NIRI Restaurant & Bar

At NIRI Restaurant & Bar, Japanese dining unfolds with a quiet kind of confidence, the sort that doesn’t chase attention, but inevitably draws it. Founded by Imad Obeid in 2021, this homegrown Mamsha Al Saadiyat favourite has become one of Abu Dhabi’s most talked-about tables, earning Michelin Guide selection, a place on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, and repeated accolades as the city’s best restaurant from leading publications.

The space itself sets the tone. Part yakitori restaurant, part sushi counter, part highball bar, NIRI is designed around simplicity and flow: clean lines, natural textures, and an atmosphere that gently dissolves hierarchy and formality. It’s a restaurant that feels equally right for an intimate date, a long lunch with friends, or a low-key business dinner, with sweeping sea views adding a sense of calm theatre to the experience.

The food is where restraint becomes a statement. Contemporary Japanese cooking is delivered with precision and soul, using authentic ingredients. Corn tempura is light and addictive, tako yakitori smoky and perfectly judged, while the chef’s moriawase – best experienced at the sushi counter – offers an elegant showcase of nigiri and sashimi at their purest. Nihon soba, shio bream and tender lamb chops complete a menu that prizes balance over excess.

Positioned in the sweet spot of accessible excellence, NIRI offers exceptional dishes at a price point that feels refreshingly honest. It’s a restaurant that understands modern luxury as ease, clarity and confidence, and one that continues to define Abu Dhabi’s dining scene with understated style.

Taparelle

At Taparelle, dining is as much about atmosphere and artistry as it is about what’s on the plate. Set within Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this

French-Italian address sits at the intersection of food, culture and creativity, drawing direct inspiration from its surroundings and the people who move through them.

Founded by Imad Obeid and selected for the 2026 Michelin Guide, Taparelle is the sister concept to NIRI Restaurant & Bar, and while the sensibility is similarly refined, the mood here is lighter, more sociable, and distinctly Mediterranean. The name itself nods to the shutters framing the windows and to the tapas-style plates that define the menu, creating a space that feels warm, relaxed and quietly expressive.

Art is woven into every detail. In collaboration with Studio Coe, a pottery workshop occupies the upper level, while handcrafted ceramic plates – each one custom-made –

are used throughout the restaurant and available to purchase, blurring the line between dining and design. It’s a setting that invites curiosity, conversation and unhurried enjoyment.

Taparelle unfolds across multiple spaces, each with its own rhythm. There’s a street-style area for quick bites, a co-working table for long afternoons that turn into evenings, and an outdoor bar made for lingering winter nights under the stars.

Wherever you settle in, the experience feels fluid and welcoming.

The menu moves effortlessly across the Mediterranean, blending the conviviality of Spanish tapas, the ritual of Italian antipasti, and the finesse of French hors d’oeuvres. Plates are designed for sharing – seasonal, expressive and full of character – encouraging guests to graze, linger and order just one more dish. Ingredients take centre stage, flavours are clean and confident, and nothing feels overworked.

Add a handcrafted cocktail infused with Mediterranean herbs and citrus, and Taparelle reveals itself as more than a restaurant. It’s a meeting place, casual yet considered, creative yet comforting, where food, art and good company come together in effortless harmony.

 Villa Selene

At Villa Sélène, the Mediterranean is less a theme and more a state of mind. The restaurant channels the languid elegance of the French Riviera and the soulful clarity of Italian cooking, unfolding in a series of sun-warmed moments that feel instinctive, generous and quietly assured. This is food that doesn’t demand attention, it earns it, through precision, restraint and a deep-rooted sense of European authenticity.

Set within the serene green contours of Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Villa Sélène feels removed from the rush, yet entirely connected to its surroundings. Open from breakfast through late-night lounging, it offers a calm, sophisticated setting designed for both adults and families, a place to drift in for a long lunch, linger over dinner, or settle into the evening as the light softens over the Arabian Gulf. The interiors are polished yet welcoming, flowing seamlessly onto a beautiful al-fresco dining and bar area where sea views do most of the talking.

The menu reads like a Mediterranean daydream. A thoughtfully curated raw bar takes centre stage, with ceviches, crudo, carpaccio and tartare, alongside oysters and refined cuts of octopus, salmon, scallop and beef. Elsewhere, fresh garden salads, pasta and risotto, precision-grilled dishes, duck breast and veal Milanese speak to a kitchen fluent in both finesse and comfort. Vegan options are handled with the same care and creativity, while more casual bites and sides invite sharing without ceremony.

A connoisseur’s selection of craft cocktails completes the picture – elegant,

well-balanced and designed to complement the food rather than compete with it.

Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori

At Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, contemporary Japanese dining is delivered with clarity, confidence and a strong sense of fun. Awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi, this award-winning hotspot sits inside Marina Mall, offering a polished yet approachable take on modern Japanese cuisine that’s as generous in spirit as it is in flavour.

The restaurant marks the Abu Dhabi outpost of Chef-preneur Akmal Anuar, and the sister to his much-loved Dubai original. Inside, sleek, minimalist interiors set the scene – clean lines, contemporary finishes and an atmosphere that feels stylish without ever tipping into formality. It’s a space designed for everyone, from families taking advantage of the dedicated kids’ menu to friends gathering over shared plates.

The menu is lively and wide-ranging, moving effortlessly between sushi, flame-grilled yakitori and heartier favourites. Expect beautifully executed nigiri and rolls, smoky skewers hot off the grill, and comforting crowd-pleasers like ramen, Wagyu sliders and

spicy noodles. Ingredients are carefully sourced directly from Japan, while portion sizes and pricing reflect Goldfish’s Bib Gourmand ethos – high quality, exceptional value, and food you genuinely want to return for.

