The Market Brunch @ Sim Sim, Saadiyat Rotana Abu Dhabi

When was the last time you went to Abu Dhabi? Well, it will be the first for us since covid, now that we no longer need a green Al Hosn! Off we went to one of the family-friendly resorts on Saadiyat Island : the Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas. It was mid December so the weather was perfect for a mini road trip. The itenary was to spend the day there with the kids, and to review the award-winning Market Brunch at Sim Sim. It is meant to be a mammoth of brunches and it definitely was.

Here’s what to expect at The Market Brunch at Sim Sim.

Where is Sim Sim?

Sim Sim is Saadiyat Rotana’s all-day dining – located on the pool and beach level. It takes up a large dining space, with a nice outdoor area as well overlooking the lawns and the pool area.

Saadiyat Rotana itself is an hour’s drive from our place in the Dubai Marina.

What is the spread like at The Market Brunch?

The Market Brunch in Abu Dhabi, is possibly what Bubbalicious is for Dubai. It’s buffet-style and has absolutely everything you can think of – with the focus on seafood and meat.

There is a fresh fish stand, where you go over with the piece of paper that’s on your table. You choose what you want and hand it over to them to grill outdoors, and they will bring it to your table. We’re talking blue lobsters, japanese alfonsino fish (which you must try), red snapper, a giant swordfish that on display that is bigger than my 4 year old, list goes on. There’s also a butcher section with all the cuts of steaks – lamb, beef and chicken that you can choose.

My little girl got to hold a live lobster – claws are tied, don’t worry! It was fun just to explain all the different meat available, then let them see the chefs outside grill it and then bring it to the table.

There’s a caviar station (yes, caviar!), freshly shucked oysters, and an assortment of cold seafood. There’s another section for indian, arabic and chinese. Even a hummus section where you get to choose your own ingredients and they prep it for you.

If the fresh seafood and meat is not enough, there’s a entire section of cooked meat. Beef wellington, short ribs, lamb racks – you name it, they got it.

I didn’t even know there was more outside of the main restaurant until I asked them where the dessert was and we started heading over there and passed by their Italian section and yet another room for pork!

How’s the crowd and overall vibe at The Market Brunch?`

It was pretty much full house on Saturday when we went mid-December. Definitely a popular brunch with the Abu Dhabi residents, and speaking to the hotel staff a lot of the guests present were in-house guests as well.

I would say that when we were there, it’s mostly the adults-only crew, with just a few tables with kids. Do note that it is very much family-friendly, it just doesn’t have entertainment for the little ones (I do wonder which brunches in Abu Dhabi has that?)

If you pick a table outside there is a huge lawn for the kids to run around in, and they have set up a small area for toddlers.

Overall thoughts

The Market Brunch is a mammoth of brunches, and priced accordingly.

As of currently – December 2022, the house beverage package is 515aed, putting it on par with Bubbalicious and Brasserie 2.0s of Dubai. If something as extensive as this is something you like – go for it. I have yet to go to a brunch in Dubai that served caviar. It’s wow, there’s just so much food, not to forget all the cocktails and drinks available.

I would have personally loved a bit more entertainment and theatrics at a brunch this size, but hey – that’s me! It’s good that they have live music at least outside 🙂

Have a read through our article of ‘How to spend a day at Saadiyat Rotana Resort with the Family‘ on Privilee’s blog