Returning this November, the capital’s ultimate food festival is expected to introduce a new music concept.
Another day, another outdoor festival to look forward to: Taste of Abu Dhabi. We all know that the season ahead will see the return of al fresco entertainment of all manner, but when it comes to foodies across the capital, this is one that matters. As for what you can expect? Three days’ worth of dishes from the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, a celebrity chef line-up, and an all-new music concept. Taste of Abu Dhabi will run from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Gateway Park South, Yas Island.
The chef line-up is just as tempting. British chef and social media sensation Thomas Straker makes his Taste debut, arriving with serious culinary clout as the man behind STRAKER’S in London’s Notting Hill. Italian chef and television favourite Gino D’Acampo returns to the capital, while Irish cookbook author and TV personality Rachel Allen draws on a career closely connected to the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School. South Africa’s Jenny Morris, better known as The Giggling Gourmet, adds plenty of personality following a career spanning television, cookbooks and her Cook’s Playground cooking school.
Regional talent is also well represented. Emirati chef Faisal Naser is the founder of homegrown burger favourite LENTO, while Amna Al Hashemi made history as the first Emirati woman to open her own restaurant with Mitts & Trays. Chef and consultant Vanessa Bayma arrives with two decades of international hospitality experience, while Annika Panikker returns as a familiar face on the UAE food scene.
Live-fire cooking will also take centre stage courtesy of Smoking Beards founder and UAE barbecue champion Fred Casagrande, alongside seasoned pitmasters Andrew Dickens and Joe Nesbitt-Larking. Completing the 2026 roster are Richard Stratton, Hunter Burkall and Dave Kimmerly, with the chefs sharing kitchen secrets, practical techniques and hands-on cooking tips throughout the weekend.
A festive ambience, meanwhile, will come courtesy of a new music concept consisting of multiple stages throughout the venue. Each will be busy from day to night, packed with everything from DJs to intimate acoustic sets. There will also be five licensed lounges and a kids’ zone. Following the success of last year’s event, organisers expect more than 19,000 visitors to join the city’s largest celebration of food and culture.
Early Bird Tickets for Taste of Abu Dhabi are available for purchase now via Platinumist, with prices starting at AED 60. With a variety of ticket options – General Admission, Taster Package, VIP Package – to choose from, guests can tailor their experience to suit their preferences.
Where: Gateway Park South, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: 13 to 15 November 2026
Contact: https://tasteofabudhabifestival.com