The restaurants worth a reservation in Abu Dhabi, from neighbourhood bistros to the new classics.
The restaurants worth the trip in Abu Dhabi. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
Otoro is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Japanese restaurant at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi with an open kitchen, serving fish and wagyu from several Japanese prefectures.
OrderThe otoro nigiri, then the yellowtail with green chili and leche de tigre, as the Michelin Guide suggests.
TipConsultant chef Akmal Anuar of 11 Woodfire in Dubai oversees the menu; the Michelin Guide lists it among Abu Dhabi budget-friendly picks.
Al Mrzab is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti restaurant on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, with majlis seating and photos of old Abu Dhabi on the walls.
OrderThe chicken machboos at about AED 61, then cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.
TipIt runs on walk-ins and queues, and Michelin advises expecting a wait; seating splits between private cabins, majlis and regular tables.
Meylas is a Michelin Selected Emirati restaurant at Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi, begun as a food truck by Shaikha Al Kaabi and grown into an all-day eatery.
OrderThe machboos at AED 56 and the saffron balaleet at AED 35, both priced in tbreak's 2026 guide.
TipMichelin lists Meylas among Abu Dhabi's best breakfast spots; it opens at 08:30, and the chefs cook in an on-view kitchen.
ryba is a Michelin Bib Gourmand seafood restaurant at Zayed Port in Al Mina, Abu Dhabi, from chef Faisal Alharmoodi, grilling local catch over charcoal.
OrderCharcoal-grilled local hammour, then the chocolate pâte à choux Michelin names as the signature dessert.
TipA Sunday set menu is AED 350 for two, according to tbreak's 2026 price check, and the restaurant is a short walk from the Zayed Port fish market.
Tazal is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi, mixing European influences with Arabic touches, plus Gulf and Levant breakfasts.
OrderThe Iranian kabab, bang bang shrimps and kaak Al Quds that the Michelin Guide names as originals.
TipDining service starts at noon; before that the kitchen serves Gulf, Egyptian and Levant breakfast menus, and Michelin praises its weekend breakfast.
3Fils Abu Dhabi is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Japanese restaurant at the EDITION marina in Al Bateen, sister to the Dubai original, and takes walk-ins only.
OrderThe chargrilled baby chicken, prawns and sashimi from the open kitchen, then the Take Me To The Moon dessert.
TipAbu Dhabi takes walk-ins only; on weekdays from 12:00 to 18:00 it serves four set menus from AED 90.
Byblos Sur Mer is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, with a marina terrace, mezze, grills and live music on weekends.
OrderThe machawi mchakaleh from the grill section, which the Michelin Guide recommends to lamb lovers.
TipLive music and entertainment run on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the terrace overlooks the marina, according to the Michelin Guide.
Namak is a Michelin Selected Indian restaurant inside the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, cooking regional dishes with a lamb focus and sharing platters.
OrderThe Kashmiri rogan josh or the kakori reshmi seekh, the two lamb dishes praised by the Michelin Guide.
TipNamak is closed on Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday to Friday it opens for dinner only at 19:00, while weekends start at 12:30.
Oii is a Michelin Selected Mediterranean restaurant and cafe at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi beside the National Aquarium, with a shaded terrace and all-day dining.
OrderGrilled octopus with mojo rojo, the peri peri baby chicken and the passion fruit semi freddo from Michelin.
TipFloor-to-ceiling windows light the dining room and the terrace is shaded, per Michelin; the menu opens with a long breakfast list.
Taparelle is a Michelin Selected restaurant in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, marrying French and Italian cooking in a room with locally sourced pottery.
OrderThe scallop Grenobloise, the oxtail ragu or the crispy charred sea bass named by the Michelin Guide.
TipFully licensed, it opens at 07:30 and closes at 23:00, or midnight on Friday and Saturday; Michelin says its Saturday brunches are a must.
Em Sherif Sea Cafe is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island, with a seafood counter and views over the water.
OrderFish from the seafood counter by the entrance and shared Lebanese dishes, as the Michelin Guide advises.
TipLive music and shisha are offered with lunch and dinner service, and the room opens daily from 12:30 until midnight.
Mika is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Mediterranean restaurant at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, led by chef-patron Mario Loi, with in-house breads and a terrace.
OrderThe house-cured salmon and Nonna's tiramisu, two things the Michelin Guide highlights from the kitchen.
TipThe weekday business lunch runs 12:00 to 15:00: two courses AED 95 or three AED 125; Sunday lunch is a four-course set at AED 190.
Almayass is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Lebanese and Armenian restaurant at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, with big portions and circular booths.
OrderAn Itch salad to start, then meshwi shekaf, the grilled veal with spiced bread, per the Michelin Guide.
TipPortions are made for sharing, and Michelin calls the circular booths the prized seats in the large Galleria dining room.
Berenjak is a London-born Persian kebab house that opened in 2026 in The House villa in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, cooking over a mangal across two floors.
OrderThe koobideh kabab, with kashk-e bademjoon and black chickpea hummus, the signatures FACT lists.
TipBerenjak is set in a standalone villa across two floors, with a four-seat chef's table beside the open kitchen and mangal.
Beirut Sur Mer is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Lebanese restaurant on Soul Beach, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, with an open kitchen, mezze and a beachfront terrace.
OrderMezze and mashawi from the open kitchen, then a dessert, which Michelin says are good too.
TipMichelin notes generous portions and reasonable prices, and calls it an ideal stop after visiting the nearby Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Villa Mamas is a Michelin Selected Khaleeji restaurant in Abu Dhabi from Bahraini chef Roaya Saleh, serving chicken machbous and hummus with lamb cubes.
