Where To Eat On Yas Island

The beating heart of Abu Dhabi’s entertainment precinct, Yas Island is home to many of the must-dos for residents and visitors alike: Ferrari World, the F1 track, Warner Brothers Movie World, Etihad Arena, Sea World, Yas Marina, Yas Mall - the list goes on! It goes without saying, there is no shortage of places to eat on Yas. Whether it’s Yas Bay, with its picture-perfect waterfront and array of bustling restaurants, Yas Marina’s more laid back vibe and perfect sunset views or even Yas Mall with offerings so good they have no business being in a food court, trust us when we tell you to make a beeline to Yas Island for some of the city’s best foodie destinations. 

BARBOSSA

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Barbossa is Abu Dhabi’s most upscale party brunch and it’s a must-book situation, since it really draws the crowds. What to expect? Four hours of the best Mexican favourites, delivered to your table by staff keen for a dance, what feels like a million different margarita options and an outstanding vibe. 

The DJ chooses the best 80s and 90s music - you’ll find yourself ready to dance much earlier than normal, and singing your way through your taco course is not uncommon! Dancers appear, bearing sombreros and boas and leading a limbo and a conga to really get the party going, pictures are taken to celebrate the best of memories. Barbossa guarantees a great Saturday afternoon out. 

Time: Saturday brunch | 1-5PM | open daily

Soft AED249 | House AED 399 | Sparkling AED599

Booking: 50 185 8068

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CENTRAL

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Ask anyone for a great place to take your kids in Abu Dhabi, and Central deserves their spot at the top of the list. Not only is the menu kid-friendly - think monster burgers, Mexican favourites, pizza and epic lemonades - they have an arcade and bowling alley that guarantee hours of fun. The best thing about Central? It isn’t JUST for the kids: it’s got a great vibe, they serve drinks for the grown-ups and their Saturday brunch and Sunday roast cater for little ones through to teens and mum and dad - you’ll need to pry the kids away. 

Open: Monday - Thursday | 4PM - 12AM | Friday - Saturday | 12PM - 2AM | Sunday | 12PM - 12AM

Booking: 04 423 8311

EL&N

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Perfectly pretty in every way, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a giant pink disco ball glittering on the waterfront. Walk a little closer and you’ll be drawn into the picture-worthy EL&N: serving up fun dishes like cereal pancakes and chicken & pink waffles, don’t go past the epic cake display with baked confetti concoctions, towering layers that promise a sugar high of epic proportions and make dessert a non-negotiable! Great for relaxed lunch or dinner, but we really love this one post-school pickup or for that weekend treat. Taking the family to a show at Etihad Arena? It’s almost touching distance to the action - how could you not? 

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM | Saturday - Sunday | from 10AM

Booking: 02 883 9395

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ARTMARKET

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

The cafe that can do it all, make sure Artmarket is on your radar for the next family outing. Want to mix it up and inspire some creative genius for your kids? Paint a mini canvas while you tuck into great coffee and tasty cafe staples - the avocado toast is a favourite. Keep an eye out for their social events, and the team are always cooking up delicious specials - when Bluey visited Etihad Arena, Artmarket was pouring blue milkshakes, lattes and babycinos all week long! Always dragging the kids for a reluctant haircut? Dial up the cool factor and get a trim post-breakfast with the inhouse barber - bonus! 

Open: daily | 7.30AM - 11.30PM

Booking: (02) 565 1229

DAIKAN IZAKAYA

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

This hip Japanese joint - with record lined walls and a tree sprouting in the middle of the restaurant - is one we return to time and again in Yas Bay. Slurp away to your heart's content with steaming bowls of ramen, opt for some crispy karaage chicken, gyoza or yakitori - you really can’t go wrong. We love this one for tweens and teens, a perfect outing for older kids wanting to dine somewhere with the cool factor, without sacrificing great food! 

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM | Friday - Saturday until 1AM

Booking: 058 124 1529

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MIKA  

YAS MARINA 

Fresh, fun, authentic fare on the waterfront? Get yourself down to Mika and you may never want to leave! The seasonal menu changes regularly and keeps things fresh: at Mika, the vibe and atmosphere are the constants, while the food offering is mixed up to be interesting and give patrons the perfect excuse for a return visit. 

The fit out of the space really is exquisite - chic and cool, it’s the sort of place that you keep gravitating back to because it just feels so nice: instant holiday mode. Don’t miss the Feta wrapped in crispy filo pastry, topped with sesame and thyme, doused in wild honey. Don't be shy if you are just in the mood for a drink or two - the setting lends itself to a casual afternoon beverage. 

