Thomas Straker: The chef and restaurateur, widely recognised for his viral All Things Butter series, will demonstrate creative ways to use butter, including his popular flavoured varieties.
Festivalgoers will have opportunities to join interactive cooking workshops, learn useful kitchen techniques and take photographs with the celebrity chefs.
The Keeta FirePit will add another dimension to the culinary experience, featuring live-fire cooking sessions and barbecue demonstrations throughout the weekend.
All cooking demonstrations and culinary workshops are included free of charge. However, visitors must register before each session, and participation will depend on available spaces.
Candy Land Kids Zone brings new family activities
Families visiting Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 can look forward to a redesigned children’s entertainment area.
The newly introduced Candy Land Kids Zone will feature rides, creative arts and crafts, and activities designed specifically for younger festivalgoers.
The dedicated space aims to keep children entertained while parents and other family members explore the food stalls, chef demonstrations and entertainment areas.
Children under the age of 12 can enter the festival free of charge.
Three days of live music and entertainment
Alongside its culinary attractions, Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 will feature a refreshed entertainment programme, with live musicians, bands and DJs performing throughout the three-day festival.
Emirati soul artist Hamdan Al Abri will bring his distinctive local musical style to the event, while Dubai-based rock band Tone Deaf will deliver energetic performances as the evening celebrations get underway.
The varied entertainment schedule means visitors can enjoy a relaxed afternoon sampling food with friends or extend their visit into the evening for live music and performances.
With food, entertainment and family activities taking place across the weekend, the festival is designed to offer experiences for visitors of different ages and interests.
Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026: Ticket prices and packages
Visitors planning to attend Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 can take advantage of discounted ticket prices by booking in advance.
Early booking rates are available until November 12, 2026, or until tickets sell out. VIP packages are reportedly attracting the strongest demand, making advance reservations advisable for those interested in premium access.
Ticket options and what’s included
General Admission – Dh80 (advance booking)
- Single-day entry to the festival
- Access to culinary workshops, subject to availability
Taster Package – Dh185 (advance booking)
- Single-day festival admission
- Two food vouchers
- Two beverage vouchers
- Access to culinary workshops, subject to availability
VIP Package – Dh350 (advance booking)
- Single-day entry to the festival
- Priority fast-track admission
- Three food vouchers
- Four beverage vouchers
- Access to the exclusive VIP Lounge
- Access to culinary workshops, subject to availability
Important: All culinary workshops operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and places are limited. Children younger than 12 can attend the festival free of charge.
Friday Work Social Packages for groups
Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 will also offer special Friday Work Social Packages for colleagues, corporate teams and larger groups looking to enjoy the festival together.
Available for bookings of 10 people or more, these packages include food and beverage vouchers along with access to the VIP Lounge.
Prices start from Dh160 per person, offering groups an option for a shared food and entertainment experience.
Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026: Dates, venue and key details
- Festival dates: November 13–15, 2026
- Venue: Gateway Park North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Advance booking deadline: November 12, 2026, or earlier if tickets sell out
- General Admission: From Dh80
- Taster Package: From Dh185
- VIP Package: From Dh350
- Friday Work Social Packages: From Dh160 per person for groups of at least 10
- Children under 12: Free admission
With 16 participating restaurants, celebrity chef demonstrations, live entertainment and family-friendly attractions, Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 will bring together a wide range of culinary and leisure experiences over three days on Yas Island.
