The best restaurants in the capital are about to be revealed by Time Out Abu Dhabi – and we can now unveil the top ten eateries across 20 categories.
Over the past 12 months, our team of reviewers have conducted anonymous, independent restaurant visits to establish where you should be spending your hard-earned dirhams.
We experience the city the same way you do, by paying our own way and with no special treatment, because we know there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Now in its 15th year, the awards are among the longest-running, most-established dining awards in the Middle East.
You can read more about the process here.
Below, you’ll find the hotly-anticipated Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2023 shortlist, featuring more than 150 of the city’s best venues.
From blow-out brunches and swish bars to cheap eats and hole-in-the-wall burger joints, we’ve visited them all to create a shortlist that caters to different cuisines and different experiences (and different budgets).
In just four weeks time, on Thursday May 11, the winners of the 15th edition of the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards will be announced.
This year’s event will be held at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, and you can book tickets now, with early bird pricing until April 17.
For enquiries and ticket bookings, please contact Kate Galaktionova on kate.galaktionova@itp.com. Alternatively, you can book by clicking here.
Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2023 shortlist
ASIAN
- Asia Asia, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Benjarong, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Hoi An, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- Mamafri, Sheikha Fatima Park
- Silk & Spice, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Sontaya, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
- TAON, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Vietnamese Pho, Reem Island
CHINESE
- Beijing Restaurant, Al Zahiyah
- China Restaurant, Novel Hotel City Center
- Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
- Din Tai Fung, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- Kawloon Chinese Restaurant, Al Zahiyah
- New City Palace, Al Danah
- Noodle Bowl, Zayed Sports City
- Qian Zhou Hot Pot, Al Markaziya
- Shang Palace, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
EUROPEAN
- Alba Terrace, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
- Cyan Brasserie, Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi
- Fouquet’s, Louvre Abu Dhabi
- José by Pizarro, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Kuzina 22, Mina Zayed
- LPM Restaurant & Bar, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Mazi, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
- Paradiso, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Penelope’s, Yas Marina
- ZOE Modern Greek Kouzina, Al Bateen
INDIAN
- Angar, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- KuraKura, Capital Centre
- Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- Moksh, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- MYNT Indian Cuisine, Al Zahiyah
- Namak, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- Punjab Grill, Venetian Village
- Punjab Highway, Al Zahiyah
- The Bollywood Bronx, WTC Mall
- Zeera by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay Waterfront
ITALIAN
- Amici, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- Antonia, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Cafe Milano, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
- Cipriani, Yas Marina
- Marco’s Italian, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
- Mare Mare, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
- Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
- Sole, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Talea by Antonio Guida, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- Villa Toscana, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
JAPANESE
- 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Ba:TE, Eastern Mangroves
- Kaizu, Al Zahiyah
- Kinsu, Khalidiya
- NIRI Restaurant & Bar, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Otoro, Al Qana
- Toki, Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Tori No Su, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- UDN, Al Rawdah
- Zuma, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
LATIN AMERICAN
- Amerigos Mexican Bar & Restaurant, Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
- Burro Blanco, Khalidiya
- Chamas, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- COYA, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Dusk Lounge, Nurai Island
- La Carnita, Yas Bay Waterfront
- La Patrona, Al Danah
- Maté, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
- Ola Brasil, Al Ghazal Golf Club
- VaKaVa, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
MENA
- Beirut Sur Mer, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Byblos Sur Mer, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Em Sherif Café, Corniche
- Erth Restaurant, Qasr Al Hosn
- Li Beirut, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Mazaj Bab Al Bahr, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
- Meylas, Al Muneera
- Mijana, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- Tean, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
AFTERNOON TEA
- Alba Lobby Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- Al Meylas, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Crystal Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
- Episodes, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- Majlis Lobby Lounge, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
- Observation Deck at 300, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Osmo Lounge & Bar, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- The Drawing Room, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
- The Lounge, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
À LA CARTE BRUNCH
- Asia Asia, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Cafe Milano, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- COYA, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
- Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- LPM Restaurant & Bar, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay Waterfront
- The Director’s Club, The WB™ Abu Dhabi
- Zuma, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
BUFFET BRUNCH
- Bubbalicious at Fairways, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
- Crust, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
- Khayal, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
- Nahaam, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Sofra bld, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- The Chef’s Brunch at Giornotte, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- The Market Brunch, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
- Urban Kitchen, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- White, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
BAR FOOD
- Azura Panoramic Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
- Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
- Diablito, Yas Marina
- La Cava, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
- Library Bar, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
- Ray’s Bar, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Stills Restaurant and Bar, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
- Zsa Zsa, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
BREAKFAST
- Art House Café, Al Bandar
- Art Market, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Brunch & Cake, Al Bateen
- Café 302, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
- Market at EDITION, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
- Nolu’s, Al Bandar
- Sanderson’s, Al Seef
- Society, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Table Otto, Yas Mall
- tashas, Al Bateen
BUDGET
- Bait El Khetyar, Najda
- Bonna Annee, Al Zahiyah
- Burro Blanco, Khalidiya
- Dampa Seafood Grill, Al Markaziya
- Hankook Korean, Al Nahyan
- Kopitiam by Chandy’s, Al Falah Street
- Noodle Bowl, Zayed Sports City
- San Thai Diner, Al Zahiyah
- Vietnamese Pho, Reem Island
- West to West Kitchen, Al Danah
BURGER
- Black Tap, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Burgeneers, Al Danah
- Burger28, Mussafah Shabiya
- Fat Mo’, Al Mushrif
- LENTO, Al Danah
- Mo’s Joint, Al Mushrif
- Pickl, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- SALT, Umm Al Emarat Park
- The Gang, Al Bateen
- Tobasco’s, Muroor Road
CAFÉ
- Alkalime, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Cafe James, Reem Island
- Joud Coffee, Al Bateen
- Let’s, Khalifa City
- Montauk Boutique Café & Restaurant, Al Bateen
- No. FiftySeven Boutique Café, Al Bateen
- Raclette Brasserie & Café, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Rain, Hudayriat Island
- Saddle House, Marsa Al Bateen
- The Lighthouse, Yas Bay Waterfront
OUTDOOR
- BBQ Al Qasr, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- Beach House, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
- Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar, Aloft Abu Dhabi
- Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
- Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
- La Salle, Saadiyat Beach Club
- Mare Mare, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
- Paradiso, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Sontaya, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
- West Bay Lounge, Corniche
PUB FOOD
- Blu Sky Lounge & Grill, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
- Fado, Oryx Hotel
- Hamilton’s Gastropub, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
- Lock, Stock and Barrel, Yas Bay Waterfront
- McGettigan’s, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
- The Irish Vicker’s, WTC Mall
- The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
- Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown, Abu Dhabi
- Victor’s Bar & Restaurant, Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel
SEAFOOD
- Al Shader, Mina Zayed
- Bu Tafish, Marasy Al Bateen
- Catch at The St. Regis, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
- Dampa Seafood Grill, Al Markaziya
- Fishmarket, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
- Hooked, Nurai Island
- Mare Mare, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
- Simitch, Marina Village
- Turtle Bay Bar & Grill, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
STEAKHOUSE
- Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Coal Steakhouse, Sheikha Fatima Park
- Hunter & Barrel, Yas Bay Waterfront
- Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse & Grill, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
- Maté, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
- Oak Room, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
- Ray’s Grill, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Rodeo Grill, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
- The Forge, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- The Foundry, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
