Chef Mario Loi combines authenticity and affordability at his Yas Marina restaurant. 

The capital is awash with Mediterranean restaurants, and it’s hard to stand out from the culinary crowd. Mika in Abu Dhabi has opened on Yas Marina, and it is already proving popular. The restaurant has achieved something surprising—it offers authenticity and affordability, all while still feeling like a luxurious location. 

Mika opened two days before Abu Dhabi Formula One and has been racing onto the dining scene as a must-visit restaurant. With a view of the Yas Marina track, it is in a prime position to see the action. Spanning indoor and outdoor seats, choose from the terrace, countertop stools, chairs or banquettes. Plus, the secret garden can accommodate groups and can be used for private parties with your own music. 

Mika in Abu Dhabi is a dreamy destination. The décor goes from relaxed to refined. It feels like you are entering a friend’s home—albeit, a stylish friend’s home. The beautiful bar boasts curved mirrors, marble counters, and a Greek statue. Other features include a chess set, bowls of fruit, lamps, wooden fans, and ornate vases. 

Mika in Abu Dhabi is independently owned and operated by Chef Mario Loi, who can be spotted in the open kitchen. Drawing inspiration from his Mediterranean background and Middle Eastern location, he is passionate and unpretentious when explaining the concept to customers. 

The menu spans snacks, raw, small plates, larger plates and desserts. The dishes are designed for sharing and change seasonally. Plus, the emphasis is on ethically sourced ingredients, zero-waste and affordability – and many are around the AED 50 mark.

The must-order dish is the fried feta cheese. “This is a popular dish,” smiled our waiter. The feta is encased in filo pastry and sat on wild herb honey. While we wouldn’t normally eat a slab of cheese, this was so tasty that we were tempted to order seconds. 

The House-Cured Salmon was thinly sliced, topped with crispy capers and pink peppercorns, and served with fresh bread baked on-site. The Marinated Red Peppers were fresh and flavourful with anchovies and chillies. 

The mains showcase seafood, but there was a vegetarian Forest Mushroom Risotto on our visit. The Pan Fried Prawns were a creamy concoction with a spicy kick, while the Pan Fried Sea Bass tasted like it had been caught that morning and came in an epic portion. 

Mika’s desserts range from a Chocolate Pot to a Tiramisu and Vanilla Semifreddo. However, the Basque Cheesecake was oh-so-smooth and got us drooling for more. 

Mika in Abu Dhabi offers wine and signature drinks made with ingredients from the chef’s own garden. The No-Jito is a refreshing take on a mojito, and the non-alcoholic drinks range from a Mika No-Groni to a Safe Driver Spritz.

It is rare for FACT to say this, but even if we ordered different dishes, we believe it would have been consistent. Mika in Abu Dhabi’s menu was the gourmet gift that kept on giving. In an age where there are Insta-gimmicks across design and dishes, this is a breath of fresh air. 

Everything was carefully curated, and spectacular in its simplicity. And, we can’t wait to go back.  

GO: Visit https://mika.ae for more information.