From 3Fils to Saikindō, these are the best new restaurants in the UAE capital.
Keeping track of all the new restaurants in the capital is a full-time job. But if you love finding the hottest restaurants before anyone else, these are the best new restaurant openings in Abu Dhabi for 2025.
3Fils
The expansion of the 3Fils brand sees the concept take over the space formerly occupied by the nightclub ANNEX at The Abu Dhabi EDITION. 3Fils Abu Dhabi spans three levels and features two terraces overlooking Al Bateen Marina. Like its Dubai counterpart, 3Fils Abu Dhabi promises to serve many of its fan-favourite dishes. From the open kitchen, Head Chef Jhovani remains faithful to the original formula of bold, umami-rich plates, featuring dishes such as A5 Wagyu Claypot, Grilled Black Lime Baby Chicken, and a series of specials.
GO: Visit https://3fils.com/ for more information.
Amara
The menu at Amara Yas Island puts Lebanese cuisine in the spotlight and is perfect for sharing. The menu features a range of hot and cold mezze, salads, mains, and pastries. Cold mezze includes Batata Zahlewiyeh, featuring potatoes, grated bottarga, and garlic confit; Seabass Samkeh Harra, which combines seabass with salsa; and Lebanese Southern Frakeh. The mains feature Levantine classics. Dishes include Mixed Grills featuring chicken and lamb, as well as Shawarma Skewers accompanied by pickles and dips. Pastries span the Middle East to Europe. Dishes range from Chocolate Fondant to Mille-feuille, and Baklava Cheesecake to Kunafa with Cheese.
GO: Follow @amararestaurantabudhabi on Instagram for more information.
AVLU
Located in Yas Mall, AVLU pays homage to the Aegean coastline. The highlight of this charming restaurant is its courtyard-inspired dining area, which features a lemon tree in the centre and murals on the walls. The menu blends Greek and Turkish traditions with a modern twist. Expect to indulge in Grilled Octopus, Iskender Kebab, Salt-Cooked Wild Seabass and Slow-Cooked Turkish Lamb Shoulder. Each dish is served with olive oil from the Aegean coastline, ensuring your experience is as authentic as possible.
GO: Visit www.avlurestaurant.com for more information.
Barbassi
From the team behind the FACT award-winning Marmellata, Barbassi has found its home in Abu Dhabi’s creative M39 zone. Still in soft launch, Barbassi keeps things simple — and seriously good — with a tight edit of four focaccia sandwiches. Highlights include the Bassi Boom, a decadent stack of veal ham, cheese and piccalilli, and the Bangga, where spicy beef meets apricot jam and Calabrian chilli for a hit of sweet heat. Pair your sandwich with a speciality coffee and settle into the minimalist, industrial-cool space.
GO: Follow @barbassiboom on Instagram for more information.
Bar Du Port
Bar du Port, the French Riviera-inspired restaurant and bar, has opened its doors at Yas Marina. With Abu Dhabi’s glittering shoreline as its backdrop, the new outpost encourages lingering lunches by the water, golden hour cocktails, and a DJ-driven late-night experience. Combining the relaxed charm of the Ligurian Riviera with the glamour and playfulness of the Côte d’Azur and the subtle simplicity of the Greek islands, Bar Du Port Abu Dhabi exudes an aura of sophisticated comfort through bohemian décor that defines understated luxury. Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef Hadi Saroufim, who anchors the menu in French culinary roots while drawing influence from global flavours. Expect a menu of French-influenced cuisine and Mediterranean coastal flavours, including escargots, oysters, langoustine linguine, wood-grilled octopus, slow-cooked grain-fed Angus short ribs and pain perdu with caramel sauce. The cocktail list completes the experience, using fresh herbs, fruits and inventive techniques to turn classic ingredients into theatrical, multisensory serves.
GO: Visit https://barduportabudhabi.com for more information.