To drink, a curated selection of house-made mocktails adds a playful edge, crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Standouts include the Hana Spritz, Goldfish Spritz and A Ni Spritz, all vibrant, refreshing and thoughtfully balanced to complement the food.

Dedicated to delivering an elevated yet easygoing dining experience, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori strikes a rare balance: contemporary but comforting, refined yet relaxed. It’s Japanese dining that feels modern, inclusive and unmistakably Abu Dhabi, and one that fully earns its place on the city’s must-eat list for 2026.

Barbossa

At Barbossa, dinner doesn’t ease in, it arrives with confidence. Bold, vibrant and unapologetically flavour-forward, this Yas Bay mainstay has become the go-to for nights that start with great food and end somewhere electric. A fearless fusion of LA cool and Latin American swagger, Barbossa is far more than a restaurant, it’s a mood, a meeting point, and a fixture of Abu Dhabi’s after-dark culture.

Founded in 2021 by Khalil Kanaan, Peter Samaha and Nadim Selbak, Barbossa has earned its reputation the hard way: through consistency, character and a menu that never pulls its punches. Regularly recognised by leading lifestyle titles, the venue continues to set the benchmark for contemporary Mexican dining in the capital.

The food is bold, contemporary and deeply satisfying. Handmade tacos anchor the menu, alongside fresh sea bass ceviche, the OG sizzling fajitas, Mexican chicken flautas, achiote chicken tacos and slow-cooked lamb barbacoa that falls apart at the touch of a fork. Finish strong with a slice of house-made tres leches – rich, nostalgic and unapologetically indulgent. Every dish is built for flavour impact, designed to be shared, and impossible to forget.

Then there are the margaritas – legendary, perfectly balanced, and flowing well into the night. As the evening unfolds, the energy lifts, the lights dim, and Barbossa reveals its other identity: part restaurant, part late-night playground, bringing the spirit of Latin America straight to the waterfront.

With its buzzing ambience, flavour-packed menu and magnetic energy, Barbossa isn’t just where you go for dinner, it’s where the night properly begins.

Li Jiang

At Li Jiang, Asia’s culinary traditions are explored with elegance, depth and a distinctly modern sensibility. Set within The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, and framed by breathtaking views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, this MICHELIN

Guide-recommended restaurant offers a dining experience that is as visually captivating as it is gastronomically assured.

Inside, dark, polished interiors create an atmosphere of understated glamour, while the open kitchen draws the eye – a quiet theatre where chefs move with precision, transforming time-honoured recipes into refined contemporary expressions. The menu travels confidently across Asia, pairing authentic flavours with modern technique, and balancing richness, restraint and clarity on every plate.

Beyond the à la carte offering, Li Jiang’s themed evenings bring rhythm and discovery to the calendar. Vietnamese Night pays tribute to the heritage of Head Chef Pham with an immersive six-course journey rooted in authenticity and soulful flavour. Tuesdays invite a more indulgent pace with Sushi & Sake Night, where pristine sashimi meets playful creations like flambéed uramaki salmon crowned with caviar. Fridays are reserved for Lobster Night, a four-course celebration of premium Canadian lobster, showcased through delicate dumplings, wok-fried dishes and elegant interpretations that let the ingredient shine.

As the day softens into evening, a daily happy hour encourages guests to linger, cocktail in hand, as golden light settles over the mosque and the canals beyond. Polished yet inviting, Li Jiang is a restaurant where tradition and innovation move in

harmony, an enduring favourite for those who seek Asian cuisine delivered with finesse, atmosphere and quiet drama.

Mijana

At Mijana, Middle Eastern cuisine is elevated into an experience of quiet grandeur. Set within The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, this MICHELIN Guide-selected venue blends the depth and generosity of Arabian flavours with refined, contemporary design, creating a dining room that feels both timeless and beautifully composed.

Golden-hued interiors, intricate detailing and soft lighting set an elegant tone, while gracious, intuitive service anchors the experience in true Arabian hospitality. Guests can choose to dine indoors, on the atmospheric terrace, or within a more private setting, each offering its own sense of occasion and calm.

The menu celebrates the richness of the region through carefully executed classics and polished interpretations, served across à la carte lunch and dinner. Alongside this, Mijana’s themed evenings add a rhythm to the week, inviting guests to return for something distinct. On Sundays, Seafood Night takes centre stage – a curated four-course menu paired with soft drinks, tea and coffee, celebrating coastal flavours in a setting alive with warmth and cultural charm. Shisha, served upon request, completes the ritual, encouraging lingering conversations long into the evening.

Refined yet welcoming, Mijana is a place where elegance never feels distant and tradition is honoured with contemporary ease. It’s a restaurant designed for unhurried dining, meaningful gatherings, and moments that linger, a quietly confident cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s dining landscape.

The Forge

At The Forge, steakhouse dining is approached with intent, precision and quiet confidence. Set within The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, this contemporary address celebrates the art of exceptional cuts sourced from across the world, expertly cooked, and presented with a focus on flavour above all else.

The atmosphere is intimate yet assured. Modern interiors strike a balance between warmth and restraint, creating a setting that feels refined without excess, equally suited to discreet business dinners, celebratory evenings, or lingering conversations over a perfectly poured glass of red. An expertly curated wine list anchors the experience, designed to complement the menu’s bold, uncompromising approach to quality.

At the heart of The Forge is a reverence for craft. Prime steaks are treated with respect and restraint, paired with signature sides that elevate rather than distract.

With private dining options available for special occasions, The Forge delivers steakhouse dining at its most considered – polished, purposeful and rooted in excellence. It’s a destination where global culinary standards meet refined Abu Dhabi elegance, and where every detail is designed to leave a lasting impression.