New Restaurant Openings In Abu Dhabi

MAXZI THE GOOD FOOD SHOP

AL ZEINA

‍

Maxzi has made its name in Abu Dhabi already as arguably the most popular outlet in  Yas Food Hall, and now it's in Al Zeina, ready to feed the starving masses of Al Raha Beach. 

What are our usual orders?

Start with the brisket with cheese - but pace yourself if you’ve also ordered mains. For a light meal, the chicken Caesar salad is a good shout - it’s light with good quality chicken and comes in at under AED50. Burgers are interesting and there’s definitely something for everyone - we like the brisket and the salt beef/wagyu which definitely comes under the heading of ‘great meat’. Chicken lovers, get the oriental style chicken sando - it’s lush. 

Maxzi isn’t outrageously expensive - a refreshing change and probably part of the key to its success.  This is a great option for a quick family meal or a meal for one. 

Open: 8AM - midnight

Contact: 02 550 6367

‍

3FILS

AL BATEEN

It was made famous in Dubai, and made even more famous when it became a staple of the Michelin Guide ... and now it's here in Abu Dhabi!

The menu is Japanese in nature, with some distinct nods to UAE culture and taste: we loved the karak ice cream, the incredible and secret charcoal dish (don't ask, we can't tell!) and the sublime sushi options.

Pricing ranges from AED30 all the way up to AED300 for a dish, meaning that you can go and enjoy whatever your budget.

A few other things you need to know:

1. It doesn't serve alcohol and the mocktails are sublime

2. It's walk-in only - which means go early or be prepared to wait.

3. It's worthy of the hype

Check out our full rundown here!

Open: daily | 6PM - 11.30PM

Contact: 056 591 1772

NOVIKOV

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

This new Mediterranean restaurant’s reputation precedes it. Originating in West London, it inevitably made its way to Dubai, where it’s been welcomed with open arms. Naturally, the Abu Dhabi fans of this upscale restaurant have been waiting with bated breath for it to open … it was worth the wait.

The interior is funky but comfortable and we’re counting down to better weather when the lush terrace will open, offering both drinks and shisha. 

The menu is eclectic and we chose three dishes to test its mettle. The octopus was among  the best in Abu Dhabi, and served with the most delicious potatoes - this is a meal in itself.  We enjoyed the wagyu tacos which sported a refreshing mashed avocado lining and the wagyu steak, while not the best we’ve ever had, held its own.  

Desserts are glorious. The meringue cake is by far one of the best desserts in Abu Dhabi and a must-order dish at Novikov.  The drinks list is extensive and if you can’t find a cocktail to swoon over, we challenge you to try harder.  

Possibly the most interesting thing about Novikov is that it’s the second licensed venue to grace the avenues of the Galleria Mall - we know it’ll be popular and wish it well.  

See what we ordered here

Where: above the Apple Store, the Galleria Mall, near D&G

Open: 12-3PM, 6PM - 1AM

Contact: 02 563 2937

‍

BLA BLA BAR

YAS MARINA

This new bar has been teasing us for almost a year but the many people who've already been to the Saturday brunch can attest to the fact that it's worth  the wait. While the food at brunch might not be everyone's cup of tea, the drinks and the live music vibes more than make up for it, with Moet freely available, glasses constantly being topped up and bar top dancing to help you slay the day away. It's fast becoming Abu Dhabi's favourite party brunch - have you been?

Open: 6PM weeknights except Saturdays when it opens for brunch, closes 1AM/3AM

Contact: 02 639 9078

HABIB BEIRUT

ABU DHABI MALL

Abu Dhabi Mall’s newest outlet will please lovers of Lebanese food in Abu Dhabi.  This casual outlet is nicely fitted out and sports some excellent dishes.  We recommend the beetroot salad, the gorgeous chicken freekeh and the makanek.  There are tons of options for vegetarians - you really can’t go past the cauliflower hummus and the beautiful onion soup in a bread bowl.  For dessert, your choice has to be either halawet al jibne or either of the kunafeh options - we can never choose and often end up getting both!

Where: Abu Dhabi Mall, first floor, opposite Lacoste.

