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 offering meals with course after course.
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).
Dahab Restaurant & Lounge
With regular live music nights, a wide open terrace and an extensive menu of Lebanese specialties, Dahab is one of the best places to go in Abu Dhabi for Middle Eastern food and a good time. Over the next few weeks you can try four courses of authentic dishes including hot and cold mezze, mixed grills and traditional desserts.
Dhs200. Daily 7pm-3am. Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street Road (02 667 4446).
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).
Mazi
This New Greek restaurant has already made an impression on the capital. During Race Week it’s offering a smashing set menu of favourites for Dhs200 per person, making it a great way to try this excellent addition to the Abu Dhabi dining scene for the first time.
Dhs200. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-midnight. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 304 8145).
Namak by Kunal Kapur
This Indian restaurant at the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi produces some of the best Indian dishes in the city. The delicious plates are all created by renowned Indian chef Kunal Kapur, and during Race Week you can try ten of his best dishes for less than Dhs200 per person. The line-up includes tuna tartare, butter prawns, black cod and much more.
Dhs199 (ten courses). Daily 12.30pm-3pm; 7pm-midnight. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Al Nahyan (02 304 8380).
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).
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).
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).