Bla Bla Bar
The much-hyped Bla Bla Bar, renowned for its electric atmosphere and immersive experiences worldwide, now introduces its distinctive day-to-night concept to the capital. You can expect waterfront views over Yas Marina, luxury yachts and stunning sunsets. The space blends indoor and al fresco areas, making it an ideal spot for golden-hour drinks or late-night revelry. Whether you’re settling in for a sunset cocktail or dancing well past midnight, this new hotspot promises a dynamic backdrop of energy and elegance. The menu moves from cocktails and raw plates to superb salads and more.
GO: Visit www.yasmarina.ae for more information.
Blanca Pizzeria
Cross-border dining typically flows from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, but the exchange is increasingly reciprocal. Enter Blanca Pizzeria, a Saudi-born pizzeria with a loyal following from Riyadh to Jeddah and Al Khobar, now firing up its first UAE outpost in Abu Dhabi. The menu keeps its promise of wood-fired pizzas with a crisp, blistered cornicione and a focus on clean, bold flavours. Expect house favourites such as the Buffalo, the namesake Blanca, Brisket, Four Cheese, Rocca Ricotta and Mediterranean, alongside richer choices like Brisket Truffle for those who want something deeper and more indulgent.
GO: Follow @blanca.uae on Instagram for more information.
BLU Pizzeriá
BLU Pizzeriá has expanded from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The much-loved homegrown pizza place is now opening at Sunrise Residences on Saadiyat Island, bringing its Neapolitan-inspired creations to the city. The menu features classic and creative takes on pizzas, perfect for the more adventurous diner. The classics range from the Burrata with basil and cherry tomatoes to the Spicy Pepperoni, featuring cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, and spicy salami. The creative options range from the Short Ribs, featuring Black Angus short ribs, caramelised onions, and truffle white sauce, to the Musakhan, served with chicken, cheese, and a sour cream sauce.
GO: Visit https://linktr.ee/blu_pizzeria for more information.
Bosnian House
In the Middle East, there are not many restaurants showcasing Bosnian cuisine. That has changed, thanks to Bosnian House, which has expanded from Dubai to Marsa Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi. Bosnian House draws inspiration from old-age recipes. At the heart of the menu is the Cevap, which translates to kebab. The small pieces of minced meat are rolled and cooked on a charcoal grill. Other highlight dishes include Begova Corba Soup, Bosnian Sapska Salad, Bosnian Kebab and Baklava. The team prides itself on offering an authentic experience, and all of the staff –including the chefs, managers and founder – are from Bosnia.
GO: Visit https://bosnianhouse.net for more information.
Café Ginori
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort has welcomed the first Café Ginori in the Middle East. The sophisticated space showcases the Italian porcelain brand, Ginori 1735 and overlooks the waters of Saadiyat Island. Guests can also shop a selection of Ginori 1735’s most iconic porcelain collections or enjoy food and drinks, including the hotel’s signature afternoon tea. The all-day menu includes Italian-inspired dishes such as Eggplant Parmigiana, Truffle Arancini, Vitello Tonnato, and a sweet finish with Cannoli, Ricotta Tart, Sfogliatella and Tiramisu.
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for more information.
Ibn AlBahr
The homegrown seafood restaurant owned by fishermen and garlanded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand has made landfall in the capital. The new address in Makers District on Al Reem Island takes over the space previously occupied by Cove Beach, pairing honest cooking with a wonderful waterfront setting. A Raw Bar serves Carpaccio and Oysters, while generous trays come heaped in familiar formats such as the Crab Tray Provencal. The daily Paella returns, joined by fresh lobster, jumbo prawns, mussels, calamari and clams. The catch of the day is displayed at the counter, and different cooking methods and side sauces are available. Each catch is served with tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil sauce.
GO: Visit www.ibnalbahr.me for more information.
Kew’s
Backed by the FACT award-winning Sticky Rice team, Kew’s brings a new fried chicken concept to Yas Mall. It’s the first in the Middle East to fry exclusively in premium beef tallow, delivering rich, all-natural flavour. Alongside its signature fried chicken, Kew’s offers crispy tallow fries, a Hokkaido milk bread chicken sandwich, sour mango slaw, Hainanese rice, and tropical coconut milkshakes.
