The Venue
Ask anyone in Abu Dhabi for some brunch recommendations, and Nahaam at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is guaranteed to be one of the first on the list.
A UAE capital institution, the electric weekend party is known for its extraordinary buffet, incredible live music, fast service, and upbeat vibes.
One of the only places in the city where you can combine your feasting and mingling with a boogie on the dance floor, it’s long been a go-to booking for birthday celebrations and important occasions.
So, after hearing that it had returned after the summer break with a bigger – and somehow even better – format, we couldn’t resist booking in for one of the first opening weekends of Nahaam 2.0.
Arriving bang on time for the 12.30pm start (excited, us?), we have time to do a full sweep round of all the immaculately presented stations before diving in and getting started.
The Food Highlights
One new feature that loyal guests will notice is that all the outdoor stations are now organised according to the outlet they come from. Inviting you to try tasty Spanish omelettes and croquettes from Jose by
Pizarro Abu Dhabi, creamy butter chicken and silky dahl from Abu Dhabi Michelin Guide selected Moksh, and succulent Arabic grills from the multi award-winning Li Beirut and much more, it’s a great way of trying the hotel’s full away of world-renowned restaurants all in one place, and for a reasonable price, too.
The overflowing seafood table is then one of our first ports of call. Allowing you to fully embrace the UAE’s stereotypically luxurious lifestyle, it offers all the succulent lobsters, juicy oysters, and vibrant prawns you could ever want. The spread goes down wonderfully with a glass of fizz, and sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon splendidly.
From here, we move on to try some of the enormous cheese selection (we know we’ll only get too full if we try and wait to have it at the end). Most dedicated wine and cheese nights don’t have a range this vast, and there’s a wide selection of homemade breads, crackers, and jams to pair them with, too.
A buffet designed to delight those of all tastes, there’s even a huge section dedicated to vegan-friendly specialties, and a wide array of salads for those who crave a bit of freshness and crunch.
Taking us across every corner of the globe, we also sample authentic Japanese sushi, freshly prepared to order homemade pasta covered in divine cheese sauce, and succulent cuts of roasted meat prepared with expert talent and skill.
If you’re too lazy to keep getting up, the revolving trolleys ensure that a constant flow of tempting morsels are delivered to your table, while the drinks service couldn’t be more efficient or friendly.
We’re immensely excited to see that the house beverage collection includes our favourite orange Italian beverage and many more of the best classic cocktails, and the team never lets us sit with an empty glass for more than a minute or two.
Plus, while I’m normally a savoury over sweet person – Nahaam 2.0 is where I make an exception. Never have I seen a more amazing dessert spread at any brunch in the UAE. Perfectly arranged right until the end, it offers an outstanding choice of cakes, mousses, cookies and chocolates, along with regional treats from Mexico, the Middle East, the UK, and beyond. Don’t miss the fluffy and ultra-delicious cheesecake, or the homemade truffles, either.
The Verdict
Lively, yet family friendly, the talented live band sets the tone with their infectious energy. There’s a real buzz in the air throughout, and seeing everyone around us lose their inhibitions on the dance floor adds to the feel-good vibe.
We end the day by taking our drinks outside to admire the view of the sunset over the beach. A dreamy end to a lovely day, we conclude that there’s truly no finer way of spending a Saturday in Abu Dhabi than Nahaam 2.0.
Oh, and did we mention that pool and beach access is included, too?
