Indulge in classic British flavours and festive delights at Dubai’s new culinary destination – The Spaniel at Bluewaters Island
The holidays are a time to indulge in festive meals, relive cherished traditions, and create lasting memories with loved ones. This Christmas and New Year’s Eve, The Spaniel offers the perfect setting for all your celebrations, combining a welcoming ambience, festive menus, and a touch of British tradition to make your holiday dining experience truly special.
Located at Bluewaters Island, The Spaniel is a charming classic British brasserie that brings the best of traditional British cuisine to Dubai. Whether you’re a connoisseur of British cuisine or an adventurous culinary explorer, The Spaniel’s festive offerings and gourmet menu are sure to please. With classic dishes reimagined and new festive favourites, this British haven is the perfect place to gather with friends, family, or colleagues to mark the most wonderful time of the year.
This festive season, The Spaniel is pulling out all the stops with an exclusive array of seasonal menus that brings the warmth and nostalgia of British Christmas feasts to Dubai. From the 1st of December to New Year’s Eve and early January, guests can enjoy specially curated dishes, festive drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere that captures the holiday spirit.
Begin your Christmas cheer on 24th of December with a ‘Drinks and Nibbles’ menu from 6pm to 9pm featuring festive cocktails in addition to juices, drinks, and spirits on Christmas Eve. Feast on beloved British classics such as Welsh Rarebit, a savoury dish of melted cheese and bechamel with Worcestershire sauce served over toasted bread. The Spaniel’s very own flaky sausage rolls and exotic prawn cocktail with avocado, cucumber, and pink grapefruit are highlights of the day’s offerings.
The 25th of December ‘Jingle Bell Brunch’ menu is meticulously developed to embody the spirit of Christmas Day. It brings family and friends together to celebrate the joyous occasion over hearty classics. Succulent Turkey Breast and gourmet Roast Wagyu Beef steal the spotlight. For the ultimate diner food, The Spaniel offers Shepherds Pie, a comforting dish made with tender lamb, topped with a golden mashed potato crust, and its signature Fish and Chips that is elevated with the highest-quality fish and crispy, golden batter. Indulge in Black Forest Yule Log, a classic British delight with chocolate sponge filled with cream and topped with rich cherry syrup. The classic Christmas Pudding is also available, offering a spiced dessert that is a must-have for every festive gathering. For a lighter, refreshing option, Clementine & Vanilla ‘Cambridge Burnt Cream’ provides a delightful twist on the classic crème brûlée, infused with zesty clementine and smooth vanilla.
Continue the celebratory spirit with 26th December’s ‘Boxing Day’ festive specials. Start off with savoury delights like Butternut Squash, Parmesan & Truffle Cappuccino and The Spaniel’s signature juicy Scotch Egg. In addition to the Christmas Day offerings, mains include Mac & Cheese with wild mushrooms and winter truffle. Finish off your meal on a sweet note with a good helping of Mince Pies – delicious pastry filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices or rich Sticky Toffee Pudding with candied walnuts, and Horlicks ice cream.
To complement these festive dishes, The Spaniel offers an array of refreshing juices, soft drinks, and festive mocktails. From the sparkling Cranberry Fizz to the zesty Clementine Cooler, these non-alcoholic beverages are the perfect accompaniment to your meal, making sure all guests can enjoy the celebratory spirit, whether they’re toasting with family, friends, or colleagues.
Begin the new year with ‘The Spaniel Mystery Night’ – a mysterious and magical party on New Year’s Eve. The brasserie will transform into iconic scenes from celebrated writer Agatha Christie’s enthralling novels. Discover beloved characters come to life while enjoying an eclectic range of food inspired by her works.
A tasting menu featuring six exquisite dishes will be served on December 31st. Each dish is meticulously developed to reference a culinary scene from her reputed novels.
Diners can experience Champagne Oysters At The Luxembourg Hotel from Sparkling Cyanide (1945) with The Spaniel’s luxe Dibba Bay N.3 English Sparkling Wine with Osetra Caviar. Beef & Porcini Tea with Sausage Roll makes A Perfect Cup Of Tea from The Moving Finger (1942). A fancy Lobster cocktail will transport guests to the Seafood Cocktail At The Savoy from Appointment With Death (1943). Moreover, diners can choose to savour Fish & Chips At The Seven Dials Club in The Seven Dials Mystery (1929) with Beer Battered Atlantic Cod Filler or feast on Fillet Of Beef (MB5+) Marmite & Peppercorn Butter, a delightful recreation of Grilled Steak At The Golden Palm in A Caribbean Mystery (1964).