GO: Visit @kewsfriedchicken on Instagram for more information.
Khobzeh w Zaitoneh
Khobzeh w Zaitoneh — Arabic for “bread and olive” — is now open on Al Maqta Street, moments from Al Qana and the National Aquarium, bringing Palestinian flavours, stories and rituals to the capital. The restaurant is styled to evoke a lived-in family home, featuring muted brick walls, vintage wooden windows, and shelves lined with old radios, telephones, and lamps. The kitchen honours Palestinian staples. Expect comforting favourites such as Hummus, Labneh, Maqluba, Musakhan Rolls, and salads that showcase herbs and citrus. Naturally, freshly baked bread will be ever-present, served with peppery olive oil and fragrant za’atar.
GO: Follow @khobzehwzaitoneh on Instagram for more information.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Naples’ legendary L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele has opened its first Abu Dhabi outpost at Yas Bay Waterfront. Established in 1870 and made famous by Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, the brand is celebrated for simple Neapolitan pizzas prepared with the same discipline and passion across five generations. Following the success of its Dubai branches, the capital welcomes the “Pizza of the People” with traditional wood-fired pies, traditional Italian ingredients and warm southern Italian hospitality, all set against sweeping waterfront views.
GO: Visit https://anticapizzeriadamichele.ae for more information.
Maki
Maki offers an ideal spot to indulge in Japanese flavours along the Al Qana waterfront. The restaurant’s interiors blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary urban flair and samurai artwork. The menu at Maki offers a diverse range of options, each carefully crafted to showcase the precision and artistry of Japanese cuisine. The chef’s recommendations include the Katsu Sando, Ryujin Shrimp Roll, Samurai Brisket Roll, Seafood Miso Soup, Wagyu Brisket Gyoza and San Sebastian Crème Brûlée. Whether you’re a sushi lover or a ramen enthusiast, this one’s for you.
GO: Visit https://maki.ae for more information.
Marcella
Led by chef-owner Mario Loi, Marcella is a modern bistro at Yas Bay centred on a wood-fired Parrilla grill, pairing in-house aged ribeye with tapas-style plates, a focused Iberian wine list and bold cocktails. Following the acclaim for Mika at Yas Marina, this new concept blends fire, flavour and heartfelt hospitality. Expect a lineup of tapas and plates that nod to Spanish classics while staying playful. Highlights include Gilda Skewers with olive, guindilla chilli and anchovy, slow-cooked Lamb Ribs Pintxo with sherry glaze, Prawns in garlic and chilli, Octopus Escabeche, and Manchego and truffle churros.
GO: Follow @marcella.abudhabi on Instagram for more information.
Mezzaluna Abu Dhabi
A touch of New York has arrived in Abu Dhabi with the opening of the Italian restaurant Mezzaluna at Yas Mall. With a 40-year history, the restaurant is famous for its Italian flavours, high-quality ingredients and pizzas made with 48-hour fermented dough. Mezzaluna’s menu features timeless, traditional Italian home-cooked staples. The menu spans appetisers, salads, and pizzas with a light and airy texture, while the desserts include Mamma Cakes. The venue aims to be charming and cosy, making guests feel like they are visiting a home.
GO: Follow @mezzaluna.ae on Instagram for more information.
Novikov Abu Dhabi
Unlike its Asian-inspired siblings, Novikov Abu Dhabi presents an entirely new concept, drawing inspiration from the sun-drenched coasts of Italy, France, Greece, Portugal and Spain. Highlight dishes include Beef Carpaccio, Buffalo Burrata, Charcoal-Grilled Octopus, Lobster Linguini and the Mushroom & Truffle Risotto. In a nod to the brand’s heritage, a few select favourites from Novikov London appear on the menu, including Wagyu Tacos and the ever-popular Wasabi King Crab Leg.
