Taste of Abu Dhabi 2025 takes over Yas Gateway Park North from Friday, 14 November to Sunday, 16 November, with festival hours from 14:00 to 00:00 on Friday and Saturday and 14:00 to 22:00 on Sunday. The city’s signature food-and-music weekender returns with 15+ pop-up restaurants, chef demos, hands-on cook-alongs, a fire-pit stage, and a music lineup that runs from daytime acoustics to late DJ sets. Moreover, the family zone expands with bouncy castles and kids’ workshops so parents can roam the tasting trail. You can plan a single day or dip in across the weekend for very different moods. Family-friendly.
Tickets and entry
General admission starts from approximately AED 80 based on current official listings, with premium upgrades and tasting bundles higher; Sunday evenings usually price softer than peak Saturday. Because late-day walk-ups can face higher door rates, lock your entry early and bring a bank card for faster gates. Additionally, keep photo ID that matches the booking name for occasional spot checks at busy hours. If you prefer elbow room, aim for the first hour after opening. Advance booking recommended.
What to eat and do?
Across the park, Abu Dhabi restaurants rotate tasting plates alongside chef stages where celebrity guests demo recipes and share quick tips. You’ll find the Kibsons Chef’s Hub and Fire Pit sessions running in 30-minute blocks through the afternoon and evening, with first-come registrations opening one hour before each slot. Moreover, presenters like Jenny Morris, Matt Preston, Gino D’Acampo, and Shivesh Bhatia appear across the weekend, so check the day lineups at the gate. Expect approachable formats for families and curious first-timers, not just food-scene insiders. Arrive early to register for sessions.
Music and atmosphere
Live bands and DJs soundtrack the tasting routes from mid-afternoon, then ramp toward night as headliners take over. Consequently, Friday and Saturday carry a livelier club-adjacent feel near midnight, while Sunday keeps an earlier wind-down for school-night routines. You can graze at picnic tables, lounge near the main stage, or orbit between demos and the kids’ zone. Furthermore, sound levels stay festival-bright but family-calibrated in daylight hours. Not suitable for very noise-sensitive children.
Location, contacts, and accessibility
Set your maps to Yas Gateway Park North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. For organiser enquiries, the public listing shows +971 4 448 6624 and marketing@mena-events.com. The site layout is flat with broad walkways; prams and strollers move easily between zones. Moreover, shaded pockets and misting fans help during warmer hours. Know your gate before you park.
Getting there and parking
By car, follow Yas Island signs and enter the Gateway Park North loops, where free parking is provided with overflow lots opened at peak times; marshals may direct you to shuttle buses from the outer areas. Public transport works too: from Abu Dhabi Bus Station, take Route 190 to Yas Island, then hop a short taxi to the park. Additionally, ride-hailing remains the simplest late-night exit close to midnight. Parking capacity is limited at peak hours.
Travel from nearby Emirates
From Dubai, take E11 toward Yas Island and budget 70–90 minutes on Friday afternoon; add a 10–15 minute buffer for parking and wristbands. From Al Ain, E22 feeds toward central Abu Dhabi—plan about 90 minutes plus city traffic. Moreover, families from Sharjah or Ajman can save time by leaving before 12:30 for the 14:00 opening or after 18:00 for an easier evening run. For a calm finish, schedule ride-hailing from the designated taxi zone rather than the main drop-off. Avoid peak approach 18:30–20:00 if possible.
Family tips and on-site etiquette
Register kids for cook-along slots as soon as you arrive, then orbit food stalls while you wait; registrations open one hour before each session. Keep snacks sealed for little ones and carry refillable bottles; water points and vendors sit near the stage spines. Furthermore, strollers should park in marked bays during crowded demos for safety. If you need a quiet reset, aim for the shaded lawn away from the speakers. Follow steward instructions at the demo stages.
Weather, traffic, and final advice
Forecasts for Friday, 14 November through Sunday, 16 November show hazy sunshine around 31–32°C by day and 21–22°C by night; wear light breathable layers, sun protection, and bring a thin extra layer for breezy evenings. Meanwhile, Yas Island traffic pulses at opening and again near closing, so consider arriving by 15:00 and leaving before midnight crowds. Public transport plus a short taxi hop works well if you want to skip parking. Treat all listed prices as approximately since organisers may adjust by day or category. Make your reservation before it’s too late! According to information provided by the editor of www.few.ae, families who target Friday 14:00–16:00 enjoy shorter queues, easier chef-hub registrations, and a smoother parking experience.
then "Add to Home Screen"