Sontaya Abu Dhabi — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

“Blown Away” is still and underwhelming expression to describe our experience in Sontaya 🥰

Staying at St.Regis, we came in for a dinner and were seated at one of the lovely outdoor tables by the pool, overlooking the ocean. Just THE VIEW itself is worth coming, but there was so much more!!!

The restaurant serves ASIAN FUSION cuisine, and the menu has tons of appealing options - my fiancé and I opted in for spring rolls with seafood and beef skewers for appetizers and decided to share a duck curry. Highly recommend all of the above! Delicious!

But THE BEST PART of our experience was connecting with amazing employees of Sontaya. GOVIN, our server, was very caring and personable from the first minute providing us with IMPECCABLE SERVICE. He made sure we were enjoying every dish and cocktail, suggested taking a break before the entree, so we felt very relaxed, unrushed and comfortable throughout our whole meal. We chatted for a little bit and Govin invited us for a special FIVE SENSES COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE the next night. We happily accepted, but little did we know what a treat awaits us!

We also got to meet restaurant manager, ANIT, who was super nice and accommodating. He was the one to greet us the next day and take us to our table overlooking the ocean. We had no idea this experience will be for us only!!! I thought that will be similar to a group cocktail class; how wrong I was☺️

The idea of this experience is to connect you with all Five Senses: Touch, See, Hear, Smell and Taste, through the art of cocktail making. To Stay Present. To Fully Enjoy❤️ PANDA, our host, explained every step of the process. This was SO SPECIAL. Govin remembered from the previous night that I am not a big drinker, and informed Panda of the same, so Panda put alcohol separately for me so that I can add just a bit or skip it altogether - just how thoughtful!!! WORLD CLASS ANTICIPATORY SERVICE.

We are very fortunate to travel all around the world, but I must say this was absolutely unique and we will remember this experience for years to come. THANK YOU SO MUCH GOVIN, PANDA AND ANIT for making us feel so special. We can’t wait to come back tomorrow to celebrate Valentine’s Day with you.

Dear Reader, thank you for reading all the way through this long review, I hope it was helpful :) if you have questions about the restaurant or hotel, want to see more photos and videos or just want to say Hi to a fellow traveler, feel free to reach out to my Insta @daria.newyork ❤️ Cheers to magnificent places and unique...

When we were staying at another Saadiyat hotel during the Pandemic, we struggled to get a table due to its popularity. For this reason, immediately upon checking into the hotel, we made a point of reserving a table for 2 nights. It was worth the wait! We were greeted by their staff, with their warm and welcoming smiles. The ambience is amazing – located by the poolside, in the evenings it was dimly lit with a Thai musician performing traditional Thai music in the background. Ms Zin Khaing (venue manager) actually came to our table to help us with our orders. Seeing that we are Southeast Asians, she made a point of ensuring that the dishes served were as authentic as possible and was tailored to our taste. My little one especially enjoyed the Noodle Soup as well as the Roast Duck. Being a mini foodie, she is very particular about her food. She thoroughly enjoyed her meal and the company of Ms Zin. We highly recommend the Phad Thai, Vietnamese Garlic and Pepper Prawns, Laksa, Green Curry and the Mango and Sticky Rice. Since that first visit, we have returned at least 2 other times, purely because of the hospitable reception we received from Ms Zin who always goes out of her way to ensure our dining experience is an exceptional one. Having been in the UAE for almost 2 decades, it is refreshing to meet someone who truly understands Asian cuisine. Ms Zin is not only professional, approachable, and helpful, she was very knowledgeable in Asian cuisine. She was able to describe the dishes in detail and provide guidance as to which dishes complement each other. A true gem in a truly amazing Asian...

Dining at Sontaya is not just a meal—it’s an experience, and one that’s hard to match anywhere else in Abu Dhabi. From the moment we arrived, we were swept away by the breathtaking view, tranquil ambiance, and the absolute elegance of the venue. Nestled on the water’s edge at St. Regis Saadiyat Island, this place feels like a hidden slice of paradise.

The real magic, though, lies in the exceptional service. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Rhener, the restaurant manager, who is the true definition of a relationship ambassador. His gracious presence, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate guest needs is simply next level. He knows exactly how to make each guest feel special and welcomed. You can tell he leads by example.

A special shoutout also goes to Shue, one of the most delightful staff members we’ve come across. Her service was lightning-fast, extremely attentive, and all delivered with a bright, sincere smile. She understood our preferences instantly and made sure everything was perfect without us even needing to ask.

And of course—the food was exquisite. Every dish was packed with flavor, beautifully presented, and complemented the peaceful, luxurious setting. Whether it was the Thai starters, the seafood mains, or the exotic desserts, everything was top-tier.

If you’re looking for a place that elevates dining into an art form, Sontaya is it. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine food, beautiful views, and world-class...