Where to Eat on Yas Island: 26 Restaurants, Zone by Zone

Yas Island has quietly become one of the best places to eat in the capital, and not just for theme park fries. The problem is choice: restaurants on Yas Island are spread across a waterfront pier, a marina, a mega-mall, a ring of hotels and four theme parks, and they are not interchangeable. This guide sorts them by zone, so you can pick dinner by where you already are.

Every pick below comes with its location, how to book, a budget steer and a vibe check. Two things have changed this year: parking at Yas Bay and Yas Marina is now paid (with free hours for diners) and the Yas Plaza hotels are now Yas World Resort. Both are covered further down.

Where to eat on Yas Island: the short answer

For a big night out, head to Yas Bay Waterfront, where Hunter & Barrel, Asia Asia, Bushra and Marcella share The Pier. For a calmer marina dinner, book Mika, the Michelin Bib Gourmand pick at Yas Marina. With kids or between rides, Yas Mall and the theme park restaurants are the easy, air-conditioned bet.

New to the island? Our Yas Island guide covers the theme parks, the Annual Pass and the hotels, so this page can stick to food.

Yas Island restaurants at a glance

Yas Bay Waterfront: the busiest dining strip on the island

Yas Bay Waterfront is where most people end up, and for good reason. It sits between Etihad Arena and Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and most of the headline names are lined up on The Pier, so you can walk from a pre-concert dinner to the arena doors in minutes. Weekend evenings are loud, lively and fully booked, so reserve ahead. If you want the full set-menu trail, our Yas Restaurant Week guide covers the May event.

Hunter & Barrel

The Australian “hunt, gather and fire” concept is the go-to for anyone who wants charcoal-grilled meat in serious quantities. Think sharing feasts, coal-roasted vegetables and barrel-aged drinks, served in a big room with indoor and outdoor patios and an open kitchen. The weekday business lunch is one of the better deals on The Pier: two courses and a soft drink for AED 85, Monday to Friday from noon to 3pm.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open 11.30am to midnight Sun to Thu, until 1am Fri and Sat. Contact: 050 452 5958 or 02 886 8299. Budget: mid-range at lunch, mid to high at dinner.

Vibe check: Portions are generous and the grill does exactly what it promises – just know the room gets loud on weekends, so book a terrace table if you want to hear your friends.

Asia Asia

Inspired by the old Spice Route, Asia Asia roams from the Far East to the Middle East with a pan-Asian menu and some of the best water views on the strip. The smartest way in is the sunset dinner: three courses and a glass of wine on arrival for AED 200, served 5pm to 7pm. Weekend lunch is AED 165 for two courses with sides, and the Friday night brunch starts at AED 295 for the soft package.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open 5pm to 1am Mon to Thu, noon to 1am Fri, 2pm to 1am Sat and Sun. Contact: 04 423 8302. Budget: mid to high.

Vibe check: The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting and the sunset menu is properly good value – à la carte adds up fast, though, so you’ll want to decide on your budget before the cocktail list arrives.

Bushra by Buddha-Bar

Contemporary Lebanese from the Buddha-Bar team, with a waterfront terrace and live performances that turn dinner into a full evening. Lunch is where the value is: the weekday business lunch is AED 109 for two courses with a soft drink, and the weekend lunch (Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4pm) is AED 129 for three courses with a glass of grape or sparkling. Fans of the cuisine should also read our best Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to 2am daily. Contact: +971 50 601 1195. Budget: mid-range at lunch, higher at night.

Vibe check: The mezze and the entertainment both land well – but it builds into a party as the night goes on, so you’ll want an early table if conversation is the plan.

Zeera by Buddha-Bar

Zeera is the Buddha-Bar group’s take on modern India: a dramatic, richly detailed room and a menu of sharing plates that tours the regions of the country with global ingredients and techniques. It suits date night or a group that likes to order everything and pass it round. Curry loyalists will find more options in our best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi roundup.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open 2pm to midnight daily. Contact: 050 601 1193 or book through TableCheck from the Yas Bay website. Budget: mid to high.

Vibe check: The room is a stunner and the sharing format makes it fun for groups – it is not the place for a quick, cheap curry, so you’ll get the most out of it with time and an appetite.

