Abu Dhabi has spoken. These are the favourites that made the shortlist for the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026
From tables to terraces, shows to spas, the favourites of Abu Dhabi have been chosen by you. Voting has closed and the results are in. These are the top five contenders in each category of the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026. The winners will be announced at an unforgettable ceremony in the capital on Thursday, April 2.
Four Editor’s Choice awards will also be handed out on the night: Homegrown Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year.
Table bookings are now open. Email Lina.Abdelaziz@motivate.ae to reserve your spot.
Here is your shortlist for the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2026.
Favourite Food Concepts
Favourite Afternoon Tea
Al Rayeh Lounge Emirati Afternoon Tea – ERTH Hotel
Infinity Lounge – Rixos Marina
Lobby Lounge – Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Lobby Lounge – Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The Lobby Lounge – Marriot Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi
Favourite Breakfast
Al Rimal Restaurant – ERTH Hotel
Beverly Café
Market at EDITION – The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Olea – The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
tashas
Favourite Burger
Appaloosa – Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
Five Guys
Hunter and Barrel
Maxzi The Good Food Shop
White Smoke
Favourite Business Lunch
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Bentley Kitchen
Mosaic Restaurant – Nadja
Novikov Abu Dhabi
Valgerand Nordic Grill
Favourite Café
Beverly Café
Cafe 302 – Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
Ritual Cafe & Studio
SOCIETY RESTAURANT
tashas
Favourite Pub Grub
Belgian Cafe Yas Island – Radisson Blu Hotel
Belgian Café – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
Coopers Gastrobar – Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
The Club Bar – The Club Abu Dhabi
Leisure
Favourite Beach Hotel
Erth Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Favourite Luxury Staycation
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat
Erth Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Favourite Pool and Beach
25 Minutes to Tulum – Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat
Cafe del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
The Bayshore Beach Club – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Favourite Spa
AWAY Spa – W Abu Dhabi
Conrad Spa – Conrad Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi
Sense, A Rosewood Spa
The Spa at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
The Wave Lounge Beauty Spa
Nightlife
Favourite Bar
Dragon’s Tooth – Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Jazz Bar – Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche
Novikov Abu Dhabi
Perlage
Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar
Favourite Ladies’ Night
Barbossa
Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar
Tiki Pacifico Dining & Lounge
The Overlook – The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
W Lounge – W Abu Dhabi
Favourite Sports Bar
Appaloosa – Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi
Belgian Café – InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Crafty Fox Yas Links
Hemingway’s – Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche
Stock Burger Co.
Favourite Sundowner Spot
Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar – Aloft Abu Dhabi
Lexx – Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar
The Overlook – The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
Tiki Pacifico Dining & Lounge
Restaurants
Favourite Brunch: Hotel
Coopers Gastrobar – Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
Garage – W Abu Dhabi
Sofra bld – Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
The Director’s Club – The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Village – Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Resort
Favourite Brunch: Independent
Barbossa
Cafe del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi
SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi
Valgerand Nordic Grill
Villa Sélène Restaurant
Favourite Casual All-Day Dining Restaurant
Day and Nite – Andalus Al Seef Resort & Spa
Garage – W Abu Dhabi
Leo and Loona Kids Park and Restaurant
Nalu Restaurant & Lounge
Roots Bar & Kitchen
Favourite Casual Asian Restaurant
Goldfish Abu Dhabi
KAIZU
MR. KIM KOREAN BBQ
Shang Palace – Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Waves – The Club Abu Dhabi
Favourite Casual Italian Restaurant
Andreas Di Venezia – Andalus Al Seef Resort & Spa
Bella Vita
Il Forno My Town Center MBZ
Marcos Italian – Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Porto Gina – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
Favourite Casual Mediterranean Restaurant
Eat Greek
Ergon Deli & Café
Ilios Restaurant & Beach Club
Oii Restaurant and Café
Pappas Taverna – W Abu Dhabi
Favourite Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant
Bushra by Buddha-Bar
Jawaher
Kamoon – Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
Mosaic Restaurant – Muroor
Favourite Casual Steakhouse
Brooklyn Chop House – W Abu Dhabi
Chamas Churrascaria & Bar – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
La Cava Rosewood – Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Teatro – Park Rotana
Favourite Fine Dining All-Day Dining Restaurant
Giornotte – The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Nahaam – Conrad Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi
Saddle
Villa Sélène Restaurant
Favourite Fine Dining Asian Restaurant
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Benjarong – Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Silk & Spice – Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Sontaya Abu Dhabi – The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi
Favourite Fine Dining Indian Restaurant
Namak – Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Pincode by Kunal Kapur
Rangoli – Yas Island Rotana
Zeera by Buddha-Bar
Favourite Fine Dining Italian Restaurant
Novikov Abu Dhabi
TOTÓ Abu Dhabi
Vero Italiano – Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
Villa Toscana – The St Regis Abu Dhabi
Favourite Fine Dining Mediterranean Restaurant
Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard – Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Novikov Abu Dhabi
The Vista – The Club Abu Dhabi
Villa Sélène Restaurant
West Bay Lounge – Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Favourite Fine Dining Middle Eastern Restaurant
Amara Restaurant and Café
Byblos Sur Mer – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
Erth Restaurant
Mazaj Bab Al Bahr – Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Mijana – The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Favourite Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant
Cafe del Mar Beach Club
Catch at St Regis – The St Regis Abu Dhabi
Fishmarket – InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi
Khayal – Marriot Al Forsan Abu Dhabi
Favourite Fine Dining Steakhouse
Entrecote Cafe de Paris (Souk At Qaryat Al Beri)
MPW Steakhouse – Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
The Director’s Club – The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Forge – The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
The Grill – Marriot Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi
Entertainment
Favourite Attraction
Adrenark Adventure
Etihad Arena
Leo and Loona Kids Park and Restaurant
Orange Wheels
Pixoul Gaming
Favourite Concert or Festival
Dream Concert Abu Dhabi
Live Nation Middle East Presents: Linkin Park
OFFLIMITS Music Festival
Saadiyat Nights
Yasalam After-Race Concerts & After-Parties 2025
Favourite Sporting Event
Exclusive Sports Club
Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
NBA Abu Dhabi Game 2025 Presented by ADQ
UFC 321 (Abu Dhabi Showdown Week)
