COYA Abu Dhabi — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

I’ve eaten here a couple of times and cannot fault the food, nor as a rule, the service. The truffle ceviche is unbelievable! My friends and I had the Degustación set menu and both the quantity and quality of food was outstanding. Looks expensive on paper but once you see how much food is included, you won’t be disappointed. The guacamole, which is prepared in front of you, is also unbeatable. The best I’ve ever had. Sadly though, my evening was marred by my decision to trust that the sommelier knew his job. I’m no wine expert, however, I know what I like. He saw me with the wine list and he pounced. At that point I was just browsing. He assured me that he was at my service. Once I decided to have a glass of wine, I beckoned him over and asked for a glass of Malbec. He told me that there were 3 and which one would I like. I said it didn’t really matter but not an expensive one. He appeared a few moments later with a bottle which he showed me. I was enjoying my time with my friends and wasn’t fully paying attention but the name did strike me as French. Once the bill came and I saw the price per glass I took issue. The sommelier came over and I asked him why he’d chosen such an expensive wine. It was 120 dirhams per glass!! He then started talking about their range of Merlots (turns out he’d given me the “Sommeliers choice”, maybe he gets paid commission!). I stopped him and told him that I’d asked for a Malbec and he began to argue with me. I believe the customer is supposed to always be right so this was annoying. If he’d made a mistake, misheard me, then he should’ve been honest and I wouldn’t have been so upset. What annoyed me the most, was that he chose the most expensive of the three available merlots. The manager was summoned (managers actually, there were two of them. One just vanished and never came back to the table) and I explained what had happened and I was met, essentially,with a shrug. I was offered a free round of shots on a table where two of my companions don’t drink! I accept that had I been more vigilant, I may have spotted the name of the wine and realised that it was a French grape and therefore not a Malbec, but I put my trust in the fact that Risheed claimed to be a sommelier and knew what he was doing and had heard me correctly. Then, he wouldn’t admit that he’d misheard me and doubled down on his claim that I’d asked for a Merlot all along. The wine wasn’t...

Wow, Coya Abu Dhabi completely blew us away! It's so much more than just dinner – it's a full-on, vibrant adventure into amazing Peruvian flavors and pure, infectious energy. From the second we walked in, the place just felt alive. The colors, the artwork, the buzz of the open kitchen, and that incredible music... you just know you're in for something special.

Walking in feels like stepping into this secret, super-cool club in Lima. The design is stunning – all bold colors, dark woods, and eclectic art – creating this atmosphere that's both seriously stylish and just plain fun. Whether you're tucked into the main dining area, soaking up the vibe at the buzzing bar, or chilling on their lovely terrace (perfect for Abu Dhabi evenings), every spot has its own great feel.

And the food? Honestly, some of the best and most exciting we've had. Their take on modern Peruvian, with those little Nikkei twists, is just packed with fresh, zingy flavors. The ceviche is legendary for a reason – unbelievably fresh and bright. The grilled anticuchos skewers were smoky and perfectly cooked, and honestly, everything we tried, from the delicate tiraditos to the rich short rib, was a total winner. Sharing plates meant we got to taste so much, which was perfect.

Don't even get me started on the drinks! The Pisco Bar is a destination itself. Their Pisco Sour is hands-down the best in the city – perfectly balanced and refreshing. The cocktail menu is huge and creative, and the bartenders clearly love what they do. They whipped up some fantastic signature drinks for us too. Great mocktail options as well!

What really topped it off was the service. The team was fantastic – genuinely warm, super knowledgeable about the menu and drinks, and just really attentive without hovering. They gave us spot-on recommendations and made us feel totally looked after, matching the whole lively yet sophisticated vibe perfectly.

The energy here is just unmatched, especially on a weekend night with the DJ spinning great tunes. It’s perfect for a big celebration, a fun dinner with friends, or even a lively date night where you want amazing food and a great atmosphere. The music adds to the fun without making...

There I was, a little late at night, craving something special and I decided to drive out, just for the taste of Coya Abu Dhabi before midnight and let me tell you, it was so worth it.

Coya is a Peruvian gem, blending traditional flavors with a modern twist. The vibe is electric, with upbeat music and a mix of vibrant, contemporary Peruvian decor that really sets the mood. It’s a spot that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of Peru, with a bit of a global flair. And the art? Stunning. There are these cool pieces on the walls that add a whole new layer to the atmosphere, truly a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

Started with the fish ceviche, and it was everything I needed. Fresh, tangy, and so light, it felt like a little burst of energy in every bite. Perfect for waking up my taste buds after a long day.

The king crab tostada came next, and wow!! crispy, creamy, and loaded with sweet crab. It was the kind of dish you wish lasted forever, but I devoured it way too fast 😁

The berenjena asada (roasted eggplant), which completely surprised me. Smoky, soft, and full of flavor, it was comfort food but elevated. Even if you’re not a big eggplant fan, trust me, this one will win you over.

Then came the calamares con ocopa, crispy calamari paired with a creamy, herb-packed ocopa sauce that added a whole new level of flavor. This was a dish I didn’t expect to love as much as I did, but it’s definitely one of those “must-try” items

For dessert, I couldn’t resist the orange churros. They came out warm and crispy, with a subtle citrus flavor that made them so addictive. Paired with the rich chocolate sauce? Let’s just say it was the perfect way to end the night.

And of course, the pisco sour tied everything together. Tangy, smooth, and refreshing, it was exactly what I needed after all those bold flavors.

Driving out late at night just for Coya felt like a gamble, but from the food to the atmosphere, it paid off big time. If you’re ever debating whether it’s worth the trip, let me save you the guesswork, it...