Marcella

One of the newer openings on the waterfront, Marcella is chef-owner Mario Loi’s second restaurant after Mika. The focus is Spain and Portugal cooked over a wood-fired parrilla grill: fire-kissed seafood, in-house aged ribeye and tapas built for sharing, with an Iberian wine list. Pintxo hour (5pm to 7pm daily) takes 50% off selected drinks and 10% off tapas, and the business lunch is AED 95 for two courses.

Location: Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to midnight Sun to Thu, noon to 1am Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 56 545 7290 or reserve at mymarcella.ae. Budget: mid to high.

Vibe check: Early word is that the grill lives up to the Mika pedigree – it is still bedding in, so you’ll want to book ahead and go in expecting a few service wobbles at peak times.

Nuri Grill & Bar

A Korean steak house with a twist: wet-aged marbled cuts, an omakase-style approach, a busy bar and private karaoke rooms at AED 100 an hour. Favourite cuts start from AED 270, while the weekday business lunch (noon to 3pm) is AED 109 for the set menu or AED 199 for the Butcher’s Feast.

Location: Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to midnight Sun to Thu, noon to 1am Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 2 555 2220. Budget: high for steak, mid-range at lunch.

Vibe check: The beef quality and the karaoke make it a brilliant birthday pick – steak prices climb quickly, so you’ll want to agree on the cuts before the grill gets going.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

The Naples pizzeria founded in 1870 (and made famous by Eat Pray Love) now has an Abu Dhabi home on the waterfront. Expect wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made the traditional way with ingredients flown in from Italy. It is the easiest family dinner on Yas Bay: no fuss, fast service and a menu kids actually want.

Location: Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to midnight Mon to Fri, noon to 1am Sat and Sun. Contact: +971 2 559 3885. Budget: affordable to mid-range.

Vibe check: The pizza tastes like the real Naples deal and turnover is quick – weekends bring a queue, so you’ll want to arrive early with hungry kids.

Daikan Izakaya

The grown-up sibling of Dubai’s cult Daikan Ramen brings izakaya culture to The Pier: house-made ramen, sushi, bao, gyoza and cocktails, with hip hop on the speakers and views over the water. It is a good late option after an Etihad Arena show.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to midnight on weekdays, noon to 2am at weekends. Contact: 02 235 8680. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: The ramen and the bar snacks hit the spot and the energy is fun – it is loud by design, so you’ll want somewhere else for a quiet catch-up.

Barbossa

Street-art walls, tacos, churros and an agave-led bar make Barbossa the most relaxed hangout on the strip. Taco Tuesday is the headline deal (any taco AED 10, all day), the weekday business lunch is AED 80 for three courses and the Saturday Mucho Brunch starts at AED 249.

Location: The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront. Open noon to 1am Sun to Wed, noon to 3am Thu to Sat. Contact: 050 185 8068. Budget: affordable to mid-range.

Vibe check: Great value and a genuinely fun crowd – it tips into party mode late in the week, so you’ll want a Tuesday or a lunch slot if you’re bringing the kids.

The Lighthouse

Part restaurant, part concept store, The Lighthouse is the calmest seat on Yas Bay and the best bet before noon. The healthy breakfast special is AED 79 for a dish and a drink (8am to noon), there is a Saturday brunch from AED 260 and Tuesday steak night is AED 150 with a drink. The Mediterranean menu leans seasonal and light.

Location: Yas Bay Waterfront. Open 8am to midnight on weekdays, 8am to 1am at weekends. Contact: book online at thelighthouse.ae or email connect@thelighthouse.ae. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: A bright, easy brunch-and-laptop spot that gets the food right – it can feel slow when the terrace fills up, so you’ll want to give yourself time.

Bayside Burger Co

A colourful, surf-themed burger house steps from Yas Bay Beach, built for post-swim refuels: gourmet burgers, loaded fries and soft-serve cones. Happy hour runs daily from noon to 7pm, and the weekday business lunch starts from AED 65.

Location: Waterfront Estate, Yas Bay, unit B108. Open noon to midnight. Contact: 02 563 9329. Budget: affordable.

WOW Expert Tip: Since 6 July 2026, parking at Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina is ticketless and paid (AED 20 for the first hour, AED 10 after, around the clock). Diners at participating restaurants get up to three free hours, so ask your server to validate your plate before you pay the bill. Our Abu Dhabi parking guide explains how the Salik-linked system works.

