A Taste Of Greece At MAZI Abu Dhabi – Reviewed

Having officially opened its doors at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi, MAZI Abu Dhabi, is the hotels brand new ‘fine-casual’ restaurant. MAZI, which means ‘together’ in Greek, specialises in sumptuous and colourful Greek specialties, served with an elegant and modern twist.

Upon arriving to the restaurant, we are warmly greeted by the team. The decor is bright and airy, with coral tones and vibrant blues, giving a nod to Greece. We are given the option of dining indoors, in the cosy rustic dining area, or out on the tranquil spanning terrace. Scattered with lush foliage and elegant olive trees, the charming outdoor area hosts an exclusive wood and fire grill, here guests can watch the expert team prepare a manner of aromatic grilled delights.

At a glance the menu offers tantalising dishes and exceptionally invigorating beverages. The concept at MAZI is sharing style, dishes arrive to the table as and when prepared. For us this is perfect, as foodies we enjoy tasting a range of smaller plates. We place our order and eagerly await our dishes.

First to arrive is the Tuna Tartare, a light and bold dish sprinkled with pine nuts and served with a slice of lagana toasted bread, a great start to our dining experience. From the salads we opt for the Greek Salad, naturally we are curious to see if this dish stacks up against other Greek salads, especially as we are in a Greek restaurant. The salad is fresh and crisp to the bite, the medley of olives, juicy tomatoes and feta cheese makes this one of the best salads we have tasted.

Arriving shortly after from the hot plates is the Feta Tempura, large plump feta cheese has been dipped and fried in a light batter, topped with lemon marmalade and caper meringue. We highly recommend ordering a portion when you visit MAZI.

Another dish that our waiter highly recommends is Grandmama’s Meatballs. Five juicy meatballs are finely presented in a light yogurt based sauce, giving you a ‘mmm’ in every bite.

For our larger plates we decide to order the Octopus which arrives with an olive and caper tapenade alongside the Lobster Orzo, pasta giouvetsi. The Octopus is cooked to perfection, grilled with charcoal echoes, yet tender to the bite. The Lobster Orzo is another great dish, bursting with flavour the protein is yet again cooked superbly. For sides we select the Baby Gem Salad, with avocado, dill and spring onions, alongside the Oven Roasted Potatoes, finished with fresh oregano.

Don’t underestimate the portion size, initially understanding that the menu is served sharing style we expected our plates to be on the smaller side, however in true Greek hospitality the portions are plentiful, the produce fresh and the interaction warm.

Providing a perfect escape from the hectic and busy pace of city life, the MAZI Abu Dhabi menu is specifically designed to be savoured together. Introducing a relaxed style of dining where each dish is brought to the table when it is ready to be served, the choice of delectable and colourful specialties are inspired by the childhood memories of founders Christina Mouratoglou, the successful Greek restauranteur and entrepreneur, and Adrien Carré.

After launching MAZI London in Notting Hill to tremendous success, the pair of passionate food connoisseurs are thrilled to bring their unique destination and innovative style of Greek dining to Abu Dhabi.

Boasting a varied and unique menu, carefully curated by MAZI London’s Greek Chef, MAZI Abu Dhabi’s talented team pour passion and incredible culinary skills into crafting every dish. All dishes are created with top quality, fresh and sustainably sourced seasonal ingredients from some of the best producers in the region. MAZI Abu Dhabi also offer a full gluten free menu to ensure all guests can enjoy the tantalising flavours of Greece. Providing an upbeat soundtrack and picturesque indoor and outdoor dining opportunities, the venue is ideal for a lazy lunch or a heart-warming dinner with families, friends and loved ones.

Would we return to MAZI? Yes, we are already planning our next visit. This restaurant is worth the detour.

MAZI Abu Dhabi is open for lunch from Wednesday to Monday, between 12:00pm and 3:00pm, and for dinner from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. The venue is closed on Tuesdays.

Tuna Tartare, AED 85
Greek Salad, AED 75
Feta Tempura, AED 75
Grandmama’s Meatballs, AED 95
Octopus, AED 160
Lobster Pasta, AED 165
Baby Gem Salad, AED 55
Oven Roasted Potatoes, AED 55

MAZI Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi, +971 2 498 8888