Six waterfront restaurants to debut in Abu Dhabi’s Venetian Village

Venetian Village will feature six waterfront restaurants on its debut. Courtesy Ritz-Carlton

Six waterfront restaurants are set to open in Abu Dhabi as international chefs flock to the capital.

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), the owner of the Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal hotel said it had signed agreements with six big restaurant names to open at its new Venetian Village development overlooking the Khor Al Maqta channel between Abu Dhabi island and the mainland.

ADNH declined to name the new restaurants, but said all of them would be making their debuts in Abu Dhabi and they would include a Japanese, Mediterranean and Emirati format.

The company said the exterior of the development was “nearing completion” and it was “working closely with restaurant partners” to complete each outlet.

The restaurants will be located in the Ritz-Carlton’s new 20,000 square meters Venetian Village leisure scheme, which will also include a 2,000 square metre spa.

The development will be the latest addition for the Ritz-Carlton, which opened in March and is set on 57 acres of land.

“Guests can expect to see some exciting international names coming to the UAE for the very first time, both in terms of chefs and restaurant concepts,” said Julide Ozbilge Nuss, the manager of food and beverages assets at ADNH.

“Ultimately, Venetian Village will cater to a niche in the Abu Dhabi market that has yet to be fulfilled, presenting an eclectic and diverse mix of dining options, a lively environment, and beautiful Italian architecture, all in one spectacular beachfront location.”

The announcement follows a number of key restaurant openings in the city.

In October Yas Marina opened five new licensed restaurants to add to its existing two.

Mubadala and Gulf Related are in the process of opening a Zuma, Armani Cafe and Magnolia Bakery at their Galleria mall in Sowwah Square.

And in September, the celebrity chef Garry Rhodes opened Rhodes 44 at the St Regis in Abu Dhabi.