Where To Eat Before The NBA

The NBA is back in Abu Dhabi! With two hotly anticipated pre-season games coming up at Etihad Arena, we’ve got the best tips on where to fuel up before watching these incredible teams face off. Games tip-off at 8pm Thursday, October 5th and Saturday, October 7th, and these are our winning picks to get the action started!

CENTRAL

YAS BAY

The perfect Saturday brunch for parents with kids of every age (they even have a teenagers package!), this is a great option if you are taking your little basketball fans to the game. Along with arcade credits, they have facepainting and a bouncy castle during brunch. Rally the troops for a game of bowling afterward (brunch runs 1pm - 4pm) and happy hour until 8PM … and then it’ll be time to head off for some NBA action.

Contact: +971 4 423 8311

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BARBOSSA

YAS BAY

Not much boosts the vibe more than Mexican food and margaritas, making La Carnita a great option for pre-match dinner and drinks. Pull up a stool for a tipple at the bar and watch the bartenders do their thing - you’ll feel like you’re already courtside. Daily happy hour from 4pm - 7pm will serve you well for the Thursday night game, then Saturday brunch steps it up, from 1pm – 4pm (from AED 199).

Contact: +971 2 886 7876

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LOCK STOCK & BARREL

YAS BAY

Abu Dhabi’s quintessential party bar, Lock, Stock & Barrel guarantees bangin’ vibes, great times and finger lickin’ food. Saturday’s Lock, Stock & Live Brunch 2pm - 5pm (from AED 225), is a good option for a brunch that finishes a little closer to game time. Happy hour runs from 4pm - 8pm daily, so either way this one is a slam dunk!

Contact: +971 2 235 8659

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STARS N BARS

YAS MARINA

Sporting event? Sports bar! Along with happy hour running daily 12pm - 8pm, Saturday also offers the Absolutely Legend Brunch, a 3 course meal with an unlimited drinks package, running from 12pm - 4pm (Soft AED150 | House AED199 | after brunch package 5PM - 7PM AED99 | Kids meal available AED35). Live entertainment kicks off after brunch to keep the mood hoppin’ until tip-off!

Contact: 02 565 0101

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GARAGE

W ABU DHABI - YAS ISLAND

If you are feeling like more of a baller, Garage offers a beautifully designed open-kitchen journey, spread over different cuisines, with each outlet designed for guests to interact with the chefs and watch their food being prepared. The BIG brunch, serving funky vibes, banging bites and live entertainment, runs on Saturday and tends to book out, so shoot your shot and get in quick for this one (Soft AED320 | House AED420 | Bubbly AED589 | Kids 7-11 AED139).

Contact: +971 2 656 0000

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BUA THAI CAFE

YAS BAY

The newly opened sister restaurant of Desert Lotus, we rate Bua’s signature pad Thai - they swap noodles for crispy wontons - and cool off with a Thai iced coffee - delish! A smaller venue (so we’d recommend booking sooner rather than later), if the weather is kind, nab a seat outside and enjoy some people watching and soak up the game-day energy with your crew.

Contact: 02 575 3158

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