The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the finale of the Formula 1 season and people flock from all around the world to the UAE capital to experience the thrilling occasion.
During Race Week there are loads more things to do away from the track, including big parties, brunches and shopping deals – and it wouldn’t be an Abu Dhabi event if there wasn’t food involved.
With that in mind, Time Out Abu Dhabi has teamed up with some of Abu Dhabi’s very best restaurants and the Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi, to bring you Pit Stop Menus.
The idea is simple – each restaurant will offer a special set menu between November 14 and December 2 to showcase its very best dishes.
Here are all the European restaurants involved.
For more on Abu Dhabi Culinary Season follow @ADculinaryseason on Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #ADculinaryseason.
18 degrees
This Mediterranean restaurant at Andaz Capital Gate offers fabulous views of the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It also has three open kitchens, so you can watch the expert chefs as they prepare your meal with great care and skills. The sharing set menus start from Dhs200 per person and go up to Dhs400 per person, and the starters, mains, sides and desserts include recipes such as grilled halloumi, salmon steak, penne arrabiata and New York cheesecake.
Dhs200 (one starter, main, side and dessert), Dhs300 (two starters, two mains, two sides and one dessert), Dhs400 (three starters, three mains, two sides and one dessert). Daily 7pm-11.30pm. Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, Embassies District (02 596 1440).
Alba Terrace
This Mediterranean restaurant at The Abu Dhabi EDITION has a beautiful outdoor area with comfortable booths overlooking the pool and pretty shaded spots. There’s a smart indoor space, too. During Race Week it is running a lunchtime deal offering dishes such as fried calamari, kale and spinach risotto, beef carpaccio and Sicilian cheesecake, You can choose either two or three courses.
Dhs95 (two courses), Dhs120 (three courses). Sat-Thu 12.30pm-5pm. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Beach House
Just steps away from the beautiful white sands of Saadiyat Beach, Beach House has one of the best views of any venue in the city. The menu is made from sustainable and eco-friendly ingredients, and the special offerings for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019 are all designed to be enjoyed sharing style. Prices start from Dhs240 per person, but more expensive options with more courses are available. The dishes on offer include Mediterranean specialties such as paella, buffalo mozzarella with figs and olive oil and chocolate cake.
From 240 (indoors), Dhs300 (Beach House Boardwalk for two people). Daily 5pm-midnight. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
Beach House Rooftop
While the lower floors of this Mediterranean restaurant let you dine right next to the golden sands, the views from the roof are possibly even better. Here it’s all about casual, tapas-style tasty plates, and during Race Week there are two different set menus available. The deals let you graze on dishes such as mushroom croquettes, calamari and beef ribs for a whole two hours.
From Dhs210. Daily 5pm-midnight. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
Bocca
Found at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort on the Corniche, this venue specialises in authentic Italian food. So if you’re dreaming of a getaway to Rome or Venice, now you can at least experience the cuisine of this vibrant country without leaving the capital. There’s no set menu here, so you are free to choose three courses of your choice for less than Dhs90 per person. The delicious options include risotto, grilled meats, homemade pastas and more.
Dhs89. Sun-Thu noon-3pm. Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi, West Corniche (02 692 4247).
Circo
With a cool circus-inspired interior, this Italian restaurant at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi serves a superb selection of traditional dishes like pastas, pizzas and hearty mains. The set menu for the next few weeks includes three-courses of authentic plates like buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes, mushroom and truffle risotto and chocolate and almond cake.
Dhs180. Daily 5pm-11pm. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 666 6888).
Filini Garden
The spot on Yas Island boasts amazing views over Yas Links, a stylish garden-themed restaurant and an outdoor area which gets packed out with party goers on any night of the week. The Race Week deal features three courses of classic Italian plates, featuring a starter of calamari fritti, mains of beef lasagne or mushroom risotto and lemon tart for dessert.
