Registrations to the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards are now open to celebrate the best the capital has to offer, with six new categories added
The What’s On Abu Dhabi awards are back to celebrate everyone’s favourite hang out spots in the capital. These awards champion the very best Abu Dhabi has to offer, from unique dining concepts to party brunches, the highest of high-teas, memorable nights out and more.
Whether you run a restaurant, hotel or event in Abu Dhabi, this is your chance to be recognised as a fan-favourite. All you have to do to throw your venue’s name in the ring, is register here.
The What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2027
The 2027 What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards will feature an upgraded list of categories with six highly-relevant, freshly-baked additions, making the celebration all the more fun. They are: Favourite Beach Bar, Favourite Restaurant Bar, Favourite Happy Hour, Favourite Business Lunch: Hotel, Favourite Pizzeria, and Favourite Specialty Coffee.
That brings the total number of awards voted for by the public to a massive 41 individual titles. A further four Editor’s Choice Awards will be dished out on the night, after careful selection by an expert judging panel.
The full list of categories are as follows:
Entertainment & Leisure
- Favourite Spa
- Favourite Luxury Staycation
- Favourite Beach Hotel
- Favourite Pool And Beach
- Favourite Bar
- Favourite Sundowner Spot
- Favourite Ladies’ Night
- New: Favourite Beach Bar
- New: Favourite Restaurant Bar
- New: Favourite Happy Hour
- Favourite Sports Bar
- Favourite Concert, Festival Or Show
- Favourite Sporting Event
- Favourite Attraction
Food Concepts
- Favourite Afternoon Tea
- Favourite Café
- Favourite Business Lunch: Independent
- New: Favourite Business Lunch: Hotel
- Favourite Pub Grub
- Favourite Burger
- New: Favourite Pizzeria
- Favourite Breakfast
- New: Favourite Speciality Coffee
Casual Restaurants
- Favourite Brunch: Independent
- Favourite Brunch: Hotel
- Favourite Casual All-Day Dining Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Asian Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Indian Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Italian Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Mediterranean Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Seafood Restaurant
- Favourite Casual Steakhouse Restaurant
Fine Dining Restaurants
- Favourite Fine Dining All-Day Dining Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Asian Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Indian Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Italian Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Mediterranean Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Middle Eastern Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant
- Favourite Fine Dining Steakhouse Restaurant
Editor’s Choice (no registration required)
- What’s On Homegrown Restaurant Of The Year
- What’s On Chef Of The Year
- What’s On Newcomer Of The Year
- What’s On Restaurant Of The Year
Why you need to register for the What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards
The What’s On Abu Dhabi Awards 2027 matter because the people of the city have the final say. No secret panels or fancy formulas. These awards are up to Abu Dhabi’s very own consumers, deciding what’s worth eating, drinking and doing. You can see the full list of 2026 winners here.
Every year, hundreds of venues throw their names into the ring, from shiny new spots to long-time favourites that feel like old friends. The awards night itself is a full-blown affair with chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists and nightlife heavyweights all dressed up and ready to celebrate. You can register here.
The bonus? The Awards night brings the F&B, hospitality and entertainment industries together to celebrate championing yet another year, setting the standard for what’s to come and basking in the glory of being the city’s favourite. To find out more, click here.
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