22 best restaurants in Yas Island

Stills
Abu Dhabi seems to excel at good quality bar food, but there is nowhere in the city better than Stills Bar and Brasserie at the Crowne Plaza on Yas Island. That’s why we gave it the award for Best Bar Food in Abu Dhabi at the 2014 Time Out Restaurant Awards. Not only does it serve classic ‘pub-style grub’ but it has a few more considered dishes such as a duck salad or a kilo of mussels to try out as well. Did we mention it is also home to the best pie in Abu Dhabi? In our humble opinion it’s up there with a Rolling Stones concert or a rollercoaster as an attraction worth making a journey for.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 656 3053).

Stars ‘n’ Bars
Modelled on a famous Monte Carlo nightspot this restaurant has many reasons to visit. Overlooking the Yas Marina Circuit and with views of the luxury marina it is perfect for photo opportunities and has the wow factor to warrant a visit. While the setting is, frankly, stunning it is also home to some superior quality American foods. Look out for giant rib platters, cheeseburgers, spicy wings and more of the types of food that make even the staunchest American Football fan pause for breath. It’s a good spot to watch sports while still being an interesting culinary venue.
Yas Marina (02 565 0101).

Hickory’s Sports Bar
Make a change from visiting premium hotel restaurants and lounges by visiting…er…a premium golf club restaurant lounge. Despite pitching itself as a sports bar we would have no problem whatsoever with this Yas Links club eatery being branded a gastropub. Dishes are wilfully International with Singaporean chili prawns offered up alongside British herb encrusted lamb and Indonesian nazi goring an option along with Austrian wiener schnitzel. A surprise gem as a business lunch venue and with attractive sea views consider this a spot worthy of investigation.
Yas Island (02 810 7710).

Origins
Sometimes we sit at home thinking up excuses to make a visit to the Yas Viceroy Hotel. They often revolve around paying a visit to the highly commended – at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards no less – brunch at Options. The ultra-modern hotel is rarely more atmospheric than when dishing out foods such as pan-seared fish with green curry, oven-roasted ribeye and Hungarian ghoulash from various cooking stations. The buffet selection is enormous and a visit to any one of a number of meal deal promotions is a good option for special occasions.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (02 656 0600).

Diablito
We don’t want to give the impression this is all about the setting, because it really isn’t. The menu flirts with a variety of Mediterranean cuisines with tapas such as garlic prawns, Spanish omelette and a tangy patatas bravas sitting alongside pasta dishes and pizza. Throw in a jug of a fruity Spanish beverage and so far so sun-drenched. But what steps Diablito (we can’t help but say it in a mock Latino accent) up to the next level is the superb outdoor terrace. Looking out to the yachts in the Yas Marina and the glowing frame of the Yas Viceroy beyond it is a fine place for contemplating where things have gone right in recent years.
Yas Marina (050 917 5605).

Filini
The Abu Dhabi branch of this worldwide chain (there are branches in more than 10 countries) serves simple, uncomplicated Italian food at the Radisson Blu hotel. Somewhere between your first view of the mangroves and about your second mouthful of the main course there is a chance you will have a strong sense that you’ve stumbled on a restaurant you will visit more than once. Dishes such as a sea bass with beetroots and porcini and hunters’ chicken stew are more adventurous than standard Italian fodder and worth exploring.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island (02 656 2000).

Cipriani
Another worldwide chain to have found a home in Abu Dhabi, Cipriani comes from the stylish end of the Italian restaurant spectrum. That means stylish décor, stylish views, stylish waiting staff and, we’ve always noticed, stylish diners as well. Despite the Italian heritage – the brand started in Venice in the 1950s – the concept has updated to include a trendier range of dishes. For that read Japanese and whether you stick with more traditional offerings such as homemade veal tortellini and pumpkin risotto or dip a well-manicured toe in the Japanese menu one thing is for sure – the food will be stylish.
Yas Island (02 657 5400).

