Where to Eat in Yas Bay Waterfront
Article by
Rachael Partington
-
April 25, 2026

What do you want to do at Yas Bay Waterfront?
Start your day with an amazing breakfast?
You need Art Market in your life, or maybe a light bite at The Lighthouse
Want a night out with the girls?
Go to ladies nights at Barbossa or Asia Asia
Have the family in tow?
Central is the one you need, or maybe head long to Peaksy, or a great diner experience at Bayside Burgers.
For coffee and cake?
It's EL&N all the way
For something decidedly Asian ...
Try Bua Thai, Nuri Korean or Daikan
For a big night out?
McCafferty's or Lock Stock & Barrel are popular bars with a ton of live entertainment to keep everyone amused.
And for dinner with friends?
You need to try Marcella or Hunter & Barrel
Whatever you need, Yas Bay Waterfront has you covered

BREAKFAST IN THE BAY
Want to go out for breakfast in Yas Bay? Head here first
Art Market
We love Art Market for breakfast in Yas Bay which not only has a strong paint and sip side and a very popular barber shop (Section) attached, the food is good, it's well priced and the place has a definite vibe. The menu sports everything from peanut butter and banana to a cracker breakfast wrap, coffee is excellent and there are lots of other drink and milk options. Don't just go for breakfast, there's a good all-day element too and it's well worth a shot.
If you're going to an event at Etihad Arena, nearby Art Market is the place for a beer before you head in.
Open: from 7.30AM - 11.30PM
20% off with BB+
The Lighthouse
For lighter breakfast bites, The Lighthouse is a go-to. Choose a pastry or bread, alongside decent specialty coffee and a really good shakshuka. The terrace is shaded making it a relaxed place to sit out, even as the weather starts getting warmer.
The Lighthouse is also licensed to serve alcohol so if your morning turns into afternoon, a glass of wine might call.
Open: 8AM - midnight
Contact: 02 236 7831

LADIES NIGHT IN YAS BAY
There are few really good options for ladies nights in Yas Bay that involve free drinks and discounts on food. These 2 are our favourites:
Asia Asia
If you like food with your cocktails, this is the ladies night for you. Spend just AED150 on superb maki rolls, black cod, dumplings or noodles and you'll get free-flow drinks for free! It's a very vibey venue, the pink blossom tree resplendent in amongst the red velvet banquettes and the DJ beats. It's a popular time for women to get together and spend very little for an incredible night out.
Time: Thursdays 6PM - 10PM
Price: AED150 minimum spend with free flow dirnks.
Contact: 04 423 8302
Barbossa
If Asia Asia is a good deal, Barbossa is better. With no minimum spend, you can get 3 hours unlimited house spirits, margaritas of every kind imaginable and prosecco. Chances are, you will want to get involved with some excellent soft shell tacos (go for the birria) or fajitas that'll knock your socks off, and considering these are reasonably priced, this is an excellent way to spend your Thursday night.
Time: 7PM - 10PM
Price: 0
Contact: 050 185 8068
YOU'LL FIND A LIST OF ALL THE LADIES NIGHTS IN ABU DHABI ON THE BEST BITES APP

FAMILY DINING IN YAS BAY
Abu Dhabi is so family oriented, much more so than other cities in the UAE and we love discovering new places to take the family to eat out. Yas Bay has a few key places that are casual enough to take the kids but all these three options are also good for adults to have a glass or two of whatever you fancy, making it a real day out.
Central
Central brings dining and playing to new levels! While you can enjoy fabulous burgers, nachos, salads and really fun desserts - our pick is the sticky date skillet - the kids can play in the arcade, play pool or get into some serious bowling action.
For really good value, check out the BB+ set menu here which includes drinks as well as food and some arcade credits too.
Open Friday - Sunday 12PM - midnight, weekdays 4PM - midnight
Contact: 04 423 8311
Peaksy Adventure Park & Family Restaurant
This new outlet has something for every age group. Downstairs there's a superb soft and imaginitve play area for little ones complete with cute kitchens and shops, with a cafe alongside. If you're a mum looking for half an hour to yourself and keep the little ones occupied, Peaksy is the one.
Upstairs there's a casual dining restaurant, a great place for people to lunch after playing or just to hit up for a nice lunch or dinner. Finally, on ground level, you can call into the streetside window for a grab and go situation where you can get a drink and a snack and be on your way.
Open: 10AM - 10PM
Contact: 02 627 9899
One more to check out? It's Bayside Burger Co, right by the entrance to the beach, and perfect for families ... the boozy milkshake is one to enjoy for the adults!

