Yas Bay has changed what dining on Yas Island looks like. The waterfront promenade has brought a concentration of restaurants, bars, and leisure venues to a part of Abu Dhabi that was, until recently, defined almost entirely by its theme parks and hotels. The result is a dining destination in its own right: walkable, waterfront, and increasingly worth making the trip to.
For anyone navigating the Yas Bay restaurant scene for the first time, or for a regular who has not yet found their anchor venue, this is what the waterfront offers and why Marcella sits at the top of it.
What Yas Bay Offers as a Dining Destination
Yas Bay is positioned on the eastern shore of Yas Island, facing the marina. The promenade runs along the water and the restaurants that line it benefit from a setting that few other Abu Dhabi dining locations can claim: open air, marina views, and enough space between venues that the area never feels overcrowded.
The mix of visitors at Yas Bay is broad: hotel guests from the Yas Island properties, residents from the surrounding communities, families, and increasingly visitors who have made the journey from Abu Dhabi’s city centre or from Dubai specifically for a dining occasion. That breadth means the restaurants here need to perform across different occasions and different expectations.
What Makes Marcella the Right Choice
Marcella opened on the Yas Bay waterfront as the destination’s Spanish bistro, and in the time since, it has become the restaurant most associated with the combination of quality food, considered drinks, and a setting that earns its position on the promenade.
The kitchen is led by Chef-Patron Mario Loi, whose MICHELIN recognition and decade-plus of experience in the region are reflected in a menu that takes Spanish technique seriously without making the food unapproachable. The tapas section is the right place to start: the chorizo and manchego croquetas, the potato and caramelised onion tortilla with saffron aioli, and the snapper carpaccio on tostadas are the three plates that most first-time visitors end up ordering again on their second visit.
The larger plates, anchored by the seafood rice with calamari, red prawns, and crab bisque, and the bone-in ribeye on the parilla grill, are built for the kind of meal that needs a table rather than a bar stool. Both are worth the occasion.
The Bar and the Drinks
The 30-seater zinc-topped bar at Marcella is one of the better bar experiences on Yas Bay. The cocktail list is built in-house, changes with the season, and is anchored by signatures that have become identifiable with the restaurant: the Olegroni, the Señorita Martini, the Dance with Fire.
Pintxo Hour at Marcella runs daily from 3 PM to 6 PM, Sunday to Friday, with 50% off selected drinks and 10% off tapas. It is the most accessible entry point to the Marcella experience and the right way to start an evening on the waterfront before the dinner service takes over.
When to Visit
Marcella works across different occasions and different times of the day. The business lunch at Marcella runs Monday to Friday from 12 PM to 3 PM. Pintxo Hour runs from 3 PM to 6 PM. Wednesday evenings bring Ladies Night with unlimited sangria and tapas from 7 PM to 10 PM. Sunday lunch is the Asado Domingo, a Spanish-rooted Sunday roast served from 12 PM to 4 PM at AED 194 per person.
For a straightforward dinner, the kitchen runs until 12 AM on Sundays to Thursdays and until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar throughout. For a dining room table on a weekend, booking ahead is worth doing.
For the full picture of what is on and to secure your table, book a table at Yas Bay.
Getting There
Marcella is located on the Yas Bay waterfront, accessible from the main Yas Bay entrance on Yas Island. Parking is available on the island. For guests staying at any of the Yas Island hotels, the restaurant is a short walk or drive from most properties. For visitors coming from Abu Dhabi city or from Dubai, Yas Bay is approximately 30 minutes from the city centre and 90 minutes from central Dubai via the E11.
FAQs
Where is Marcella on Yas Bay?
Marcella is located on the Yas Bay waterfront promenade, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It is accessible from the main Yas Bay entrance, with parking available on the island.
What kind of food does Marcella serve?
Marcella is a Spanish bistro serving tapas, smaller dishes, and larger fire-grilled plates in a sharing format. The kitchen is led by Chef-Patron Mario Loi, whose background includes MICHELIN recognition.
What is the best time to visit Marcella on Yas Bay?
Pintxo Hour from 3 PM to 6 PM is the best value window, with 50% off selected drinks and 10% off tapas. For dinner, weekends are busiest so booking ahead is recommended.
Does Marcella take walk-ins?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar throughout service. For a dining room table, particularly on weekends, a reservation is recommended.
How far is Yas Bay from Abu Dhabi city centre?
Yas Bay is approximately 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi city centre and around 90 minutes from central Dubai via the E11 highway.