RESTAURANTS ABOVE DHS400
FAVOURITE BRUNCH Olea, St Regis Saadiyat Island
Called the Epicurean, you get quality and quantity here on a Friday, including Mongolian barbecue, tandoori ovens, Italian pentolo and more.
FAVOURITE CHINESE RESTAURANT Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel
The mighty Shang has stood the test of time in the capital, and the previous What’s On Awards winner is back among the gongs this year, beating the equally mighty Hakkasan to the trophy.
FAVOURITE FRENCH RESTAURANT Bord Eau, Shangri-La Hotel
It was a bit of a shock when the multi-award winning, finedining masterpiece that is Bord Eau didn’t win last year, but it’s also no surprise to see it back amongst the trophies this time.
FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT Sofra BLD, Shangri-La Hotel
An all-day dining restaurant you’d actually consider taking family to on a visit (the food is that good). The Friday brunch here also remains ever crowded.
FAVOURITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT Roberto’s, The Galleria
One of Abu Dhabi’s finest Italian restaurants, with a cracking alfresco area overlooking the waters near downtown, its Crudo Bar serves some of the best seafood in the capital. The pizzas are pretty special as well.
FAVOURITE JAPANESE RESTAURANT Café Sushi, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
How do you quickly make a name for yourself in the city’s ever-growing Japanese scene? Employing a chef who used to work at Zuma is certainly one way to go about it. Not surprisingly, the miso cod served here is an absolute belter.
FAVOURITE MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT Ornina Oriental, Al Bandar
The name suggests this should be an Asian restaurant, but Ornina Oriental actually serves highquality Arabic and Middle Eastern dishes. A unique exterior and awesome views of the ocean around Yas complete the package and make for a worthy winner.
FAVOURITE MODERN EUROPEAN RESTAURANT Bentley Kitchen, The Galleria
A former winner, Bentley’s dishes are sophisticated and often add clever touches to classics (Nicoise salad with pepper crusted tuna, or the norice risotto with potato and mushroom).
FAVOURITE PANASIAN RESTAURANT Cho Gao Restaurant & Lounge, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Cho Gao has been rammed for years, in part because it proves you don’t have to pay five-star prices to get five-star Asian food. We’re big fans of their Mie Goreng Indonesian noodles.
FAVOURITE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Fishmarket, InterContinental
Another oldie but a goldie – Fishmarket is possibly the oldest restaurant in Abu Dhabi and the novelty value comes from ordering your food by the kilo. Situated near the hotel’s Marina, the alfresco area is a delight during winter as well.
FAVOURITE STEAKHOUSE The Capital Grill, Dusit Thani
The Dusit Thani’s steakhouse has come close in the voting before, but this year it finally goes home with the top gong, and what a worthy winner it is as well. The sleek décor evokes TV’s Mad Men, but there’s nothing mad about the food here – it’s just consistently very good, from the drool-worthy 72 hour-cooked barbecue brisket, to the wagyu burgers and the gigantic steaks.
FAVOURITE THAI RESTAURANT Sontaya, St Regis Saadiyat Island
We’re starting to sound like a broken record, but once again Sontaya walks away with the trophy for best Thai. Veggies are well catered for, and its main dishes, such as the caramelised chilli and lemon grass salmon, are some of the finest you’ll try in the capital. Add to it some incredibly jaw-dropping surroundings on Saadiyat and you have a natural winner.
FAVOURITE THE AMERICAS RESTAURANT Chamas, InterContinental
Chamas’ unique serving system of green and red signs (to tell the staff to continue bringing you meat or to stop) makes it one the main reasons we’re victims of the Abu Dhabi stone – we never, ever want to turn our sign red. The jovial atmosphere, fun staff and highquality meat on offer make this exceptional value and a go-to place for many in the capital, time and time again.