Atayeb
Rather than stick to one particular nation’s cuisine this Yas Viceroy gem takes food from across the Middle East and North Africa. In the main, however, it is fair to summarise the food sold here as being from the Levant. Highly commended at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards it is one of the signature restaurants at the stunning Yas Viceroy Hotel. Presentation is inspired by contemporary European culinary trends but the flavours are known across the Middle East. Try the kebabs, a big platter of hot and cold mezze and let the waiting staff guide you to particular highlights. You’ll order more food than you want, need ot can eat and won’t regret it for a second.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (02 656 0600).

Rozanah
Another fine dining spot from the Yas Marina Yacht Club this Arabic specialist was shortlisted as one of the 10 finest MENA restaurant’s in Abu Dhabi at the 2014 Time Out Restaurant Awards. The name of the game here is Lebanese food so expect plentiful amounts of grilled meat platters, hoummus variants and sharing plates. All this is dished out with the usual Lebanese commitment to hospitality and with a backdrop of Yas Marina views. Sit out on the terrace, particularly late on and especially at weekends to get the best atmosphere.
Yas Island (050 811 5414).

Iris
This trendy bar and restaurant is known for its high-end bar food that you can order late-night without a drop in quality. With high seats as well as couches outside, and covered in fairy lights, Iris has one of the most appealing views of the Marina, and its clientele is fashionable and lively. Its menu spans finger food and delicate appetizers such as a vegetable tartine, to hearty meals such as Wagyu beef sliders and lobster risotto. This is classy food, presented well.
Yas Island (055 160 5636).

Johnny Rockets
American-style diner with some of the best signature burgers in Abu Dhabi. 50s memorabilia adorns the walls, staff are known to spontaneously break into song if you select the right rock and roll number from the jukeboxes and you’ll half expect to see a star quarterback and head cheerleader slouched in a booth sipping creamy milkshakes. There are a variety of sandwiches available here but it really is all about the burgers. Juicy patties are likely to bust-free of the toasted buns so be sure that you’re comfortable letting your dining partner with a ketchup-smeared face before taking a stool at the counters here.
Yas Island (800 564 669).

Blue Grill
If you’re on Yas Island and get a sudden hankering for steak, and we know the urge can come on at any time, look no further than the Yas Island Rotana. A variety of cuts are available, from the now obligatory wagyu to more traditional slabs of meat such as an American porterhouse or an Irish tenderloin. Our advice is not to mess with the formula too much. A simple side dish or baked potato and sautéed mushrooms are all you really need on your plate here although a multitude of options are available.
Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000).

Burlesque
It can’t go without saying that cabaret and dinner options in Abu Dhabi can be counted on the single hand of an extremely careless man. That’s what makes Burlesque in the Yas Viceroy such a place to look forward to. Sure, it’s highfalutin – rows of red and gold thrones line the entrance – but we indulge the pretension for its sense of fun. The restaurant and lounge is versatile, it has to cater for both fine dining and weekly cabaret shows. The Mediterranean-style menu is short, sweet and not lacking in culinary highlights. The steak and salmon dishes are, along with the stage shows and stunning views, are the highlights as far as we’re concerned.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (056 498 7580).

Asha’s
Owned and inspired by Indian singer Ahsa Bhosle this is the Abu Dhabi branch of what has been one of the long-running success stories of the Dubai restaurant scene. Don’t be fooled by the shopping mall location – this is a premium Indian food experience. We suggest aiming for the recommendations made by Asha herself. Each comes with a story as to why the dish or the ingredients have a particular importance. A gosht dish, for example, was inspired by a trip to Oman and the flavours evoke a meeting of the Middl East and India. The spices are delicate and fragrant, and the lamb is tender, falling off itself into the dry gravy.
Yas Mall (02 492 6680).

Belgian Café
The café may appear kitsch – decorated in Belgian brasserie style with dark wood, mirrored glass table separators and chandeliers – but that does nothing to put off the crowds we often notice in this Radisson Blu hotel. The main focus is as a watering hole for variety-seeking expats but the food deserves a second look. Belgium claims to be the geniuses behind the chip (if true, a fact that will forever endear us the Belgian people) and that is a common component of the food here. Have them on alone and slathered in mayonnaise, as a traditional accompaniment to an enormous bucket of mussels, with traditional meatballs or a good selection of gastropub-style options.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island (02 656 2000).

