After another bumper year of openings, the United Arab Emirates capital is further strengthening its standing as one of the Middle East's most sophisticated dining destinations.
The sun always shines in Abu Dhabi, something that also applies figuratively when considering its culinary scene. With the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 heading back to the United Arab Emirates' prosperous capital, here's a look at some of the latest and upcoming new Abu Dhabi restaurants further consolidating the city's culinary clout.
3Fils Abu Dhabi
@3.fils
This may be a new opening, but it needs no introduction. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the original 3Fils in Dubai is one of the most lauded restaurants in the country – and even bagged the top spot in the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list back in 2022. Within The Abu Dhabi Edition, this newly unveiled outpost again delivers a decadent Japanese menu with full-bodied dishes that are liberally laden with foie gras, truffle, caviar and wagyu. Only offered in Abu Dhabi, specials like the grilled black lime baby chicken are already enticing 3Fils stalwarts in Dubai to drive to the capital for dinner. If you're joining them on a mild spring evening, request a table on the terrace for views over Al Bateen Marina.
Ibn AlBahr
@ibnalbahr
'Owned by fishermen' – that's the tagline that sits reassuringly across Ibn AlBahr's marketing material. Even if this Al Reem Island address is significantly more polished than the cutesy, casual seaside premises that branding might suggest, it's evident with every bite that the team is obsessive about best-quality seafood and has structured its menu accordingly. That's why one of the first things to attract your attention will be the day's catch, displayed on ice for your consideration and fresh as can be. Be it grilled or fried, red snapper or sea bream, chefs typically serves diners' selections simply with just a spritz of lemon and a dollop of tahini. For something a touch more fancy, the Provençal crab is unmissable; and families go wild for the paella, a hillock of seafood in a skillet generously studded with mussels and prawns.
L'antica Pizzeria da Michele
The arrival of Naples' fabled pizzeria, going strong since 1870, received a rapturous reception when it was unveiled this year in Abu Dhabi. While the city has no end of fabulous fine-dining options, it's a truth universally acknowledged that sometimes nothing hits the spot better than a simple Margherita. Key to the venue's credibility is the quality of its ingredients, with its plump sun-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella fior di latte and more, all sourced from top suppliers in Italy. One key deviation from the original, which serves just four pizzas, is the proliferation of options available. For something different, try the signature Bronte, generously topped with pancetta, basil and pistachio.
Sontaya
@sontayaabudhabi
An airy, seafront restaurant at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Sontaya reopened this year after a full revamp. The result is sophisticated, unfussy and an especially good shout if you're looking for a romantic ambience without making your intentions obvious – Sontaya means 'sunset' in Thai and, particularly when admired from the glass-walled pavilion tables that seem to float on pools of water, the views of that nightly spectacle are frequently stellar. Those colourful evening panoramas are complemented by a pan-Asian menu that's similarly vibrant and packed with flavour. The miso-glazed black cod comes with tangy green apple and a kick of hajikami, while the calamari is topped with furikake to give a welcome jolt of umami.
Amara
@amararestaurantabudhabi
The upbeat clamour and cheer of Beirut have been artfully distilled in Yas Island's Amara. A chipper, casual, colourful and unlicenced Lebanese restaurant in dusty pinks, mustards and greens, it's already especially popular with families who gather for pitchers of smoked pineapple lemonade and sharing feasts from a varied, extensive menu that runs from swirls of creamy beetroot hummus to harissa prawns to lambs' testicles sauteed in lemon-herb butter. Servings are generous, but save some room for the crumbly, pistachio-loaded baklava cheesecake – a deserved bestseller.
Ilios Beach Club
Late 2024 saw the inauguration of Surf Abu Dhabi, an ultra-advanced artificial surfing facility considered one of the best in the world. This year, its premium positioning was consolidated by the opening of Ilios Beach Club, where diners enjoy expansive views of the surfers in action as they savour a top-quality Greek-Mediterranean menu that runs from tuna carpaccio to wild-mushroom risotto. It's an elegant affair, distinguished further by particularly polished service. To experience the restaurant at its most upbeat, book Sundays' Aegean brunch to enjoy a generous spread of dishes served with free-flow drinks and live entertainment.
Marcella
@marcella.abudhabi
Chef-patron Mario Loi's modern-Mediterranean restaurant Mika received endless praise and rave reviews when it opened two years back, so expectations are sky-high for his just-opened Marcella. Showcasing the flavours and produce of the Iberian Peninsula, its centrepiece is the parrilla grill. Smoky, full-flavoured steaks are a speciality here, though signature sharing dishes like the whole-roasted Pyrenees lamb shoulder or seafood paella with king crab bisque are wonderful. Arrive early to build up an appetite at the zinc-topped bar, where a comprehensive list of Spanish, Portuguese and Argentinean wines are complemented by a creative cocktail menu.
Yana
@yanarestaurants
On Saadiyat Island, Yana is already something of a date-night favourite in Abu Dhabi: its sophisticated pan-Asian and Peruvian menu, tastefully demure interiors in deep cobalt and flashes of gold and seaside setting make it one of this year's most sophisticated openings. Zesty ceviche, mango purée-infused hamachi crudo and quinoa-stuffed avocados are among the wholesome, reviving star dishes, though the matcha cheesecake is just as deserving of commendation.
And there's more to come: two new Abu Dhabi restaurants opening in 2026
Hanbok
The cuisines convincingly covered by Abu Dhabi's panoply of pan-Asian restaurants are extensive, but not quite exhaustive – to date, the capital has been relatively short on credible Korean eateries. Named after the nation's elegant traditional dress, Hanbok promises to change all that. Opening on Al Maryah Island in early 2026, it's making bold claims that its modern-Korean menu will 'redefine' culinary standards in the city. That remains to be seen, although the first renderings suggest the couture-inspired venue will be as pretty as can be. Expect beautifully lit, amber-tinted dining rooms where cascades of silk ripple from the ceiling and a vast petal-shaped chandelier provides a majestic centrepiece.
Isabel Abu Dhabi
In chichi Mayfair, Isabel has been considered one of the most glamorous dining destinations in London since its 2017 opening. That precedent means the forthcoming Abu Dhabi address is already expected to be among the most beautiful restaurants in the city. For now, details on the Al Maryah Island venue's aesthetic are under wraps, but a similarly refined Mediterranean menu and ritzy bar offering are expected.
The list of Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 will be revealed in Abu Dhabi on 3 February.
