Get Outside: All The Best Terraces in Abu Dhabi This Season

Beach Garden

Beach Rotana

BEST FOR: water and city views

Looking for a top seaside spot in the city? Perfect for a pre-dinner drink, beers with your mates or a light meal with water views, Beach Garden is open for lunch and dinner daily, and it’s as pretty as a picture. Nestled between the sea on one side and lush greenery on the other, it’s quite the oasis, and with beers from AED38 & cocktails from AED30 the prices are thirst-quenching as well. Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired meats, fresh salads and bites like calamari or mango and avocado salad.

Lively but relaxed - it was buzzing when we last called in - this terrace is one size fits all, and there’s even room for the kids to play on the grass. Kick on to Finz or Rodeo Grill for a fancy dinner.

Timing: daily | 12PM - late

Contact: +97126979186 or fbres.beach@rotana.com

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18 Degrees Terrace

Andaz Capital Gate

BEST FOR: Views of jaw-dropping palaces and city lights

18 Degrees Terrace has it all: great bar bites, superb drinks and views that are definitely some of our favourite in Abu Dhabi. Straight ahead you'll find some astonishing palaces and to your right, sweeping views of the sea and up Khaleej al Arabi to the city. Side note: the view from the bathroom up the stairs from the restuarant is equally as iconic!

We recommend 18 Degrees as a must-visit if you have guests - the Leaning Tower itself is just beautiful and is sure to wow your visitors.

Open: 4PM - 1AM

Booking: 050 765 6435

Azura Panoramic Lounge

St Regis Abu Dhabi

BEST FOR: date night

It's all in the name, there's nowhere better to go for a chilled drink with panoramic views of the Corniche than Azura. It's amazing for date night - we think it's one of the most romantic spots in Abu Dhabi - and is perfect in winter months when the 360 views are sure to impress. The menu is beautiful - expect light offerings - and the cocktails and shisha menus are eclectic. From Wednesday - Sunday, DJ Mary comes out to play - she's superb and well worth going just for this.

Azura opens every year in September and stays open until the weather becomes too hot.

Open: Tuesday - Sunday 4PM - 1AM

Booking: 02 694 4553

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Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar 

Aloft Hotel Abu Dhabi

BEST FOR: woodfired pizza and impeccable sunset views

One of Abu Dhabi favourite rooftop’s is back in action, and Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar is firing the woodfire brick ovens and ready for another busy season. Drink in the  marina sunsets - with a cocktail or two in hand - and bop along to vibey live music, a recipe for a great night out! Brick’s signature Mediterranean and international dishes are all fired over cedarwood and pecan wood for their signature smokey taste, and this season look out for the likes of ginger chili and lime spatchcock chicken, cedar plank Norwegian salmon, seafood mix grill platters and an excellent black angus tomahawk steak. Vegans are well taken care of too, with new additions like the veggie burger and vegetable tajine (don’t skip the pizza, either). 

Timing: daily | 5PM - midnight

Bookings: call 054 994 2289 or book here

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Diablito

Yas Marina

BEST FOR: laid back Spanish vibes with Marina views

Cut the ribbon, shake some hands, kiss some babies, Diablito’s terrace renovations are complete and they’re back and better than even this winter! Views over Yas Marina alone would be enough to win us over - great people and yacht watching! - but Diablito has so much more to love as well: tasty Spanish tapas, excellent paella and pizza, friendly staff, the gorgeously renovated terrace and a BB+ discount to top it all off! BB+ members score 20% off a la carte Tuesday - Sunday, but Mondays are where it’s at - selected a la carte food items are a massive 50% off. Drinks are well priced for the location, and it’s hard to imagine a more relaxing way to spend an afternoon than sipping on an icy glass of sangria in the shade. 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 02 565 1175

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Up&Below 

Courtyard by Marriott

BEST FOR: after work drinks with a city skyline view

Rise above the hustle and bustle of downtown Abu Dhabi - literally - with this poolside rooftop bar. Serving up cheap drinks, chill vibes and fab views of the city from the 12th floor, it’s popular for afterwork drinks and chilling-by-the-pool vibes - the terrace is buzzy and you can even enjoy a dip if you fancy it. 

Happy hour runs daily: from 3-7PM, an hour of unlimited house drinks will set you back just AED60, and you can pair that with some bites on the terrace for a cracking end to your day (or start to your night out!). From 7PM, happy hour continues - drinks start from AED25, or turn up at 9PM for some AED15 shots on Friday or Saturday night! It’s one of the better downtown bars, and perched next to the ‘Candlesticks’ it makes for a cool date spot or cheap and cheerful catch up with mates. 

Timing: daily | 3PM - 3AM

Contact: 026 982 222

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Art Lounge at Louvre Abu Dhabi

Saadiyat Cultural District

BEST FOR: amazing skyline views and that tree!

One of the most iconic rooftops in the city, Art Lounge at Louvre Abu Dhabi combines gorgeous views of the Abu Dhabi skyline with beautifully crafted cocktails, a vibey DJ and an excellent Japanese menu courtesy of TAZU. 

Visit after an afternoon browsing The Louvre’s impressive collection, or skip the art and come for the terrace alone: it’s worth it! Catch the sunset, and stay on into the evening as the city lights up and the DJ gets going. Look out for specials throughout the week - Wednesday is ladies night, with three drinks for AED69 for the gals, gents night every Tuesday scores you 50% off house beverages for the guys and enjoy wine and cheese with a view on Thursdays - and check out our full rundown from our last visit for a closer look at their tasty Japanese offering. 

Timing: daily | 5PM - 12AM | closed Mondays

Contact: 052 799 4538

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Shala Beach Lounge

Park Hyatt

BEST FOR: sunsets.

We're calling it: this is the best spot in Abu Dhabi to catch the sunset. There's nothing more magical than settling into one of the super chic and comfy chairs, drink in one hand, shisha in the other, and watch the desert sun sink. This is almost a bucket list, Abu Dhabi must-do!

Open: 5PM till midnight (sun set is around 5.30-6PM)

Get 20% off with BB+

Booking: 02 407 1138