The Best Asian Restaurants in Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi

Saadiyat Island is a top-end vacation destination in the United Arab Emirates. Its nine-kilometre stretch of Blue Flag-certified beach is a favourite nesting site for endangered hawksbill sea turtles. You’ll surely love lounging, strolling, swimming, and relaxing on Saadiyat Beach on your next Abu Dhabi staycation.

You have a choice from among five luxury hotels to stay at Saadiyat Island, each with stunning sea vistas and a pristine waterfront. There are also plenty of dining options. If you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, book a table at one of the following Saadiyat Island restaurants.

1. Sontaya Southeast Restaurant

Location: St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

Sontaya means sunset in Thai. It’s a fitting name as, in the late afternoon, the restaurant and the shimmering pools underneath its floating pavilions are bathed in the intense warmth of the golden Arabian Gulf sunset.

Start with a papaya or a quinoa-pomelo salad, followed by stir-fried noodles in tamarind sauce (pad Thai). If you’re up for a full meal, order coconut rice and pair it with prawns in yellow curry, braised short ribs in massaman curry, and sweet and sour chicken. Finish on a sweet note with a mango sticky rice pudding.

Sontaya Southeast restaurant serves delicious Thai cuisine as well as a gastronomic tour of Asia. There’s nasi goreng from Indonesia, spring rolls from Vietnam, dim sum from China, kimchi from Korea, and dumplings from Japan, among other options. Other must-tries include their Asian high tea and sunset dim sum collection.

2. Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi

Location: St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi specialises in dishes prepared using spices and ingredients sourced from around the Asian side of the Pacific Ocean, particularly those from Japan. This Asian fusion restaurant has an East-meets-West concept, masterfully fusing Asian flavours with Western techniques and components.

Nikkei cuisine is the result of a skilful melding of Japanese ingredients with Peruvian traditions, and you can sample a range of Japanese Peruvian dishes at Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi. Among your options are the Nikkei nigiri moriawase set, tuna ahi cracker, Nikkei short ribs, and different types of ceviche.

How about some sushi and sashimi? Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi’s sushi menu includes spicy and crunchy tuna, tempura prawns, salmon and avocado, mono crab, and wagyu. There’s tuna, salmon, scallops, sea bass, and eel sashimi.

Must-try dishes include bluefin tuna tartare, octopus salad, wagyu striploin, beef tenderloin with anticuchera sauce, and the gochujang toothfish pot.

3. Aja & Teppanyaki

Location: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

Aja & Teppanyaki is an Asian restaurant with a live teppanyaki station and a sake and sushi bar. In the mood for small bites? Aja & Teppanyaki has salmon, tuna and ebi nigiri and sashimi, as well as various sushi options.

Start your dinner with beef tataki, a kani salad, and shrimp tempura. There’s chicken teriyaki or char-grilled rib-eye with teriyaki sauce for the main course. Finish with a Yuzu cheesecake or a mochi ice cream.

While Aja & Teppanyaki serves primarily Japanese dishes, it also has other Asian influences. There’s Thai beef salad, tom yum, duck leg confit, and wok-fried rice and Chinese egg noodles.

Aja & Teppanyaki makes a great option when dining with children as it’s highly rated for its quick and family-friendly service.

4. NIRI Restaurant & Bar

Location: Mamsha Al Saadiyat

NIRI Restaurant & Bar, one of the best restaurants in Mamsha Al Saadiyat, is located on the food strip by the beach. It offers superlative beach and sea views, incredible at any time of the day but particularly magical during the golden hour. A yakitori izakaya (grilled chicken bar) at heart, it’s a casual space where you can enjoy grilled-to-perfection nibbles and drinks with family and friends.

Best Asian Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Venturing out of Saadiyat Island? Try the following Asian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

1. Asia Asia Abu Dhabi

Location: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island Abu Dhabi

Asia Asia is an award-winning Asian restaurant and lounge. In Abu Dhabi, Asia Asia overlooks the Al Raha Creek and offers panoramic water views. The restaurant celebrates the flavours and ingredients of the ancient spice route through Pan-Asian fusion dishes. Enjoy drinks with sushi, dumplings, wagyu fried rice, and red curry, among others. Try their set menu, or be there for Saturday and Sunday brunch.

2. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road – Al Ras Al Akhdar

Hakkasan Abu Dhabi is a Michelin-star restaurant known for its dainty dim sum. A special dim sum menu is available every Saturday, and it features gold leaf har gau,  prawn beancurd cheung fun, scallop chicken shui mai, Alaskan king crab dumpling, and Szechuan-style wonton. The ala-carte menu is replete with Chinese favourites, including hot and sour soup, Peking duck, prawn fritter, char-grilled fish (cod, grouper, sea bass), stir-fry vegetables, and Hakka hand-pulled noodles.

Asian Eats in Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi

The flavours of the world converge in Abu Dhabi. If you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, you won’t be disappointed with the extensive options available on Saadiyat Island and the rest of Abu Dhabi.

Saadiyat Island is a premium lifestyle destination for Abu Dhabi tourists and residents with a taste for upscale indulgences and amenities. Book a Saadiyat package and explore Saadiyat Island’s dining options and everything else this enchanting island has to offer.