Easter 2021: family-friendly ways to celebrate in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

From Easter egg hunts to the best places to order in those roasts and hot cross buns, there's a little something for everyone

Hot cross buns, Easter egg activities for children and a special themed-milkshake are all on hand this Easter. 

With Easter 2021 falling on April 4, a number of establishments across the UAE have launched "sp-egg-tacular" deals to make the occasion fun, festive and family-oriented. If you're thinking of celebrating with your loved ones (and with generous helpings of chocolate Easter eggs), here's how you can do it.

Easter in Abu Dhabi

Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Head over to the Majlis Lobby Lounge where an Easter Bake Sale will keep your pantries stocked this Easter. On offer are festive treats, from chocolate bunnies and eggs to take-away hampers. There will also be chocolate egg painting activities to keep the little ones busy for Dh180 per child. The hotel is having an Easter Sunday family dinner, with a three-course menu that can enjoyed under the stars at Aqua and Glo terrace. On the menu are dishes like the orange and cinnamon braised duck leg, wood oven roasted lamb and charcoal banana leaves seabass. Wrap up the meal with a pear and peach toffee cake with cinnamon milk chocolate mousse.

Daily, until April 4; the Sunday family dinner takes place 6pm-11pm; Dh248 per person; Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island; 02 813 5550; [e-mail]

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

The mall has put together a fun-filled contactless Easter egg hunt to keep the little ones entertained. Participants start by scanning the QR code at the mall’s entrance to register and access the Easter Egg hunt map. After this, they can scavenge the mall for six colourful Easter eggs or bunny stands, with the help of QR codes that unlock clues to the next location. The reward is a goody back full of chocolates from a dedicated stand in Central Kitchens, Level 3.

Thursday-Sunday, April 1-4; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; www.thegalleria.ae/magazine/springsummer2021

La Cuisine de Manou Cafe

Easter eggs will be hidden around the cafe grounds, just waiting to be found. The children’s Easter egg hunt is available throughout the cafe’s opening hours for Dh30 per child. After the hunt the over, the little ones can also decorate Easter cookies, with five cookies, three icing colours and two sets of sprinkles available.

Daily, 8am-5pm; until April 10; Dh30 for the Easter egg hunt and Dh25 for cookie decorating; Mussafah Sanaiya; 02 552 6608

Saadiyat Rotana

The hotel’s Sama Lobby Lounge has put together a Easter-themed afternoon tea. Savour pastries and sandwiches on a three-tiered high tea stand, with special festive treats and tea.

Daily, 1pm-6pm; until April 13; Dh185 for two; Sama Lobby Lounge; Saadiyat Rotana; 02 697 0000

Easter in Dubai

LDC Kitchen + Coffee

Following their immense success last year, the cafe has once again launched their limited-edition hot cross buns for Easter. The sweet treats are filled with spices and currents and can be enjoyed toasted, buttered or with a drizzle of jam.

Daily, until April 4; Dh12 for one hot cross bun, Dh60 for five; Available in-store and through Deliveroo; One JLT, Jumeirah Lakes Towers; 043209669

Rise & Dawn Bakehouse

The bakery inside The Sum of Us cafe will be selling three types of hot cross buns this year. Foodies can choose between classic fruity (Dh14 each or Dh70 for six), chocolate (Dh16 each or Dh80 for six) and gluten-free (pre-order online only, Dh100 for six).

Thursday- Sunday, April 1-4; prices starting from Dh14; Available at all Bull & Roo venues or online, pre-orders available; riseanddawnbakehouse.com

Caya

To get those creative juices flowing, the restaurant is hosting cookie decorating classes for children between the ages of four and 12. Each class is 30-45 minutes and will give the little ones the chance to colour in cookies and down them as a tasty snack later, while parents enjoy a cuppa with festive cheer around. For safety reasons, there will only be eight children allowed per session, and two per table.

Daily, 10am-3pm; until April 10; Dh55 per child; Town Square Park; for bookings, WhatsApp [phone]

Legoland Dubai

There’s a series of festive events over at the theme park, between Thursday, April 1 and Saturday, April 10, beginning with a free Easter egg hunt. Visitors to the park during this duration will be given clues to find ten Lego eggs hidden throughout the park – nab all, and a Lego goody bag is yours. Other activities include a Lego building experience in Miniland, with guests invited to create a display that will be added to the park’s Easter Flower Garden. There will also be a Lego Friends Dance Workshop, and cupcake decorating at Cafe Terrace (for a small fee). Finally, children eat for free throughout the event at Caesar’s Pizza and Pasta Buffet.

