Yas Island’s about to get very, very hungry. Taste of Abu Dhabi has dropped its full 2026 lineup, and honestly, this year’s edition looks like it’s stepping things up a notch. Celebrity chefs, restaurant pop-ups, live music, brand-new experiences, the whole weekend is shaping up to be worth clearing your calendar for.
Mark it down. Friday November 13 through Sunday November 15. Here’s everything worth knowing before you go.
Celebrity Chef Workshops
Some genuinely recognisable faces are taking the stage this year. Gino D’Acampo returns, joined by Irish TV personality Rachel Allen and British chef Thomas Straker. That’s a solid trio right there. But the lineup goes deeper, Faisal Naser, Jenny Morris, Richard Stratton, and several more names are all hosting hands-on sessions throughout the weekend.
Each workshop walks you through creating a recipe made specifically for the festival. And here’s the good part, they’re all included in your entry ticket. No extra cost.
Also Read: 12 Best Family Restaurants In Abu Dhabi
Just know they run first-come-first-served, opening up an hour before each session starts. Show up early if there’s a particular chef you’re hoping to catch.
Restaurant Pop-Ups
Come hungry. Seriously. Sixteen of Abu Dhabi’s most-loved restaurants are setting up shop for the weekend, dishing out taster-sized plates so you can wander the festival grazing your way through the city’s food scene.
Confirmed names so far include Oak Room, The Director’s Club, and 99 | Tanjun, a fresh concept from the team behind 99 Sushi. Beetza and Ergon, both from Erth Hospitality, are joining too, alongside Almayass, Lento, Paradiso, Desert Lotus, Ting Irie, and Pincode by Kunal Kapur.
More names are expected to be announced closer to the event. Worth checking back if your favourite spot hasn’t shown up yet.
Live Entertainment
Food alone doesn’t make a festival. Music does the rest of the heavy lifting. Between bites, expect performances running across the main stage and inside the VIP lounge.
The Nomads DXB, Hamdan Al Abri, Jose Ramon, and The Band of Brodas are all confirmed so far, a mix of live acts and DJ sets designed to keep the energy up as the day rolls into evening.
VIP Experiences
Want more than the standard entry? The VIP package is back this year, and it’s not just a fancier wristband. Fast-track entry gets you past the queues. VIP Lounge access opens up quieter, more exclusive space to relax. There’s dedicated entertainment reserved for VIP guests only, plus exclusive activities layered throughout the weekend.
And then there’s the practical part, three food vouchers and three drink vouchers included the moment you walk in. That adds up fast if you’re planning to sample widely.
Family-Friendly Activities
Bringing the kids? They’re not getting left out of the fun here. Little ones can join dedicated cooking workshops built specifically for them, teaching cooking basics through kid-friendly recipes, hands-on and genuinely engaging rather than just a watered-down version of the adult sessions.
Beyond the kitchen, there’s a full kids zone running all weekend. Bouncy slides, a bungee jump, arts and crafts stations, enough to keep young ones busy while parents grab a bite or catch a set on the main stage.
Shopping And Extra Activities
Want to take a bit of the festival home with you? The artisan market is worth a wander. You can browse, and better yet, sample a product or two before deciding what’s worth buying.
Beyond that, there’s a whole scattering of games and interactive activations across the site, a nice way to break up the eating and add a bit of playful competition into your day.
Getting Your Tickets
Tickets are on sale now, starting from Dhs80 for general admission. Kids under 12 get in completely free, which makes this an easy pick for a family weekend out without the price tag spiralling.
Three days, sixteen restaurants, a stacked chef lineup, and enough activities to fill an entire weekend. Yas Island in November just got a lot more interesting.
FAQs
When is Taste of Abu Dhabi 2026 taking place?
The festival runs from Friday, November 13, to Sunday, November 15, 2026, on Yas Island.
How much do tickets cost?
General admission starts from Dhs80, while children under 12 can attend for free.
Are the celebrity chef workshops included in the ticket price?
Yes. All workshops are included with general entry and run on a first-come-first-served basis, opening an hour before each session.
Which restaurants are confirmed for the pop-up section?
Confirmed restaurants include Oak Room, The Director’s Club, 99 | Tanjun, Beetza by Erth Hospitality, Ergon by Erth Hospitality, Almayass, Lento, Paradiso, Desert Lotus, Ting Irie, and Pincode by Kunal Kapur, with more expected to be announced.
What does the VIP experience include?
VIP tickets include fast-track entry, access to the VIP Lounge, exclusive activities and entertainment, plus three food vouchers and three drink vouchers.
