A London favourite arrives at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, combining glamour and gourmet.
When Isabel opened on Albemarle Street in Mayfair in 2017, it quickly found its place among London’s most glamorous dining rooms. Housed in a Beaux Arts building dating back to 1905, the restaurant carried the spirit of old-world London while drawing on Mediterranean influences. The name itself is a personal tribute to restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz’s grandmother. Now, in 2026, Isabel has arrived in Abu Dhabi, bringing a touch of Mayfair to The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
Rather than creating a direct replica of its London sibling, Isabel Abu Dhabi has been adapted for the capital. The restaurant sits comfortably among some of the city’s strongest culinary names, including FACT award winners 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, COYA, La Petite Maison and Zuma. It is good culinary company, and Isabel appears to know it.
Gilded golden doors lead past stacked wine cellars and fresh floral arrangements into a dining room soaked in deep navy tones. There is something almost nautical about the palette, softened by Art Deco detailing and a sense of Gatsby-era grandeur. Designed by DBM Studio, the room is anchored by a central bar, surrounded by dark oak, Calacatta Viola marble and polished brass. Hand-embroidered silk wall coverings and curved banquettes add refinement, while the Isabel logo appears across chairs, napkins and even the ceiling.
The dining room has theatre, but it also has intimacy. Tables are dressed in crisp white linens, dishes arrive on silver trays, and the cutlery is so weighty it almost becomes a talking point. Staff glide through the room in smart jackets, lending a sense of ceremony to the meal. Yet, crucially, the service is not stiff. The front-of-house team is confident with the menu and quick to offer guidance without making diners feel managed.
In the kitchen, French chef Vincent Visinet leads a menu rooted in Mediterranean flavours and seasonal produce. With nods to Isabel London, the menu has undergone a local adaptation to make the Abu Dhabi opening feel special. The menu leans into recognisable luxury: caviar and lobster reign supreme.
We begin with the Croquetas (AED 70), crisp shells filled with spicy beef spianata, leeks, lemon and pickles. In London, these have something of a cult status, and while the Abu Dhabi version does not quite deliver the same immediate pull, they are still a confident opening bite. The casing has crunch, the filling has richness, and the pickles bring a light lift where the beef might otherwise dominate.
The French Toast Caviar Kristal is more luxurious in both price and presentation. Light milk bread is layered with chive cream and Kaviari Kristal caviar, creating a bite that sits somewhere between comfort food and indulgence. The salt of the caviar is softened by the cream, while the bread acts as a neutral carrier. It is clever, but at AED 230, it is much more than a casual order.
The Angus Beef Tartare (AED 120) is more direct. Hand-cut beef fillet is seasoned with capers, egg yolk, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, then served with pommes gaufrettes. It is a classic treatment, cleanly executed, with enough acidity and heat to keep the beef lively. The pommes gaufrettes offer a delicate crunch, though the Insta-worthy tartare itself is the star.
Burrata (AED 80) keeps things simple. A bulbous ball of creamy cheese is served with olive oil and balsamic, allowing the quality of the dairy to speak. There are no unnecessary flourishes, which feels increasingly rare. It is soft, milky and pleasingly restrained.
The Lobster Rigatoni is one of the meal’s more memorable plates. The pasta is made fresh in-house and cooked to a precise al dente, giving the dish its backbone. The sauce leans into the richness of lobster bisque, while the lobster itself is soft, buttery and subtle rather than overly sweet. At AED 450, it sits firmly in celebration-dinner territory, but it delivers the kind of comfort and craft that encourages sharing, even if you may not want to.
The Grilled Octopus (AED 150) is another strong dish. Served with piquillo pepper jam and red pepper salad, the tentacle arrives with a pleasing char and tenderness. The sweetness of the pepper jam works well with the smoky edges of the octopus.
Dessert may be reason enough to visit. Locals are already dropping in for coffee and cake, and the warm XXL Pistachio Madeleine is clearly designed for sharing. We opt for the Chocolate Pie Soufflé (AED 80), a decadent construction of chocolate shortcrust pastry and Valrhona chocolate soufflé. It is rich and unapologetic in its indulgence. The Red Berry Pavlova (AED 65) is prettier, almost ornament-like, with French meringue, red berries, whipped cream and tiny mint leaves.
The drinks programme has also been carefully curated, with cocktails and non-alcoholic options that suit the waterfront setting rather than overwhelm it.
Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi succeeds because it does not rely solely on the cachet of its London original. The restaurant brings glamour, but it also brings substance. Not every dish lands with equal force, and the pricing places it in the premium bracket, but the overall experience is assured. In a mall already filled with destination restaurants, Isabel adds another reason to dine at The Galleria.
Where: Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Open daily from 12pm
Contact: www.isabelabudhabi.com