Looking for new restaurants in Abu Dhabi? We’re all about becoming regulars at our favourite restaurants and while it’s easy to revisit our top spots and favourite dishes over and over again, sometimes you want something different… something new.
There are some incredible new restaurants in Abu Dhabi, not to mention all the brilliant new cafés to try too. New restaurants in the capital? What a time to be alive.
We’re digging in. Here are all the top new restaurants in Abu Dhabi that you need to get on your radar.
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New restaurants in Abu Dhabi October, 2022
Let’s
If you’re looking for one of the best new restaurants in Abu Dhabi then you need to check out Let’s Café. The artisan bakery, café and restaurant is the brainchild of two friends Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi and Syrian pastry chef Fadi Kurdi. Situated in Khalifa City, Let’s Café has everything from breakfast and mains to desserts and pastries featuring a combination of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. The menu is to die for and includes dishes like homemade lasagna, burrata zaatar, Turkish eggs, Wagyu ribeye steak and coconut-passionfruit cake. Yummy.
Open Mon-Sun, 8am-midday. Al Saray St, Khalifa City, @lets.uae.
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi August, 2022
Cipriani Dolci
If you love Italian food then you’re going to love this news. Cipriani is expanding its Pasticceria concept, Cipriani Dolci, to Abu Dhabi at Marina Mall and it’s one of the top new restaurants in Abu Dhabi. The new Cipriani Dolci at Marina Mall will be the restaurant’s first outpost in Abu Dhabi and the third in the UAE.
Click here to read more about Cipriani Dolci opening.
Open daily, 10am-10pm. Marina Mall, Al Marina instagram.com/ciprianidolci.
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi, July 2022
Saddle Café
If you’re after a stunning new restaurant with a view, Saddle Café has opened its first ever dine-in location with a stand-alone glass house building that has views of the ocean and marina with indoor and outdoor seating to take it all in. Its interiors were designed by Emirati artist, Mattar Bin Lahej and includes bespoke design features and artworks. The café serves Mediterranean and international dishes such as butternut carpaccio, salmon and tuna tartar, grilled Mediterranean sea bass, beef tagliata and loads of risottos and pastas.
To learn more about Saddle opening in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily, 8am-midnight. Marsa Al Bateen, instagram.com/saddle (050 394 4802).
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi June, 2022
Coal Steakhouse
Looking for a sizzling steak? Then this is likely one of the best new restaurants in Abu Dhabi for you. Coal Steakhouse is open now at the trendy Sheikha Fatima Park area with premium cuts plus surf and turf options. There’s grilled chicken, proper loaded burgers, sushi and sashimi to try (we’ve got our eyes locked on the crispy wagyu beef tartare sushi).
Click here to read about Coal Steakhouse opening.
Sheikha Fatima Park, Al Khalidiya, instagram.com/coalabudhabi (056 996 9700).
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung Abu Dhabi is open now and we’re buzzing. The whole of Abu Dhabi has been waiting for the world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant to open since it announced that it was coming to The Galleria Al Maryah Island in August of last year. Famous for its soup dumplings, this new restaurant likely doesn’t need an introduction. First up? We’re diving into the xiao long bao at one of the top new restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Click here to read about Din Tai Fung opening.
Open now. The Galleria Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae
Fil
If you’re looking for a cute new café to try in Al Bateen, look no further. Fil is open now and doubles as a café and florist with tranquil, sunny vibes. Head there for your caffeine fix and leave with a bundle of beautiful flowers. The café is in its soft opening phase and is open from noon to 11pm from Sunday to Wednesday and noon to midnight from Thursday to Saturday.
Sun-Wed, noon-11pm; Thu-Sat noon-midnight. Al Bateen, instagram.com/fil.uae (02 666 5266).
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi in May, 2022
Em Sherif Café
In search of a new restaurants in Abu Dhabi? How about a new café? Em Sherif Café opened over the Eid break to much excitement. The new eatery on the Abu Dhabi Corniche is bringing Levant flavours to a sunny, picturesque setting.
Click here to see Time Out‘s first look at Em Sherif Café.
Opened Mon May 2. Daily, noon-2am. West Bay, Corniche Road Abu Dhabi. emsherif-cafe.com (02 691 9999).
Maté
Meat-lovers, unite. This Lebanese-Argentinian fusion grills spot in Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi should satisfy your carnivorous cravings. But, vegetarians and seafood fans should still be looked after here, too. The vibes, décor and menu are all about the combination of different flavour profiles and the experience includes watching the chefs cooking over an open-fire brick grill. Sounds like one of the promising new restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For Time Out‘s exclusive First Look at Maté click here.
Opened Fri May 6. Daily, 6.30pm-11pm (restaurant); 5pm-1am (bar, Sun-Thu), 5pm-2am (bar, Fri-Sat). Licensed. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, hyatt.com (02 407 1234).
Oii
Introducing one of the newest spots to open up in trending Al Qana. Whether you’re searching for a café or a restaurant, Oii promises to deliver with its wholesome “multicultural Mediterranean” bites. If you’re after new restaurants in Abu Dhabi in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, this is one to check out.
Click here to read more about Oii opening.
Open daily, 10am-midnight. Al Qana instagram.com/oiiabudhabi.
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi March, 2022
Knead Bakery & Patisserie
If you’re looking for a top new café in the capital, you knead this bakery in your life (sorry not sorry). Knead Bakery & Patisserie is all about freshly baked breads and pastries with options such croissants, smooth cheesecakes, cakes and Danishes – are you hungry yet? It also sells granolas, spreads and honey, so you can take the Knead experience to your own breakfast table.
