A year is a meaningful milestone in Abu Dhabi’s dining scene, where high-profile openings can fade almost as quickly as they arrive. Novikov Abu Dhabi, settled into The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, has not only survived its first year — it’s consolidated its position as one of the capital’s most consistently impressive Italian-Mediterranean restaurants.
We revisited to mark the anniversary, and what follows is an honest account of everything the restaurant does well, what makes it worth the visit, and what you should order when you go.
The Background: From London’s Mayfair to Abu Dhabi
Novikov is not a concept that needs much introduction to anyone who follows the global restaurant scene. The original Novikov opened in Mayfair, London, in 2011 under restaurateur Arkady Novikov — one of Russia’s most prominent hospitality figures with a portfolio of restaurants across Moscow, London, and beyond. The London venue became a fixture on the capital’s power-dining circuit, known equally for its Italian and Asian menus, its glamorous crowd, and its confident service.
The Abu Dhabi outpost, which opened in The Galleria Al Maryah Island in 2024, carries that DNA forward. It focuses on the Italian-Mediterranean side of the Novikov formula — the pastas, the antipasti, the wood-fired proteins, the elegant desserts. The kitchen brings serious European technique to Abu Dhabi, and the result is a restaurant that doesn’t compromise its standards to meet a broad market.
The Setting: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
The Galleria on Al Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi’s premium retail and dining destination — a well-curated space that attracts a mix of residents and visitors. Novikov occupies a generous footprint within it, with an interior that immediately signals this is a different calibre of dining experience.
The room is bright and airy, with high ceilings and a colour palette that leans into Italian elegance without being heavy or overwrought. Natural light during lunch service transforms the mood; in the evenings, the lighting shifts to something warmer and more intimate. A soundtrack of classical Italian music plays throughout — neither too loud to interrupt conversation nor so low it becomes background noise. It’s well-calibrated. Details like this indicate a team that thinks about the full experience, not just the plate.
The Anniversary Menu: What We Tried
To Drink: The Novikola
The meal begins with the Novikola, a house mocktail that takes the familiar flavour architecture of Coca-Cola and reworks it as something lighter and more refined, built around berry notes that feel fresh rather than sweet. It’s a considered welcome drink that tells you something about the kitchen’s attitude to detail: even the opening gesture is thoughtfully put together.
Starters: Beef Carpaccio and Novikov Burrata
The opening course pairs beef carpaccio with the classic Novikov burrata, and the quality of both ingredients is immediately evident. The carpaccio is sliced with precision, the beef deeply flavoured and properly seasoned; the burrata is pulled at the right temperature — cool enough to hold its structure, soft enough to melt properly when broken. Tomatoes are ripe, the rocket is peppery, and the dish overall reminds you of what Italian antipasti is supposed to feel like: simple ingredients at peak quality, assembled with care.
This kind of opener is deceptively difficult. Lesser kitchens hide average ingredients behind complexity. Novikov trusts the produce.
Pasta Course: Mushroom and Truffle Risotto
The mushroom and truffle risotto is the highlight of the meal. The rice is cooked to the precise point where it still has resistance without being grainy — a sign of someone at the stove who knows what they’re doing. The truffle presence is significant but measured; it lifts the earthiness of the mushrooms rather than smothering everything in truffle flavour, which is a more common failure than it should be. The result is a luxurious dish without being excessive, and satisfying without being heavy.
This is the dish to order if you visit Novikov once and want to understand what the kitchen can do.
Main Course: Veal Chop Milanese
The veal chop Milanese — cotoletta alla milanese in Italian — is one of the most demanding dishes in the Italian canon to execute consistently well. A bone-in chop, pounded thin, breaded and shallow-fried until the crust is golden and crisp while the meat inside stays juicy. Novikov’s version does this properly. The crust has genuine texture, the meat is correctly seasoned throughout, and the plate arrives at the right temperature. It’s a disciplined, satisfying main course.
The menu also includes alternative mains for those who want to explore beyond the Milanese:
- Grilled salmon fillet
- Argentinian rib-eye steak
- Baby chicken
Dessert: Tiramisu and Double Espresso
Novikov’s tiramisu arrives in the classic layered format, presented with contemporary finesse. The cream layer is set correctly, the espresso-soaked sponge has absorbed properly without becoming waterlogged, and the balance of bitter and sweet is well-managed. Paired with a double espresso, it closes the meal on exactly the right note: familiar, comforting, and done without compromise.
What to Order: Our Recommendations
| Course | Recommended Dish | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drink | Novikola | House signature; light and well-made |
| Starter | Beef Carpaccio + Novikov Burrata | Best showcase of ingredient quality |
| Pasta / Risotto | Mushroom and Truffle Risotto | The standout dish; technically excellent |
| Main | Veal Chop Milanese | Classic Italian done properly; not always easy to find in the Gulf |
| Dessert | Tiramisu | Traditional, well-executed, fitting close to an Italian meal |
The Verdict
Novikov Abu Dhabi earns its reputation. The Italian-Mediterranean formula it operates is one of the most executed-to-death concepts in Gulf dining, but there’s a meaningful gap between restaurants that serve Italian food and restaurants that understand it. Novikov is in the latter category. The kitchen is technically disciplined, the ingredients are quality, and the service reads the room well — present without being intrusive.
A year in, it remains one of the better options in Abu Dhabi for an occasion dinner, a business lunch, or an evening when you want the full Italian restaurant experience without compromise. The Galleria location adds convenience, and the interior holds up as a space worth spending an evening in.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Cuisine | Italian-Mediterranean |
| Best For | Occasion dinners, business lunches, date night |
| Reservations | Recommended; book via novikovabudhabi.ae |
| Dress Code | Smart casual to smart |
| Parking | Available at The Galleria |
Novikov Abu Dhabi FAQs
Where is Novikov Abu Dhabi located?
Novikov Abu Dhabi is located at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. The Galleria is accessible from the mainland via the Al Maryah Island Bridge and has extensive parking. It’s one of Abu Dhabi’s most central premium dining destinations.
What type of food does Novikov Abu Dhabi serve?
Novikov Abu Dhabi focuses on Italian-Mediterranean cuisine: antipasti, fresh pastas, risottos, wood-fired and grilled proteins, and classic Italian desserts. The menu draws on the same philosophy as the original Novikov in London’s Mayfair, with a focus on high-quality ingredients and traditional technique.
Do I need to make a reservation at Novikov Abu Dhabi?
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend evenings and lunch service. Novikov is a popular destination, and tables fill quickly. Book in advance via novikovabudhabi.ae or contact the restaurant directly.
Is Novikov Abu Dhabi good for a business dinner?
Yes, Novikov is well-suited for business dining. The room has a sophisticated atmosphere without being stuffy, the service is professional and well-paced, and the menu offers enough variety to accommodate different preferences. The Galleria location is easy to reach from the financial district and ADGM on Al Maryah Island.
What is the dress code at Novikov Abu Dhabi?
Smart casual is the baseline. Given the calibre of the restaurant and its positioning as a premium dining destination, dressing up slightly is appropriate and in keeping with the atmosphere. Sportswear and overly casual attire would feel out of place.
What is cotoletta alla milanese?
Cotoletta alla milanese is the original Milanese veal chop: bone-in, pounded thin, breaded in breadcrumbs, and shallow-fried in clarified butter until golden. It’s one of the most iconic dishes in Italian cuisine and predates the more widely known Wiener Schnitzel. At Novikov Abu Dhabi, it’s listed on the menu as the Veal Chop Milanese and is among the signature main courses.