Bua Thai Cafe — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

Disturbing experience, openly mocked, felt sick after eating!

Terrible and deeply disturbing restaurant experience.

I had visited Bua Thai Cafe a couple of times before and already noticed the staff staring during the meal, which was uncomfortable but I tried to ignore it. Throughout the meal, staff openly stared at us and even laughed while looking in our direction. It wasn’t subtle, it was clear and incredibly disrespectful.

This last visit, though, was on a whole different level.

I smiled at the male head chef and sous chefs three separate times during my visit, just trying to be polite, but each time I was met with cold, unfriendly stares that honestly felt aggressive. I’ve never felt so unwelcome in a restaurant. The chefs were staring and laughing, and once we were served our food, they all disappeared. As soon as we finished, they returned and continued laughing!

Unbelievable, unprofessional, and unacceptable.

There used to be a female head chef who was much friendlier and better for the business. The current atmosphere is a huge step backwards.

Over the years, we have spent so much money at this restaurant, and there is absolutely no way we deserve to be treated this way. Their behavior felt clearly racist.

What made it even worse was that shortly after eating, I started feeling sick. The food didn’t taste off, but something felt wrong, and the timing was too strange to ignore. This left me deeply unsettled and questioning whether the behavior and my physical reaction were connected.

No one should have to deal with that kind of treatment, mocked by staff and then physically unwell afterward. I’ll never go back, and I strongly advise others to think twice before...

We stopped by Bua Thai at Yas Bay Waterfront for dinner on our way back from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. After a nice evening walk along the bay, we decided to try this place since we always love Thai food — and it turned out to be a good choice.

We ordered Tom Yum Chicken, and the staff kindly offered to split it into two bowls for us, which was a nice gesture. The tom yum was rich and flavorful, with a thick, reduced broth that really brought out the spices. It leaned a little salty for my taste, but still enjoyable. We also had Pad Khi Mao Chicken, which was delicious — the noodles had a great chewy texture and the flavor was perfectly balanced.

The portions could be a bit larger, especially considering the price, but later we found out that this restaurant actually won the award for Best Thai Restaurant in Abu Dhabi, which explains the quality and presentation. The restaurant itself is lovely, with a warm and elegant setting, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Overall, a pleasant spot to enjoy authentic Thai flavors by...

Fantastic Food | Excellent Service | Beautiful, Small Location | Highly Recommended ——- Detailed Review Below ———

Bua Thai is a cozy but delightful Thai restaurant in the Yas Bay Waterfront, serving a small menu of well-known Thai dishes.

The cafe has just a few tables inside although in the winter months (when I went) it opens its doors, spilling out on to the patio and its inviting outdoor seating area.

The service is excellent. I was welcomed and seated by the wonderful team - and the meticulous attention to customer service continued throughout my stay.

I wanted a light dinner so I ordered the Pad See Ew with chicken. Excellent - flavorful with just the right mix of textures and tastes to make for a delightful, delicious meal.

Verdict: Highly Recommended.

Food/ Quality - 5/5 Location/ Ambiance - 5/5 Price (Value for Money) - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Others 5/5 (Yas Bay...