A good restaurant visit is about more than what arrives at the table. It can be the setting, the soundtrack, the story behind the kitchen, or simply that feeling of discovering somewhere you already want to return to.
Over the course of 2026, Secret Abu Dhabi has visited some of the capital’s most talked-about dining spots, sampling special menus and experiences along the way.
Here are some of our favourite visits across the year.
Zuma Abu Dhabi
Few restaurants need much introduction, and Zuma Abu Dhabi is firmly established as one of the city’s dining staples.
Located at The Galleria, the Japanese restaurant combines a sophisticated setting with the energetic atmosphere that has become the mainstay of its identity.
The inspired menu ranges from sushi and sashimi to robata dishes, making it equally suited to a long lunch or an evening when dinner is only the beginning.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The spicy beef tenderloin with sesame.
For further information and reservations, visit Zuma Abu Dhabi.
Pincode by Kunal Kapur
Pincode brings the culinary vision of celebrated Indian chef Kunal Kapur to The Galleria.
The restaurant explores familiar Indian flavours through a more contemporary lens, with an extensive menu that travels between street-food-inspired starters, tandoor specialities, and rich regional dishes.
A dedicated lunch experience offered the chance to explore that variety, but it is the restaurant’s wider approach to Indian cooking that makes it worth a visit.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The prawn tawa masala.
For further information and reservations, visit Pincode by Kunal Kapur | The Galleria.
Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi
Another one of The Galleria’s standout venues, Isabel Mayfair brings a slice of London fine dining to the capital.
Inspired by its Mayfair counterpart, the restaurant pairs European-influenced food with an atmospheric setting, as the soothing voice of Sinatra and the venue’s mood also play a major role.
As the evening progresses, the venue takes on more of a party feel, making it a natural choice for dinner followed by drinks.#
Editor’s Dish Pick: The Angus flat iron.
For further information and reservations, visit Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi.
Ilios
Ilios offers one of those Abu Dhabi dining experiences where the surroundings are almost as tempting as the food.
Set on Hudayriyat Island, the Greek-inspired restaurant channels the atmosphere of a Mediterranean summer, with a menu built around seafood, grilled meats, fresh salads, and traditional Greek flavours.
A special dining experience provided an excuse to explore the menu, but the water setting is reason enough to linger.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The sea bream which is served grilled.
For further information and reservations, visit Ilios Restaurant | Surf Abu Dhabi.
SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi
SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi brings Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian influences together, creating a dining experience that is as lively as it is flavourful.
A visit to their Saturday Rio Brunch offers a taste of the restaurant’s energetic side, with a DJ and live dancers adding to the atmosphere, making sure you keep those shoulders going.
The finely prepared sushi and tender meats are the perfect mains, with delicate Japanese desserts providing the perfect finish.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The miso-marinated black cod.
For further information and reservations, contact reservations@sushisambaabudhabi.com | +971 2811 5882.
LPM Abu Dhabi
LPM Abu Dhabi has long had a reputation for relaxed French-Mediterranean dining, and its Galleria location combines understated interiors with a lively social atmosphere.
A Riviera-inspired brunch offered an opportunity to sample the restaurant’s signature-style dishes, from fresh seafood to rich mains and indulgent desserts.
The appeal, however, extends well beyond any one brunch, with LPM remaining a reliable destination for both leisurely meals and celebrations.
Editor’s Dish Pick: Escargots de Bourgogne served with garlic butter and parsley.
For further information and reservations, visit LPM Abu Dhabi.
ROSA’S THAI
ROSA’S THAI arrived in Abu Dhabi with roots in London and a menu focused on accessible, flavour-packed Thai cooking.
The Galleria restaurant has a playful personality, while the food covers everything, featuring authentic stir-fries, fragrant curries, and dishes perfectly designed for sharing.
Its backstory adds another layer, having grown from a small East End restaurant into an international name.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The shrimp pad Thai
For further information and reservations, visit ROSA’S THAI.
Novikov Abu Dhabi
More than a year after opening, Novikov Abu Dhabi has established itself as one of the city’s polished dining destinations.
The restaurant takes inspiration from its London counterpart, with an Italian-Mediterranean menu spanning fresh seafood, pasta, and its famous tiramisu.
Its stylish surroundings and lively atmosphere make it particularly well suited to a long lunch or dinner with friends.
Editor’s Dish Pick: Novikov’s signature tiramisu.
For further information and reservations, visit Novikov Abu Dhabi.
Punjab Grill
Inside The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Punjab Grill offers a sophisticated take on Indian dining, combining a luxurious setting with a menu rooted in the flavours of the subcontinent.
A dedicated lunch experience showcased the kitchen’s use of the tandoor alongside fresh seafood, vegetarian dishes, and their contemporary take on Indian favourites.
It’s a menu that rewards those who take time over the meal rather than rushing through it.
Editor’s Dish Pick: The parmesan basil chicken tikka.
For further information and reservations, visit Punjab Grill | The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi.
More Tables to Discover
Together, these restaurant visits offer a glimpse of the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s dining scene, with French and Mediterranean favourites to Japanese, Thai and Indian kitchens.
Each has its own personality, a story and reason to visit, and with the city’s restaurant scene continuing to evolve, the occasions and flavours never cease to amaze.
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