For the best bakeries in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily, 7am-10pm. Villa 10, Plaza 30, Fatima Bint Mubarak Street order.knead.ae (050 951 0585).
Otoro
From Dubai to the capital, chef Akmal Anuar has brought his modern Japanese restaurant to one of Abu Dhabi’s new, buzzy neighbourhoods: Al Qana. Expect sushi and sashimi, complete with an open sushi bar. The eatery seats 100 people indoors and there are no reservations so plan your visit accordingly. This is one of the highly anticipated new restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For all about Otoro Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily noon-11pm. Al Qana instagram.com/otoro.ad, alqana.ae.
Pop City
If you’re headed to Yas Bay Waterfront, you’re going to want to swing by Pop City. This new spot is now open and just in time for the sunny spring weather in Abu Dhabi. Grab a fruity popsicle while you go for a stroll down Pier 71 at this brand new spot. Pop City popsicles are healthy, sweet and vegan-friendly. You can choose between “funky,” “creamy,” and “fruity” options, depending on your preference. These pops are also incredibly ‘grammable (much like the rest of Yas Bay).
Click here to learn more about Pop City at Yas Bay Waterfront.
Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island instagram.com/popcity.uae.
Talea by Antonio Guida
Have a craving for Italian food? Then you could check out this plush new spot in the equally splendid Emirates Palace that’s serving up time-honoured, family recipes from across Italy in a dramatic setting. Fun fact: Chef Guida is also the head of the two Michelin-starred restaurant Seta at the Mandarin Oriental, Milan. Talea is one of the new restaurants in Abu Dhabi that is ready for its Instagram.
Tue-Sun 12.30pm-10.30pm. (Closed Mon). Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Corniche, mandarinoriental.com (02 690 9000).
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi February, 2022
Mykonos
Named after Mykonos Island, this new restaurant brings an island vibe to Abu Dhabi with warm breezes all year long. Located at Le Méridien Village, the beachside restaurant and bar is all-encompassing and creates a holiday vibe from day to night. There you’ll listen to uplifting beats from the live DJ while taking in views of the water and tucking into some serious Mediterranean plates at one of the best new restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah mykonos.lmad@adnhmc.com (050 785 2320).
New restaurants in Abu Dhabi January, 2022
Almayass
Looking for new restaurants in Abu Dhabi where you get to try Lebanese-Armenian food? Almayass is open now at The Galleria, next to LPM, and it’s serving up signature Lebanese-Armenian dishes such as Armenian pastrami, Lebanese grills and all the mezze you could ask for. You might recognise Almayass from its original location at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. It’s now looking even more feed-worthy at its new location at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. Why not order a manti, ASAP.
Click here to read more about Almayass opening.
Open daily 6pm-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 644 0440).
Emmy Squared
Want new restaurants in Abu Dhabi? A pizzeria from Brooklyn just landed in the UAE capital, and it looks delicious. Emmy Squared serves up Detroit-style pizza with fluffy dough, crispy bottoms, cheese frico crust and signature sauce stripes. There are a variety of toppings to try, plus, other classic American dishes, such as sandwiches and an award-winning burger. It’s the restaurant’s first international location, and it’s right here.
Click here for our first look at Emmy Squared.
Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, emmysquaredpizza.com.
Ishtar Restaurant
If you’re hoping to dine al fresco in Yas Marina, you’re spoiled for choice – Ishtar restaurant is the latest addition to a beautiful area to dine at in Abu Dhabi. One of the new restaurants in Abu Dhabi, this spot serves Mediterranean dishes plus plenty of entertainment with a live DJ, belly dancing performances. Head to Ishtar from 4pm until 2am from Saturday to Wednesday and until 3am Thursday and Friday. Sounds ideal for a night out.
Click here to learn more about Ishtar Restaurant opening.
Open Sat-Wed 4pm-2am; Thu-Fri 4pm-3am. Yas Marina, Yas Island, ishtaryasmarina.com (050 402 2293).
San Thai Diner
Love Thai food? This cute and cozy Thai spot downtown serves up Thai favourites including sweet chili prawns, chicken wings, noodles, sweet and sour fish, red curry stir fry, sushi rolls and more. Prices look very reasonable, so you’re free to sample lots of flavours while you’re there.
Click here to learn more about San Thai Diner opening in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily, noon-midnight. Tourist Club Area (02 622 1620).
Secret Garden
Competition for cafés in Abu Dhabi is tough, with so many great spots to choose from. Secret Garden is a brand new café at The Galleria Al Maryah Island that claims to be the “most Instagrammable” spot in the city. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner including caramel crust French toast, a secret burger with chipotle mayo, and special crafted drinks.
Click here to learn more about Secret Garden opening.
Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 493 7400).
Society Café
One of Dubai’s popular cafés is taking up residence at Mamsha and coffee-fans couldn’t be more excited to have it be one of the new restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Society Café serves up specialty coffee, plus loads of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Go to nibble on hot and cold tapas and sourdough pizza before a stroll and swim at Soul Beach.
Click here to read more about Society Café opening at Mamsha.
instagram.com/societyuae (02 886 7735).
The Lighthouse
Want new restaurants in Abu Dhabi that are home-grown favourites? The Lighthouse is the latest in a long list of new restaurants in Abu Dhabi opening at Yas Bay Waterfront. The spot is more than just a restaurant, with boutique shopping and a versatile space that hails from D3 in Dubai.
Click here to read more about The Lighthouse at Yas Bay Waterfront.
Open Mon-Fri 8am-midnight; Sat-Sun 8am-1am. Yas Bay Waterfront (02 236 7831).
For more news on new restaurants in Abu Dhabi, click here.
