ALL THE RACE-READY RESTAURANTS FOR F1 GRAND PRIX WEEKEND

All eyes will be on Yas Island as the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix roars into town. The F1 season finale, comprising 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit, brings with it enough energy to electrify the whole city - and not just for those lucky enough to be track-side! 


Events, pop-ups, parties and restaurant take-overs aplenty are kicking off in the lead up to the final race on Yas Island on Sunday, November 26. The musical lineup for the Yasalam after-race concerts - Ava Max and Tiësto on Thursday, Chris Brown on Friday, Shania Twain on Saturday and Foo Fighters making their long awaited return to Abu Dhabi on Sunday - already has us dancing in our seats. 


We’ve rounded up some of our top picks to get amongst the action, hear the distant roar from the track and eat, drink and be merry during Abu Dhabi’s biggest sporting event of the year!


YAS PLAZA HOTELS


Featuring some of the biggest hitters on Yas Island, Yas Plaza Hotels are turning it ON for Grand Prix weekend. Activations, special events, exclusive pop-ups - you’ll find something to match every race weekend vibe amongst this stellar offering! Check out an in-depth look at all the action HERE.

LOCK STOCK & BARREL

YAS BAY 


Back to back brunch events are on the line up at the quintessential party bar for Saturday and Sunday of race weekend. Live music from 2PM will set the mood, as they unleash confetti cannons, giant balloons and even a spot of bandeoke - all while feasting on unlimited food and drinks. If you are looking for a more chilled evening of drinks with your friends, you can still enjoy their happy hour offer with buy one get one free on selected beverages.


Price: brunch from AED225

Availability: daily brunch, 25th-26th November 

Contact: +97122358659

WHERE TO WATCH?


Read on to find out more about some of these venues, but if you want to have eyes on a screen to keep up with the action, here are some options for you!


STARS N BARS | YAS MARINA - scroll down for more details



BELGIAN BEER CAFE | RADISSON BLU - click here for more details


Claiming bragging rights as the only Dutch fan zone on Yas Island, the Orange Zone is the place to be! As well as serving up a special edition menu, they will also have two pop-ups: Leffe for the beer lovers, and a selection of specialty cheeses from Mons Cheesemongers. Known for their excellent service and smiling staff, head in for daily race coverage and live DJs.


LIVE ACTION AT STILLS | CROWNE PLAZA - click here for more details


Shift things up a gear and join in on Saturday’s Race Weekend Fun Brunch or make the most of the daily Party Pack from 5PM. Add real-time F1 coverage and a dedicated Stella Artois pop-up and we might just have found a spot to ride out the whole weekend! 


THE IRISH VICKER’S AT CENTRAL PLAZA - click here for more details.


If you want to bottle the famed F1 race weekend energy in Abu Dhabi, this might be a top spot to try! They are ticking all the boxes: contagious Irish pub energy, authentic bar bites to keep you going, massive screens for live race coverage and plenty of seating so you can gather your crew. It’s just the tip of the Irish iceberg though, as the list of live performances is a feat to behold.

18 DEGREES TERRACE & BAR 

ANDAZ CAPITAL GATE


The excitement of race week isn’t confined to Yas Island: rev up your senses with some Formula 1-inspired signature cocktails - a homage to the high-octane world of racing - while enjoying one of the best views in the city. We love this terrace for its sunset panorama, especially as winter settles in. The expert mixologists behind the bar will be serving up these creative concoctions until November 30th, so you can celebrate (or commiserate) a little longer after the race is done! 


Price: from AED50

Availability: daily from 4PM until November 30th

Contact: +971507656435

EASY TIGER TAKES OVER RUSH BAR

W HOTEL YAS ISLAND


When your Friday, Saturday or Sunday brunch takes place over the actual Yas Marina Circuit, on actual F1 race days, you know you're onto a winner.


Easy Tiger is back at Rush, with brunches all weekend long and a Thursday night kick-off party. this is 100% the place to be this F1. These brunches offer 360 degree views of the track as well as the biggest party brunch in town.


Friday Brunch

3-8PM

AED799/AED999 includes

Brunch with house package

Concert tickets

DJs, dancers


Sunday brunch

1-5PM

AED1499 standard AED1999 premium m

Includes:

Brunch with house package

Concert tickets

DJs, dancers

Keep your table for the race


Check out

https://www.easytiger.ae/

for all brunches across Friday and Sunday, ticket low-down and booking, but be quick - tickets are selling fast. Saturday brunches sold out.

ÉLA ÉLA

YAS MARINA


New kid on the Yas Marina block, Éla Éla will be offering special F1 brunch and tasting menus over race weekend. Blending chic Mediterranean interiors with warm, welcoming hospitality, their close proximity to Yas Marina Circuit offers the perfect opportunity to try out a new opening while still being part of the action. 


Guests will be able to enjoy brunch Friday - Sunday, with packages starting at AED599 for a four-course sharing brunch and house beverages. In addition, a specially curated tasting menu will also be available: this four-course sharing menu will take guests on a culinary adventure around Crete and the wider Mediterranean with a selection of mezze, starters, mains and classic Greek desserts: look out for zucchini fritte, crispy calamari, hamachi crudo, whole grilled sea bream and loukoumades. 


