The word 'sontaya' means 'sunset' in Thai, so it should come as no surprise that Sontaya restaurant boasts a quite spectacular sunset view in the evenings. The restaurant is split between a series of floating, open plan pavilions, which boast incredible views across the Arabian Gulf from the coastline of Saadiyat Island - a perfect spot for a romantic dinner, or a casual dinner between friends.
The magical atmosphere at Sontaya is only part of the attraction - the restaurant also boasts a fantastic menu of authentic Thai and broader pan-Asian dishes. Kick things off with appetizers including a chargrilled satay platter of prawn, chicken, Wagyu beef and tofu, as well as spring rolls, deep-fried vermicelli-wrapped prawns, summer rolls, crab cakes and more. Indeed, it would be easy enough to fill up just on the excellent starters, but you'll want to save some room for what's to come - fresh papaya and green mango salads, hot and sour tom yum soup, and an impressive array of mains that includes Singaporean wok-fried XO lobster, sea bass in tamarind sauce and roast duck with pickled ginger, chili-soy bean sauce and seasonal vegetables.
The menu wouldn't be complete without some classic Thai dishes - Sontaya also serves up a variety of red, yellow and green curries, as well as a cracking pad thai, a rich, comforting beef short rib massaman curry, and a fiery laksa with egg noodles, prawn, quail eggs and tofu.
Sontaya has two separate private dining areas - one indoors and one outdoors - that are perfect for smaller private dining events. The indoor private dining room has room for 20 guests, whilst the outdoor pavilion can fit 55 for a larger business gathering or a family celebration, amidst the calm, crystal clear waters and water fountains.