All The Best Restaurants In The Galleria Abu Dhabi

Gone are the days when restaurants in a mall were tired and boring - at least in Abu Dhabi! And the jewel in the capital’s crown for mall dining? The Galleria Al Maryah Island, with its host of high end restaurants, chic bars and excellent food - there’s even some Michelin stars floating around the precinct. 

Don’t worry - not every restaurant will cost an arm and a leg for a meal: we’ve got a list of favourites with everything from haute cuisine to great quality pub grub and plenty in between. The Galleria mall food court even puts up some notable mentions - you’ll never run out of options for lunch on the go, dinner with friends or a late night drink here.

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Self-styled Japanese haute cuisine for eclectic foodies, the innovative and impeccable offering at 99 Sushi Bar has earned them a legion of fans - us included! - and a Michelin Star to boot. A feather in The Galleria’s cap, and one of the best places to eat in the mall, make a date with 99 Sushi ASAP. 

Quality is paramount at 99 Sushi: you’d expect nothing less from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Abu Dhabi - but it really shines through. Many of the ingredients are imported fresh from Spain, where the 99 Sushi’s inception took place, and the seafood elements are truly top notch. Dig into the tasting menu for a bit of everything, or dip a toe in over lunch with their 8-course omakase menu. Nibble on hosomaki, sip on their capumiso soup, then look out for the butterfish & truffle, 99 skirt steak and sea bass flambé to come. If you always want to try everything like we do, this is a lunch menu made in heaven! 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 12AM 

Bookings: (+971) 026723333

Antonia Chic

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Antonia Chic’s opening in The Galleria Al Maryah, on the second floor of the mall proper (not squirrelled away downstairs!) delivered an unprecedented move - and an Abu Dhabi first: it’s licensed! That’s right - your mid-shop lunch could include a cheeky Aperol Spritz, or a glass of red if you fancy it. Hidden behind heavy red velvet drapes, the crushed red velvet chairs, cosy banquettes and a long terrace make it easy for a quick lunch or dinner to turn into something to linger over. 

The menu is similar to their other branches, with a few excellent additions.  The tartare di gambero (AED75) is a gorgeous platter of prawn tartare with a crisp apple and celery extract added, perfect if you’re lunching, or just want something very light.  Try the agnolotti (AED95) - topped with curls of black truffle- and the signature Antonia suppli - they never disappoint! It’s not Antonia without pizza and we recommend a board or a half board with whatever’s coming out of the kitchen.  The natural sourdough base (with a 72 hour rise which makes it light, but chewy and crispy in all the right places) does every topping justice. The pizza counter is conveniently located just inside the doors, so if you don’t have time for a sit-down, you can get a box to take away - perfecto! 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 11PM | until 11.30PM on weekends

Bookings: walk-ins only!

La Petite Maison (LPM)

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

LPM remains one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, hands down. Not only is the food interesting, the menu ever-changing and the drinks incredible, but the staff adds a next-level charm that means from the moment you step through the door, you feel welcome.  

The menu at LPM is French-Mediterranean, so you can expect everything from the best escargots in Abu Dhabi, to quality seafood options, pasta, steak and an outstanding dessert menu. Cinq a Sept (their daily happy hour) is a great opportunity for a late afternoon catch up over superb cocktails and a tasty bar menu - the burrata toast alone has us stopping in at every opportunity - and La Vie En Rose Sunday brunch is exceptional - and as a result, always full! LPM deserves its spot as one of the most popular spots to eat in The Galleria. 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 1AM | with a break between lunch and dinner service

Bookings: 02 692 9600

Craft by Side Hustle 

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

The UAE’s first microbrewery has done a bustling trade since their doors opened: Craft by Side Hustle is our go-to for a laidback pub lunch or dinner, and we certainly aren’t the only ones! This warm, welcoming pub serves up next-level beer brewed on-site by their master brewer (you can see the barrels, kegs and kettles from the bar), while the kitchen churns out an American-inspired, Southern-style menu that will leave you carrying a food baby of epic proportions. Tuck in to anything from a reimagined pie to a perfectly executed meat platter, boozy desserts and moreish bar nibbles. 

