The UAE's 2026 dining calendar opens with three fully defined restaurant launches — one in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi — each tied to a major development and a recognisable concept. These are not soft openings or pop-ups; all three carry confirmed locations, opening windows, and distinct culinary identities that set the tone for the year ahead.
Nobu One Za'abeel | Dubai | January 2026
Nobu One Za'abeel opened in January 2026 at The Link inside One&Only One Za'abeel in Dubai. The restaurant brings Nobu's signature Japanese Peruvian cuisine to the sky concourse that connects the two towers of the development, framed by panoramic city views.
The venue operates as a full restaurant experience, with a bar and lounge that transitions into a late-night format featuring curated DJ soundtracks. It is the first Nobu in Dubai to combine a dinner service with an extended after-hours concept at the same address. Nobu One Za'abeel positions itself within the One&Only dining lineup as a destination for both formal dining and late evenings.
Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi | Q1 2026
Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi opened in Q1 2026 at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, marking the first international location of the London restaurant. Founded in Mayfair nearly a decade ago, Isabel has built a following for its rich interiors, Mediterranean-led menu, and a social dining format anchored by a central bar.
The Abu Dhabi edition brings the same cocktail programme and Mediterranean approach to The Galleria, one of the capital's key retail and lifestyle destinations. Designed by DBM Studio, the space uses sculptural forms, bespoke artworks, and layered materials to create an atmosphere described as poised by day and seductive by night. French chef Vincent Visinet leads the kitchen, with a menu focused on seasonal ingredients.
Hanbok | Abu Dhabi | Early 2026
Hanbok opened in early 2026 at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. Named after Korea's traditional dress, the concept presents contemporary Korean fine dining with a strong design identity. Vertical fabric installations cascade from the ceiling, echoing the silhouette of hanbok skirts, while floral chandeliers and open kitchen corridors shape the main dining room.
The menu draws on Korean staples — jeon, mandu, grilled meats — alongside banchan-style accompaniments and fermentation-led sauces rooted in regional South Korean traditions. Hanbok joins The Galleria's existing lineup of destination restaurants, including COYA Abu Dhabi, La Petite Maison, and Nusr-Et.
Why These Three UAE Restaurant Openings Matter
These three new UAE restaurants matter because they start 2026 with permanent, well-resourced concepts at premium addresses. Dubai opens the year with a flagship at One&Only One Za'abeel. Abu Dhabi adds two restaurants at The Galleria that bring distinct formats — Mediterranean glamour from a London original and Korean fine dining with serious design intent.
January and Q1 set an early pace for UAE dining, with openings that draw attention from residents, visitors, and the regional hospitality trade. For anyone planning ahead, these are the confirmed addresses to know from day one.
