Asia Asia

Yas Bay Waterfront is the place to be in the capital lately, especially when it comes to new openings. There are loads of things to do by the boardwalk, including bowling, a boat ride across the bay, sculpture spotting and more.

But if you’re arriving hungry, you’re going to want to pull up a chair at one of the many buzzing new restaurants. Too hungry to wander? One of the biggest restaurants (and conveniently closest to the car park) is Asia Asia.

This trendy newcomer is already well known in Dubai, where it’s almost impossible to find a seat without booking in advance. But the Abu Dhabi branch is surprisingly quiet, which is only amplified by the massive statues, a tunnel into the interior and dark wooden arbours outside. The emptiness, plethora of statues and serene music at this spot all combine to create a quiet, stately vibe.

Intimidated by the quiet? Push through to the outdoor terrace where you’ll be able to take in the prettiness of Yas Bay while you order your starters. Wait staff are very knowledgeable and friendly so you’ll have help navigating the massive menu.

But when the food arrives, you may find yourself underwhelmed. The Chinese spiced calamari falls flat – it’s not fresh or spicy. Vegan dynamite sushi is a solid dish and full of flavour, which deserves some props (we’ve had our fair share of sad vegan rolls and these are not among them).

Of the mains, kung pao king prawn and Thai red curry are both decent but aren’t really memorable enough that we imagine they’ll be ushering in a speedy return to the restaurant.

Asia Asia might be new to Yas Bay but its reputation in Dubai precedes it, so it’s a surprise to find the vibe and execution haven’t quite made it across the border yet. When it picks up, we’re sure the mood will be more enticing, but for now there are buzzier places on the bay.