Mermaid at Rixos Saadiyat: Greek Seafood, Gulf Views and a Little Plate-Smashing Theatre

A seaside restaurant that behaves like one

Mermaid works because Rixos does not overcomplicate the proposition. The resort describes it as beachside luxury dining built around Mediterranean seafood and Greek cuisine, served with views across the coastline. That sounds straightforward, and the restaurant is stronger for it. Saadiyat supplies the setting; the kitchen supplies fish, seafood and plates designed to be passed around; the room supplies enough energy to stop the evening feeling like another quiet resort dinner. Current guest reports describe an atmosphere that can include live music, bouzouki and the celebratory ritual of plate smashing, giving the restaurant a distinctly Greek sense of occasion without turning dinner into a theme-park performance.

Seafood is the natural centre of gravity

The smart order here is to let the location lead the menu. Recent 2026 diners repeatedly praise the fish and seafood, often noting generous portions that work well for sharing. Tripadvisor currently classifies the restaurant across seafood, Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, with vegetarian and vegan choices also available. That breadth suits a resort audience, but the strongest identity comes from the marine side of the menu: whole fish, seafood plates, salads and mezze-style starters make far more sense beside the Gulf than heavy international hotel standards. The food is also consistently described as fresh and well presented, while service receives unusually frequent mention in recent reviews. In other words, the setting attracts the first visit; hospitality and cooking are what make guests return.

Dinner with the shoreline still in view

Mermaid currently operates as an evening restaurant, with listings showing dinner from 7pm to 10:30pm daily. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island’s main contact is +971 2 492 2222, while current restaurant listings use +971 2 249 2222; guests should use the resort concierge if a direct restaurant booking route changes. For Simply Abu Dhabi, this is not the place for a hushed tasting-menu mindset. Come ready to share, order seafood generously and accept that the evening may become louder as the music starts. On a resort island filled with polished dining rooms, Mermaid’s advantage is that it remembers dinner by the sea should still feel like a celebration.

Practical details

Location: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek and seafood
Telephone: Resort +971 2 492 2222; current restaurant listings +971 2 249 2222
Hours: Current listings show dinner daily 7pm-10:30pm
Atmosphere: Waterfront dining with live entertainment on selected evenings
Editorial status: Open