Gabbiano Italian Restaurant

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant brings traditional and contemporary Italian dining to Abu Dhabi, conveniently situated within the Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate hotel on Al Maqta Street in the Rabdan area. The restaurant serves both hotel guests and local visitors, making it easy to pair an elegant meal with a comfortable stay. Open daily for lunch from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 6 p.m. until midnight, Gabbiano offers a refined setting on the hotel's lobby level, with access to the outdoor terraces and views across the canal that define the Novotel property. Diners consistently note the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the staff's dedication to creating a memorable experience — a theme that runs through Google Maps reviews and hotel guest feedback alike.

Italian cuisine is the heart of the menu, with a focus on carefully sourced ingredients and dishes that span classic recipes and seasonal specials. The a la carte selection is complemented by an open lunch service and evening dinner hours that allow for everything from a quick midday meal to a leisurely multi-course evening. Whether you are staying at the hotel, visiting Yas Island attractions nearby, or simply looking for a quality Italian meal in Abu Dhabi, Gabbiano Italian Restaurant delivers a polished experience grounded in genuine hospitality. The restaurant holds a 4.3-star rating on Google Maps based on 165 reviews, and guests frequently mention returning multiple times — a strong signal of its consistency and appeal.

Menu Highlights at Gabbiano Italian Restaurant

The kitchen at Gabbiano Italian Restaurant balances time-honored Italian cooking with lighter, modern touches. The Google Maps menu snapshot highlights breads and seared salmon, and the full a la carte range is built around antipasti, fresh pastas, classic mains, and wood-fired pizzas. Seasonal specials rotate throughout the year, bringing limited-time dishes that make the most of fresh produce and regional Italian traditions. From the hotel's description, the restaurant offers an outstanding selection backed by an inviting terrace setting — ideal for pairing a glass of wine or an aperitivo with a sunset view over the canal.

For pizza lovers, the wood-fired oven produces a range of thin-crust pies with high-quality toppings, and they are a consistent draw for families and groups. Pasta dishes receive equal attention, with house-made dough and rich sauces that reflect the kitchens commitment to authentic preparation. Desserts change with the seasons but tend toward Italian classics like panna cotta, tiramisu, and gelato. Because the menu is refreshed periodically, it is worth asking about the latest seasonal specials when booking.

The Dining Experience

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant is designed to feel distinctly Italian while making the most of its canal-side location. The interior is warm and refined, with an elegant but unpretentious layout that works equally well for a date night, a business lunch, or a family dinner. Soft lighting, neutral tones, and comfortable seating contribute to the relaxed European ambience that many Google reviewers highlight.

One of the defining features of the restaurant is its outdoor terrace. Seating here looks out across the water and the Abu Dhabi skyline, and the terrace is arranged to keep tables private and well-spaced. The outdoor area is also welcoming to smokers, and guests remark that it is convenient to step out without leaving the restaurant entirely. The terrace can be particularly alluring during the cooler months, when an al fresco dinner by the canal feels like a genuine escape from the city's busier rhythms.

Service receives consistent praise across customer feedback. Google Maps reviewers single out particular team members — Mansi, Kavi, May, Anna, and Nwa Wah among them — for their friendly, attentive approach. Multiple comments describe the staff as exceptionally friendly and note that they make diners feel at home. This personalized service extends to how the team handles constructive feedback; one reviewer mentioned that the staff genuinely welcome suggestions and work hard to ensure every guest leaves satisfied and happy.

Reservations are recommended and can be made directly through the restaurant's Google Maps listing, the hotel website, or by phone. Both dine-in and takeaway are available, and the restaurant also offers contactless delivery for those who prefer to enjoy Italian food at home. The setting inside the Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate makes it particularly convenient for hotel guests, who can enjoy a full-service meal without leaving the property.

Customer Reviews & Ratings

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant carries a 4.3-star average on Google Maps from 165 reviews as of the latest available data. Though star ratings give a snapshot, it is the specific feedback from diners that paints a richer picture of what to expect. According to customer feedback, the restaurant is consistently described as a gem with a warm and inviting atmosphere — a phrase that appears again and again in both English and translated reviews.