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM | Sunday | from 9AM for breakfast

Bookings: 056 433 1422

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DIABLITO 

YAS MARINA

Serving up tasty Spanish and Mediterranean dishes - think paella, tapas, sangria and pizza - you can kick back on the deck with a view over the water and Yas Marina Circuit in the distance. Perhaps our favourite thing - they are dog friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friends along for an outing (or like me, just cross your fingers that someone at the next table might have brought a fluffy offsider with them). 

Open: Sunday - Thursday | 12PM-12AM | Friday - Saturday | 12PM-2AM

Bookings: 02 565 1175

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STARS N BARS

YAS MARINA

Want somewhere to watch a game, grab a drink and take it easy? With plenty of specials throughout the week, a renovated terrace when the weather is onside, screens to catch a game and live music to get you moving, you can often hear this sports bar before you see it! Open from 12PM until late every day, they have plenty of pub classics - including a Sunday roast and wings night - all served up with a view of the Marina. 

Open: daily | 12PM-2AM

Bookings: 02 565 0101

PARADISO

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

It’s like an Italian double-happy - Paradiso does brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays! This 4 hour brunch will become a fast favourite, with Mediterranean dishes brought to your table, in a seemingly endless wave.  Start with superb arancini and beef carpaccio, head through sea bass and steak mains and finish with some incredible Italian desserts. 

The staff are excellent and  the DJ plays popular tunes - and even takes requests! The value for the price point is clear and we think this will become a favourite.

Time: Saturday brunch | 1-4PM | open daily

Soft AED250 | House AED 350 | Bubbly AED450 | Children eat free with 2 adult packages

Booking: 50 437 2869

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THE LIGHTHOUSE

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

For breakfast, lunch or dinner with your girls or family, head to Lighthouse, right on the Promenade at Yas Bay Waterfront. Offering a stylish menu, with some perennial favorites like calamari and prawns, great pastries and nibbles, this is  the perfect place to grab a drink and while away the hours. The Library Bar features a large range of excellent wine and cocktails and is also a great option for a private event with your friends.

Open: daily | 8AM - 1AM

Booking: 02 236 7831

HUNTER & BARREL 

YAS BAY WATERFRONT 

Hunter & Barrel is often recommended by the Best Bites community as a good place to get a great steak, a healthy meal or just a drinks-and-nibbles catch-up with friends. The burger is noteworthy, but Hunter & Barrel also caters for vegans well, making it a perfect place for friends with all dietary preferences to share a good time. 

Open: daily | 11AM - 1AM

Booking: 02 886 8299

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MCCAFFERTY’S

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Great for a Sunday roast, a night out with live music or a quiet drink with a friend, McCafferty’s is a good option. The Sunday roast gives all the goodness for just AED 100 per person, and you can brunch on Saturdays with your crew for just AED199 for 5 hours of party fun. 

It’s casual, always lively and a good night is guaranteed. 

Open: 9AM - 3AM

Booking: 058 598 3623

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LOCK STOCK & BARREL

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Abu Dhabi’s quintessential party bar, Lock, Stock & Barrel guarantees bangin’ vibes, great times and finger lickin’ food. Saturday’s Lock, Stock & Live Brunch 2-5PM (from AED 225), is a good option for a brunch that fits before the evening shows. Happy hour runs from 4-8PM daily, so either way this one is a winner - and the closest bar to the arena! What to order?

Share a flat bread and get a burger or the nachos - two total winners!

Open: 4PM-2AM | daily | earlier opening Friday-Sunday

Bookings: +971 2 235 8659

‍EMMY SQUARED

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

School holidays might be over, but you can take the kids for a taste of America’s favourite Detroit-style pizza without even leaving the city. Alongside their quintessential square pizzas, you can tuck into epic burgers and desserts too, so everyone in the family is more than covered. Excellent flavour combos mean you can never stop at just one slice - try Angel Pie, topped with ricotta, mushrooms and (self described!) truffleist mushroom cream or Seoul Mate with its kimchi base, for a little Korea-meets-Italy-meets-Detroit action. 

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Booking: 02 235 8763

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AKIBA DORI

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Want to enjoy some properly tasty Japanese street food in a funky neon setting? Akiba Dori is a big vibe for all ages! You’ll love the katsu curry and sandos, sushi and street food galore - it’s a great spot to order a bunch of dishes to share with the fam, roll up your sleeves and tuck in. If the kids are a little picky, the kids menu has fun options for younger palates - we’re talking a crunchy chicken katsu sandwich or the B.B. bowl - shredded Black Angus brisket with house-made Akiba teriyaki - yum!

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Booking: 04 770 7949