NEWS

A fresh wave of flavour and fun hits the capital with the opening of Bayside Burger Co., the new waterside hotspot bringing easy-going beach culture, retro vibes, and seriously juicy burgers to Yas Bay.

Ocean Basket has arrived in Abu Dhabi, bringing it Mediterranean approach to seafood and its much loved culture of sharing to the capital for the first time. Rooted in togetherness, generosity, and simple food done well, the brand lands in a city where dining is deeply social and closely connected to the sea.

Where: Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island

What: Opening in Q1 2026 at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi marks the first international outpost of one of London’s most celebrated dining destinations. Brought to the capital in partnership with Fuse Holding and BNF Hospitality, the venue introduces Isabel’s signature Mediterranean glamour to Abu Dhabi’s evolving culinary scene, blending expressive cuisine, refined cocktails, and an effortlessly magnetic atmosphere.

Founded on London’s historic Albemarle Street, Isabel Mayfair is known for its elegant yet energetic approach to dining, where classic Mediterranean flavours are reinterpreted with modern flair. The Abu Dhabi iteration will honour this legacy while introducing a fresh culinary identity tailored to the region, offering a refined sense of discovery through both food and hospitality.

Designed by award-winning interior design studio DBM Studio, the space reimagines the spirit of Isabel Mayfair London through a distinctly local lens. Sculptural forms, bespoke artworks, rich textures, and layered materials create an environment defined by contrast and duality,  poised and elegant by day, seductive and vibrant by night. Anchored by the iconic central bar, Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi unfolds as a destination where design, atmosphere, and cuisine converge, set to become one of the capital’s most anticipated openings of 2026.

Where: Hanbok, Galleria Al Maryah Island

What: Opening in early 2026 at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Hanbok is a contemporary Korean dining concept set to bring a new cultural dimension to Abu Dhabi’s culinary landscape. Named after Korea’s iconic traditional attire, the restaurant draws inspiration from the hanbok’s symbolism of grace, restraint, and movement, translating it into a modern, immersive dining experience. Brought to Abu Dhabi by Fuse Holding founder and CEO Yoann Grillet, Hanbok is envisioned as a quiet dialogue between past and present, where Korean heritage is thoughtfully reinterpreted through design, atmosphere, and cuisine.

Designed by DBM Studio, the interiors feature cascading textile installations and softly suspended layers that echo the flowing silhouette of a hanbok skirt, creating a space that feels cinematic yet intimate. In the kitchen, classic Korean flavours are reimagined with contemporary technique, balancing boldness and delicacy in dishes that honour tradition while embracing innovation. From the sculptural bar and atmospheric corridor to the open kitchen and chandelier-crowned dining room, Hanbok unfolds like a curated journey – a refined cultural destination and one of the capital’s most anticipated openings of 2026.

As 2026 approaches, Michelin-starred restaurant Hakkasan Abu Dhabi will mark New Year’s Eve with a dining and late-night experience priced at AED 2,500 per person.

SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi, the capital’s most vibrant dining destination, unveils its latest daytime experience with the launch of Alegria Weekend Lunch, a joyful new set menu celebrating the restaurant’s most beloved signature dishes. Available Friday to Sunday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, the experience invites guests to immerse themselves in the bold, expressive flavours of SUSHISAMBA in a relaxed yet refined lunch setting.

Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, the celebrated Japanese dining concept by Chef Akmal Anuar, is bringing its bold, contemporary flavours to MOTN Abu Dhabi, the capital’s most anticipated winter festival. Known for turning the Abu Dhabi Corniche into a vibrant hub of music, art, games, and global bites, MOTN welcomes Goldfish this year with a playful, elevated menu created for the occasion.

NIRI Restaurant & Bar invites guests to embrace the warmth and joy of the festive season with two limited-edition dining experiences, thoughtfully curated to celebrate Christmas and New Year with the restaurant’s signature Japanese simplicity and refined culinary craft.

Ocean Basket, the much-loved seafood spot that has been a go-to in Dubai for more than 12 years, is officially making its way to Abu Dhabi with a brand-new restaurant opening this December at Reem Mall. Known for its generous sharing platters, flavour-packed seafood, and feel-good Mediterranean spirit, the brand is ready to introduce the capital to the experience that Dubai diners have enjoyed for over a decade.

Long before the doors open, before the first plate is set or the first light softens across the ceiling, Hanbok exists as a feeling – a quiet breath of culture, a whisper of silk, a gesture of elegance shaped over centuries. Opening soon on Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Al Maryah Island, this contemporary Korean dining experience is not simply joining the culinary landscape; it is poised to redefine it.