Guests are treated to timeless desserts – a sweet conclusion to their Agatha Christie-themed gastronomic tour. Buttermilk Pudding with Lemon Sorbet reimagines the Bavarian Lemon Sorbet from Passenger To Frankfurt (1970). Baked Alaska, complemented by Salted Almond Praline Ice Cream, is The Spaniel’s grand attempt to deliver diners a taste of Peach Melba in The Secret Adversary (1922).
With live music in the background, visitors can pose at themed photo booths and hot spots, capturing memorable moments on camera.
To mark the auspicious Russian Orthodox Christmas, The Spaniel will entertain guests with live music and festive décor along with a curated menu on 6th and 7th of January. Both days offer a fulfilling three-course meal. Guests can dine on Beetroot Soup, Scotch Egg, Truffled Welsh Rarebit, or Locally Smoked Salmon with Devilled Eggs. Apart from the festive mains, they can opt for Roast Salmon Coulibiac, a traditional Russian fish pie that is complemented by Caviar Butter Sauce, or Potato & Caramelised Onion Dumplings. Christmas special desserts will leave diners feeling thoroughly satiated as the momentous occasion comes to an end.
The Spaniel’s festive menus are designed to appeal to both seasoned British food lovers and those eager to explore new culinary experiences. The diverse array of dishes brings together the best of British comfort food, elevated to gourmet standards, with flavours and presentations that promise to surprise and delight.
Chef Will Stanyer, a Gordon Ramsay protégé, has crafted menus that showcase his deep knowledge and passion for British cuisine. With his expertise and dedication to using the finest local and seasonal ingredients, every dish at The Spaniel is created to offer the perfect balance of comfort, flavour, and sophistication.
Whether you’re enjoying the rich, hearty flavours of Shepherd’s Pie or indulging in a sweet treat like the Black Forest Yule Log, The Spaniel’s menus are designed to offer a taste of both nostalgia and new culinary adventures. Each dish is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that guests experience British cuisine at its very best.
The holiday season is about more than just great food – it’s about creating lasting memories with those you care about. The Spaniel offers an ideal setting for festive gatherings, whether you’re celebrating with family, meeting friends for a holiday catch-up, or hosting a business dinner.
The restaurant’s distinctive layout features separate areas for different dining experiences, ensuring that there is a space for every occasion. The ground floor provides a family-friendly environment, perfect for relaxed, casual meals. Upstairs, the social dining space promotes lively conversation and a more energetic atmosphere, ideal for friends and colleagues looking to enjoy drinks and festive bites together.
And then there’s the view. Located directly in front of Ain Dubai – the world’s tallest observation wheel – The Spaniel offers guests a stunning visual spectacle. Whether dining inside or enjoying a drink on the terrace, guests can take in the breathtaking views of Ain Dubai, which stands twice the height of the London Eye, adding an extra layer of magic to your holiday dining experience.
The interior design of The Spaniel enhances the atmosphere further, with a blend of traditional British aesthetics and modern elegance. Featuring rich wood accents, soft lighting, and subtle nods to British heritage, the décor makes every meal feel like an experience. The carefully curated design creates a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a grand festive celebration.
Whether you’re enjoying a festive family dinner, a business meal with colleagues, or simply gathering with friends to celebrate the season, The Spaniel offers an experience that caters to every need. Its versatile dining areas and welcoming atmosphere make it the ideal venue for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The festive menus, expertly crafted by Chef Will, offers a wide range of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences, ensuring everyone in your group can find something they’ll enjoy. With its relaxed yet refined atmosphere, stunning views, and delicious food, The Spaniel is a place where memories are made and the holiday spirit truly comes alive.
This holiday season, make The Spaniel your go-to destination for celebrating with loved ones, colleagues, or friends. The festive menus are available from December 1st through early January, making it easy to plan your holiday dining experience.
