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Looking for unique things to do in Abu Dhabi? Try breakfast with sea lions
We tried Emirates Park Zoo’s viral dining experience, complete with Greek breakfast, sea lion selfies and all-day park access
- PUBLISHED: Tue 17 Feb 2026, 10:38 PM
There’s a strange thing about living in the UAE. We’re spoiled.
Brunch in the sky. Dinner in the desert. Spectacles are everywhere. And when everything is a spectacle, it takes something truly odd, or borderline ridiculous, to make you go, okay, I need to try that.
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So when I heard you could have breakfast with sea lions at Emirates Park Zoo & Resort, it was a no-brainer.
If you live in newer Dubai, you’re looking at just under an hour. It sounds dramatic until you realise it’s not deep into Abu Dhabi; it’s on the outskirts, even before Yas Island. The drive is quick enough to justify waking up early.
Because yes, you need to wake up early. There are timed slots, and if you want the full experience (and trust me, you do), punctuality is key. You arrive, check in, and then change into swimwear. Not “fully submerged” swimwear. Think knee-deep pool energy. But still — how often does breakfast require a swimsuit?
The zoo itself houses the usual A-listers — lions, giraffes, bears, elephants. The heavy hitters of any zoo visit. But that morning, I wasn’t there for the safari checklist. I was there for four very specific sea lions: Arcto, Bia, Claudio, and Victoria. And yes, by the end, you’ll know who’s who.
You’re seated at a table inside a shallow pool area, water brushing against your legs. Breakfast is served. And honestly? When the “value” is the experience, you mentally prepare for average food. I went for the Greek option. There’s Arabic (mezze and scrambled eggs), Full English (beans, sausages — beef or chicken), Greek, a kids’ option, and even a Hawaiian fruit-heavy spread if you’re feeling tropical. I didn't have any special expectations from the food, then I had the Strapatsada: fried eggs with Greek olive oil and feta cheese. It was simple yet super tasty. At one point, I caught myself focusing more on finishing that than watching the sea lions rehearse their tricks. That’s how good it was. There was also Tiropita — flaky phyllo, white sauce, feta. Greeks and cheese are in a committed relationship, and I respect it.
Next, the real stars
An instructor walks you through everything. Important rule: you do not eat with the sea lions. Why? Because when they eat, they tend to splash right after. And unless you’re craving a swimming-pool-infused omelette, you’ll keep your plate far from feeding time. You do, however, get to feed them their treats. The trainer hands you a small treat from a bag, you toss it, and these animals move with ridiculous precision. They’re agile and surprisingly elegant underwater. You also learn a lot about them.
Bia & Victoria — The athletes
They’re the first to greet you. A wave here, a perfectly timed dive there. They are energetic and playful. They follow commands effortlessly and glide through the water like they’re showing off. Which they are.
Claudio — The celebrity
Then comes Claudio. The fan favourite. He sits beside you at the table — food-free, of course — and just poses. This is your cue to take photos with him. He knows the drill and strikes up a pose or two.
Important note: no touching. The zoo adheres to international benchmarks for animal care and welfare, and the boundaries are clear.
Arcto — The final boss
If you haven’t finished your breakfast by now, it gets moved aside for what can only be described as the main event: Arcto.
About 140kg of South African sea lion, and the largest of the four. He’s quick underwater despite his size, and when he emerges, he owns the space.
He’s got three signature poses: A salute, a tongue out, and an exaggerated wide smile that feels almost cartoonish.
The verdict
Was it worth Dh2205 (for up to four people, including all-day park access)?Honestly, yes. Because this isn’t about the breakfast alone. It’s about sitting knee-deep in water at 9am, eating Strapatsada while a 140kg sea lion salutes you. It’s about doing something that still feels rare in a country built on experiences.
And if you want to extend it, remember, this is a resort too. The rooms overlook roaming giraffes and gazelles. You can have breakfast with giraffes, birds, and, for Ramadan, even iftar with big cats and elephants (behind glass, thankfully).
Fine dining is everywhere in the UAE. Breakfast with sea lions? Now, that's unique, even for the UAE.