Yas Marina: slower, smarter and right by the circuit

Yas Marina wraps around the yacht berths next to Yas Marina Circuit and the W hotel. It is smaller and more social than Yas Bay, with a mix of one very serious restaurant and several places built around a drink and a view. Most venues sit in the low-rise buildings along the promenade.

Mika

If you only book one restaurant on Yas Island, make it this one. Chef-patron Mario Loi’s modern Mediterranean menu, with Middle Eastern touches, has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a Michelin Service Award, and the menu changes with the seasons. Better still, it is not wildly expensive: the weekday business lunch is AED 95 for two courses or AED 125 for three, and the Saturday Riviera brunch starts at AED 299.

Location: Yas Marina, Yas Island. Contact: 056 433 1422 or reservations@mika.ae. Budget: mid to high, with excellent value at lunch.

Vibe check: Diners rave about the cooking and the warm, switched-on service – it books up well ahead at weekends, so you’ll want to reserve early rather than chance a walk-in.

Diablito

A two-storey rooftop venue near gangway 3 on the promenade, next to Aquarium, Diablito does Mediterranean tapas, pintxos and daily specials, with DJs and the occasional live act. It is a reliable sundowner spot with marina views that works for both lunch and a lively evening.

Location: Yas Marina promenade, near gangway 3. Open from noon daily, until midnight on Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 2 565 1175. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: Sunset on the roof with a plate of tapas is hard to beat – the music gets louder as the evening goes on, so you’ll want lunch or an early slot for a chat.

Bar du Port

The French Riviera concept that made its name in Dubai brings St-Tropez energy to the marina: French classics with a global spin, polished cocktails and music-filled evenings. Saturday’s Brunch du Port comes with a resident DJ, Wednesdays are ladies’ night and BDP Sunsets covers the after-work crowd.

Location: Yas Marina, Building 1, ground floor. Contact: book online at barduportabudhabi.com. Budget: mid to high.

Vibe check: Glamorous, buzzy and made for a weekend brunch crowd – it is more about the party than a quiet meal, so you’ll want to dress the part and book ahead.

Ishtar

Bold regional flavours, live entertainment and marina views make Ishtar the late-night Middle Eastern pick at Yas Marina. Doors open at 4pm and the evening runs well past midnight, which makes it a handy option after a Yas Marina Circuit event.

Location: Yas Marina. Open 4pm to 2am, until 3am on Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 50 402 2293. Budget: mid to high.

Vibe check: The food and the show make for a big night out – it starts late and stays loud, so you’ll want to save it for an adults-only evening.

Stars ‘N’ Bars

The long-running sports bar on the promenade is family-friendly by day and lively by night, with American comfort food, big screens and a waterfront terrace. If there is a match on, this is where Yas watches it.

Location: Yas Marina, Building 2, ground floor. Open noon to 1am, until 2am on Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 2 565 0101. Budget: affordable to mid-range.

Vibe check: Generous plates and a proper match-day atmosphere – it is a sports bar first, so you’ll want to manage expectations on the food and pick a quieter slot with little ones.

Yas Mall: easy, air-conditioned family dining

Yas Mall is the answer when it is hot, the kids are restless or you are already there for the cinema or Ferrari World (which connects to the mall). Restaurants generally run 10am to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Fans of fried chicken can read our report on Dave’s Hot Chicken landing at Yas Mall.

Al Fanar

The best place on the island to try Emirati home cooking, in a nostalgic setting themed on old Dubai (the name refers to the kerosene lamps that once lit local homes). It is a great one for visiting family and first-timers who want more than a mall meal.

Location: Yas Mall, Ground Floor, nearest to Grand Prix Parking. Contact: +971 2 877 2272. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: Visitors love the authentic dishes and the heritage décor – service can stretch at busy times, so you’ll want to go off-peak with a big group.

Bosporus

Turkish cooking inspired by centuries of Ottoman cuisine: succulent grilled meats, fresh salads and a menu made for sharing with friends and family. It is the mall’s best bet for a big family table where everyone orders something different.

