Alive and cooking
Eight new restaurants coming soon to Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi
Yas Island is in the middle of a Gastronaissance. Located on the southern Al Raha-facing edge of Yas Island, the first phase of multi-billion dirham leisure and entertainment district, Yas Bay is now alive and cooking. It’s currently limited to Hilton Abu
Dhabi Yas Island (and its three restaurants), and the Etihad Arena, but there’s a Yastronomical amount of new restaurants scheduled for launch in the last quarter of 2021…
01 La Carnita
This street-style Mexican eatery was conceived and raised in the mighty culinary forge of Toronto.
As you might expect, coming from Drake’s backyard, the soundtrack at the Latin cantina’s network of venues is straight up golden age hip hop and R&B. This Abu Dhabi outpost follows on from the success of the Dubai location. As with much of Yas Bay’s ‘coming soon’ collection, we have no firm numbers on an expected due date. We’re hoping it takes much the same format as its Dubai cousin, which offers one of the best Taco Tuesdays in the city, fiesta brunches, and loco ladies’ nights @lacarnita_dxb
02 Akiba Dori
Dubai Design District’s (D3) electric Japanese restaurant and pizzeria is making its way to the new multi-billion dirham Yas Bay development. With its neon stripes, honour badge from the academy of chic interiors, and innovative artworks, we feel Akiba Dori will fit into the neighbourhood seamlessly. This new outpost of the devastatingly cool Tokyoite diner, Akiba Dori is expected to open around the middle of September 2021 and will feature a terrace with some pretty incredible skyline views. @akibadori
03 The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse Restaurant & Concept Store is coming to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Bay and is likely to launch in the last quarter of 2021, (with a license). The brand blends a gastro dining experience with a boutique retail space. There’s a great selection of books, scents and objects of curiosity that make gifts for those people that are ‘really hard to buy for’. The menu offers up great breakfasts and top quality coffee, and imaginative food creations.
@thelighthouse_ae
04 Hunter & Barrel
Aussie steakhouse Hunter & Barrel recently opened a Dubai location at Vida Emirates
Hills and will be bringing a much needed ‘meating place’ to the capital’s new leisure and entertainment district. Rob De Villiers, Middle East Managing Director for Seagrass BHG (the group responsible for Hunter & Barrel), said: “We are excited to share our exceptional charcoal roasted dishes and tender cuts of beef with the greater Yas Island residents and visitors.”
05
Asia Asia
Solutions Leisure Group, the team behind Dubai mega hospitality projects such as Lock, Stock and Barrel, STK and Asia Asia has announced that the latter will open in Yas Bay. The What’s On Awardwinning pan-Asian restaurant is known for its party atmosphere and excellent fusion of Asian and Middle Eastern flavours. Let’s hope for a gorgeous terrace overlooking the new bay, too. asia–asia.com
06 Paradiso
Cannes-born haute hub of gastronomy, Paradiso, will also be making its way to the bay. This UAE outpost of the globally-acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant arrives bolstered with the backing of the Michelin-endorsed culinary double act of Nicole Rubi (the woman behind Nice’s La Petite Maison) and Chef Pierre Gagnaire (Fouquet’s). Expect exquisite understated luxury for the interior and a menu of intelligently-tweaked panMediterranean freshness.
07
Siddharta, Zeera and Bushra by Buddha Bar Abu Dhabi
Capital Motion, the team behind Siddharta Lounge Abu Dhabi by Buddha Bar, says it’ll be a “dazzling rooftop playground complete with a Mediterranean menu, clever mixology, jawdropping and state-of-art concept events.” Big statement. But judging by the success in Dubai, it should match the hype.
08 LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL
Another solid hit from the Solutions Leisure Group, Lock, Stock and Barrel has been the go-to party-into-the-early-hours venue for a few years now. Restrictions-permitting, we can expect live music, ample dancefloor space, and a menu of international bites, including its signature metre-long flatbread at this Yas Bay venture. lsbabudhabi.com