Amazónico brings its rainforest kitchen to Yas Marina for race week

Abu Dhabi race week has a new place to eat. Amazónico, the rainforest themed restaurant that opened in DIFC in 2019, is crossing to the capital for the first time with a six day pop up on the Yas Marina waterfront, from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 December, a short walk from Yas Marina Circuit. We are planning to go for lunch on one of the quieter early days, and again over race weekend when the drummers arrive.

Steps from the circuit

The timing is the point. Formula 1 ends its 2026 season at Yas Marina Circuit, with practice on Friday 4 December, qualifying on Saturday 5 December and the 58 lap Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday 6 December. The pop up sits on the marina side, so it works as a long lunch before the track action, a dinner looking over the water, or somewhere to carry on after the chequered flag.

From 1 to 3 December, it opens from noon until midnight. From 4 to 6 December, it stays open until 3am.

The menu we are reading

The kitchen is bringing a race week selection of its contemporary Latin American cooking, with Japanese influences, served à la carte at lunch and dinner. Group Culinary Director Diego Fernando Sánchez Vargas oversees the food for Europe and the Middle East.

The lighter plates are where we would begin. Hamachi Tiradito is thinly sliced yellowtail with a passion fruit and shiso dressing. Aguachile is a Mexican style sea bass ceviche with avocado cream and jalapeño. For something richer, the Langosta con Caviar Maki rolls lobster and mango with unagi sauce and Baerii caviar.

For the table, Pan de Queso is traditional cassava cheese bread, Langostino Meloso is prawns in garlic and ginger sauce, and the Wagyu Anticucho is a Japanese Wagyu skewer with anticucho miso and lime. The mains come off the charcoal grill: Ojo de Bife, a 250 day grain fed Australian Black Angus ribeye, and Bife Angosto, Japanese Wagyu sirloin. Fish lovers have Merluza Negra, Patagonian toothfish marinated in panca miso with sesame pak choi, and Arroz con Mariscos, octopus, prawns and mussels cooked with rice, Peruvian chillies and lime. Salmón Rostizado, seared salmon with asparagus and teriyaki, completes the list.

Music that builds through the week

Music is part of the Amazónico formula. From 1 to 3 December, resident DJs play from 8pm until midnight. From 4 to 6 December, as the race weekend crowds arrive, live drummers, percussionists and a trumpeter join the DJs from 7pm until 3am. It is the sound that the DIFC restaurant is known for, and we are curious to hear how it carries across the marina.

Before you book

Over race weekend, 4 to 6 December, minimum spends apply per person: AED 500 between noon and 5pm, AED 750 between 5pm and 8pm, and AED 1,250 from 8pm. The dress code is smart and chic. Earlier in the week is the easier option for a relaxed meal by the water.

The Dubai restaurant was designed by the Spanish interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán, with greenery hanging from the ceilings, and the team is led by General Manager Andre Alexy.

The details

• What: Amazónico Abu Dhabi Race Week pop up
• When: 1 to 6 December 2026
• Where: Yas Marina waterfront, beside Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
• Hours: noon to midnight (1 to 3 December), noon to 3am (4 to 6 December)
• Race weekend minimum spend: AED 500, AED 750 or AED 1,250 per person, depending on time
• Enquiries: events@amazonico.ae

Imagery courtesy of Amazónico.

On Simply Luxury: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix · DIFC · Yas Marina Circuit