Dhs230. Sun 5pm-1am; Mon 5pm-3am; Tue-Wed 5pm-1am; Thu 5pm-3am; Fri 12.30pm-3am; Sat 12.30pm-1am. Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 2000).
Market at EDITION
The healthy restaurant has a varied and exciting menu created by British Chef Tom Aikens. The set-menu lunch features wholesome plates such as veggie burgers, beef skewers, Asian-style noodles and beetroot sorbet. All the dishes are created at live stations so you can watch the chefs at work, and made with high-quality ingredients.
Dhs95 (two courses), Dhs120 (three courses). Daily 12.30pm-5pm. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Mazi
This New Greek restaurant has already made an impression on the capital. During Race Week it’s offering a smashing set menu of favourites for Dhs200 per person, making it a great way to try this excellent addition to the Abu Dhabi dining scene for the first time.
Dhs200. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-midnight. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 304 8145).
Pappagallo
This family-friendly Italian at The Village at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi always gives a warm welcome. Whether you want comforting soups or steaming bowls of pasta, you’ll find all your favourite comfort foods here. The three-course lunch menu costs less than Dh100 per person and it includes wholesome plates like minestrone soup, pizzas with a variety of toppings, baked black cod and crepes with caramelised apples and vanilla ice cream.
Dhs75. Daily 12.30pm-3.30pm. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 644 6666).
Roberto’s Italian Restaurant
This stylish Italian is one of the most popular spots on Al Maryah Island, and as well as a brilliant Friday brunch deal, during Race Week it is offering a three-course lunch for as little as Dhs90 for two courses and Dhs125 for three. The menu changes weekly and includes pastas, soups, meats and more.
From Dhs90. Sun-Thu noon-3pm. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 627 9009).
Sacci
This up-market Italian at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa has a tasteful dining room and a pleasant outdoor area by the pool. If you’re a fan of truffles then you simply have to go and try its Pit Stop menu. Every dish in the three-course menu features white truffle (yes, even the caramelised fig dessert), and you can also add extra truffle for an additional Dhs45. Plus, there’s three glasses of Italian grape per person included in the price.
Dhs350 (including three glasses of grape). Fri-Sun 6pm-11pm. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, Khalifa City A (02 616 9999).
Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar
Head to this stylish Italian restaurant on Saadiyat Island for a relaxing meal in an impressive setting. During Race Week the venue will be offering a set Pit Stop menu of three courses that include a tartare with mozzarella, rucola and cucumber, a main of sea bass with mint jelly, brussells sprouts and cauliflower and a dessert of nougat parfait with chocolate sauce.
Dhs250. Open Sat-Wed 1pm-10.30pm;’Thu 1pm-3.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm; Fri 6pm-10.30pm. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).
Spaccanapoli
This is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the city and with a downtown location and large, welcoming dining room it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat. Head there during Race Week and you can enjoy a three-course set Pit Stop menu and a drink for Dhs199. Tuck into a selection of dishes including wood-fired bruschetta with tomatoes, margherita pizza, homemade lasagna, traditional tiramisu and more.
Dhs199. Daily noon-11pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6261).
Todd English’s Olives
If you’re looking for a super cool, relaxed hideaway then Todd English’s Olives at the Venetian Village is a great place to grab a bite. Take a trip to Al Maqta during Race Week and you can enjoy a three-course lunch for Dhs75 and can take your pick from the likes of creamy broccoli soup, barbecue chicken flatbread, chicken parpadelle and pan roasted cod fillet and more. Plus on Friday you can settle in for the sunset brunch featuring dishes like braised beef short ribs from Dhs225 or the Saturday brunch with dishes including pan-seared snapper from Dhs265.
Lunch: Dhs75 Friday brunch: Dhs225 (soft drinks), Dhs295 (house beverages), Saturday brunch Dhs265 (soft drinks), Dhs375 (house beverages). Sun-Thu noon-3pm; Fri 4pm-7pm; Sat noon-3.30pm. Venetian Village . The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal (02 404 1941).
