Meat and Mountains food festival returns to Al Ain 

The event brings together open-air cooking and chefs. 

If the image of gathering around a fire and eating your food makes you feel warm inside, then this is for you. Meat and Mountains food festival takes place on 23 November and 21 December at Jebel Hafit Desert Park, Al Ain. So, bring your sense of adventure and appetite, as an exciting experience awaits. 

Now in its third edition, Meat and Mountains is hosted by Jebel Hafit Desert Park and curated by Cucina del Sul, Meat & Mountains. The open-air festival offers immersive dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy unlimited BBQ feasts, which have been cooked by local chefs. The meats have been supplied by Meat House Gourmet Butcher, and there are food and beverage stations. 

At Meat & Mountains, guests can enjoy BBQ Sultan’s Texas smokehouse-style brisket and wings, and Qure Drinks’ mocktails. Panamericana offers authentic Mexican street food, and Nabulsi Knafeh showcases cooking over coals outdoors. 

If you’re after a local touch, Meats & Mountains includes guided art and archaeology hikes, traditional Arabic coffee stations, live falconry demonstrations, and the chance to sample fire-cooked harees as well as watch traditional bread making. Plus, Emirati favourites range from karak tea to lugaimat. 

Look out for the camp with recreational activities including bonfires, live entertainment, kite flying and vouchers to Al Ain Zoo. If you’re looking to make your trip longer, book an overnight stay at Jebel Hafit Desert Park’s camping and glamping locaitions.

Ola, a co-founder of Cucina del Sul, explained: “Meats & Mountains is more than a festival – it’s a celebration of food, culture and community. We invite food enthusiasts to escape the bustle of city life and embrace the beauty of the desert living while connecting with kindred spirits over incredible flavours.”

Tickets start from AED 378 per person for adults and AED 94 for children. 

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GO: Visit https://cucinadelsul.zbooni.com/products for more information.