On Saadiyaat Island, a place defined by cultural institutions, characterful architecture, and deliberate design planning, dining venues are expected to validate their credentials. As it is the standard of fine dining in Abu Dhabi, restaurants are not only measured by what arrives on the plate, but also by their interior and ambience, as well as the calibre of service.
Across Saadiyat, the range of dining options is broad, from Thai cooking tucked into glass-walled pavilions suspended over water to Japanese kitchens favouring precision, and Levantine, Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean menus leaning into ample portions.
Dining is often paired with a museum visit, a swim, or an evening walk along the shore. Taken together, Saadiyat Island’s restaurants form a compelling addition to luxury dining in the capital.
Sontaya – Sunset Haven
Sontaya, taking its name from the Thai word for “sunset”, is set inside The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort amid floating pavilions overlooking the softly lit waters. The venue lives up to its name, where around sunset, lanterns are lit across the open-air decks, lending the atmosphere a soft amber glow. The design language draws on contemporary Middle Eastern motifs blended with Southeast Asian touches to foreshadow the fusion on the menu. Food offerings feature a journey across Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Thai and Vietnamese flavours. Signature dishes burst with aromas of lemongrass, chilli, and coconut, made with authentic recipes and the finest ingredients. Sontaya has garnered impressive acclaim as one of the capital’s top Asian fine dining restaurants to savour dishes like spicy papaya salad, rich curries, and delicate steamed seafood.
Buddha-Bar Beach – Global Glamour
For those seeking a more brisk and cosmopolitan dining experience, Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi carries a glamorous international air on Saadiyat’s shores. As the first permanent outpost of Buddha-Bar Beach in the world – the brand is known for its pop-up venues or seasonal summer residencies in places like Mykonos or Ibiza – this venue transforms the famed Buddha-Bar concept into a day-to-night beachfront destination. By day, it is a chic, breezy spot in the Saadiyat Cultural District steps away from the Louvre; by night, it evolves into a lounge alive with the subtle mix of captivating electro-ethnic beats that Buddha-Bar’s resident DJ is famed for. Its menu is a masterful blend of Asian flavours (from Japanese and Chinese to Thai) with a zest of the West, offering an innovative take on Pacific Rim cuisine. Guests can expect artfully plated sushi and sashimi, spicy tuna tartare, and Southeast Asian curries, alongside Mediterranean-inspired ceviches and grills. Tropical cocktails and fine wines complete the experience, set within the brand’s signature interior design. The restaurant has been widely recognised, most notably winning Best Fusion Restaurant at the Fact Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2024, alongside accolades for Best Outdoor Restaurant and Best Beach Bar.
Maté – A Latin Spirit at Park Hyatt
Situated within the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Maté offers bold Latin American cuisine, created in the spirit of Middle Eastern fine dining. This Argentinian grill restaurant greets guests with the sound of mellow, pumping tango and jazz music. Interior features dark woods, leather, and glowing embers from the open kitchen’s wood-fired asado grill – the flaming grill is the centrepiece, as it infuses the space with a tantalising aroma of charred prime meats and seafood, a homage to Argentina’s grilling traditions. The menu also reveals grass-fed beef cuts, smoky grilled prawns, and family-style asado platters. The region’s Levantine influence is introduced into Argentinian dishes, whether through spiced marinades or shareable mezze starters. The approach is the brainchild of Chef Belén Pracilio, an Argentinian talent who leads the kitchen with passion. The restaurant earned a coveted spot in the Michelin Guide’s selection for Abu Dhabi.
Mare Mare – Coastal Italian Charm
A short stroll from Saadiyat’s dunes lies Mare Mare, the signature Italian restaurant of the Jumeirah hotel at Saadiyat Island Resort. Named after the Italian word for “sea”, this restaurant is perched close to the resort’s infinity pool and sun-kissed shore, with open-air terraces that look out to panoramic views of the shore. By day, palm fronds swaying overhead and natural wood tones lend a relaxed Mediterranean vibe; by night, candles flicker on white-clothed tables for a quiet dining atmosphere. The cuisine is authentically Italian, focusing on the soulful, home-style recipes of Italy’s coastal regions. Guests can start with antipasti and salads drizzled with golden olive oil, then move to a heartier main course such as wood-fired pizzas topped with artisanal cheese, or pasta made fresh daily. Seasonal seafood is a highlight, from linguine ai frutti di mare (overflowing with local prawns and calamari) to whole sea bream baked in salt, overseen by Italian chef de cuisine Simone Federico. Mare Mare has been highly commended as one of Abu Dhabi’s finest Italian restaurants. It is a familiar sight to see the chef moving through the dining area, recommending wines from an Italian-led cellar or sharing the story behind individual dishes.
NIRI – Refined Japanese Minimalism
Along the trendy promenade of Mamsha Al Saadiyat – just moments from the island’s art hotspots – NIRI Restaurant & Bar offers a completely different yet equally luxurious dining adventure. This homegrown Japanese fine dining address is rooted in the Ichi-go Ichi-e hospitality approach (“treasure every encounter”), which makes the experience notably unique.
The design is contemporary and sleek with clean lines, natural wood, and stone elements. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the shoreline into view. Soft jazz and the lively conversations fill the atmosphere towards evening, while the layout features a central sushi counter, cosy tatami-style nooks, and an outdoor terrace for those who prefer dining under the stars. Guests can savour fresh sashimi and sushi rolls made with unique precision by master itamae chefs, alongside delicacies from the robata grill (tender yakitori skewers, miso-marinated black cod, and grilled Wagyu beef with a perfect smoky char). The menu is rounded out by a well-chosen sake list and cocktails that mix Japanese spirits with teas.
Tean – The Levantine Stamp by the Sea
Tean, a restaurant that pays homage to the rich culinary heritage of the Levant and the Middle East, rounds out the list of fine dining restaurants in Saadiyat Island. Located at the Jumeirah Resort, Tean sits at a prime beachfront location. Its design is contemporary and follows an open-plan sensibility, yet it is suffused with regional accents, such as gently swaying lanterns, artisanal tiles in subtle geometric patterns, and a traditional stone oven. Guests are welcomed with Arabic coffee before the menu unfolds with a selection of Levantine flavours, drawing on Lebanese, Jordanian, Turkish and local Emirati dishes. Meals begin with a spread of mezze like hummus drizzled with organic olive oil, muhammara, and garden-fresh tabbouleh, accompanied by excellent freshly baked breads straight from the taboon oven. The mains range from charcoal-grilled meats and kebabs to the day’s seafood, including Emirati machboos robian and samak bil tahina. Tean offers traditional desserts like Umm Ali and contemporary rose and pistachio crème brûlée to satisfy the sweet tooth.
A Final Thought
Saadiyat Island’s gastronomy is a natural extension of the island’s broader lifestyle – a mosaic crafted by art, culture, and thoughtfully curated leisure and recreational experiences. Each restaurant offers a distinctive approach to cooking, often helmed by recognised chefs, and at times, influenced by regional touches evident in both the interiors and the flavours. The island has evolved to form a fully mature and self-contained ecosystem, bringing together five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants from around the globe, attractions such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World, and cultural landmarks including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. With that level of ambition, Saadiyat’s dining landscape shows little sign of standing still.
