Got an IG grid in need of a rebrand? You’ve come to the right place as we’ve hunted down the best Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi. So, start charging your phone now.
It’s time to inspire a touch of Insta-envy and prove you’re a real tastemaker, with snaps of the picture-perfect plates and swoon-worthy interiors found in our collection of trending hotspots.
And while we might be serving you hit after Instagrammable hit in our foodie round-up, rest assured that the dishes on show are as delectable as they look. Well, why shouldn’t you have your cake and eat it? Here are all the top Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi to have on your radar now.
Alkalime
Every IG account worth its salt needs an inspirational quote post once in a while, and it just so happens that this ‘restocafe’ has one artfully scrawled on its wall that you could snaffle (then credit, of course).
The motivational gee-up hints at the focus here: wellbeing and mindfulness, as Alkalime is not so much a restaurant as a space in which you can work, rest (yes, that is a hammock you spy) and play. But if you are looking to refuel, the pimped up huevos rancheros are pretty dang good.
Click here for the best working cafés in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-10pm. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Turquoise 7 Building Saadiyat Island, wearealkalime.com (54 449 1547).
BBQ Al Qasr
Giving a whole new meaning to barbecuing on the beach, you’ll want to pop yourself in prime position in a cabana on the sand and settle in for some quality surf and turf. But, keep your phone primed because you’re in one of the most glamorous and Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Let the pitmasters work their ace cooking wood-fired and deliciously smoked fare to perfection while you decide what makes for the best backdrop for your pics: Emirates Palace or the Arabian Gulf?
Click here for the best beaches in Abu Dhabi.
(Temporarily closed) Open daily, 6pm-11pm; Lounge: Fri-Sat 5pm-1am. Emirates Palace, West Corniche Rd, mandarinoriental.com (02 690 7999).
Beach House
For chilled beach club vibes reminiscent of the Med’s White Isle (complete with DJ, stunning sunsets, but a much smarter dress code), you’ll come here to capture the views across Saadiyat’s sands.
However, your attention will quickly turn to the menu of moreish morsels, such as sea bass baked in rock salt and Dirty Mellow Rice (pumped-up paella). The burratina di bufala is definitely grid-worthy. Beach House is one of the Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi that will likely bring on the double taps.
Click here for the best beach clubs in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Wed 12.30pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 12.30pm-1am. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, hyattrestaurants.com (04 407 1138).
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Beirut Sur Mer
Draped with blooms, decorative pottery and hand-painted floral murals (even the fruit here is colour-coordinated!), this photogenic gem manages to avoid the style over substance trap by offering a sojourn through the finest flavours of Lebanon.
The expansive menu means your spoilt for choice; our advice: try the tasty tlameh, the restaurant’s riff on Lebanese flatbread, move on to a mouth-watering mixed grill and be sure to leave room for dessert.
Click here for the best Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily, 9am-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, instagram.com/beirutsurmer (04 395 4000).
Brunch & Cake
If you thought avo on toast was so last decade, you haven’t clapped eyes on Brunch & Cake’s crowd-pleaser. Giving Japanese kazarigiri a run for its money, its Next Level Avo Toast sees the fruit smashed together with feta and then artfully fanned atop thick-cut toasted olive sourdough – it’s an Insta winner.
As are the myriad cakes, and the fact that you can snap a selfie surrounded by blush pink, brass and rattan before swivelling to a conservatory festooned with trees and plants – more bang for your Insta buck.
Click here for the best new brunches in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Wed 9am-10pm; Thu-Sat 9am-11pm. Al Bateen, instagram.com/brunchandcakeuae (800 472 6362).
Café Milano
For a sweeping waterfront vista and a taste of la dolce vita, you’ll want to see and be seen on Café Milano’s Terrazza. It gives you the perfect vantage point from which to admire how the interior’s pared-back palette allows the refined plating to take centre stage, which seems fitting given how seriously Italians take their food.
Case in point is one of chef Delfino Chiarello’s fave dishes: polpo arrosto. Succulent roasted octopus is prepared the Sicilian way – easy on the eye and the definition of effortless elegance.
Click here for the best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily, noon-5.30pm; 6pm-11pm. Lower Lobby Level, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, cafemilano.ae (02 333 2630).
Garage
If you can feel a case of the ‘hangries’ coming on, motor along to Garage. Not only will the hip, fun vibe slap a smile on your face, but its five dining stations, including a funky tart truck, will more than quieten the ‘feed me now’ beast within.
The eclectic interior meanwhile is an Instagrammer’s dream (well, you’d expect nothing less from the W Hotel), meandering from industrial chic to pops of colour that draw on the turquoise hues of the F1 track and Yas Marina sitting on the doorstep.
Click here for the best things to do on Yas Island.
Open daily, 6.30am-10.30am; 12.30pm-10.30pm; Sat 1pm-4pm, Sat 6.30pm-10.30pm. W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, garageabudhabi.com (02 656 0000).