ASIAN FOOD IN YAS BAY
What kind of Asian cuisine do you fancy? Take your pick!
Bua Thai
This cute little place brings Bangkok to Yas Bay. Check out all the usual Thai favourites but a must-order is the pad Thai with wontons that Chef Bua has brought to the table. The mango sticky rice is absolutely epic and the fresh, light Thai cocktails are best enjoyed with a promenade-side table, as you watch the world stroll by.
Open: 12PM - 11PM
Contact: 02 575 3158
Nuri Grill & Bar - Korean
Nuri is an excellent option if you're looking for both a higher end Korean experience and some karaoke to finish your night. We recommend all the steak dishes you can get your hands on, and the incredible cocktails and mocktails ... actually, the basil mock makes our top 5 in the city! There's a good outdoor terrace and some very funky karaoke rooms for the singers among us.
Open: 12PM - midnight
Contact: 054 211 5151
Daikan Izkaya - Asian fusion
If you're a ramen obsessive, Daikan Izakaya on The Pier at Yas Bay Waterfront is one to try. The duck gyoza is a strong menu option along with the avocado steak, katsu chili bao, sushi and sashimi, and of course the pretty showstopping ramen, that is is the favourite of a ton of Abu Dhabi diners. The vibe is hip, the views on the terrace excellent and the staff fun and knowledgable. We're in!
Open: 12PM - 12AM
Contact: 058 124 1529

A BIG NIGHT OUT IN YAS BAY
While there are a ton of places that serve alcohol - actually pretty much everywhere does - there are two places that firmly qualify as bars.
McCafferty's
McCaff's as it's fondly known as, is the hub of entertainment in Yas Bay. Start with a proper pork breakfast and wind your way through the week with quiz night, ladies night and Saturday brunch. There's usually an Irish musician revving up the crowd and with great pricing and a superb terrace, this is often the place people end up to finish their nights out.
Open: 9AM - 2AM
Contact: 058 598 3623
Lock Stock & Barrel
Going inside LSB you can see why it's popular: with a super retro industrial feel, a live music stage, an open kitchen, and an outside terrace overlooking the bay, it promises cold beer and good times. The Tex-Mex-leaning menu is packed with big plates of nachos, tacos, burgers, fried chicken, and a really appealing flatbread loaded with four different toppings. Speed Quizzing and Music Bingo kicks off Fridays at 8pm with unlimited drinks and sharing food. It's always a big night and a good night - one you'll be keen to repeat.
Open: 4PM - 2AM
Contact: 04 423 8308
YOU'LL FIND A FULL LIST OF QUIZ NIGHTS IN ABU DHABI ON THE BEST BITES APP

A PROPER DINNER AT YAS BAY
Meeting friends, want a casual date or a good old catch-up, Yas Bay has the good options for you.
Hunter & Barrel
For meat lovers with a taste for the dramatic, Hunter & Barrel is an absolute must. The sharing platter is a popular dish: it's loaded with prawns, calamari and smoky chicken wings and dessert lovers will love the huge pavlova to finish - a nod to the Australian roots of this restaurant. With a full-service bar, lounge, open kitchen and both indoor and outdoor terrace seating, Hunter & Barrel covers a ton of bases, whatever the time of day.
Open: 11AM - 1AM
Contact: 02 886 8299
Paradiso
This bright, colourful restaurant is perfect if you're in the mood for Mediterranean with the menu touching on everything from fritto misto and pasta to pizza and roast poussin. The terrace overlooks the soon-to-be-open new beach and the harbour - it's a favourite for Abu Dhabi diners looking for a terrace view and an Aperol spritz late in the day.
Open 11AM - 11PM
Contact: 050 437 2869
Marcella
This new opening on Yas Bay is perfect for anyone who loves great food, good drinks and a tapas, sharing style vibe. There's a fabulous open kitchen that brings immediate vibes with a slew of flames and smoke offering an exciting indoor experience to go with the harbour views outside. The bar is also dominant, with a wine list focused on Spain, Portugal and Argentina.
Now's the time to enjoy Marcella at lunchtime - in April they're offering 2for1 on their business lunch offering.
Open: 12PM = 11PM
Contact: 050 437 2869
YOU'LL FIND A LIST OF ALL THE BUSINESS LUNCHES IN ABU DHABI ON THE BEST BITES APP
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