Tasting menus in Abu Dhabi for a dining extravaganza
Restaurants in Abu Dhabi serve cuisines from around the globe. Whether you like Japanese or Chinese food or are a fan of Italian cuisine, you can easily find it at one of the top fine-dining restaurants in the city. Most restaurants also bring you tasting menus with small portions of their signature dishes so you can enjoy the best they offer in bite-sized portions! Explore these best tasting menus in Abu Dhabi for an incredible dining experience.
BEST TASTING MENUS IN ABU DHABI
We bring you the list of best tasting menu restaurants in Abu Dhabi. These set menus not only tantalise your taste buds but also help you try new dishes without ordering them separately. So, let’s dig in!
99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT
One of the finest tasting menu restaurants in Abu Dhabi is 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, a stellar Japanese eatery located on Al Maryah Island. Often counted among the best sushi restaurants in Abu Dhabi, it offers flavourful Japanese dishes and an elegant ambience.
The restaurant also has different tasting menus, which you can choose for lunch or dinner. Their most popular option is the Haru Tasting Menu, which features nine courses with delicious food items, such as king crab, avocado & seabass, panko Mistura maki and much more. It is also among the Michelin-star restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 pm – 03:30 pm (lunch) | 07:00 pm – 12:00 am (dinner)
- Location: The Galleria, Four Seasons – Al Maryah Island
- Contact: +971-2-672-3333
HAKKASAN
Hakkasan is a world-renowned modern Chinese restaurant with a Michelin star. It features a tasting menu of the restaurant’s most highly-rated dishes. You can start your culinary experience with the hot and sour soup, followed by two courses of signature Chinese dishes, such as Peking duck with pancakes, cucumber and spring onion, stir-fried black pepper rib-eye beef, and more. The meal ends with a chef’s special dessert. Hakkasan is also one of the top romantic restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 06:00 pm – 11:30 pm
- Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al Akhdar
- Contact: +971-2-690-7739
NAMAK
Namak is a fantastic Indian fine-dining restaurant owned and managed by star chef Kunal Kapur. It is one of the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi and has a 10-course tasting menu where you can enjoy a little bit of everything. Some tasty dishes include crab meat, Bengal mustard, duck confit, grilled cod fish and malvani kokum curry.
- Timings: Sunday to Friday, 12:30 pm – 11:30 pm
- Location: Lobby, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Muroor Road
- Contact: +971-2-698-8137
MARTABAAN BY HEMANT OBEROI
Martabaan is a lavish Indian fine dining restaurant owned by Hemant Oberoi, the owner and grand chef of the world-famous Taj Hotels. One of the acclaimed restaurants in Emirates Palace, this place has a simple yet elegant decor. It has a perfect setting for families and couples.
There are three different types of tasting menus that you can choose from. Each of them is priced differently and has different menu items, such as chicken tikka marinated in kaffir lime, paneer starter with beetroot, hummus martabaan and much more.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 12:30 pm – 10:30 pm
- Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road
- Contact: +971-2-690-7999
ZUMA
Zuma is a renowned and award-winning Japanese restaurant in Al Maryah Island. It is also one of the best seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi and has one of the finest tasting menus in Abu Dhabi. You get a stellar selection of dishes from the kitchen to your table, and you can expect to be surprised by all the different flavours you will experience in one meal. The tasting menu features nigiri sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, daikoku among other snacks and dishes.
- Timings: Monday to Saturday, 12:00 pm – 03:30 pm (lunch) | 07:00 pm – 12:00 am (dinner)
- Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Contact: +971-2-401-5900
NUSR-ET
Another one of the fine dining tasting menus in Abu Dhabi belongs to Nusr-Et, a Turkish steakhouse owned and managed by none other than the Salt Bae himself! It offers some of the finest steaks you have ever tasted, making it one of the best steak restaurants in Abu Dhabi. It has an incredible tasting menu in Abu Dhabi that allows you to enjoy the best and most delectable and succulent steaks in different flavours.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 pm – 01:00 am
- Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Contact: +971-2-679-9949
FAQS ABOUT BEST TASTING MENUS IN ABU DHABI
WHAT IS A SAMPLE TASTING MENU?
A sample tasting menu is a curated selection of small portions of various dishes designed to give diners a broad experience of a restaurant’s culinary offerings. Often featured in upscale or fine-dining establishments, it showcases the chef’s skills and creativity across multiple courses.
Each course is typically smaller than a full-sized entrée, allowing guests to try various flavours and techniques without being overwhelmed.
Tasting menus may also be themed, seasonal or curated to highlight specific ingredients. Wine or drink pairings are sometimes offered to complement each course, enhancing the overall dining experience.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TASTING MENU?
A good tasting menu offers a harmonious progression of diverse, seasonal flavours and textures with well-sized portions. It should showcase the chef’s creativity.
WHICH FOOD IS FAMOUS IN ABU DHABI?
Emirati cuisine offers a sensory feast, combining influences from Arabic, Persian, Indian and Mediterranean traditions. Rooted in the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle, its traditional dishes emphasise hearty, straightforward ingredients that have nourished desert dwellers for generations. Some famous must-try dishes in Abu Dhabi are Chabab, Regag, Thareed and Madrooba.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO EAT IN ABU DHABI?
Food in Abu Dhabi can vary in cost depending on where you dine. High-end restaurants, particularly those in luxury hotels, can be pretty expensive. However, there are also plenty of affordable options, including local eateries, street food and casual dining spots, where you can enjoy a reasonably priced meal.
WHERE CAN I ENJOY THE BEST DESSERTS IN ABU DHABI?
Date pudding at Cafe Bateel and Raspberry Almond Layer Cake at Al Meylas are some of the best desserts in Abu Dhabi.
WHICH ARE THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN ABU DHABI?
Sacci, Cafe Milano and Cipriani are some of the best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
So, that is all we have on the best tasting menu restaurants in Abu Dhabi. You can also check out the list of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi. You can find it all in the capital, from pocket-friendly options to upscale eateries. While you are at it, why not also look at the best buffets in Abu Dhabi?
