Abu Dhabi gets new Greek, Japanese and Italian restaurants

Ela Ela and Mr Moto are in Yas Marina, and are joined by Antonia in Al Zeina and Artisanal cafe in Al Qana

Cretan classics at Ela Ela, a Greek restaurant that opened in Yas Bay this month. Photo: Ela Ela

Abu Dhabi has welcomed a slew of new restaurants this year, with many more in the pipeline, from Mika – opening in time for the Grand Prix – to Nuri Grill & Bar by Madang, both on Yas Island, plus the first outpost from the Tashas group Flamingo Room, which will launch by the end of this year on Al Maryah Island.

In the meantime, here are four restaurants that opened this month for you to check out.

Antonia Trattoria

Cuisine: Italian

Following from its Mamsha Al Saadiyat outpost, trattoria-style restaurant Antonia has opened a second branch at Al Zeina. Led by chef-founder Simone Federici, the vibrant new space is filled with Italian art posters, hand-painted plates from the Amalfi Coast and bonsai plants.

On the menu are Antonia's famed pizzas, made using a combination of 72-hour fermented dough of rustic Italian flour, plus a sourdough that has been aged for close to 50 years.

Also on offer are meatballs, plus new dishes such as La ScarpeRa, a bowl of slow-braised beef ragu with focaccia; plus various Italy-imported cheeses and cold cuts.

Daily, noon-10:30pm; Al Zeina; 02 622 0480

Artisanal

Cuisine: International, fusion

Located within The Bridge Wellness Hub in Al Qana, Artisanal cafe offers speciality coffee sourced from micro-lot farms, as well as international cuisine.

Chef-recommended dishes and desserts include matcha smoothie bowl; grilled chicken and pistachio pesto melt; rose basque Brie cake; and chocolate fondant.

Open Sunday to Thursday, 8am-11pm; Friday to Saturday, 8am-midnight; Rabdan; 02 616 4555

Ela Ela

Cuisine: Greek

Translating as “come now” from Greek, Ela Ela offers Mediterranean-style meze and seafood staples inspired by the hearty cuisine of the island of Crete.

On the menu are dishes such as taramasalata with pitta chips and trout roe; herbed cheese spanakopita with mountain honey and pistachios; chargrilled octopus with salsa votano; baklava ice cream with butterscotch; and loukoumades with honey and walnut crumble.

Daily, noon-midnight; Yas Marina; www.sevenrooms.com/reservations

Mr Moto

Cuisine: Japanese

Describing itself as “a curious place for curious diners and drinkers”, Mr Moto is a Japanese kitchen and cocktail bar with a focus on music.

Which is not to say the dishes are anything short of classic. Expect signatures such as Hamachi carpaccio, hickory beef tataki and miso black cod, as well as house twists on spicy udon carbonara, served here with smoked Wagyu fat; fried Jidori hot chicken sandos with Nashville hot sauce; prawn corn dogs; plus burnt pineapple and yuzu cheesecake.

Daily, 5pm onward; Yas Marina; 056 603 7600