Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, independently researched by Jadawel with an original summary and a direct supporting source for every recommendation.
Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi: 20 researched recommendations
Abu Dhabi's restaurant scene connects Emirati cooking, independent bistros, hotel dining rooms and waterfront restaurants across the capital's islands. This list uses Michelin and official destination coverage to represent both ambitious occasion meals and more relaxed regional cooking.
This is the strongest supported shortlist available for this guide, capped at 20 without padding or duplicate count-based articles.
1. Talea by Antonio Guida
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental · Tourism authority
An Italian fine-dining room at Emirates Palace focused on polished regional cooking in a formal hotel setting.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
2. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental · Tourism authority
A refined Cantonese restaurant with a dark, contemporary dining room and terrace within the Emirates Palace grounds.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
3. 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
The Galleria Al Maryah Island · Tourism authority
A Japanese fine-dining restaurant overlooking the waterfront at The Galleria, centred on sushi, seafood and composed small plates.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
4. Erth Restaurant
Qasr Al Hosn · Tourism authority
A modern Emirati restaurant within the historic Qasr Al Hosn complex, using local ingredients to reinterpret familiar regional dishes.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
5. Al Mrzab
Al Mushrif · Tourism authority
A relaxed local restaurant serving Emirati and Kuwaiti home-style dishes, with generous sharing formats and a residential-neighbourhood setting.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
6. Beirut Sur Mer
Mamsha Al Saadiyat · Tourism authority
A colourful Lebanese restaurant facing Mamsha's beachfront, suited to shared mezze and grilled dishes in a coastal setting.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
7. Otoro
Al Qana · Tourism authority
A contemporary Japanese restaurant at Al Qana with a concise menu spanning sushi, robata and comfort dishes in a casual room.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
8. t'azal
Al Qana · Tourism authority
A modern restaurant combining Arabic flavours with international techniques, presented in an urban dining room beside Al Qana's waterfront.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
9. Oii
Al Qana · Tourism authority
A Mediterranean-focused restaurant serving Southern European dishes and breakfast in a light waterfront setting at Al Qana.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
10. Villa Toscana
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche · Tourism authority
A traditional Italian hotel restaurant drawing from Tuscan and wider regional recipes in an intimate villa-inspired dining room.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
11. Li Beirut
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers · Tourism authority
A polished Lebanese restaurant in Etihad Towers, pairing familiar mezze and grills with modern presentation and a formal hotel atmosphere.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
12. Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental · Tourism authority
A contemporary Indian restaurant overlooking the palace beach, shaped by chef Hemant Oberoi's approach to regional classics.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
13. Butcher & Still
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island · Tourism authority
A 1920s-inspired steakhouse at the Four Seasons, chosen for a classic grill menu and waterfront business-district setting.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
14. COYA Abu Dhabi
The Galleria Al Maryah Island · Tourism authority
A lively Peruvian restaurant with ceviche, grills and sharing plates, positioned on The Galleria's waterfront dining terrace.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
15. Fouquet's Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island · Tourism authority
A French brasserie beneath Louvre Abu Dhabi's dome, suitable for pairing a museum visit with a composed sit-down meal.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
16. Oak Room
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen Marina · Tourism authority
A contemporary steak restaurant at Al Bateen Marina with a club-like dining room and a menu centred on carefully sourced meat.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide (opens in a new tab)
17. Punjab Grill
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal · Tourism authority
An elegant Indian restaurant presenting dishes from across the subcontinent in the Ritz-Carlton's Grand Canal complex.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
18. Mika
Yas Marina · Tourism authority
A relaxed Mediterranean restaurant at Yas Marina with produce-led sharing plates and an outdoor terrace overlooking the boats.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
19. Paradiso
Yas Bay Waterfront · Official source
A Riviera-inspired restaurant on Yas Bay Waterfront serving Mediterranean dishes in a colourful, social setting near Etihad Arena.
20. Ryba
Souq Al Mina · Tourism authority
A homegrown seafood restaurant at Mina serving locally familiar fish preparations in a casual space close to the port markets.
Source: Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide (opens in a new tab)
How Jadawel built this guide
Jadawel researches restaurants through official venue pages, destination guidance and established local editorial coverage, then selects for usefulness, geographic spread and variety of occasion. The order is editorial, not a copied review-site ranking.
The order balances culinary distinction, local character and geographic spread rather than ranking price or luxury alone. Check current menus, reservations, dress guidance and dietary needs directly with each restaurant.
Automation provides a consistent structure across guide combinations. Independent source research, editorial selection and original summaries provide the substance. The recommendations do not come from Jadawel’s app database, and missing venue facts are not invented.
Plan before you go
Check the area before committing and group nearby stops together. A strong choice on the other side of the emirate may be better saved for a dedicated day out.
- Open the current menu and price information before making a special trip.
- Confirm reservations, dietary needs and group requirements directly with the restaurant.
- Compare the area and likely travel time before using rating as the deciding factor.
Sources and research date
Research checked 2026-09-14. Recheck time-sensitive details directly before visiting.
- Experience Abu Dhabi Michelin guide — Tourism authority (opens in a new tab)
- Experience Abu Dhabi award-winning dining guide — Tourism authority (opens in a new tab)
- Yas Bay official directory — Official source (opens in a new tab)
For wider destination context, visit Experience Abu Dhabi (opens in a new tab). The Jadawel guide methodology explains the research and citation standard.
Questions about this guide
- How does Jadawel choose the restaurants in this Abu Dhabi guide?
- Jadawel researches restaurants through official venue pages, destination guidance and established local editorial coverage, then selects for usefulness, geographic spread and variety of occasion. The order is editorial, not a copied review-site ranking. The order balances culinary distinction, local character and geographic spread rather than ranking price or luxury alone. Check current menus, reservations, dress guidance and dietary needs directly with each restaurant.
- Does this guide guarantee 20 restaurants?
- No. Each guide shows the strongest supported shortlist available, capped at 20. If independent research supports fewer useful restaurants, Jadawel stops at the shorter list instead of padding it.
- Are the recommendations taken from the Jadawel app database?
- No. This editorial guide is researched independently on the open web. Each recommendation links to the official, tourism or established editorial page used to support it.
- Does this guide confirm what is open right now?
- No. Hours, prices, access, availability and operating conditions can change. Follow the cited source and confirm time-sensitive details with the venue or operator before travelling.
- How is automation used on this page?
- Automation keeps the guide format, navigation and technical metadata consistent. The place selection, source links and original summaries are maintained as editorial research, and unsupported facts are not added to fill space.