• Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
    Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
  • There are art installations around the waterfront area.
    There are art installations around the waterfront area.
  • A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
    Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
  • Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
    The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
  • Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
    Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
  • Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
    More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
  • Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
    Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
  • An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.

Yas Bay Waterfront: what to expect at the new Abu Dhabi destination


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

An Ibiza-style beach club, a renowned Mediterranean restaurant and a sprawling lounge with skyline views can all be found at Yas Bay Waterfront.

The new leisure and entertainment hub on Yas Island opened to the public on Wednesday and The National paid a visit. The destination is opening in phases, meaning not everything is fully functional yet but will be in the coming months. In the meantime, we got to explore what is currently on offer.

As the temperature cools, the three-kilometre boardwalk is bound to become a favourite. The walking space is wide and offers beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf as well as Al Raha Beach skyline. It’s also ideal for watching the sunset, with its peaceful surroundings and plenty of spaces to sit.

There are bespoke artworks that have been commissioned and dotted around the attraction. For example, behind Pier 71 is a giant astronaut resting on a bench, while near Etihad Arena is an unmissable large sculpture emerging from the water.

A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

In terms of dining, even though there are still many exciting concepts to come, what is currently on offer is also a welcome addition to the capital. Asia Asia, Daikan, Lock Stock & Barrel, Paradiso and Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar are some of the restaurants that are now welcoming guests.

We tried out Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire. Originating in Cannes, France, the space has indoor and outdoor seating and offers everything from pizza to focaccia tartines and pasta to seafood dishes.

Pizza with tomatoes and oregano served at Paradiso at Yas Bay Waterfront. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Pizza with tomatoes and oregano served at Paradiso at Yas Bay Waterfront. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

We ordered the rigatoni with fresh truffle (Dh130), the pizza with tomatoes and oregano (Dh70) and a chicken dish with a side of rice pilaf (Dh110). While the food is tasty, the portion sizes are a bit smaller than I expected for the price. We also tried the frosted lemon paradiso (Dh60) – a lemon sorbet and cream in a half-frozen lemon served in a bowl of ice. It was served with three sugar sticks, making it a mix of sweet and sour.

For those who prefer something more relaxed, there’s Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, which has outlets around the world including in Paris, Mykonos, Monte Carlo and Dubai. It offers stunning views of the surrounding area and also gives a front-row seat to the daily fireworks that will be ongoing until December 8.

But it isn’t only dining that Yas Bay has to offer. Popular Ibiza hot spot Cafe del Mar has also opened. The laid-back beach club has outposts in Australia, Thailand, Brazil and Azerbaijan to name only a few of its locations.

It brings with it an infinity pool that overlooks the water and cabanas that come with their own Jacuzzi. On the menu are Mediterranean-inspired dishes and Middle Eastern favourites. There’s also a DJ, which only makes sense as the beach club is famed for its legendary DJ sets.

While there’s still more to come, including The Central, a family entertainment complex, and Emmy Squared, an American restaurant known for its Detroit-style pizzas and handcrafted sandwiches, there’s plenty to be impressed with so far.

Results

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)

5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

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Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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The%20specs
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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Meydan race card

6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m 

7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m 

7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB)  $180,000  (T) 1,800m 

8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m  

Uefa Champions League play-off

First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev

Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
The biog

Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren

Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies

Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan

Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India 

 

Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Updated: December 02, 2021, 1:31 PM