New Restaurants To Try In Abu Dhabi

This month we're celebrating cuisines! With everything from a new Georgian restaurant and a pizza old favourite returning to town, to a fabulous new Anatolian and a vegan vegetarian fine dine, you'd be hard pressed not to find something to make your tastebuds tingle.

GALA

AL ZAHIYAH

Vegans and vegetarians, take a bow: this is your place! The excellent new GALA restaurant has opened and it’s already a hit with the Best Bites community for its excellent food, superb plating and refined, fine dining ambiance.  

What do we love there? The ghee roast mushroom stands out with its strong spices and rich flavours and the soya tawa masala -  a comforting dish with soya veggies covered in a savoury sauce, topped with cheese, and holding a nice salty kick. The paneer makhani is also worth trying and make sure you save room for the delicious mango panna cotta to finish.

Timings: 11:30AM - 11:30PM

Contact: 050 248 8506

Not licensed for alcohol

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THE KEG ROOM

AL ZEINA

Al Zeina has been waiting with anticipation for their very own pub to open, and The Keg Room does not disappoint. With not a shamrock in sight, Keg Room embraces its Australian roots by serving all the good Aussie beers on tap and even in cans - I mean is it even XXXX if you’re not downing it from a tinny?! 

The menu is fairly pub-eclectic and there are tons of theme nights to get excited about. Wrap your laughing gear around a Sunday roast - one of the best Sunday roasts in Abu Dhabi by our reckoning, a Friday - Sunday brekkie or a steak on Thursday nights … all well-portioned, good food. 

They show all the sports you need including ARL, netball and rugby when the season demands and football for the rest. It’s definitely worth a drop by!

Open: Friday - Sunday 8AM - 12AM/1AM, weekdays 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 056 410 4101

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HANAR MEZE BAR & GRILL

YAS BAY WATERFRONT, ETIHAD ARENA END

Hanar is already very popular, not least for its stunning location overlooking Yas Bay and round the corner from Etihad Arena, making it an amazing place to eat before a show.  But more than that, the food is making a name for itself; this is Anatolian cuisine at its finest.

The stuffed musself enchant even those not so keen on seafood, while the lamb chops are a mic drop in themselves - the meat is excellent quality and the char from the grill, absolutely perfect.  Finish with a crunch kunafeh for dessert and don’t miss the outstanding mocktails and cocktails - these are beyond worth an evening spent!

Open: 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 02 639 0017

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‍SHIVILI

GALLERIA AL MARYAH, 3RD FLOOR

Welcome to Abu Dhabi Shivili! This new outlet in the Galleria Mall isn’t just aesthetically  beautiful, it has a couple of other stand-out features that make it worth a visit.  First, the food is excellent.  We love the khatchapuri Adjarian and the khinkali beef dumplings - it’s all very authentic and while perhaps not quite as pocket friendly as dining in Tblisi, it’s definitely on a par taste-wise. 

The second big attraction of Shivili is the custom built children’s play area - one of the very few places in Abu Dhabi that has activities for kids! This wooden climbing tower, soft play mat, and toy area is perfect for parents who want to be easily able to see their kids, while having a much-needed chat with their friends.  

Open: 10AM - 10PM

Contact: 052 438 3880

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HUQQABAZ

BREAKWATER, OPPOSITE MARINA MALL

We’ve long looked at the outlet previously occupied by Havana and hoped something good would come and utilise what is an amazing space.  Enter: Huqqabaz!

This Turkish shisha restaurant is aimed at the more affluent among us - pricing is steep, with shisha starting at AED140.  The views across to the Corniche are fabulous though, so if you wanted to treat yourself, this would be the place to do it. A massive draw for Huqqabaz is that it’s open 24 hours, making it a good place to come and shisha the night away with a meal or a dessert.  While we don't think it's 'set to shake up the Abu Dhabi dining scene', it's great to finally have something worthy making use of those incredible views.

It is not licensed for alcohol. 

Open: 24 hours

Contact: 02 650 5513

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BIG BOYS SANDWICHES

YAS MALL

This brand new sandwich shop has opened in Yas Food Hall and promises to be a hit with anyone who loves a massive, fresh Japanese-inspired sandwich. 

