Just one month to go! Taste of Abu Dhabi is officially counting down to three days of incredible food, celebrity chefs, live music and family fun, returning to Gateway Park North, Yas Island, from 13–15 November 2026, in partnership with BMW Abu Dhabi Motors.
With 16 restaurants serving up tasting-sized dishes, an all-star chef line-up featuring Gino D’Acampo, Thomas Straker and Rachel Allen, and a brand-new Candy Land mega Kids Zone, this year’s festival is set to bring together food lovers, families and music fans for one of the capital’s most anticipated weekends of the year.
“We’re so excited to bring Taste of Abu Dhabi back for its fourth year. 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.”
Maddy Spicer, General Manager, MENA Live Events
Celebrity chefs take centre stage
Three big names are leading this year’s culinary line-up, bringing their signature styles, personalities and plenty of inspiration to the festival stage.
Italian chef and television favourite Gino D’Acampo will bring his unmistakable flair for Italian cooking, while Irish chef and food writer Rachel Allen will share her passion for great food and practical kitchen know-how.
Joining them is Thomas Straker, the chef and restaurateur who has taken social media by storm with his viral All Things Butter series. Famous for turning butter into the star of the show with inventive flavours and mouth-watering combinations, Straker has inspired millions of viewers to look at this everyday ingredient differently. Expect plenty of delicious ideas, cooking inspiration and a few reasons to rethink what belongs on your next slice of toast.
Guests can roll up their sleeves at hands-on culinary workshops, bursting with opportunities to pick up tips and tricks from some of the industry’s most exciting talent, plus a selfie or two with the stars! Looking to turn up the heat? BBQ fans can head to the Keeta FirePit for live fire cooking and theatrics all weekend. All culinary sessions are free of change, with registrations opening before each session.
Sixteen delicious restaurants. Where to start?
One of the biggest draws of Taste of Abu Dhabi is the chance to sample dishes from a whole host of restaurants in one place, without having to choose just one table for the evening.
16 restaurants will be serving up a selection of tasting dishes, giving guests the perfect excuse to try something new, revisit a favourite or settle a debate over who makes the best bite in town.
The 2026 restaurant line-up features:
- 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
Each restaurant will offer a menu of three to five tasting dishes, making it easy to mix and match flavours throughout the weekend. From comforting favourites to dishes worth discovering, there will be plenty to tempt every appetite.
The full menu reveal is coming soon, so stay tuned to plan your tasting journey!
Looking for the perfect grape pairing or refreshing hop? A number of 21+ lounges will be available for guests to enjoy.
A fresh soundtrack for the weekend
There is a brand-new entertainment line-up for 2026, bringing fresh energy to the festival with live music, musicians and DJs throughout the weekend.
One of the highlights is Emirati soul singer Hamdan Al Abri, whose distinctive voice and soulful sound will bring a homegrown touch to the entertainment programme, while Dubai rockers, Tone Deaf, will be bringing up the energy as the sun goes down.
Whether visitors are enjoying lunch with friends, discovering their next favourite restaurant or settling in for an evening of live music, the festival promises plenty of reasons to stick around long after the last plate has been cleared.
Sweeten the weekend with Candy Land
Families, take note: the Kids Zone is getting a major makeover this year with the arrival of Candy Land, a completely new Kids Zone packed with fun for younger festival-goers.
Designed to give children their own exciting festival experience, Candy Land will bring a fresh mix of rides and arts & crafts, making it easier than ever for parents and little ones to enjoy the day together.
With food to explore, music to enjoy and a whole new world of fun for children, Taste of Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be a brilliant family day out.
One month to go, advance tickkets selling fast
With just four weeks until the festival opens its gates, now is the time to get plans in the diary and secure tickets.
Advance ticket sales are available only while quantities last, until 12 November. VIP tickets are selling out fast, with VIP guests enjoying fast-track entry, 3 food and 4 drink vouchers, and exclusive access to the VIP Lounge.
Advance Purchase prices:General Admission – AED 80 (AED 90 on the door)One-day entry + access to culinary workshops (first-come, first-served)
Children under 12 enter FREE.
Taster Package – AED 185 (AED 199 on the door)
One-day entry + 2 food vouchers + 2 drink vouchers + culinary workshops (first-come, first-served)
VIP Package – AED 350 (AED 375 on the door)
One-day entry + fast-track entry + 3 food vouchers + 4 drink vouchers + VIP Lounge access + culinary workshops (first-come, first-served)
Friday Work Social Packages
For groups of 10 or more, including food & drink vouchers, VIP lounge accesss. From AED 160 per person. Contact marketing@mena-events.com for details
Whether it is a day spent working your way around the restaurant line-up, catching a favourite chef in action, enjoying live music or letting loose in the VIP lounge, Taste of Abu Dhabi promises three days packed with reasons to get together and tuck in.
Taste of Abu Dhabi takes place from 13–15 November 2026 at Gateway Park North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
For latest announcements, visit www.tasteofabudhabifestival.com.
Tickets can be purchased at: https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/taste-of-abu-dhabi