Café D’Alsace
French cuisine has recently got competitive in Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene, and given our fondness of Yas Marina, Café D’Alsace was always going to stand a good chance with us. Café D’Alsace embodies understated elegance. The light beige tones, wooden panelling and large delicatessen-style windows make it feel distinctly bistro-esque. The outdoor seating overlooks the marina, where you can make the most of the gentle breeze. The Swiss and German influence over the kitchen is represented by fondue and flammkuchen (like a Bavarian pizza) but French is the strongest cuisine here.
Yas Island (050 811 5414).

Kazu
If location is everything, then Kazu has the good fortune of overlooking the F1 track and Yas Marina. If a culinary adventure is what you seek, Kazu still achieves the gold standard. Fortune favours the brave so try and order a Japanese omakase menu. This style of cooking involves a master chef creating an innovative menu exclusively for you based upon what ingredients are freshest in his kitchen. He asks a few questions about what you like and gets to work. Ordering omakase style also involves a lot of interaction with the chef and is a dining experience rather than simply just a meal out. Highly recommended.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (02 656 0600).

Rogo’s
If you’re looking for a certain amount of novelty to go with your nourishment then Rogo’s in Yas Mall should be near the top of your dining wish list. It does away with waiters, in the conventional sense, and delivers all food to the table courtesy of an intricate system of rollercoasters. Wait, what? You read it right – after placing your order on one of the tablet computers just sit back, watch various dishes loop-the-looping until your food arrives at your table on a mini-rollercoaster. Essentially this is the sushi counter conveyor belt taken to the next level. The actual dishes are at the higher end of the fast food spectrum – just don’t order the soup!
Yas Island (02 565 0888).

Ristorante Cavallino
Firstly it should be noted that you don’t need to pay for theme park entrance to visit this Ferrari-themed Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Pick up a dining pass and you can go direct to the eatery where the emphasis is on traditional, fine dining Italian food. Ferrari World’s Cavallino is a nod to the first restaurant that opened next to the original Ferrari factory in Italy in the ’40s. We are told it is where Ferrari legend Enzo dined and it’s still where the Ferrari executives eat. While it is by no means the best Italian restaurant in the city – for a slice of Ferrari history and to see inside the park it is worth a visit.
Yas Island (02 496 8001).

Cheesecake Factory
First of all let us state that this is not a place for the diet conscious. You’re dining in a place called The Cheesecake Factory, what are you expecting? That proviso out of the way we have to say that Cheesecake Factory is one of our dining guilty pleasures. Whether we’re powering through a well-stacked ‘glamburger’, tucking into a supersized pasta with red sauce or splitting a signature cheesecake this Yas Mall mega-restaurant is usually fun and always filling.
Yas Mall (02 492 6633).

Angar
Abu Dhabi has no shortage of quality Indian restaurants but former award-winner Angar, at the Yas Viceroy has always been a cut above most. From the moment you step inside the restaurant, it is clear you aren’t in a run of the mill Indian restaurant. The décor is cool and contemporary and there is a large terrace outside. Bypass the tempting tandoori and kebab menu and make a beeline for the curries. Order from nariyali gucchi gosht, butter chicken, prawn chilli masala, aloo gobi and a truly mouth-watering selection of traditional dishes and you won’t be disappointed.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (02 656 0600).

Y-Bar
A certain New York chic is what brings the crowds to this stylish bar on a regular basis. Best known as a bar – and one of the more stylish spots to watch live spots on TV in Abu Dhabi – we’ve always been impressed by the food as well. From imaginative dishes such as an asparagus and chorizo dish to some reasonably-priced steaks it is a step up from standard bar food. If you do prefer to stay in the bar area then a ‘Standing menu’ is also served allowing you to sample the food without breaking ranks with the legions of stylish party people putting out cool vibes.
Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000) .