These are not sandos per se, or at least, not the kind we see making an appearance on every menu in Abu Dhabi: these are well thought out, packed with cool fillings and beyond delicious. They use shokupan, Japanese milk bread, baked fresh in-house daily which is just spectacularly soft and eminently scarfable. What do we love? The spicy Southern Fried Chicken, the egg salad and the 7th Avenue brisket based beauty. Last but not least, they sell fairy bread, beloved by Australian and New Zealand children everywhere - cue: a cue of parents looking for a fabulous after school treat in Yas Mall!

Finally, the very funky pink decor makes you feel like you’re somewhere else and easily offsets the gloom of the food hall: exciting decor for exciting food and we’re here for it. 

Open: 10AM - 10PM

Contact: 800-9276255

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RUSSO’S NEW YORK PIZZERIA

COPTHORNE DOWNTOWN

We’re so happy to see Russo’s make a return to Abu Dhabi after a couple of years hiatus.  It’s now on the ground floor of the Copthorne, right in the heart of the city, and is churning out the same great casual food that we know and love.  

We love the big pizzas - the biggest in town actually at a solid 28 inches! - but also, the fact that they’re safely gluten free and also have a good range of vegan options.  Don’t miss the  pasta dishes - they’re completely worth a comfort-foodie order - and the tiramisu to finish is also pretty epic. 

Open: 11AM - 11PM

Contact: 02 675 1635

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HYPE HOUSE

REEM CENTRAL PARK

Here’s one for the Reemies! 

Want to drink coffee? Have snacks? Play a few games? Buy a new pair of trainers? Hype House has opened and it’s set to become the hangout place for anyone who loves  a good coffee and a chic ambiance.  There are board games, perfect for an afternoon out of the sun, a pool table, a Playstation and numerous other things to keep you low-key entertained for hours on end.  

We liked the cheesecake but would’ve loved to have seen less plastic being used for drinks inside - we feel like the environmentally conscious Gen Z Reemie might have something to say about that! 

Open: 9.30AM - 10.30/11.30PM

Contact: 055 507 9740

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THAI NOODLES

BY THE SEA TOWER, REEM ISLAND

And continuing with the Reem theme, Thai noodle is fast becoming the go to for anyone craving a decent pad Thai or a mango sticky rice.  According to recent reviews on the Best Bites Abu Dhabi Facebook Group, the sweet and sour chicken is sizzlingly good, while the slightly off-piste-and-into-Indonesia nasi goreng was also on point.  Pricing is good, making it a great spot for a casual dine-in or a Netflix-and-chill delivery.

Check our IG reel for some cracking visuals 

Open: 11AM - 11PM

Contact: 02 447 3731

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ZALI

MARSA AL BATEEN

This gorgeously decorated little cafe is reminiscent of its roots in Bali, with Balinese decor fused with contemporary chic touches. Zali serves Lebanese food, with some really excellent dishes. We love the saj with fresh labneh and eggs and the cherry kebab is not to be missed.  Finish with a Zalitella - a Nutella saj, done the Zali way! 

It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is perfect for a tranquil meal, with views over the Al Bateen marina.  

Open: 9AM - 12AM

Contact: 050 797 6951

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LA CÔTE

SOUQ QARYAT AL BERI

This gorgeous little winter pop-up is already proving insanely popular at the Souq! The tiny peninsula that gives unparalleled views over the Maqta creek, now holds a myriad of tables and sofas and is festooned with bright, white sheaths.  By day, the gloriously chic outdoor decor is framed by the swaying palm trees, while at night it comes alive with fairy lights and stunning views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.  It’s a very charming little space and the coffee is excellent, desserts on point, an ideal place for an evening coffee with a friend, and we’re here for it! 

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FAHID ISLAND BY BARBOSSA

SAADIYAT HIGHWAY

No beach club has ever been more welcomed in Abu Dhabi! Its competitive pricing, casual vibe and a genuine wish to make a great place for a whole raft of different people will see it becoming one of the most popular spots in town.

By day, the beach is open to families and singles, giving options from beach beds to cabanas and feeling very Bali. Dogs are also welcomed, providing you're happy to pick up after them! Drinks are served as well as casual food, coming from 3 food trucks. Enjoy poke bowls, salads and Mexican food, from the well known Barbossa in Yas Bay.

The mood changes after sunset: international DJs take the stage to provide exceptional entertainment and an unparalleled club vibe.

We can't wait to see what Fahid Island by Barbossa does - we think it's going to go wild!

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