New Restaurants To Try In Abu Dhabi

This month we're either celebrating the rise of the Vietnamese or the rise of the Italians, with at least two new options for each of these cuisines! Happily for off-islanders, there's now a whole lot more choice for casual dining, although the new addition to Mamsha al Saadiyat is going to prove hugely popular for the date night crowd. We also love that Reem Mall is finally getting some decent food options - check out below for the long awaited Dubai favourite!

TOTO

MAMSHA AL SAADIYAT

Mamsha’s newest eatery, Toto, is the culinary love child of Christiano Ronaldo and Rafael Nadal. If excellent Italian food, fantastic interior design giving more than a nod to Cinema Paradiso, and a soundtrack straight out of the Golden Age of Italian cinema is your thing, Toto will become a firm favourite.

We love the excellent seafood options, the hot-from-the-oven pizzas and the great desserts, but even more, we love the open kitchens where you can watch the chefs at work, adding to an already excellent vibe.  

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LOCALINO

AL REEM TOWER, CANAL SIDE, RAHA BEACH

Localino is probably the success story of recent Raha Beach openings, already garnering a slew of reviews from the Best Bites Facebook community. Serving a great selection of Roman inspired pizzas, pastas and of course divine suppli, they’ve already got some very loyal customers. We love The Queen (pictured) with a great buffalo mozzarella on a tomato base with a little chili to spice it up but it’s The One that brought reviewer Kevane to his culinary knees!

Hats off to the skilled and passionate team, Localino is a must-try.

Open: 12PM - 10PM, closed Mondays

Call: 02 236 7493

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PHO MO

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

If we were making a movie about new additions to the Vietnamese food scene in Abu Dhabi, we might call it Abu Dhabi: The Rise Of Pho! Not only are we spoilt for choice these days with great Vietnamese options, this opening, Pho Mo, might actually lead the pack.

With a strong bone broth game, there are a range of pho flavours to try including both rare beef and brisket (both around AED47) and if pho doesn’t blow your dress up, you can order fried rice (around AED42) or some of the great starter options. This is a great addition to the Galleria Central Kitchens and could become your lunchtime go-to.

Open: 10AM - 10PM/12AM

02 493 7400

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EATALY

REEM MALL

This popular Italian restaurant is now in Reem Mall. You can expect casual Italian food - ask for your pasta al dente if you like it that way - and better still, a huge range of Italian food to buy. Enjoy a cannolo or a gelato on the great outdoor terrace, perfect for the cooler months.

Open: 9AM - midnight

Call: 02 691 0581

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PANDA CHINESE

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

If you’re constantly on the hunt (no, we won’t use the word obsessed!) for a good old American Chinese, this outlet in the Galleria Mall food court opposite Raising Canes, might help quench your thirst.

As an indication of what lunch at Panda Chinese might look like, AED40 will get you either fried rice or lo mein, a couple of mains, a spring roll, wonton chips and a bubble tea. This must be the deal of the month! Also, soups rock in for as little as AED6. If you can find a better deal anywhere else, we’d love to hear about it!

Open: 10AM - 10.30PM

Call: 02 564 3661

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TAWA BAKERY

AL ZAHIYAH, BESIDE BEACH ROTANA

The gluten free community has been waiting with bated breath for Tawa to finally reopen its doors! It is completely gluten free, with no cross contamination, making it a safe space for coeliacs and those who are gluten intolerant. There’s a dine-in area with indoor and outdoor seating, where you can enjoy fish and chips, pastas, sandwiches and burgers and some great breakfast options too and a ton of lovely sweet treats for when the craving hits. There are also vegan options - it really is the one-stop shop!

Open: 10AM - 11PM

Call: 055 444 0514

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POKE & CO

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

This already popular little outlet is a great choice for anyone looking for a healthy, fresh meal in a bowl - or a good pot of acai! We love the Taste Like Sushi bowl, with sushi rice, fresh avocado, edamame, hunks of salmon and prawns and topped off with wakame, dried seaweed and ginger. It’s a total winner and just one of a number of delicious options. It’s not cheap but we think it’s pretty good value for the quality and amount of ingredients.

Open: 10AM - 10PM/12AM

Call: 800 7653

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AMORITALIA

CRESCENT RESIDENCES, AL RAHA BEACH

With the hoards of people now living in the Raha Beach area, there’s plenty of room for a ton of new eateries and Amoritalia is one of the newest additions. It's a small but perfectly formed eatery, serving casual Italian food. Start with a really good arancino, and move forward to pastas - the gnocchetti might be a must-try - and consider yourself Italian-ed!

Open: 1PM - 10.30PM

Call: 055 418 8167

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SNIPPETS: WATCH FOR MORE INFO ON THESE NEW OUTLETS ...

• The Catch Seafood Grill - Corniche
• The Butcher Shop & Grill - Reem Mall
• Salmontini -Le Royal Meridien

CLOSURES: WE'RE SAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO ...

• Annex, The Abu Dhabi Edition
• Larte, Manarat al Saadiyat
• La Cuisine de Manou Cafe - closed for refurb ... watch this space
• Gunaydin
• Smoking Doll, Boutiq Mall
• Tilal Liwa - closed for refurb
• Nurai Island - closed for refurb

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CRAFT BY SIDE HUSTLE

THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH

This groundbreaking new opening signifies a massive change for the UAE: Craft is the GCC's first ever micro-brewery, with a whole range of craft beers being brewed on-site. The space is large, and holds two bars, one very firmly in the booth-laden, sit-down dining area and the other in an area with high tables and couches for more casual drinks.

Food is interesting and well-executed, with a lot of dishes to love including a bone-in short rib lattice pie, a huge meat platter and a gorgeous platter with house-made pretzels and the most delectable chicken liver pate. Don't miss the buttermilk tart to finish.

Open (for now): 4PM - 1AM

Call: 02 631 9855

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CHU BOBA

NAHYAN CAMP

25% OFF WITH BB+

Bubble tea spots are popping up everywhere and Chu Boba is a definite must-try for you boba lovers. They serve not just some fantastic boba flavours - the creme brulee with the sugar glazed top is incredible! - but also some fabulous baked goods. Are you game to try the boba filled croissant? It's a Tik Tok waiting to happen!

Open: 11AM - 11PM

Contact: 050 831 5114

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