Mirage Marine looks over the turquoise Abu Dhabi waters at the new presidential palace, an ivory and gold mass of domes. Aptly named for its spectacular view, the Mirage Marine offers a quiet and serene place to relax, read and escape the digital world. It is a must-see for visiting guests and perfect for both shisha lovers and those who want to remain tobacco-free but try the local flavors.

Mirage Marine is one of the few places in the city that offers Shiazo shisha, a shisha made with flavored steamed stones that is both lighter on the lungs and extremely refreshing. With no tobacco, it provides the atmosphere of shisha, extraordinary flavors — such as coconut, passion fruit, lemon and guava — without the headache that follows. However, watch your wallet: Healthy is also expensive at 60 AED a Shiazo shisha. Along the coastline, families celebrate birthdays and enjoy the setting sun, a beautiful coral color over the breakwater that matches the white and clementine-orange chairs.

Mirage Marine offers an extraordinary, though pricey, three-pronged menu with Italian, Lebanese and Japanese cuisine. If you’re on the look out for a great dinner spot, you will love their fresh, homemade pasta. Try their spinach ravioli or Fettuccini Alfredo. Their Lebanese menu is equally as delicious, and their mixed grill and fattoush are the hottest items on the menu. Although there is an extensive sushi menu, we recommend you stick to the Italian and Lebanese cuisines, their specialties. Alternatively, have some of the best khubz in the city, fresh from the oven, with hummus while smoking the Shiazo shisha for a healthy, vegetarian and delectable afternoon.

For individuals wanting to study without Wi-Fi many groups of students can be seen working on projects in their comfortable indoor large tables, apt for a meeting or lounging with friends. Try their tiramisu, a chef specialty, or their iced tea, tangy and refreshing on a sweltering Abu Dhabi day. The Mirage Marine is open late, until 1 a.m. so late night shisha-goers and readers alike may find comfort sitting outside with the midnight breeze over the water.

NYU Abu Dhabi senior Kelly Dougherty jokingly quips, “I don’t usually study, but when I do, I like a waterfront view.”