Thursday-Saturday; April 1-10; Dubai Parks and Resorts; 04 820 3123; www.legoland.ae

Studio One

The hotel is having a “mad hatters” barbecue event at The Void. While parents enjoy a three-course menu with meaty options, there will be as Easter candy hunt, cupcake making and more for the little ones. Fancy dress is encouraged too.

Friday, April 2; 12.30pm-4pm; Dh175 for adults, Dh50 for children under seven; Studio One Hotel, Studio City; Dubai; [e-mail]

Sarood Hospitality

If you don’t feel like whipping up a heavy meal, Sarood Hospitality has a delivery service. Residents can order an Easter feast, with par-cooked roasts delivered to their doorstep, with cooking instructions. Choose between roast Australian prime rib of beef, whole baby chicken and Australian rump of lamb. Packages come with duck fat roasted potatoes, honey-roasted parsnips, thyme-roasted carrots, cauliflower cheese gratin, Yorkshire pudding and sauces. A 48-hour notice is required.

Daily, until April 4; prices start at Dh265 for two; Orders can be placed by calling 800 666 353 or via ChatFood: http://order.chatfood.io/sarood-offers/delivery

Black Tap

The New York shake and burger joint is rolling out a limited-edition Bunny Shake – an Instagrammable cherry concoction with vanilla-frosted rim, M&Ms, three chocolate Lindt bunnies, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top. To make this sugary deal even sweeter, diners across the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall Outlets stand to win prizes – ranging from discounts to complimentary menu items – if they find an Easter egg inside any of the Crazyshakes.

Thursday-Sunday; April 1-4; varying timings; across all Black Tap Dubai venues

Reform Social & Grill

The British venue will be offering a takeaway Easter roast, delivered to the doorstep. Choose between beef, chicken and veggie roast, with all the traditional sides and gravy. Pre-orders require 48-hour notice.

Friday and Saturday; April 2 and 3; Dh390 for four; 058 647 8692; Available for delivery and pick-up;

Folly by Nick and Scott

If you’re planning to wow guests, how about whipping up some beef wellington for Easter? To make it easier, the chefs behind Folly by Nick and Scott have created an “at home” version of the dish, to be delivered to the doorstep. The beef wellington will arrive oven-ready, along with servings of creamed mashed potatoes, freshly chopped chives, honey roasted carrots, truffle oil and their beef short rib and jus. There’s also a recipe card and a link to a step-by-step video to help with the finishing touches. Pre-orders require 48-hour notice.

Thursday to Saturday; April 1-3; Dh395 for two; Available for pick-up or delivery; 058 108 2464

Spill The Bean

One of the biggest food trends of 2020 is back for Easter as specialty coffee shop Spill The Bean which has limited-edition Easter hot chocolate bombs. They're made with dark chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder and marshmallows and best enjoyed with warm milk, making this a slightly healthier version than your traditional Easter egg too. Advanced orders are recommended.

Available until stocks last; 7am-8pm; Dh25 for one; Spill The Bean, Sustainable City; 04 242 8671

Marks & Spencer

The British retailer is known for its range of Easter goodies and this year it has some new additions to that list. In a bid to be more inclusive, it is launching Plant Kitchen vegan hot cross buns and an Egg-Plant Kitchen vegan Easter egg. Also for the first time, it will be selling savoury hot cross buns, including new flavour cheese with marmite.

Want to make the most of your hot cross buns? Here's a recipe for its famous Mega-cheesy Marmite Hot Cross Bun Rarebit, courtesy M&S.

Ingredients

• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 250ml milk
• 250g Cornish Cruncher cheddar, grated
• 4 M&S Cheese & Marmite® Hot Cross Buns
• Green salad, to serve

Method

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Once melted, stir in the flour
2. Slowly add the milk to the saucepan a little bit at a time. Keep cooking until you have a lovely thick sauce
3. Take the pan off the heat then stir in the grated cheddar
4. Cut the hot cross buns in half and lightly toast before adding the sauce and placing under the grill until the sauce is bubbling
5. Season the buns with pepper and serve with a fresh green side salad

Available until stocks last; Available at M&S stores, and online through M&S Food, el Grocer, Deliveroo and NowNow apps

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