Weekend plans across the UAE keep getting rerouted to this one experience. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri's abra afternoon tea — a traditional wooden boat cruise through the resort's private canal network, with a full tiered tea service on board — is filling up weekend slots days in advance.
A Canal Setup People Keep Talking About
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri is built around a network of canals that run through the property. The same traditional abra boats used for guest transport are arranged for curated dining experiences, with guests seated on board as the boat passes through landscaped gardens and waterways.
The route offers clear views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which has become the signature visual of the experience and kept it in consistent circulation among UAE residents and visitors.
The process starts at the hotel lobby, where guests check in before being guided to the boarding point for their scheduled ride.
Afternoon Tea Timings and What's Served
The Shangri-La Abu Dhabi abra afternoon tea runs daily from 2 PM to 6 PM, in line with the hotel's Lobby Lounge service hours.
The tea setup includes:
- Finger sandwiches - Scones - Pastries and desserts - Tea selections
Everything is prepared by the hotel's dining team and served in a traditional tiered format during the ride. An upgrade to champagne service is also available.
For early risers, abra breakfast is available daily from 8 AM to 10 AM, with pastries, cheeses, cold cuts, and sandwiches served alongside the abra master's stories about the property's history.
Booking Details and Pricing
Advance booking is required for this experience due to limited availability on the abra routes.
- Afternoon Tea (mocktail or cocktail): AED 699 for up to four people - Afternoon Tea (glass of champagne): AED 799 for up to four people - Abra Breakfast: AED 699 for up to four people
Reservations are handled directly through the hotel:
- Phone: +971 2 509 8555 - Email: restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Birthday arrangements and custom requests can also be arranged through the hotel team upon booking.
Why It Keeps Showing Up in Plans
The experience takes place entirely on the water inside one of Abu Dhabi's most distinctive hotel layouts. Guests are not seated in a standard dining space — the tea service happens during the abra ride itself, moving through the resort's private canals.
That setup, combined with limited slots and the Grand Mosque backdrop, keeps demand consistent — especially for weekend plans coming from Dubai. With afternoon tea, breakfast options, and customisable arrangements available, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri's canal abra experience remains one of the most talked-about things to do in Abu Dhabi right now.