We LOVE the space: it feels like the local you didn’t know you’ve been looking for. From booths to sink into for a proper Sunday session and high stools at the bar for a pint with your mates, you’ll feel instantly at home. It’s the small things that really make a difference: check out the light fixtures and tasting paddles crafted from barrels and a giant mural reflecting the heritage and influence of the brewery. There’s plenty of fun to be had: get involved in the weekly quiz night every Monday, one of the most popular ladies nights in the city on Wednesdays and fun and games for the family over the weekend. A pub in The Galleria Mall? Genius!

Timing: daily | 12PM - 1AM | until 3AM Friday & Saturday

Bookings: 02 631 9855

Bentley Kitchen

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Perennially bustling and usually booked up in the evenings, Bentley Kitchen earns their spot in the ‘cool group’ with consistently great food. Their European fusion menu is tasty yet accessible, and we love the fun and friendly atmosphere almost as much as the food. Treat yourself to a great steak, or go for the burger - at least one person at our table is guaranteed to order it every visit. 

Lunch at Bentley is an equally enjoyable affair - even more so with its comparably pocket friendly price point: 2 appetisers, a main course, and dessert (essential!) will set you back AED149. If you have the afternoon free? Take a post-lunch stroll along the waterfront or work up a thirst with some shopping in The Galleria, then circle back for happy hour from 4.30PM daily - it’s a winner. 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 12AM | until 1AM Friday & Saturday

Bookings: 02 626 2131

COYA

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

The lush interiors and waterfront views get us every time, and COYA knows how to deliver (literally - have you tried the cocktail that comes to your table in a smoke-and-light-filled glass case?). This Latin American restaurant serves up fresh and interesting Peruvian cuisine, making it a must-try on the Abu Dhabi foodie scene. The devil is in the details at COYA: from wow-factor drinks care of the pisco bar to impeccably presented desserts and everything in between, you’ll be surprised at every turn. 

You’ll find plenty to love on the innovative - yet accessible - menu. From Wagyu baos, truffle snapper ceviche, and anticuchos de pollo to whole grilled lobster, there is no shortage of flavour and the quality is top notch. Try out their lively Saturday brunch (it’s a vibe - the music is on point and staff will make sure you have a fab time) and keep an eye out for special events, takeovers and parties - there is always something brewing at COYA. 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 11.30PM with a break between lunch and dinner service

Bookings: 02 306 7000

Zuma

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Contemporary Japanese in a chic setting is the order of the day at Zuma. You’ll find the restaurant busy every day of the week, and by night things kick up a notch. Alongside those enjoying an impeccable dinner, the bar is bustling (we’re talking crowded!) - you’ve got to hustle to get to the front and order another round. The location of the 2024 F1 driver’s dinner, pre-Grand Prix, Zuma is a place to see and be seen.

Want to try this upmarket restaurant without burning a hole in your pocket? Reserve a table for Ebisu lunch. The starters alone will have your mouth watering - think eggplant and spinach gyoza, beef and green chilli skewers with smoked chilli soy or a maki, sashimi or nigiri selection - while the mains are plentiful and equally hard to choose between: the lineup includes grilled Australian Wagyu beef sirloin with truffle mayo, miso marinated black cod donburi and grilled seabass with red yuzu pepper. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options, and the best part? You can choose to express your lunch, opting just for miso and a main - a taste of Zuma for a steal at AED79. The interiors are cool and elevated, the service is on point, and you’ll find yourself looking for any excuse to return - Saturday brunch is worth the hype, so make sure it’s on your list!

Timing: daily | 12PM - 12AM | until 1AM Friday & Saturday

Bookings: 02 401 5900