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 Italian restaurants involved.
For more on Abu Dhabi Culinary Season follow @ADculinaryseason on Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #ADculinaryseason.
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).
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 Dhs80 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).