Open: 10AM - 10PM

Contact: 02 674 7172

‍

‍

ASH & OAK LOUNGE

MARRIOTT AL FORSAN

If you're a cigar lover, Ash & Oak Lounge is the bar you wish you'd always had in your life. Offering options to buy some excellent specimens as well as great drinks, Ash and Oak is a cigar smoker's paradise! There's a small bar menu, a huge drinks offering and a ton of reasons to head there for an evening of relaxing and chewing the fat with your squad.

Open: 5PM - 1AM

Contact: 052 831 4659

COCO CAFE AND PLAYHOUSE

HIDD AL SAADIYAT

Parents assemble! (And even non-parents who don’t mind the odd child or two appearing while they eat!)

This new outlet combines a sensory and play paradise for younger children with a really good cafe, great for breakfast or lunch, whatever your status. 

In terms of play, this Montessori inspired space features colours and textures that are calming, contemporary and almost chic, with massive ball pits, tables for quieter play and lots of options for imaginative play - we loooved the little train and the kitchen and the little road running through the play zones (as did the children in attendance!) as well as the guided sing-a-longs and games.

The cafe offers good coffee and light meals.  We enjoyed the avo toast on charcoal sourdough - yes, the toast was cooked properly!  But our surprising find was the coffee with passionfruit - not our usual jam and we were super dubious, but it was actually refreshing and good! 

We’d go back (even though we’re child-free!) because the staff were excellent, the food was good and if we must reference this word, it was just a massively wholesome experience. 

Open: 8AM - 7/8PM

Contact: 02 446 4011

‍

CHIPOTLE

YAS MALL

Chipotle is one of those places that you head straight for the minute your feet touch American soil. Rock in and request your fillings for some of the hugest burritos known to humankind, great burrito bowls (if you're pretending to be healthy) and gorgeous tacos. The store at Yas Mall gives you all this, with a bit of a UAE flavour. Bottomless soft drinks are the order of the day and the guac is great - though be prepared to pay an extra AED12 for the privilege.

This is definitely worth a shout if you love Mexican and are looking for quick Mexican food in Abu Dhabi!

Open: 10AM - 11PM

‍

‍

‍

IF YOU LIKED THIS, YOU'LL LOVE ...

Friday nights out in Abu Dhabi

Amazing new sandwich shop for a big appetite

‍

L'ANTICA PIZZA DA MICHELE

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

If you had to say that Yas Bay was lacking something, it would be an Italian - and so L'Antica Pizza da Michele enters the chat.

With a quality fit-out, the most beautiful pizza oven in the universe and an outdoor terrace, this will prove popular both with tourists and Abu Dhabi's finest. The menu is broad enough, with pastas and mains, as well as a great range of pizzas. The pizza is authentic Napoli style which means an insanely thin crust, toppings that aren't too heavy and taste that's on point - because the ingredients are high quality. Pizzas prices range from AED90 for a provola e pepe to around AED150 for a truffle or cappriciosa. We really enjoyed the Zola and the Maradona - getting the name vibe? - and the bruschetta (AED60) for starters and will go back to try the tiramisu which we feel sure will be authentic and beautiful.

Open: 12PM - 11PM

Contact: 02 559 3885

COMING SOON

It doesn't stop here - there are some cracker new restaurants opening in Abu Dhabi in the next few months.

1. Craft by Side Hustle - yes, we'll see the fan favourite opening outlet number 2 in Yas Bay Waterfront - bring it!
2. Bayside Diner, Yas Bay Waterfront. Promises to be a brilliant California style casual eatery - and yes, it'll be licensed.
3. Antonia Ansam -Yas Island
4. Brass Monkeys - The Galleria al Maryah. We're looking forward to seeing this one in action!
5. Marcello - Yas Bay Waterfront. Say ole!
6. Everything at Hilton LXE!
7. EL&N - the pink extravaganza will soon be open in Marina Mall, Reem Mall
8. NAC - where Table Otto used to be in Yas Mall
9. Saddle -Al Qana
10. Hy Bakery - The Galleria al Maryah

Watch this space Abu Dhabi!

‍

COCO CAFE & PLAYHOUSE

HIDD AL SAADIYAT

This gorgeous new space in Hidd is going to be the mama baby find of the year! If you're looking for places to eat with under 6s, this Montessori play space is going to tick all the boxes. With a super little play area and a cafe that serves food that parents and children might actually want to eat, we're going to be bringing you lots more news on Coco - watch our Instagram for deets.

Open: 8AM - 7PM

Contact: 02 446 4011

‍