OrderThe chicken machbous and the hummus topped with lamb cubes that the Michelin Guide names.
TipVilla Mamas states that 20% of the restaurant's profits go to the Emirates Red Crescent.
Marcella is a Spanish and Portuguese grill on the pier at Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi, the second restaurant from Mika's chef-owner Mario Loi, cooking over a parrilla.
OrderThe whole-roasted Pyrenees lamb shoulder or the seafood paella with king crab bisque, both from the parrilla.
TipThe 30-seat zinc-topped bar serves affordable tapas-style small plates, with a Spanish, Portuguese and Argentinian wine list.
MYNT is an Indian restaurant on Salam Street in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, serving tandoor dishes, curries, seafood and biryani from across India.
OrderThe murgh makhani, gosht khada masala and the daab chingri, Gulf prawns cooked with coconut and mustard.
TipFACT magazine singles out the Masala Jhinga Poppers as a crowd-pleaser and calls the chicken dum biryani and malai pista kulfi comforting bookends.
TETTO is a chef-led restaurant in MiZa, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi that grew from a home supper club, serving seafood, grills and pasta close to the chefs.
OrderThe bluefin tuna tartare, the hoba sea bass or the San Marzano burrata rigatoni, all named by FACT magazine.
TipTables sit close to the kitchen for a front-row view; the room is closed on Monday and opens at 16:30 on the other days.
Antonia is a Michelin Selected Italian pizzeria on Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, baking pizza al taglio on an old sourdough starter and serving pasta.
OrderThe sourdough pizza al taglio, then the tiramisu the Michelin Guide calls a top choice for dessert.
TipPizza is sold by the slice from rectangular trays, and the dough ferments for 72 hours on a sourdough starter that the operator dates to 1972.
Kopitiam by Chandy's is a Michelin Selected Malaysian restaurant on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, run by owner Chandy, with roti jala and daily specials.
OrderRoti jala, which the Michelin Guide says is always worth ordering, plus the blackboard specials.
TipA blackboard of daily specials supplements the short menu, and Michelin notes the kitchen is visible from the dining room and spotless.
Pincode by Kunal Kapur is a Michelin Selected Indian restaurant at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, serving upmarket street food from across India.
OrderThe Amritsari fried fish and the dates and olive malai paneer tikka, two dishes FACT magazine names.
TipMichelin suggests asking for one of the semi-private booths; the room is dressed in rich fabrics and sepia and black and white panelled walls.
Finz is a Michelin Selected seafood restaurant at the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi, built over the water with a sea-view terrace and chef Luca De Santis.
OrderFruits de mer or moules marinières for a Mediterranean feel, or the tempura roll and teriyaki salmon.
TipThe tasting experience is AED 320 per person, food only, per tbreak's 2026 price check; the terrace faces the promenade, the sea and the skyline.
Zeera by Buddha-Bar is a modern Indian restaurant on the Yas Bay waterfront in Abu Dhabi, with shared plates, tandoor dishes and the Raan 24 Carat lamb leg.
OrderThe Malai Lobster, the Patta Macchi sea bream or the Raan 24 Carat lamb leg that FACT magazine highlights.
TipZeera opens at 14:00 every day and runs until midnight, with cocktails that use Indian ingredients and spice profiles.
José by Pizarro is a Michelin Selected Spanish tapas restaurant at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, a 46-cover room built around small sharing plates.
OrderThe anchovies, the meatballs in spicy tomato sauce and the chocolate pot, all praised by the Michelin Guide.
TipOnline reservations are taken for parties of 1 to 20 guests, up to three months in advance, and dietary requests can be added when booking.
Al Farah is a Michelin Selected Middle Eastern restaurant on Khalidiyah Street in Abu Dhabi, popular for breakfast, with manaqeesh and fresh oven bread.
OrderManaqeesh and the fresh bread coming straight out of the oven, the two things Michelin notices as you arrive.
TipExpect a queue of people collecting manaqeesh orders; the Michelin Guide lists Al Farah among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Falwa is a modern Emirati restaurant at Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi, from chef Faisal Alharmoodi, cooking over charcoal.
OrderThe lamb biryani with hashwa, the grilled hammour with Emirati gazpacho and the khameer focaccia shrimp.
TipThe menu lists lamb biryani at AED 125 and charcoal-grilled hammour at AED 148, and a separate room is set aside for private dining.
Terra is a Michelin Selected Mediterranean restaurant at the quieter end of Al Qana in Abu Dhabi, with marina views, pizza, pasta and Josper oven meats.
OrderBurrata and croquettes to start, then pasta or meats from the Josper oven, as the Michelin Guide outlines.
TipMichelin picks it for dinner because of the music, and notes the boats in the marina are visible from the quieter end of Al Qana.
Li Beirut is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, with harbour views, classic Lebanese dishes and fixed price menus.
OrderClassic Lebanese dishes with the modern touches the Michelin Guide notes, or one of the fixed price menus.
TipMichelin notes the main menu is concise and is supplemented by a useful selection of fixed price menus.
3 hours
Experience an unforgettable New Year's Eve on the water, This 3-hour cruise aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow features a luxurious festive buffet dinner with unlimited...
4 - 4.5 hours
Sunrise desert safari with pickup from your location and drive into the desert for a special Camel ride, Dune bashing, sandboarding, scenic photo stop, continental bre...
Private tour · 3 hours
Escape to a private island at night for a beach BBQ, bonfire, music, stargazing, and swimming under the moonlight with a relaxing tropical atmosphere.