All The Best Family Friendly Restaurants In Abu Dhabi

Central 

Yas Bay

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Ask anyone for a great place to take your kids in Abu Dhabi, and Central deserves their spot at the top of the list. Not only is the menu extra kid-friendly - think monster burgers, Mexican favourites, pizza and epic lemonades - they have an arcade and bowling alley that guarantee hours of fun. The best thing about Central? It isn’t JUST for the kids: it’s got a great vibe, they serve drinks for the grown-ups and their Saturday brunch and Sunday roast cater for little ones through to teens and mum and dad - you’ll need to pry the kids away. 

Don’t sleep on the excellent BB+ exclusive menu either - for AED100, the kids score a kids meal, a drink and AED100 in gaming credit. Adults get the same for AED150 (but a meal from the main menu and an adult beverage if you like) - but it’s your call if you want to palm your game credits off to the kids and buy yourself some downtime while you eat, or join them in the arcade, battle royale-style!

Open: Monday - Thursday | 4PM - 12AM | Friday - Saturday | 12PM - 2AM | Sunday | 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 04 423 8311

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Benihana 

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi | Tourist Club Area

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If you’re anything like us, you might forget just how much fun teppanyaki can be - but as soon as you remember, you’ll find yourself recommending it to everyone you know - guilty! Benihana doesn’t just dish up a great fusion of Japanese-American food a la carte, they have fab teppanyaki chefs who are all about the fun - making it an excellent family-friendly dining option in Abu Dhabi. The chef kept the kids laughing from start to finish on our last visit, the scallops, prawns, and beef were all top-notch and the service was so efficient - ticking every box! 

Not only is it great fun, it’s good value as well - the kids’ teppanyaki is only AED79.  

And don’t forget to use your BB+, there’s 20% off a la carte and teppanyaki!

Open: daily | 1PM - 12AM

Contact: 02 697 9000

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Art Market

Yas Bay 

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This Yas Bay all-rounder is a winner for parents and kids alike, and their focus on community has won them a lot of fans. The combination of a great menu - Art Market smashes out top breakfasts - and family-friendly hours (they open at 7.30AM, perfectly for early risers or a bite to eat before school) make them a great options for busy families. Look out for regular activities and workshops, mum’s groups and social events, especially in the cooler months. 

Parking is easy enough at Yas Bay, but be strategic during summer so you can minimise your time in the sun (they’re on the Etihad Arena end of the promenade). With an in-house barber next door, grab a haircut while you’re visiting, or get the boys trimmed and polished while you enjoy a coffee next door - multi-tasking at its best. Another fun one for the kids? You can paint a mini canvas while you eat (AED75 with a coffee), so let your inner artist shine. 

Open: daily | 7.30AM-11.30PM

Contact: +971 52 917 1523

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Antonia Mamsha

Mamsha Beach Saadiyat Island

A firm Abu Dhabi favourite, Antonia has won fans across the board: perfect for an aperitivo as the sun sets over Mamsha Beach, a wholesome but relaxed family meal or a pizza slice and cup of gelato to fill hungry bellies after a day of seaside fun. It’s got to be one of our favourite Italian restaurants in the city, from the bustling kitchen to their knowledgeable - and friendly - staff, set against a divine terrace with views over Saadiyat’s stunning white sand. 

It’s a properly family friendly menu - we love the pizza, from classic margarita to tartufo e funghi (truffle sauce, wild mushroom, scamorza cheese), the generous helpings of pasta and tasty gelato and tiramisu to finish. They have a kids menu if you prefer to order from that instead - but you can easily find enough on the main menu that everyone loves to share. 

Time: daily | noon - 11PM

Contact: 02 667 2554

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Amara

The WB Hotel | Yas Island

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After opening earlier this year, Amara is smashing it - plating up excellent Lebanese food on Yas Island. Tucked away on the back terrace of The WB Hotel, this bright and airy new restaurant is one we know we’ll be returning to again and again - and not only is the food great, it’s perfect for families! 

Make the most of their good-sized, separate play room - perfect in winter so you can sit outside and keep an eye on them - and the restaurant is nice and big, so you have space for prams and aren’t crammed on top of other diners. Looking for a great family breakfast? Try the breakfast tray: it’s amazing value, and makes for a perfect long breakfast to linger over. Come with the fam and share - between four adults, we didn’t manage to finish it off, so there’s plenty to feed hungry kids along with mum and dad. Wash the lot down with your choice of hot beverage or fresh juice for just AED290 for the whole tray. From the warm hospitality and beautifully finished interiors, to a great location and most importantly, excellent food - make sure you give it a try. 

Open: daily | breakfast tray available | 8AM until 1PM

Price: AED290 for the breakfast tray including your choice of hot beverage or fresh juice | prices subject to 5% VAT

Contact: 050 777 0543

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Art House Cafe

Al Bateen

Paint a plate and enjoy some tasty food while you get creative! Did we once spend 5 hours here? Yes. Are we sorry about it? Definitely not! This one feels like a proper adventurous family day out - the space is quirky and set back from the street, with plenty of space for you and kiddos to spread out and work on your works of art!

It wouldn’t be out of place as a little oasis in Bali - perfect if you’re craving a summer reprieve without the airfares - and in the air-con. Suitable for all ages and skill levels, you can take the little ones along or head in with a group of teens and let the creative juices flow! Take your work of art home with you, or donate it to join the hundreds of others that line the walls - then see if you can spot it on your next visit.

Got a birthday coming up? It's a great spot for parties, and the staff are all over the setup and making sure you have a great time!

Open: daily | 9AM - 11PM

Price: plate painting | from AED25

Bookings: 02 666 0175

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Shivli

The Galleria Al Maryah

Opening their doors in Abu Dhabi in 2024, this Georgian bistro serves up fresh - and delicious - traditional Georgian dishes. We rate the iconic khachapuri Adjarian and mouthwatering khinkali beef dumplings - but we especially love how family friendly this restaurant is. With outdoor seating for cooler days and a great kids play area, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a hearty meal at The Galleria - without worrying about keeping the little ones occupied. 

Got a birthday coming up? It’s a great option for your next kids party if you’ve had enough of trawling every play centre and soft play in Abu Dhabi. Their birthday celebration packages include face painting, an hour of hands-on action as the kids create their own delicious dishes, before rounding out the birthday fun with cake. It’s a decent price for a kids birthday party too, setting you back AED99 per child Monday to Thursday, or AED129 Friday - Sunday. 

Open: 10AM-11PM daily | until 12AM Friday & Saturday

Contact: +97124937400

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