Price: Brunch - house AED599 | premium AED799 | Champagne AED1299; 

Tasting menu - AED650 | À la carte available: AED800 minimum spend required

Availability: Brunch 24 - 26 November, 1PM - 4PM | Dinner 24 - 26 November, 7.30PM - 1AM

Contact: 056 603 7500

ARTMARKET

YAS WATERFRONT


This hip favourite - popular for offering excellent cafe fare in a relaxed setting - is fuelling up with a special F1 brunch offer to celebrate the Grand Prix. Brunch comes with their signature breakfast dishes combined with bottomless bellinis, Bloody Mary’s and other selected cocktails starting at AED 199. 


Price: brunch from AED199

Availability: November 24-26, 9AM-1PM. 

Contact: 052 917 1523

MIKA

YAS MARINA


Plot twist: Mika is opening in time for Race Week and is kicking off with a bang with brunches on both Friday and Saturday. What to expect? Upscale, small plates and sharing platters of the best of Mediterranean food, impeccable service and drinks that will keep you coming back. There'll be live entertainment and DJs playing all weekend, and it's 100% the place to go for after race good vibes.


Time: 1PM - 4PM | Saturday and Sunday brunch

Price: Packages start at AED699

Book: Call or WhatsApp 056 433 1422

MR MOTO 

YAS MARINA


The little brother of Éla Éla, the well-timed launch of Mr Moto in time for the Grand Prix is sure to make a splash. Touted as a mid-century modern Japanese cocktail and snack bar, the team has a triple focus: great food, great drinks and great music. 


Offering a specially curated F1 tasting menu from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th of November, dishes such as spicy udon carbonara, Nashville karaage and supermoon yuzu cheesecake have caught our eye. Alongside a carefully curated drinks menu, race weekend will see DJ Miranda Loy spinning the decks on Friday and DJ Yuksay, all the way from Japan, in house on Saturday.


Price: Tasting Menu - AED450 | À la carte - AED600 minimum spend required

Availability: Friday 24 November - Sunday 26 November, 12PM - 2AM 

Contact: 056 603 7600

CENTRAL

YAS BAY


Get the whole family involved! Known for their burgers, beats and bowling, with a New York-inspired interior, Central is home to a huge arcade section loaded with epic games - a crowd pleaser for diners of all ages. Joining in on the race week fun, enjoy a special buy one, get one deal on selected beverages from 12PM–8PM. For a casual family outing, try their ‘Ready, Set Brunch’ offer on Saturday, November 25. 


Price: from AED250 adults | from AED150 kids | under 5s eat for free

Availability: Buy one, get one’daily 12PM-8PM | Brunch Saturday November 25th 1PM-4PM

Contact: 058 587 1765

PENELOPE’S BRASSERIE & JAZZ BAR AMERICAIN

YAS MARINA


In the heart of the action at Yas Marina - and within tyre-screeching distance from Yas Marina Circuit - Penelope’s has met the ‘doing F1 weekend in style’ brief. Open daily from noon, join in on one of the twice-daily brunches kicking off at 12PM and 4PM. Within shouting distance of their little sister and brother venues Mr Moto and Éla Éla, you won't be short of good vibes in the Marina over race weekend.


Come the evening, patrons can enjoy the F1 tasting menu, a two-hour gourmet dinner highlighting the restaurant’s finest dishes as chosen by executive chef Omer Jahangir. The tasting menu includes starters to share, choice of a top notch main - roasted Canadian lobster linguini, anyone? - and shared desserts, including their chocolate fondant with Madagascar vanilla ice cream, or as we like to call it, heaven in a dish! 


Price: Brunch packages - house AED699 | premium AED899 | Champagne AED1299; Tasting menu AED850 | À la carte available for dinner | minimum spend AED1000 pp

Availability: Brunch - two seatings daily | 12-3PM & 4-7PM | 2 hour tasting menu | daily from 7PM

Contact: 050 204 2475

STARS N BARS

YAS MARINA


Looking for something fun, casual and full of energy? Stars N Bars have got you covered, and with plenty of screens for coverage to boot! Kids are welcome daily until 10PM, but the venue is over 21s only from 10PM. 


Thursday: live music from 7PM - late; no bookings taken, 2 hour seatings, regular à la carte menu available. 

Friday: live music from 7-11PM, followed by a DJ from 11PM-late; no bookings taken, 2 hour seatings, regular à la carte menu available.

Saturday: live music 1PM-1AM, followed by a DJ 1-5AM; 12-4PM available for brunch bookings only - AED399 pp. Enjoy sharing starters, a choice of a main course and assorted desserts, as well as 4 hours of unlimited selected beverages. Booking is required, along with full prepayment to secure the booking. Post-brunch, regular à la carte menu will be available. 

Sunday: live music from 1.30PM - 2AM; no bookings taken, 2 hour seatings, regular à la carte menu available. 


Price: AED399 for brunch

Availability: open daily til late

Contact: 025650101

Danika Star

11/16/2023