Food destinations within easy reach of Abu Dhabi, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Abu Dhabi. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous forDates under the 147,000 palms of Al Ain Oasis, and breakfasts, salads and brick-oven bread at The Farmer's Table, Emirates Bio Farm
Al Ain, a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi, pairs a date palm oasis with Emirates Bio Farm, whose greenhouse restaurant cooks with produce grown on site.
Famous forThe July Liwa Dates Festival and Middle Eastern dinners among the dunes at Al Falaj, Qasr Al Sarab, which Anantara says reopens in October 2026 after its summer closure
Liwa Oasis, a two to three hour drive south-west of Abu Dhabi, is date-farming country, home to the July Liwa Dates Festival and dinners at Qasr Al Sarab.
Famous forDaily date auctions and honey and cooking contests at the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction, held 17 to 26 October in 2025
Madinat Zayed, in the Al Dhafra region west of Abu Dhabi, hosts the Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction each October, with date auctions and honey contests.
Famous forFish from the daily auction after Al-Asr prayer, cooked at the souq's fish grill area, and fresh dates at the annual Dates Festival (the 11th edition ran to 15 September 2026)
Sharjah's Souq Al Jubail, a day trip from Abu Dhabi on the Sharjah Corniche, holds a daily fish auction after Al-Asr prayer and a fish grill area.
Famous forFresh produce at Silal's Al Wathba Farmers Market (40 stores) and the Al Wathba Date Festival's 14 competitions, including three cooking contests (third edition, 15 to 24 January 2026)
Al Wathba, around 50 km from Abu Dhabi city, has Silal's farmers market from Friday to Sunday and hosts the Al Wathba Date Festival each winter.
Famous forBuffet lunch on the one-day island tour, and Anantara's island restaurants: The Palm buffets, Al Shams (international) and Savannah Grill & Lounge (African)
Sir Bani Yas Island, about 250 km west of Abu Dhabi, pairs a boat crossing and wildlife safari with buffet lunch and Anantara dining across three resorts.
Day trip · 8 - 9 hours
Experience the contrasts between the past and present in Dubai. See the Old Town of Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, the Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab and more. Stop to enjoy l...
Day trip · 9 - 10 hours
Explore Abu Dhabi on this trip from Dubai. Enjoy a guided tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and visit sights like Yas Island, the Yas Mall, and the traditional Her...
Day trip · 10 hours
An Al Ain City Tour, focusing on its natural and historical aspects, offers a captivating journey through one of the UAE most unique and culturally rich cities.