Zayed Sports City is brimming with excitement on a daily basis, packed to the rafters with people eager to try new sports, hone their skills and boost their fitness.

So you might be surprised that this expansive venue is also home to an unassuming sports bar.

Perched atop the tennis stadium, The Sportsman’s Arms might not be the first place that comes to mind for a decent meal.

After undergoing some serious renovation, the new restaurant is marked by brick walls, dark wood flooring and green and white chequered accents. The u-shaped dining area wraps around a bar with stools underneath TVs that screen various sports matches.

The menu is relatively small – we’re told the team is working on adding more items based on customer feedback – and features a handful of small plates, main courses, pizza and a few desserts.

We are pleasantly surprised by the chicken wings “on fire”. Rather than just being coated in the sauce, the tangy flavour seeps right into the tender meat, an extra kick coming from the homemade spicy ranch sauce.

The Caesar salad is a welcome balance of textures with crispy lettuce, tender grilled chicken, crunchy croutons and  soft Parmesan in a light Caesar dressing.

As a vegetarian, there isn’t much to choose from. But the butternut squash risotto is beautifully cooked, the tender rice mixed with chunks of roasted squash, topped with Parmesan shavings and fresh rocket.

We wrap up the meal with a British classic, sticky toffee pudding in a rich sauce.

With friendly service and surprisingly good food, this licenced restaurant is a relaxing spot to watch a game with friends or refuel after a sports session.

WORDS Rachel Perrett