Picture this: you’ve spent the morning hurtling through loops and laughter at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, your hair doing that triumphant “I survived the coaster” thing, and now your stomach—very reasonably—demands a podium finish. Enter Gran Tour Emilia, the brand-new restaurant that opened its doors on Friday, September 19, and somehow manages to be both a love letter to Emilia-Romagna cuisine and a showroom of Ferrari chic. It’s like Italy and Italian horsepower had a gourmet baby. Delicious and fast.
Think of Gran Tour Emilia as a culinary road trip from Modena to Maranello — the good kind of road trip where the scenery is parmesan clouds and balsamic sunsets, and you aren’t responsible for the snacks. The launch party pulled together VIPs, media, key stakeholders and some very lucky Diamond Passholders (the ones with the highest year-to-date F&B spend—cheers to you) for an early peek. Fancy? Yes. Worth the buzz? Absolutely.
Design that purrs
This place isn’t trying to whisper “Ferrari” — it’s bold, sleek, and stylish. Warm terracotta walls and oak floors set a comforting tone, while supple leather seating makes you want to stay put longer than necessary (we get it, we’re all committed to dessert). Small design pleasures are everywhere: wireframe car sculptures, vintage headlights, and curated Ferrari model displays that wink “we know what you love.”
Through a glass façade you’ll spot the show-stopper: a Ferrari Red kitchen island (yes, RED) designed by Angelo Po. Chefs work front-and-center, turning seasonal Emilia-Romagna ingredients into plates that look like art and taste like home. Watching the kitchen feels a bit like peering into a race pit where gastronomy is the vehicle and you’re along for the ride.
The menu — a postcard from Italy
Every dish reads like a short love note from Italy’s culinary heartland. Expect comfort with craft, nostalgia with detail. A few highlights that should be on your “order immediately” list:
- Cappelletti Cacio e Pepe — homemade pasta packed with Pecorino Romano, black pepper, and a butter-sage emulsion. It’s cozy in an elegant way.
- Risotto Modena — aged Parmigiano Reggiano di Vacche Rosse meets Aceto Balsamico di Modena Etichetta Rossa. Creamy, tangy, chef’s kiss.
- Melanzana Parma — a refined twist on classic eggplant parmigiana (yes, the comfort food you secretly judge when it’s bad).
- Tortelloni di Ricotta alla Modenese — a tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s hometown — delicate, soulful, and full of personality.
- Five Tomato Pasta — light, umami-forward, and somehow both simple and brilliant.
If you like pasta, come with an empty stomach and low expectations about restraint. If you don’t like pasta… well, we’re suspicious, but Gran Tour Emilia will probably win you over.
Drinks that behave like a classy co-pilot
No need to be tipsy to have fun—Gran Tour Emilia’s mixology counter is all about stylish zero-proof creativity. Tiled with traditional Emilia-Romagna roof tiles (a cheeky nod to home), the bar serves signature zero-proof cocktails: Dry Lambrusco, 0.0 Negroni, Martini 0.0. They look like cocktails, taste like celebrations, and you can drive home afterward without explaining yourself to your steering wheel.
Family friendly, thrill friendly, mood friendly
Whether you’re refueling after roller-coaster bravado or choosing a leisurely dinner while the kids return for round three of the teacups, the vibe is deliberately inclusive. Gran Tour Emilia delivers emotion and theatricality without the fuss—meals that invite conversation, nostalgia, and the occasional food-related gasp.
Find that Ferrari feeling
The restaurant’s vibe is summed up in its invitation: Find That Ferrari Feeling. It’s not just a slogan — it’s the experience of speed translated into design, and of heritage translated into plate. You leave a little lighter in spirit, a little heavier at the hips (worth it), and with memories that smell faintly of garlic and triumph.
Gran Tour Emilia is now open at Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. So go on: treat yourself to a mouthwatering lap around Emilia-Romagna — pit stop, plate, repeat. Your taste buds will send you a thank-you postcard.
Contact & Location:
Phone – +971600511115
