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 Asian restaurants to check out.
For more on Abu Dhabi Culinary Season follow @ADculinaryseason on Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #ADculinaryseason.
Benjarong
This pretty Asian restaurant is found at the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and it is known for creating beautiful Thai dishes infused with authentic flavours. The pinto box menu contains all the best dishes from across Thailand, including tom yum soup, red curry, papaya salad and more.
Dhs90. Sun-Thu 12.30pm-3pm. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Al Nahyan (02 698 8137).
Cho Gao
Serving up Asian delicacies in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Cho Gao is a great place to enjoy a meal or a drink with a stylish and inviting dining room taking you on a journey to the Far East. Take a trip to Cho Gao during Race Week and you can try a three-course set menu packed full of Asian dishes including Sriracha chilli prawns, miso soup, cashew chicken and Peking duck for less than Dhs200.
Dhs199. Daily noon-1am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6261).
Cho Gao Marina Walk
With hanging wooden lanterns and a cool Oriental-inspired interior, you’ll find a huge range of dishes from across Asia at this chic restaurant. The Pit Stop deal includes a set menu of brilliant dishes, including hot and cold starters, mains, noodles, sides and desserts. Highlights include the California maki rolls, laksa soup, beef rendang and green tea cheesecake.
Dhs175. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 666 6888).
Hakkasan
This sleek and stylish venue is one of the very best restaurants in the city and the chain is certainly up there when it comes to the world’s greatest exponents of Cantonese cuisine (just check the amount of Time Out Abu Dhabi awards on the wall if you don’t believe us). Taste of Hakkasan menu is available for just one hour every day during Race Week but it’s worth heading down for. It includes Peking duck, stir-fried beef, steamed dim sum, crispy cod and many more dishes.
Dhs298. Daily 7pm-8pm. Emirates Palace, West Corniche (02 690 7739).
KOI Abu Dhabi
This Japanese restaurant is popular for its cool ladies’ night deals, sleek dining room and pretty outdoor area at The Collection at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island. During the next couple of weeks you can allow the chef to be creative and put together a unique selection of sashimi, sushi, maki rolls and tempura for you, plus edamame and soup to start and mochi ice cream for dessert.
Dhs195. Daily 6.30pm-midnight. The Collection at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 678 3334).
Matsu
Found above Yas Links Golf Club, this authentic Japanese restaurant has many fans and the dining room is often packed out. Whether you’ve just finished a quick 18 holes or you are just dropping by to check it out, all are welcome. Suzuka means Formula One in Japanese (just a fun fact for you there), and the Suzuka Menu features a starter, tuna course, wagyu beef course plus a complimentary miso soup and mini dessert, all for less than Dhs300 per person.
Dhs299. Fri-Sat 12.30pm-midnight; Mon-Thu 6.30pm-11.30pm, closed Sunday. First floor, Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Island (02 556 0096).
Pachaylen
At Pachaylen you can always expect to be served fresh, authentic and vibrant Thai food. The dining room is super pretty and glamorous, and with a spot on the Eastern Mangroves you can always go for a stroll after your meal and admire this amazing area of natural beauty. The Pit Stop promotion offers a regular or vegetarian set menu with dishes like spicy seafood soup, steam seabass and beef massaman curry for meat eaters, and Thai green tofu curry, wok-fried aubergine and vegetable dumplings for veggies.
Dhs199. Daily 7pm-11pm. Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara, Salam Street (02 656 1000).
Tori No Su
With its distinctively Japanese-infused dining room, Tori No Su offers a great range of traditional Japanese cuisine all made with high quality ingredients. Whether you want fresh fresh sushi, gyoza dumplings or classic main courses, you’ll find it all on the menu. The Pit Stop promotion menu includes four courses of Asian specialties, featuring beef tataki salad, chicken karaage, beef koumiyaki and mocha ice cream and fruits for desserts.
Dhs200. Sun-Thu noon-3pm & 7pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 7pm-11pm. Jumeirah Etihad Towers, West Corniche (02 811 5666).