Hakkasan
How do you rival a location as awe-inspiring as the Emirates Palace? With seductive high design – all signature wooden screens interspersed with backlit blue glass – and Cantonese cuisine so pretty it’ll render you incapable of anything but ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.
Have your camera trained on the impeccable artistry of Hakkasan’s pillowy flavour-packed dim sum and watch as your comments go bananas. This is opulent dining at its best.
Click here for more things to do on the Corniche.
Open daily. 6pm-11.30pm; Terrace: 6pm-1am; Dim Sum: Sat noon-3.30pm. Emirates Palace, West Corniche Rd, Al Khuberiah, hakkasan.com/abu-dhabi (02 690 7730).
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LPM
Transporting you from the French Riviera to the waterfront of Al Maryah Island, LPM delivers Cote d’Azur cool in spades. The striking graffiti on the way in, the walls adorned with vibrant works by French artists and LPM’s trademark decorative Max Cartier saucepans are all ripe for the ‘gram. As are the floating drinks.
Meanwhile, the food is a delicious tour de force of excellent French classics and dishes emblematic of Niçoise cuisine.
Click here to explore one of Abu Dhabi’s best French restaurants.
Open Sun-Fri noon-4pm, Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Sun-Thu 6pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-11.30pm. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, lpmrestaurants.com/abu-dhabi (02 692 9600).
Moksh
Guacamole crab might not sound like it’s about to set the culinary world on fire. But in the hands of chef Abs Patil, it’s elevated from ordinary to something altogether extraordinary (hello, tandoori avocado).
It’s a theme that radiates throughout the rest of the impressive menu, where Indian flavours take centre stage in innovative ways without losing respect for long-held traditions. The interior is knockout too: a riot of colour, botanical beauty and a peacock feather mural you’ll want to recreate at home.
Click here for the best avocado toast in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily, 12.15pm-1am. Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Al Bateen, instagram.com/moksh.uae (50 447 4805).
Paradiso
Depending on where you’re seated, there’s a high chance your selfies will be photobombed by a map of the Med denoting the films that have been set there. It’s a nod to the shared history of culinary legends Nicole Rubi and Pierre Gagnaire and the home of the original Paradiso on la Croissette in cinematic Cannes.
As you’d expect from two such giants of gastronomy, the food here is Oscar-worthy (say ‘yes’ to the frosted lemon Paradiso) and so incredibly moreish that you may not want to wait to capture it for posterity.
Click here for the best places to eat at Yas Bay Waterfront.
Open Mon-Fri noon-11pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-11.30pm. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, paradisoabudhabi.com (50 437 2869).
Punjab Grill
You might need a moment to recalibrate as you go from the Venetian-inspired architecture outside (make time to grab a shot on the steps) to the aromatic sensibilities of Indian cuisine within. This is one of the Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi that promises plenty of photo opportunities. Once you set eyes on the colourful bounty before you – as displayed in the deceptively simple elegance of dishes such as Zafrani Jhinga (shrimp in a saffron marinade) – all thought of the outside world will melt away.
Click here for the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily 12.30pm-12am. Venetian Village, Grand Canal, Al Rawdah, @punjabigrillabudhabi (050 668 3054).
Secret Garden by L’ETO
If there’s one Instagrammable restaurant to have on your radar, it’s this. There’s wonder how any eating and drinking gets done in this blooming beauty – there’s so much to be snap happy about. From drinks with Mad Hatter vibes to delicate pastries and decadent bakes that don’t need to be labelled “eat me” to be devoured. Love a good brekkie? Breakfast is served until 4pm.
Click here for the prettiest cafes in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, instagram.com/lovesecretgarden.ae (02 493 7400).
Tori No Su
Once you’ve whizzed up Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers to admire the view from Observation Deck at 300, we suggest you head back down to take in sights that may just rival the Emirate’s skyline. Because if ever there was a space made for Instagram it’s Tori No Su. From the theatrical open kitchen where chefs show off their teppanyaki and sushi skills to the funky objet d’art, your camera will be in overdrive.
Just remember to pause for the food. Our pick: the mochi ice cream – #foodstagram goals. It’s a winner for Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi on all levels.
Click here for the best Japanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Open Wed-Mon 7pm-midnight. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Rd, instagram.com/torinosu.conradetihadtowers (02 811 5666).
White Jumeirah
Looking for a more minimalist aesthetic in the most Instagrammable restaurants in Abu Dhabi? When all the colour of the capital’s scene has sent you into sensory overload, we have just the ticket to help dial things down: White. With a crisp, clean palette and curvaceous decorative screens, the vibe here is cool and relaxed. Food is served buffet-style, so you can meander between live cooking stations showcasing top-notch offerings from Jumeriah’s myriad dining destinations and choose whatever your heart desires. Just don’t leave without looking up.
Click here for more things to do on Saadiyat Island.
Open daily, 6.30am-11.00am; 6.30pm-10.30pm; Sat 1pm-4pm. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island jumeirah.com (02 811 4342).
After more Instagrammable spots in the city? Click here for the prettiest cafés.