Location: Yas Mall, Ground Floor, nearest to The Fountains parking. Contact: +971 2 667 2022. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: Generous, well-cooked plates that please every age group – it is a mall restaurant, so you’ll want to manage expectations on atmosphere.

Asha’s

Asha’s mixes North Western Indian classics, home-style cooking and fusion, with a contemporary dining room and a strong cocktail list. A solid pick for a curry after the cinema.

Location: Yas Mall, First Floor. Contact: +971 2 492 6680. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: Rich, well-spiced dishes and friendly staff – portions are on the smaller side for the price, so you’ll want to order a couple of extra sides to share.

Mezzaluna

An Italian import from New York with handmade pasta, pizzas made from 48-hour fermented dough and a bright, cheerful room. Easy for children, easy on the nerves.

Location: Yas Mall, Ground Floor. Open 10am to 11pm Sun to Thu, until midnight Fri and Sat. Contact: +971 2 667 0831. Budget: mid-range.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

The LA street food hit does Nashville hot chicken sliders and tenders at seven spice levels, from No Spice to the infamous Reaper (which needs a signed waiver). Add mac and cheese, kale slaw and a milkshake, and you have the quickest decent meal on the island.

Location: Yas Mall, First Floor, nearest to Cinema Parking. Walk-in only. Contact: Yas Mall customer service on 800 927 6255. Budget: affordable.

Vibe check: Crunchy, juicy and properly addictive – the heat levels run hotter than they sound, so you’ll want to start one notch lower than your pride suggests.

Yas hotels: W Abu Dhabi and Yas World Resort

The hotel restaurants are worth knowing about even if you are not staying. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island straddles the F1 track, which makes its restaurants a popular pre-race dinner. Across the island, the former Yas Plaza hotels now trade as Yas World Resort, a six-building collection with 21 restaurants and bars, though several outlets are currently closed for refurbishment. Our Yas Plaza hotels guide helps you pick a building if you are planning a staycation.

Brooklyn Chop House, W Abu Dhabi

New York steakhouse classics with bold Asian flavours, served in the W’s signature high-energy style. It is the obvious choice before a night at the circuit. Smart casual dress code.

Location: W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, by Yas Marina. Dinner 6pm to 11pm daily, plus lunch on Sat and Sun. Contact: +971 2 656 0000. Budget: high.

Vibe check: The steak-meets-Asian menu is a crowd-pleaser and the room has real buzz – hotel pricing applies, so you’ll want to save it for an occasion.

Pappas Taverna, W Abu Dhabi

Greek and Mediterranean dishes in a warm, coastal-style setting, open for dinner daily and for lunch at weekends. Pair it with the hotel’s Saturday brunch at Garage, the multi-kitchen restaurant with five cuisines, and the W covers a whole weekend.

Location: W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, by Yas Marina. Dinner 6pm to 11pm daily, plus lunch on Sat and Sun. Contact: +971 2 656 0000. Budget: mid to high.

Stills Restaurant & Bar, Crowne Plaza Yas Island

Modern European dishes in a lobby-level restaurant and bar that stays open late for drinks. A sensible dinner if you are staying at Yas World Resort and don’t fancy the drive to the waterfront.

Location: Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Lobby Level, part of Yas World Resort. Lunch noon to 3pm, dinner 6pm to 11.30pm. Contact: 02 656 3066. Budget: mid-range.

Vibe check: Comfortable and dependable with a friendly bar crowd – it is a hotel restaurant rather than a destination, so you’ll want to treat it as convenience, not a special night.

Eating in the theme parks

All four parks have plenty of food, from snack kiosks to sit-down restaurants (SeaWorld alone has 17 outlets). Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World both sell a Tasty Ticket, a meal combo ticket with a meal voucher worth 30% extra, redeemable at selected restaurants, which pays off if you plan to eat inside. The two Ferrari World restaurants below are the standouts; our Ferrari World food guide covers the quick bites too, and things to do in Ferrari World plans the rest of the day.

Gran Tour Emilia, Ferrari World

A table-service restaurant celebrating Emilia-Romagna, Ferrari’s home region, with dishes such as lasagne, cod in tomato broth and pumpkin fondant with caramel gelato, cooked in an open kitchen. The big news: you don’t need a park ticket to eat here.

