Toto Abu Dhabi Review: Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Nadal Serve Up a Winner

Sporting superstars don’t come much greater than Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo, so their new retro-style fine-dining Italian restaurant in the UAE capital was always going to be a winner. What I didn’t expect was to emerge from Toto Abu Dhabi with the impression that the best is still to come.

A Warm Welcome and Vibrant Ambience

Entering Toto Abu Dhabi, my expectations were sky-high. After all, athletes of Nadal and Ronaldo's calibre presumably do not associate themselves with mediocrity. They launched Toto Madrid in 2020, quickly establishing it on the A-list of culinary venues in the Spanish capital. The concept has successfully branched out since then.

The latest dining destination on the flourishing Mamsha Al Saadiyat beachfront promenade, Toto Abu Dhabi is billed as a celebration of traditional flavours and craftsmanship, transporting diners back to Italy of the 1950s and '60s.

The restaurant caters for 196 diners and includes a chef’s table area indoors, but we arrived on a pleasant night for al fresco dining before the summer heat takes hold. Although sunset had already passed, the night-sky setting was stunning. We chose to sit outside, enjoying the white sand of Soul Beach visible in the silvery moonlight and the gentle sound of waves rolling in.

Under a grand pagoda with a bamboo-style roof and matching chandeliers, brown and beige shades dominated, and a mixture of seating styles provided a cozy setting. As we settled into chunky cushioned chairs, water and freshly prepared Italian bread arrived promptly with the menus. The welcome from impeccably dressed waiting staff in bow ties was warm and courteous.