GO: Follow @novikov_abudhabi on Instagram for more information.
Opaia
Opaia Restaurant and Lounge in Abu Dhabi promises a refined take on Mediterranean cuisine, combining vibrant flavours with a lively yet relaxed social atmosphere. Designed as a space where evenings unfold into celebrations, the concept focuses on creating memorable moments, making it suited to casual gatherings, long lunches and special occasions. The menu showcases carefully crafted Mediterranean dishes alongside a selection of drinks. Guests can expect an emphasis on quality ingredients and balanced flavours, complemented by a beverage offering that includes signature coffee creations. From rich artisanal brews to refreshing iced options, the coffee menu caters to your morning coffee cravings and leisurely catch-ups.
GO: Follow @opaia_lounge on Instagram for more information.
Pitfire Pizza
Not quite Neapolitan, not quite New York-style, perfect every time — that is Pitfire Pizza in a nutshell. The homegrown pizza joint, which has drawn countless pizza lovers across Dubai, continues to expand, bringing its artisanal sourdough pizzas to Waterfront Tower in Abu Dhabi. Known for its 72-hour dough-making process, Pitfire Pizza’s unique slow-rise fermentation technique produces wonderful aroma, texture and mouthfeel. The menu features the full Pitfire line-up, including handcrafted sourdough pizzas, pastas, salads, sides, and desserts, all made from scratch. The pizzas include Bresaola and Rocket, Buffalo Chicken, Pepperoni Primo, and Truff Daddy. And, if you’re still debating about whether to have pineapple on pizza, there is no judgment here, thanks to the Royal Hawaiian. No visit to the restaurant is complete without trying the Garlic Knots. If you love eating your crusts, then this warm wonder is for you. Freshly baked from the oven, it is tied, brushed with herbs, garlic butter, and parmesan cheese.
GO: Visit https://pitfirepizzabakers.com for more information.
Public
Known for its legendary tiramisu, Public has officially arrived in the capital with an opening in Al Bateen Marina. Currently, Public Abu Dhabi will only serve coffee and desserts, with plans to expand their menu soon. So, expect the likes of pizzas, pasta and much more on the agenda. However, the tiramisu is the star of the show at Public Abu Dhabi. Served tableside from a family-sized bowl, this dessert is presented with theatrical flair by the staff. It features a blend of smooth and creamy mascarpone cheese without being sticky, combined with perfectly soft and moist biscuits. Topped off with a drizzle—or more if you like—of espresso, this Tiramisu is as good as it gets.
GO: Follow @public on Instagram for more information.
Saikindō
Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, Saikindō draws inspiration from Japan’s listening bars, where music and mixology share the spotlight. Design cues draw from the Metabolism movement, known for modular, adaptable thinking, paired with the warmth of mid-century craftsmanship. Rich wooden panelling, bespoke acoustic treatments, embroidered wall coverings, and refined furnishings set an intimate yet social mood. At the heart of the kitchen sits a yakitori grill, turning out signature skewers that are smoky, juicy and built for sharing. The menu leans into Japanese-inspired small plates designed to match the drinks list, so expect balanced flavours, clean lines and seasonal touches that work across the table.
GO: Follow @saikindo on Instagram for more information.
Sarabeth’s
Located at Sunrise Residences on Saadiyat Island, Sarabeth’s promises comfort food and a cosy ambience. Whether you’re looking for a lazy brunch, a dinner, or a casual coffee catch-up, this superb new spot has you covered. Coming from New York, Sarabeth’s all-day breakfast lineup features signature dishes like Buttermilk Waffles, Classic Pancakes and Fat and Fluffy French Toast. The restaurant also offers Atlantic Salmon, Mascarpone-Stuffed Chicken, Lamb Shank, Fish and Chips, and much more to keep you feeling healthy yet full.
GO: Visit https://sarabeth.ae for more information.
