Fans looking forward to the Formula One festivities this weekend will need something to keep their own engines running. We round up the best places to eat during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.
Trackside dining
The Yas Viceroy is the only hotel in the world built over an F1 track. Book lunch or dinner in one of its restaurants and really soak up the big-race atmosphere. You don’t need a ticket to the race to book a table, and some of the restaurants have trackside views so you’ll be able to catch a taste of the action just by turning up.
Italian style
Amici is the Yas Viceroy’s classic Italian restaurant, complete with trackside views. During F1 weekend, it will host Michelin-starred guest chef Antonio Mellino. He is flying in from Italy to cook signature dishes from Quattro Passi, his two-Michelin star restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. He opened a second Quattro Passi restaurant in London last year. Mellino and his team will prepare an exclusive menu: ravioli filled with smoked provola cheese and rocket; spaghetti with sea urchin sauce; sea bass fillet in a tomato, caper, olive and basil sauce; scottona beef slices with white turnip; hot chocolate flan and more.
•The menu is available for lunch from noon to 3pm, and for dinner from 4pm to 11pm, Thursday to Sunday. A minimum spend of Dh450 per person is required. Amici is on the ground floor in the main building of the Yas Viceroy. To book a table, call 02 656 0600.
A taste of Japan
If you are in the mood for Japanese food, head to Kazu in the Yas Viceroy. Located on the ground floor in the main building, Kazu boasts trackside views so you’ll get to see the racing action while you eat. The restaurant offers signature sushi and sashimi, as well as bites from the robatayaki grill. They also have a tempura station, two teppanyaki bars and a large selection of teas.
• Kazu is normally only open for dinner, but during F1 weekend the restaurant will serve lunch from noon to 3pm, dinner from 4pm to 8pm, and a late dinner from 8pm to 11pm. Prices vary on each race day, ranging from Dh645 to Dh2,495 per person. To book, call 02 656 0600.
Middle East cuisine
Atayeb, on the ground floor of the main building in the Yas Viceroy, has a trackside terrace that provides close-up views of the Grand Prix circuit. Chef Wafaei Al Zaham and his team will serve up a range of Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine, with influences from Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon and Syria. Diners can feast on hot and cold mezze, a range of stews, tagines, kebabs, fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes. Usually open only for dinner, Atayeb will also serve lunch during F1 weekend.
• Lunch is served from noon to 3pm, dinner from 4pm to 8pm, and an additional late dinner is available from 8pm to 1am. Prices vary on each race day, ranging from Dh785 to Dh2,685. To book, call 02 656 0600.
Heart of the action
For global cuisine served right in the midst of the action, head to Origins, Yas Viceroy’s all-day dining restaurant. A mix of international cuisine is served up buffet-style right next to the track, and the terrace seating gives you front-row seats to all the racing action.
• Lunch will be served from noon to 3pm, dinner from 4pm to 8pm, with a late dinner from 8pm to 11pm. Origins is on the ground floor of the main building. Prices vary on each race day, ranging from Dh585 to Dh2,685. To book, call 02 656 0600.
Asian flavours
Noodle Box, on the ground floor of the main building, offers diners a taste of South-East Asia. The restaurant serves up contemporary South-East Asian dishes such as nasi goreng, Thai curries and laksa, as well as a number of Chinese classics such as Peking duck and dim sum.
• Lunch will be served from noon to 4pm, and dinner from 4pm to 11pm. A minimum spend of Dh450 per person is required. To book, call 02 656 0600. Note: No trackside views.
Indian spice
For a taste of India, head to Angar on the ground floor of the main building in the Yas Viceroy. The restaurant serves traditional Indian cuisine with a modern twist. Signature flavours include Angar’s marinated meats and seafood, served directly from the tandoor, with fresh naan and roti. • Lunch will be served from noon to 4pm and dinner from 4pm to 11pm. A minimum spend of Dh450 per person is required. To book, call 02 656 0600. Note: No trackside views.
More f1 dining deals
Hakkasan Abu Dhabi has a special F1 menu for the Grand Prix weekend. The popular Cantonese restaurant in Emirates Palace will serve a selection of small dishes and mains that includes steamed dim sum, crispy duck salad, its signature charcoal-grilled silver cod, and stir-fried lobster in truffle sauce.
•The F1 menu will be served from Friday to Sunday and costs Dh568 per person. To book, call 02 690 7999.
Cipriani Yas Island has a terrace that overlooks the iconic landmarks on Yas Island, including views of the track. This restaurant is a favourite among F1 drivers and the celebrities who fly into Abu Dhabi for race week.
• Cipriani will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 6pm to midnight. Table bookings are available for two hours, but terrace seating cannot be guaranteed ahead of time. On Friday and Saturday, an additional charge of Dh100 per person will be added to the bill for terrace seating. On Sunday, an additional charge of Dh150 per person will be added for the terrace. Cipriani is in building 1, Yas Marina. To book, call 02 657 5400.
≥For rooftop dining and a lively party atmosphere, head to Diablito, which has 360-degree views of Yas Marina and Yas Island (including the yachts lined up to watch the race). The two-level restaurant serves up Mediterranean cuisine and includes a rooftop terrace. Diablito is famous for its pizzas and tapas. Last year, it served up to 400 pizzas each day during F1 weekend. They also dish up salads, pastas, Tex-Mex fare and nachos. The restaurant’s resident DJ will play each night from 10pm until late.
• To book, call 02 565 1175.
If you want to get in on the action without venturing to Yas Island, head to Asia de Cuba on the Corniche. The Chino-Latino fusion restaurant is hosting an exclusive menu to celebrate F1 weekend. The special three-course sharing menu includes an assortment of the restaurant’s signature bites, including shrimp churros, casabe cakes, cumin roasted lamb, seven-spice roasted chicken, mojo duck confit, guava whipped cheesecake and more. • The menu is available from Friday to Sunday. Dh800 per person. To book, call 02 699 3333.
For a fill-up any time of the day, try Choices, the all-day dining restaurant in the Yas Island Rotana. From Thursday until Sunday, the restaurant will serve up a bargain-priced buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Dh95 from 6.30am to 10.30am; Dh160 for lunch on Thursday, from 12.30 to 5pm; Dh195 for brunch on Friday and Saturday, from 12.30pm to 5pm. They also have a seafood buffet dinner each night from 6pm to 11.30pm for Dh195. To book, call 02 656 4000.
sjohnson@thenational.ae
