Taste of Abu Dhabi returns to Gateway Park North, Yas Island, from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November 2025. Doors open at 2 pm daily, with late closings on weekends. Early bird tickets start at AED 60 on Platinumlist. Expect 16 restaurant pop-ups, free chef workshops, pasta classes, live music, a big kids’ zone and VIP options.
Dates, times and where it’s happening
The festival runs for three days at Gateway Park North on Yas Island.
- Dates: Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November 2025
- Daily hours: Fri–Sat 2 pm to 12 am; Sun 2 pm to 10 pm
- Venue: Gateway Park North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Tickets: from AED 60 on Platinumlist. Plan for peak crowds after 6 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Ticket packages and what you get
Pick a package that fits your day. Early bird pricing is as follows:
- Standard — AED 60
- 1-day entry
- Access to live chef demos and culinary workshops
- Registration for workshops is first-come, first-served on the day
- Children under 12 go free with an adult
- Taster Package — AED 175
- 1-day entry
- 2 food vouchers
- 2 drink vouchers
- Access to culinary workshops
- VIP Package — AED 299
- 1-day entry with fast-track access
- 3 food vouchers
- 4 drink vouchers
- Access to the Taste VIP Lounge with plush seating, live entertainment and dedicated bars
- Access to culinary workshops
- Friday Work Social — Team Packages
- For groups of 8 or more
- From AED 130 per person
- Includes entry before 3 pm (no time limit once inside), food vouchers, optional drinks and VIP Lounge access
- Contact: marketing@mena-events.com
Vouchers are distributed at the entrance. Food vouchers work at any restaurant pop-up. Drink vouchers cover house beverages, select Drink Dry beverages, Rubicon juices, soft drinks and water. VIP guests can use drink vouchers for select cocktails or mocktails in the VIP Lounge. Kids under 12 don’t need an entry ticket, but they will need a package ticket to receive food and drink inclusions.
Food, chefs and free workshops
You’ll find 16 Abu Dhabi restaurants serving 4–5 taster dishes each, a mix of Michelin-recognised names and homegrown favourites. Confirmed restaurants include:
- Paradiso
- Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi
- Ilios
- Craft by Side Hustle
- Lento
- Gala Gourmet
- Catch by St. Regis
- Taparelle
- Oak Room
- The Director’s Club
Hands-on learning is a big part of Taste. Workshops with celebrity chefs are complimentary with your event ticket, available on a first-come, first-served basis, and hosted by Priti Malik, Zoe Dickens, and Andrew Dickens.
The chef line-up provided by organisers features Gino D’Acampo, Matt Preston, Shivesh Bhatia, Jenny Morris, Rich (Dubai 92), Harry Heals, Khaled Al Saadi, Faisal Naser, Warren Mendes, Omaka Marie, Annika Panikker, Fred Casagrande, Andrew Dickens and Joe Nesbitt Larking.
Pasta-making workshops run daily and fill fast, so arrive early to register.
Music, family zone and licensed lounges
Beyond the food, there’s non-stop entertainment with live bands, DJs and acoustic sets across multiple stages. A dedicated kids’ zone keeps younger visitors busy with activities and arts and crafts. If you’re after a quieter base, the VIP Lounge offers seating and dedicated musicians.
21+ licensed lounges operate across the site, and there’s a wide range of mocktails if you’re not drinking. Opening hours support long evenings on Friday and Saturday, so pace your day and stay hydrated.
Getting there, rules and accessibility
Plan your route and read the house rules before you go.
- By car: parking at Yas Gateway Park North, with overflow lots and shuttle buses
- By bus: Route 190 from Abu Dhabi Bus Station to Yas Island
- By taxi: ask for Yas Gateway Park North, Yas Island
- What not to bring: no outside food, drinks, glassware or alcohol
- ID checks: valid photo ID required for age verification
- Filming: entry implies consent to be filmed or photographed for marketing use
- Refunds: all ticket sales are final and non-refundable
- Accessibility: People of Determination are exempt from the standard entrance fee for themselves and one companion. Tickets are issued at the box office on presentation of a valid government-issued card.
- Social: Instagram @tasteofabudhabi | TikTok @tasteofabudhabi
The core event details, venue and timings match live listings. The organisers provide on-site policies, voucher rules and accessibility notes.
FAQs
When is Taste of Abu Dhabi 2025, and where is it held?
From Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November 2025 at Gateway Park North, Yas Island. Doors open at 2 pm daily; close at 12 am on Friday and Saturday, and 10 pm on Sunday.
Are the workshops free, and how do I register to join?
Yes. Culinary workshops and pasta-making sessions are free with your event ticket. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day at the relevant theatre. Arrive early; popular sessions fill quickly. (Organiser guidance.)
What’s included in the Taster and VIP packages?
Taster includes 1-day entry, two food vouchers and two drink vouchers. VIP includes fast-track entry, three food vouchers, four drink vouchers and access to the VIP Lounge. Vouchers are issued at entry and can be used at restaurant pop-ups and bars as specified by the festival.
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