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 the restaurants that offer a blow-out experience.
For more on Abu Dhabi Culinary Season follow @ADculinaryseason on Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #ADculinaryseason.
Byblos Sur Mer
This fine dining restaurant serves up some of the best and most authentic Lebanese dishes. With beautifully presented mezze, amazing grilled meats and views over the marina at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, a meal here is just as lovely as any you’d find in the actual coastal town of Byblos Sur Mer in Lebanon. The Ba’Alback set menu includes hot and cold mezze like hummus, kibbeh and lamb sausages, plus mixed grills and desserts.
Dhs275. Daily 12.30pm-1.30am. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 666 6888).
Chamas
This Brazilian restaurant at the InterContinental Hotel specialises in delicious grilled meats. The cool dining room features soft leather chairs and an extensive salad bar featuring cold mezze, fresh vegetables and more. Meanwhile, the expert chefs will serve as much meat as you can handle straight to your table, and the deal for Race Week includes 16 different types of tasty grilled meat plus unlimited trips to the salad bar.
Dhs325 (food), Dhs385 (soft drinks), Dhs485 (house beverages). Daily 6pm-midnight. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 666 6888).
Fishmarket
Upon entering this seafood restaurant, the first thing that will strike you is the huge market-style set up of fresh fish and shellfish. Normally no menu is required as you simply pick your fish, sauce and side from the display infront of you, but the Pit Stop menu includes a taste of all the best dishes that the restaurant has to offer. It starts with canapes and tom yum seafood soup, before moving on to sautéed shrimps, squid and mussels plus baked king fish and red snapper in sweet and sour sauce. You’ll also get a selection of sides and fruit for dessert.
Dhs385. Daily 12.30pm-11pm. 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).
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).
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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).
Tamba
This is one of the coolest places to hang out in the city and has an incredibly atmospheric dining room and chilled-out terrace area. The Indian-inspired food is amazing too, and right now you can sample the very best of it in an 11-course menu. The appropriately named ‘culinary journey’ includes smoked chicken in tomato gravy, assorted biryani, watermelon salads and two incredible desserts.
Dhs299. Sat-Wed noon-1am; Thu-Fri noon-3am. The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 672 8888).
Teatro
This restaurant has a diverse menu which offers a bit of everything. Whether you fancy fresh sushi, a crispy pizza or a spicy curry, you’ll find it all. The décor is very fancy too, with theatrical masks and booths adding to the atmosphere. During Race Week you can sample three set Pit Stop menus, all with musical-inspired names. The Phantom of the Opera deal includes three courses of Asian-inspired dishes such as maki rolls, dim sum, crispy chilli beef and lemongrass crème brulee. Or, if you really want to treat yourself, more expensive menus with additional courses are also available.
From Dhs277 (per person, minimum of six people). Daily 6pm-11pm. Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Park area (02 657 3317).
Turtle Bay Bar & Grill
This is one of the most impressive venues on Saadiyat Island. Indoors there’s a bustling surf and turf restaurant, while upstairs on the roof terrace you’ll find a bar with a brilliant view. The set Pit Stop menu includes foie gras terrine, glazed beef cheek with miso sweet potato and dark chocolate and matcha green tea dessert. Sounds good to us.
Dhs325. Open daily 1pm-3.30pm, 5pm-11.30pm. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).
VaKaVa
The latest South American restaurant to open in Abu Dhabi has a very colourful and Insta-worthy dining room. The Latin-inspired plates are presented with style and a bit of a drama (we’re talking about the smoking guacamole in particular), and every dish is expertly made. The set menu includes hot and cold starters like beef empanada and the previously mentioned smoking guac, plus mains like Chilean sea bass and veal ribs, with creamy tres leches cake for dessert.
Dhs320. Mon-Sat 7pm-11pm. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche West (02 811 5666).