Sophia
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort’s latest culinary destination promises a journey across the Mediterranean with a refined yet welcoming touch. At the heart of the restaurant sits the Cig Kofte Bar, a focal point that brings energy and theatre to the dining room. Here, chefs prepare the famous spiced raw meat to order, creating a moment of interaction as guests watch the process unfold. The menu at Sophia celebrates the breadth of the Mediterranean, drawing on the traditions of 22 countries. Classic recipes are honoured, then lifted with modern techniques and polished presentation. Diners can move from vibrant Greek salads to fragrant Moroccan tagines, from grilled Turkish kebabs to Spanish paella and Italian pastas.
GO: Visit www.sophiaabudhabi.com for more information.
Steki
A popular dining spot from Fujairah, Steki has expanded from its original location at Umbrella Beach to Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. Steki translates to “a hangout place for friends” in Greek, and that’s exactly the vibe it aims to deliver. The menu showcases Greek classics with a modern twist. Start your meal with mezze platters, Psarasoupa or Dolmadakia. For mains, indulge in highlights such as Beef Giouvetsi, Chicken Souvlaki, and Spetsiota. Focusing on fresh and local produce while celebrating the richness of the sea and the simplicity of Mediterranean flavours, this restaurant promises a memorable meal.
GO: Visit https://steki.ae for more information.
Tazu by Art Lounge
Perched on the rooftop of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Tazu by Art Lounge is a new pan-Asian dining destination that blends art, cuisine, and waterfront views. Inspired by Asia’s rich culinary heritage, Tazu’s menu spans everything from delicate Japanese sushi to fragrant Vietnamese pho, crafted with precision and flair. With the museum’s iconic architecture as your backdrop and the Arabian Gulf stretching beyond, Tazu promises a dining experience that’s as striking as its surroundings.
GO: Follow @artlounge.abudhabi on Instagram for more information.
The Oba Turkish Restaurant
Tucked away in Abu Dhabi’s Al Zahiyah district, The Oba Turkish Restaurant brings the rich culinary heritage of Anatolia to the capital. The interiors are warm and elegant, with arched doorways, ornate tilework, and a relaxed vibe that complements the waterfront setting. The menu is a celebration of authentic Turkish flavours, from freshly baked pide and colourful mezze to succulent kebabs grilled over open flames. Dishes like the dramatic testi kebab, cooked in a clay pot and theatrically opened at the table, showcase both technique and tradition.
GO: Follow @theobauae on Instagram for more information.
YANA
Located at Hidd Saadiyat Island, YANA offers a classy and contemporary dining experience. The marvellous menu blends Pan-Asian and Peruvian cuisine, and is built around bright acidity, spice, and charcoal notes drawn from both culinary traditions. Expect crudo and ceviche alongside wok-fired plates, thoughtful vegetarian options and a beverage list that mirrors the kitchen’s citrus-forward profile. Highlight dishes including empanadas, sushi, and matcha cheesecake.
GO: Follow @yanarestaurants on Instagram for more information.
Vero
Located within Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi, Vero Italiano brings a true taste of Italy to the capital. The restaurant offers a refined dining experience that promises to transport guests to the Amalfi Coast. Inspired by traditional Italian homes, the restaurant is designed to be welcoming, rustic, and effortlessly elegant. Begin your meal with dishes like Beef Carpaccio, Braised Octopus, or Burrata, and then proceed to the mains with a hearty selection of pastas and pizzas. And, of course, no Italian feast is complete without dessert, so choose between the Panna Cotta or the classic Tiramisu — or both.
GO: Visit www.rixos.com for more information.
Villa Sélène
Overlooking the greens at Yas Links Golf Club, Villa Sélène blends coastal charm with sleek contemporary design, offering a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. The menu celebrates Mediterranean flavours, featuring signature dishes like succulent Baked Sea Bass, Lobster Salad, Prawn Tartare, and Ragatoni Al Ragu. With panoramic views of lush fairways and tranquil waters, Villa Sélène is ideal for romantic dinners or lively gatherings.
GO: Visit www.viyagolf.com for reservations and more information.
