Al Qana: the ultimate guide to Abu Dhabi's waterfront destination

Grandiose Supermarket is the newest offering to open at Al Qana, the dining and entertainment hub in Abu Dhabi. Other attractions already unveiled include The National Aquarium, The Bridge Lifestyle Hub and Al Qana Marina, with more still to come.

The 2.4-kilometre waterfront destination also houses a number of exciting restaurants and cafes, many of them exclusive to Al Qana. So for those looking for a bite to eat or a place to go for a leisurely stroll, here's your guide to the entertainment spot.

The National Aquarium

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National

The aquatic attraction was the first project to open its doors at Al Qana. The aquarium, which launched in November, is spread across 10 zones, and is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species.

It is the biggest aquarium in the Middle East and its flora and fauna are cared for by a team of 80 marine experts. There are also animal encounter experiences with puffins and freshwater rays, as well as a glass bridge walk experience and Bu Tinah Dhow tour in a glass-bottom boat.

The Bridge

The gym at The Bridge Lifestyle Hub has the latest Technogym equipment. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National

The 8,000-square-metre wellness space sits across four floors with a gym, spa, restaurant, juice bar, nutrition corner, shop, indoor running track and rooftop garden. More than simply a fitness destination, The Bridge aims to fuse all aspects of wellness through a holistic approach, by connecting people through seven specialised offerings: Move, Pause, Taste, Choose, Seek, Expand and Learn.

Al Qana Marina

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Enjoy views of the Abu Dhabi skyline from the sparkling Al Qana Marina. Watersport enthusiasts and yacht owners can enjoy the picturesque spot, which can berth up to 106 vessels. However, it isn’t only for boating fans, as there are also plenty of restaurants, cafes and lounges around the marina.

Grandiose Supermarket

Spanning more than 1,264 square metres, Grandiose Supermarket is a community-minded gourmet-dining concept complete with a food hall, where there are live cooking stations that include fresh pizzas, pasta, sandwiches and shawarmas.

Visitors can expect a culinary hub, with everything from a cafe and bakery, to a deli and cheese section.

Cinemacity

Although not opened yet, Cinemacity will be home to one of the largest cinema screens in the capital, including one that has a 26-metre-wide screen.

There will be 15 screens that cater to a number of cinema experiences such as City Max (3D), VIP Cinema and a children’s cinema. It will be able to accommodate up to 9,000 moviegoers, and will show local, Hollywood and Bollywood films.

Pixel

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Pixel is set to become Abu Dhabi’s largest esports and virtual reality gaming complex when it opens, and it'll cater to families, gamers and technology enthusiasts.

It will also house the region's first certified esports academy with the mission of highlighting the importance of playing responsibly. The hub will host tournaments as well as house an arcade area that will be run by gamers, for gamers.

Adrenark Adventure

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The family-friendly activity space will have a large indoor park as well as a number of activities for children, such as foam pits, parkour track, ziplines, wall-running and a dodgeball court.

The focus of the space is interaction and immersion, as well as providing a safe environment for children and adults to exercise in and test their skills.

Cafes and kiosks

There are a number of places to stop for quick bite to eat. Cafes at Al Qana include La Ballena, art cafes Tazal and Notorious, and Cartel Coffee Roasters, known for its speciality coffee.

Soon to come are Space Cafe, Joud Coffee and Puffs Coffee Bar, and Tjaarz, a multi-concept space.

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Kiosks on site include Turkish cuisine Mado, Gelato Divino, Baklawaa, AD Cafe and Nomad Cafe, which has a nice spot near the water. Phantom Karak, ChocoFruits and Frites for potato lovers are others worth a visit for bite-size treats. Meanwhile, Fifty Fifty is for those who enjoy Emirati food, sweets and speciality coffee.

Restaurants

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If you're looking for a sit-down dining spot, Al Qana offers a variety of restaurants that cater to all tastes. Otoro offers modern Japanese, while Taste Restaurant & Andi Bar serves dishes whipped up with organic ingredients.

Other restaurants still to open include Mediterranean fine-dining concept Oii, traditional bakery Simitci Dunyasi, contemporary steakhouse Arokazi Steak Inn, seafood favourite Pinky Fish and Grand Beirut, which offers traditional Lebanese fare.

Shops

Shops at Al Qana include Maison Mallow Beauty Lounge, a Medicina pharmacy and artisan chocolate shop Fonce.

Other activities

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Enjoy an abra ride around the Grand Canal for Dh50. No booking is required, with rides departing from pontoon H and only card payments accepted. Rides run from 3pm to 11pm.

There will also be more watersport activities, including kayaking, standup paddling and paddle-boating coming soon.