José by Pizarro: Spain in Small Plates, with Etihad Towers Polish

A London chef, translated rather than transplanted

José Pizarro’s Abu Dhabi restaurant matters because it is not merely a name licensing exercise. The chef, raised in Extremadura and long established in London, chose Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for his first restaurant outside the UK, bringing the relaxed rhythm of his tapas bars into one of the city’s most polished hotels. Hilton currently describes the approach as authentic Spanish tapas with bold traditional flavours, and MICHELIN continues to list the restaurant in its Abu Dhabi 2026 selection. The tension is useful: the plates remain rustic in spirit, designed to be passed around and eaten in sequence, while the room, service and drinks programme give them the finish expected of Etihad Towers.

Tapas is the format, conviviality is the point

The best way to eat here is to avoid building a conventional three-course meal. Tapas should arrive in waves: a few cold bites, something fried, something from the grill, then a richer dish for the table. That allows the kitchen’s Spanish identity to feel natural rather than staged. The beverage programme stays equally focused, with a curated range of Spanish grape-based and artisanal drinks intended to follow the food rather than compete with it. Live music runs Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30pm to 10:30pm, giving the room a warmer, more social tone later in the evening. On the first Saturday of each month, a social evening brunch extends the sharing format into a three-hour experience with live entertainment.

One of Etihad Towers’ strongest personality restaurants

José by Pizarro is currently open daily from 5pm to 11:30pm, with reservations through +971 2 811 5666. For Simply Abu Dhabi, it is a particularly strong recommendation for diners who want fine ingredients and recognised cooking without the stiffness that can come with formal fine dining. MICHELIN’s continued selection for 2026 reinforces the kitchen’s standing, but the more persuasive reason to go is the format itself: small plates, music and a sense that the table should keep moving. Order widely, share everything and leave enough time between dishes for the evening to develop. Spanish food is at its best when dinner feels social, and that is exactly the restaurant’s advantage.

Practical details

Location: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Spanish tapas
Telephone: +971 2 811 5666
Hours: Daily 5pm-11:30pm
Live music: Tuesday-Sunday 7:30pm-10:30pm
Recognition: MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2026 – Selected
Editorial status: Open
EMAIL: info@josepizarro.com