Location: Italian Zone, Ferrari World Yas Island. Contact: book online at ferrariworldabudhabi.com or call 600 511 115. Budget: mid to high.

WOW Expert Tip: Because Gran Tour Emilia is open to guests without a Ferrari World ticket, it makes a clever weekday lunch if you are shopping at Yas Mall next door. Book online first and say you are not a park guest, so you get the right entrance instructions.

Mamma Rossella, Ferrari World

The park’s award-winning trattoria starts you at a salad bar, then offers Neapolitan-certified pizza, made-to-order pasta or something from the grill. It is the most dependable family meal inside any of the Yas parks.

Location: Inside Ferrari World Yas Island. Contact: 600 511 115. Budget: mid-range (theme park pricing).

Best Yas Island restaurants for families, pre-park meals and race week

With kids

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Bayside Burger Co on Yas Bay, Stars ‘N’ Bars at lunchtime on the marina and Mezzaluna, Bosporus and Al Fanar in Yas Mall all handle children without a second glance. For things to do after lunch, see our family activities in Abu Dhabi list.

Before or after the theme parks

Eat at Yas Mall (connected to Ferrari World) or at Gran Tour Emilia for lunch, then drive five minutes to Yas Bay for dinner once the kids have run out of steam. If you hold a Yas Annual Pass, check its current dining discounts before you order.

During Grand Prix week

The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from 3 to 6 December, and every waterfront table on the island is in demand. Book Yas Bay and Yas Marina restaurants as early as you can, and remember that outside food is not allowed into the circuit. Our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix guide covers tickets, shuttles and traffic.

WOW Expert Tip: Yas Marina sits inside the race circuit, and access during race weekend has usually been restricted. Before you book a marina restaurant for 3 to 6 December, ask whether you need a race ticket to reach it. Yas Bay and Yas Mall are the safer bets that week.

Parking and getting around

Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina use ticketless, number-plate parking run by Parkonic. It costs AED 20 for the first hour and AED 10 for each hour after, 24 hours a day including weekends and public holidays, and is charged to your Salik account or paid by SMS or the Parkonic app. Diners at participating restaurants get up to three free hours with validation. For more ways to avoid paying, see our guide to free parking in Abu Dhabi.

Want more ideas beyond the island? Our round-up of new restaurants in Abu Dhabi tracks the latest openings, and date night in Abu Dhabi has 18 spots for a night out without the kids.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants on Yas Island?

Mika at Yas Marina is the standout, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. On Yas Bay Waterfront, Hunter & Barrel, Asia Asia, Bushra by Buddha-Bar and the new Marcella are the most popular picks for dinner. For families, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and the Yas Mall restaurants are the easiest choices.

Is parking free at Yas Bay if I eat at a restaurant?

Partly. Since 6 July 2026, Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina charge AED 20 for the first hour and AED 10 after, but diners at participating restaurants get up to three free hours with validation. Ask the restaurant to validate your plate before you leave.

Are there Michelin restaurants on Yas Island?

Yes. Mika at Yas Marina holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises good cooking at moderate prices, and it also has a Michelin Service Award. Its weekday business lunch starts at AED 95 for two courses.

Can you eat at Ferrari World without a ticket?

Yes, at Gran Tour Emilia. Ferrari World says the Emilia-Romagna restaurant is open to all guests without a park ticket, and you can reserve a table online. For the rest of the park’s restaurants, plan on a park ticket.

Where should families eat on Yas Island?

Yas Mall is the easiest option, with Al Fanar, Bosporus, Mezzaluna and Dave’s Hot Chicken under one roof. On the waterfront, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Bayside Burger Co are the most relaxed with children.

Which Yas Island restaurants do a good business lunch?

Barbossa (three courses for AED 80), Hunter & Barrel (two courses and a soft drink for AED 85), Marcella and Mika (two courses for AED 95) and Bushra and Nuri (AED 109) all run weekday business lunches. Most are served from noon until 3pm or 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Where can I eat on Yas Island during the Grand Prix?

Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Mall are the most practical choices during race week, from 3 to 6 December 2026. Book well ahead, and check whether Yas Marina venues need a race ticket for access that weekend.

Prices, offers and opening hours checked in October 2026 on each venue’s official website and can change – confirm with the venue before you go.