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Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Abu Dhabi.

Talea by Antonio Guida, COYA Abu Dhabi and Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi lead this Abu Dhabi shortlist, with 63 restaurants selected for a clear fit with the question rather than a loose keyword match.

Venue view of Talea by Antonio GuidaBest Restaurants for Special Occasions in Abu DhabiTalea by Antonio Guida
THE QUICK ANSWER

Talea by Antonio Guida, COYA Abu Dhabi and Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi lead this Abu Dhabi shortlist, with 63 restaurants selected for a clear fit with the question rather than a loose keyword match.

Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Abu Dhabi is less about finding the longest list and more about matching the room to the plan. This Plate Snob edit brings together 63 restaurants in Abu Dhabi, using cooking, spend, setting and practical detail to separate a useful booking from a merely famous address. The selection stretches from japanese contemporary, cantonese, italian contemporary and indian contemporary, with particularly useful options around Al Maryah Island, Corniche, Al Bateen and Saadiyat. We favour restaurants with a clear reason to go, reliable location information and enough context to choose confidently. Start with the highlighted picks for the strongest all-round answers, then use the full list and map to compare atmosphere, price and convenience. Availability, menus and opening times can move quickly in the UAE, so confirm the final details with the venue before travelling.

Reviewed 29 August 2026
63 restaurants1 Plate Snob picks2 making noise now
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Where we'd start

Start with these.

Official view of COYA Abu DhabiPeruvianCOYA Abu Dhabi
Hot right now

COYA Abu Dhabi

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

Colourful modern Peruvian dining with a high-energy bar and waterfront terrace.

AED 300–500 per personFull profile →

New & hot

The tables making noise.

See the full heat check
Official view of COYA Abu DhabiPeruvianCOYA Abu Dhabi
Hot right now

COYA Abu Dhabi

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

Colourful modern Peruvian dining with a high-energy bar and waterfront terrace.

AED 300–500 per personFull profile →

The full edit

Every table worth considering.

Search all restaurants
IndianAngar

Angar

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Indian dining in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
Middle EasternBBQ Al Qasr

BBQ Al Qasr

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Middle Eastern dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
EuropeanBentley Kitchen

Bentley Kitchen

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

European dining in Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
LebaneseByblos Sur Mer

Byblos Sur Mer

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Lebanese dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
InternationalGarage

Garage

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

International dining in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
InternationalGlo Abu Dhabi

Glo Abu Dhabi

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

International dining in Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
AsianJing Asia

Jing Asia

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Asian dining in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
LebaneseLi Beirut

Li Beirut

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Lebanese dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
GreekMAZI Abu Dhabi

MAZI Abu Dhabi

Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Greek dining in Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
EmiratiMezlai

Mezlai

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Emirati dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
InternationalMYSK

MYSK

Mamsha, Abu Dhabi

International dining in Mamsha, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
InternationalNahaam

Nahaam

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

International dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
Official view of Oak RoomSteakhouseOak Room

Oak Room

Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi

A handsome modern steakhouse at Al Bateen Marina.

AED 330–600 per personFull profile →
MediterraneanOlea

Olea

Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Mediterranean dining in Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
Southeast AsianSontaya

Sontaya

Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Southeast Asian dining in Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
ItalianVilla Toscana

Villa Toscana

Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Italian dining in Corniche, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
MediterraneanAlba Terrace

Alba Terrace

Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi

Mediterranean dining in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
ItalianGiornotte

Giornotte

Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi

Italian dining in Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →
AsianLi Jiang

Li Jiang

Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi

Asian dining in Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 350+ per personFull profile →
LebaneseMijana

Mijana

Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi

Lebanese dining in Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, listed for its useful fit in the local dining mix.

AED 180–350 per personFull profile →

Keep following the craving

Explore cuisines

Mediterranean8International7Italian7Steakhouse6Lebanese5Asian4

Change the scenery

Explore neighbourhoods

Al Maryah Island14Corniche12Saadiyat8Yas Bay8Yas Island7Al Maqta5

Match the mood

Browse by occasion

Celebration63Date Night62Business Dinner56Business Lunch3Visitors3Night Out2

Useful answers

Before you book.

What are the best restaurants for special occasions in Abu Dhabi?

Talea by Antonio Guida is a strong place to start, backed by the broader Plate Snob selection on this page. The best choice still depends on your budget, preferred atmosphere and the kind of meal you are planning.

See Talea by Antonio Guida
Is there a good-value option in this Abu Dhabi edit?

COYA Abu Dhabi is among the more approachable options in this selection. Check the current menu before booking because set menus and per-person spend can change.

See COYA Abu Dhabi
Which restaurant works when the setting matters?

COYA Abu Dhabi is worth considering when atmosphere and location matter alongside the food. Use the practical details and map on this page to check whether it fits the occasion.

See COYA Abu Dhabi

Related searches

Keep the shortlist moving.

The wider UAE edit

Two cities. No filler.

Dubai Abu Dhabi Date night