Yas Island is becoming the capital's most dog-friendly hotspot with pet-friendly restaurants, bars and walkways. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Yas Island is becoming the capital's most dog-friendly hotspot with pet-friendly restaurants, bars and walkways. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Yas Island is becoming the capital's most dog-friendly hotspot with pet-friendly restaurants, bars and walkways. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Yas Island is becoming the capital's most dog-friendly hotspot with pet-friendly restaurants, bars and walkways. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Woofs welcome: how Yas Island is quickly becoming Abu Dhabi’s pet-friendly hub


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Twelve years after it first opened to the public, Yas Island is undergoing a bit of a transformation.

Over the past year, the island has welcomed an 18-000-capacity-indoor-entertainment venue, debuted the world's first Warner Bros hotel and launched Yas Bay Waterfront — the capital's newest leisure and entertainment hub complete with an Ibiza-style beach club.

And it seems the area is also now making a name for itself as the go-to place for pet owners in the city, with several outlets on Yas Island welcoming guests that want to dine with their four-legged friends in tow.

If you’re in the capital and want to head out with your dog, here’s where you’ll be welcome on Yas Island.

Diablito

Diablito is dog-friendly every day of the year. Photo: Diablito Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi / Facebook
Diablito is dog-friendly every day of the year. Photo: Diablito Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi / Facebook

For tasty tapas and delicious stone-baked pizzas served with a side of Yas Marina views, the popular casual dining spot Diablito has you covered. With a Spanish-style menu, regular drinks deals and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s also open for those who want to dine with their dogs in tow. Four-legged diners are welcome to join on the downstairs terrace, where you'll also get great superyacht views. The terrace is small, so it makes sense to pre-book if you're bringing your furry friend along.

Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/diablito_yasmarina

Emmy Squared Pizza

New York's Emmy Squared made its international debut, in Abu Dhabi, this year. Photo: Emmy Squared
New York's Emmy Squared made its international debut, in Abu Dhabi, this year. Photo: Emmy Squared

The New York restaurant chain, known for its Detroit-style pizza, has found its first UAE home at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Bay Waterfront. Drawing inspiration from the original Brooklyn outpost, the restaurant serves square-shaped pizzas with crisp bases, fluffy focaccia dough and caramelised cheesy crusts. With indoor and outdoor seating and a location offering views of the waterfront, this new spot is also pet friendly — with dogs welcome to join on the terrace.

Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/emmysquaredpizzauae

The Lighthouse

Abu Dhabi’s outpost of The Lighthouse restaurant serves up Mediterranean-inspired classics, great coffee and a yummy selection of pastries. It also has daily drinks deals and super-friendly staff who welcome human and doggy guests with a smile. You’ll only be able to sit outside if you bring Fido along, but huge umbrellas mean that it should be easy enough to find a spot in the shade of this Yas Bay eatery.

Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/thelighthouse_ae

Akiba Dori

Akiba Dori at Yas Bay is dog-friendly, with pups allowed on the terrace. Photo: H Skirka
Akiba Dori at Yas Bay is dog-friendly, with pups allowed on the terrace. Photo: H Skirka

Following its success in Dubai Design District, Japanese street-food concept Akiba Dori has recently opened at Yas Bay. The only Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizzeria in the UAE, the eatery takes its name and decor inspiration from the neon-filled district of Akihabara in the capital of Japan. Inside, it’s all neon lights and brightly-coloured furniture, but outside on the terrace things are a little more chill, so much so that you can bring your dog along when dining here. Staff will happily fill up a water bowl for your pooch, so you can both enjoy a refreshment accompanied by waterside sunset views.

Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/akibadori

Stars N Bars

Dogs at the Stars N Bars Sunday brunch at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Stars N Bars / Facebook
Dogs at the Stars N Bars Sunday brunch at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Stars N Bars / Facebook

While it’s not quite 100 per cent dog-friendly, Stars N Bars at Yas Marina hosts weekly seasonal Sunday brunches where pups are welcome. The long-running American-themed eatery welcomes dogs and humans from noon until 4pm, every Sunday during winter, with a Dh99 menu that includes one drink and items such as a full English breakfast, French toast and shakshuka. Even better, dogs get a big bowl of water and treats to keep them occupied while you eat. The last event this season took place at the end of March, but this is one to keep on your radar when the temperatures cool down again.

Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.starsnbars.ae

Yas Bay Waterfront

Dogs are welcome on Yas Bay Waterfront, with waste bags and bins provided to make it easier to clean up after your four-legged friend. Photo: Facebook
Dogs are welcome on Yas Bay Waterfront, with waste bags and bins provided to make it easier to clean up after your four-legged friend. Photo: Facebook

The recently opened Yas Bay Waterfront is one of the hottest places to go to in the capital right now, and it’s also incredibly dog-friendly.

With beautiful waterfront views, wide open palm-lined pathways and several very cool sculptures dotted along the perimeter, it’s a great place to go for a sunset walk. Dogs are welcome, as long as they are kept on-lead at all times. There are even handy bins with waste bags attached to them to make it easier to clean up after your dog.

W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island

W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island is the UAE capital's first dog-friendly hotel. Photo: W Hotels / Marriott
W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island is the UAE capital's first dog-friendly hotel. Photo: W Hotels / Marriott

Yas Island is also where you'll find the first luxury hotel in the capital that allows guests to book a room with their dog.

The W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island welcomes pets, including dogs, cats and goldfish, that weigh up to a maximum of 18 kilograms, with the animals allowed inside the hotel's Living Room (lobby area) and suites.

Doggy guests will get their own bed, bowls for food and water, and a complimentary snack. There's also a pet-friendly menu filled with tasty meals, snacks and toys that can be ordered from room service.

And while it’s great that the hotel welcomes pets, keep in mind that they’re not allowed at the pool or in any of the hotel restaurants or bars, but with many dog-friendly eateries nearby, you can simply head out of the hotel and find somewhere to dine at Yas Marina or Yas Bay Waterfront.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.marriott.com

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST

Premier League

Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm 

Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm  

Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm 

Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm 

Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)

Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm 

Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm

Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm

Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm 

Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm

Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm 

Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm

Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm

 

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20ASI%20(formerly%20DigestAI)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Quddus%20Pativada%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Artificial%20intelligence%2C%20education%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GSV%20Ventures%2C%20Character%2C%20Mark%20Cuban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Green ambitions
  • Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
  • Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
  • Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
  • Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water 
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions

It

Director: Andres Muschietti

Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor

Three stars

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envi%20Lodges%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Noelle%20Homsy%20and%20Chris%20Nader%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hospitality%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%20to%2015%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%20of%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECVT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E119bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E145Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C89%2C900%20(%2424%2C230)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: April 09, 2022, 1:15 PM`