A combination of internationally acclaimed restaurants and UAE favourites will open in Abu Dhabi for the first time.
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Bay development is rapidly taking shape, and while we’ve only had the opportunity to visit Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Etihad Arena so far, today developer Miral confirmed four new food and beverage concepts for the waterfront destination.
Paradiso, Hunter & Barrel, The Central, Asia Asia, Akiba Dori and The Lighthouse have joined the F&B line-up at the soon-to-open pier set within the Yas Bay Waterfront, which will be home to 20 brands and five leisure and entertainment attractions, overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
Hunter & Barrel is a high-end casual dining restaurant concept born in Australia that recently opened in Dubai at Vida Emirates Hills. Renowned for its hunt, gather and fire-inspired culinary fundamentals, Hunter & Barrel will showcase a selection of charcoal roasted meats, vegetables and barrel-aged craft beverages.
Critically acclaimed Japanese street-food concept, Akiba Dori, will offer Japanese street-food favourites and house the first and only Tokyo-style Neapolitan Pizzeria in Abu Dhabi. Taking inspiration from Tokyo’s neon-filled district, Akihabara, the venue boasts vibrant interiors, including an arcade, café, bar and pizzeria, all tied together with a modern storefront aesthetic. Diners will be able to choose from a selection of redefined Japanese dishes, sharing-style appetizers, and a unique pizza experience that is set in a lively, neon-filled atmosphere.
Samer Hamadeh, Founder of Akiba Dori, said: “Opening Akiba Dori in Abu Dhabi has always been one of our goals, right from the start. We have been working tirelessly and passionately to make this project a reality over the last year and it’s all coming together now. Our aim is to continue to fulfil our promise of offering some of the best Japanese street food and pizza in town. We did this successfully in Dubai, we are now coming for Abu Dhabi”.
Originating in Cannes, Paradiso is a globally renowned Mediterranean restaurant helmed by Nicole Rubi (the woman behind La Petite Maison) and Michelin star Chef Pierre Gagnaire. Following the success of Fouquet’s in Abu Dhabi, Paradiso will bring a unique Mediterranean ‘dolce vita’ flavour to Yas Island.
“We trust that Nicole’s great ideas and classic Gagnaire twists, combined with simplicity and excellence, is exactly what today’s culinary world needs”, says Julien Huel, Senior Vice President Strategy & Development, Barrière Group. “Paradiso is a refreshing new face on Yas Island. The atmosphere and menu are full of truth, full of life, and its chefs are the most simplistic, generous and passionate of adventurers.”
The homegrown restaurant brand with a diverse offering, The Lighthouse, is another unique concept that includes a retail gifting store, catering service, a podcast, and an event activation element that sits at the heart of its experiential ethos. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menus will boast a fresh interpretation of Mediterranean-inspired soul food classics and pastries, in addition to new dishes exclusive to this location.
Hashem Montasser, co-founder and owner-operator, The Lighthouse, said: “We are very much looking forward to opening our third location in Q4 this year, and our first foray into Abu Dhabi with a 100-cover licensed restaurant at Yas Bay Waterfront that will also include a Chef’s Table, bakery, retail concept store and activation space. Strong performance in our Dubai Design District and Mall of the Emirates outlets have allowed us to accelerate our expansion plans and increase our footprint across the UAE, despite the headwinds caused by the pandemic.”
Besides numerous retail outlets and leisure facilities, we can expect to see popular Dubai restaurants LSB (Lock, Stock & Barrel), Siddharta Lounge, Bushra, Zeera, La Carnita and Asia Asia making their debut in the capital, alongside a new concept, The Central.
The lavish Asia Asia, which you might already know from Pier 7 in Dubai, takes its inspiration from the ancient Spice Route and will be furnished and decorated with cherry blossom and decor from the Far East. We can expect a menu of sumptuous sushi, delightful dim sum and wok-fried favourites, similar to the Dubai location.
Little is currently known about The Central, but judging by these initial renders, we can expect a casual arcade-style experience inspired by Pac Man, Super Mario and everything in between. It looks like air hockey, classic arcades games and a fun and funky dining element are also on the agenda.
Paul Evans, CEO of Solutions Leisure Group, said: “We could not be more excited at the opportunity to bring some of the region’s number one nightlife concepts to Abu Dhabi. Upon seeing the outstanding vision of Miral, there was only one decision to make and that was can we build our best venues to date? The answer was yes and that’s exactly what we will do. The potential of Yas Bay is limitless and with Miral’s vision and drive, this promises to be the most relevant entertainment development in the capital.”
“We are excited to see world-class brands selecting Yas Bay as the destination of choice for their expansion plans. It is testament to what Yas Bay has to offer businesses, visitors and residents alike, from unique experiences to attractive investment opportunities. Partnering with such prominent names to come to Abu Dhabi for the first time amplifies our commitment to delivering unmatched experiences on Yas Island” said Clement Bontemps, Executive Director of Asset Management at Miral.
The introduction of these new concepts on Yas Island will help position the island as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure, and business.
Dscvr: Visit https://miral.ae for more information.