A recurring theme in the reviews is the quality of hospitality. Several reviewers specifically name staff members who went out of their way to make their visit special, and the management appears attentive to maintaining that level of care. One reviewer noted that the staff's approach to constructive feedback is to welcome it actively, using it to ensure guests leave satisfied. Another mentioned that the team makes you feel like you are at home — a comment that shows how the personal touch differentiates Gabbiano from more transactional dining experiences.

Food quality is the other major positive thread. Reviewers describe the food as good, with well-prepared dishes that match expectations for an Italian restaurant in this price tier. The pricing, estimated at 50–100 AED per person based on crowd-sourced data, positions the restaurant as an accessible yet polished choice. Some reviews from hotel guests mention that the food and buffet staff are amazing, while others highlight the calm, peaceful atmosphere and the convenience of dining within the hotel.

Not every piece of feedback is purely glowing. A few hotel reviews mention that certain aspects of the room-service experience fell short, though these comments refer to the broader hotel operation rather than the restaurant specifically. For the restaurant itself, reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with very little criticism visible in the data. Guests looking for a reliable Italian dinner with genuinely warm service will find that the reviews support exactly that expectation.

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant in Abu Dhabi – Location & Accessibility

The restaurant is located at 222 Al Maqta Street in Rabdan, RB10, Abu Dhabi, on the lobby level of the Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate hotel. The area sits between Abu Dhabi Gate City and the Rabdan district, within easy reach of the major roadways that connect the capital to Yas Island and the mainland. For those visiting Yas Island attractions — Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, or Yas Mall — the restaurant is roughly a 20- to 26-minute drive, making it a practical stop before or after a day at the theme parks. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is even closer, about 10 minutes by car.

The hotel property itself offers ample parking for guests, and the restaurant benefits from the full accessibility features of the Novotel, including wheelchair-friendly entrances and public areas. Public transport options are available in the vicinity, and the location is well marked on Google Maps. The canal view from the terrace is a genuine highlight — it adds a sense of openness and calm that is often hard to find in city-center restaurants, and it is especially appreciated at sunset.

Hours, Reservations & Contact

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant is open daily with a split service. Lunch runs from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner service runs from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. These hours allow for a long, flexible evening window, which is particularly useful for diners arriving after a day of sightseeing or business meetings. Reservations can be booked directly via the Google Maps listing, through the Accor website, or by calling the restaurant at +971 2 508 9999. Both dine-in and takeaway are offered, and contactless delivery is also listed among the services.

For any questions about menu availability, group bookings, or special dietary needs, the restaurant encourages guests to reach out by phone or through the hotel's central contact email, h6948-re1@accor.com. Because the menu evolves with seasonal specials, it is worth confirming current dishes when booking, especially if you are planning a visit around a particular event or celebration.

Common Questions

What are the opening hours of Gabbiano Italian Restaurant?

Gabbiano Italian Restaurant serves lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 6:00 p.m. to midnight every day. These hours are confirmed by the business and available on its Google Maps listing.

Where is Gabbiano Italian Restaurant located?

The restaurant is on the lobby level of the Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate hotel at 222 Al Maqta Street, Rabdan, RB10, Abu Dhabi. It is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and about 20 to 26 minutes from Yas Island's theme parks.

Does Gabbiano Italian Restaurant take reservations?

Yes, reservations are accepted. You can book a table through the Google Maps listing, via the Accor website, or by calling +971 2 508 9999.

Does the restaurant offer takeaway or delivery?

Yes, both takeaway and contactless delivery are available. Takeaway orders can be placed by phone, and delivery options are listed through the restaurant's Google Maps services.

Is there outdoor seating at Gabbiano Italian Restaurant?

Yes, the restaurant features an outdoor terrace with canal views. Smoking is permitted in the outdoor seating area, and the terrace is well-suited for cooler-weather dining.

What is the average price at Gabbiano Italian Restaurant?

Based on crowd-sourced data from 40 people on Google Maps, the estimated price range is 50–100 AED per person. Actual costs will vary depending on menu choices, and seasonal specials may affect pricing.

Is Gabbiano Italian Restaurant wheelchair accessible?

The restaurant is located within the Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate hotel, which provides accessible entrances and public areas. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact the restaurant directly to confirm arrangements.

To compare Gabbiano Italian Restaurant with other Italian dining options or top evening venues in Abu Dhabi, visit Ilistify and explore side-by-side profiles before making your choice.