8 Best Places To Eat In Abu Dhabi, UAE

Pala
Posted May 30, 2022
| 4 min read

If you want to have the best possible vacation in Abu Dhabi, you must eat in some of its finest restaurants that serve delectable and lip-smacking dishes for your gastronomical delights. However, you should be careful of choosing the right restaurants during your stay at the capital of United Arab Emirates. To ensure that you have the best possible dining experiences in the city, we recommend the following 8 restaurants that serve exotic dishes.

1. Shakespeare & Co

Looking for a restaurant that serves excellent breakfast in Abu Dhabi? Shakespeare & Co is the perfect place for you with its pretty Victorian furniture and a splash of floral pattern in its interior. Enjoy a variety of pastries, chicken sausages, turkey bacon, and innumerable cooking options, and choose from endless fresh juices. However, you will not find any pork products since the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country. There are multiple branches of the restaurant in the city.

Shakespeare & Co

Address: Central Market, Ground Floor ‘Souk, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Shakespeare & Co

2. Sontaya

After a long and tiring day of sightseeing in Abu Dhabi, it is time for you to take a break for a long and delicious lunch. And what better place than to have it at Sontaya, on the Island of the St Regis Saadiyat? The beautiful setting will make you want to spend your entire afternoon here. The island is known for its gorgeous sands that are a real feast for your tired eyes as you see the fishing boats sailing on the sea. Relax on one of the comfy sofas as you take your fill of the swimming pool, while they produce their cocktail menu for you.

You will fall in love with the sunset views from the restaurant while taking a leisurely lunch. It is natural to lose track of time as you may even like to stay back for drinks and dinner later on.

Sontaya

Address: The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website Sontaya

3. Hakkasan

Though it is not a royal palace you feel that it really is when you drop into Emirates Palace. The beautifully done decor, spectacular infinity pools and soaring archways; it is sheer magic and full of Arabian opulence. The rooms here are the epitome of luxury but come with a heavy price tag. However, even if you cannot afford to stay in this palace, you should not feel morose. For people who freak on Chinese cuisines, booking a table at the Hakkasan restaurant is a must. In fact, its die-hard fans claim that it is one of the best on-site restaurants where you can wine and dine to your glory.

The restaurant enjoys an excellent reputation for its Chinese cuisine in Abu Dhabi. It is easy to fall for culinary delights like platters of dim sum, fresh seafood and lots more. Unlike some of the restaurants that lack great ambiance, this is a charming restaurant where you would love to linger for hours.

Hakkasan

Address: Emirates Palace Hotel Al, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Hakkasan

4. Jones the Grocer

Jones the Grocer is a renowned Australian food chain that is known for its “slow food” at affordable prices. It is a refreshing change as compared to some of the exorbitantly priced restaurants in Abu Dhabi and is loved by tourists as well as the local residents. There are several branches of Jones the Grocer in the city for you to pick from as per your convenience. The eatery offers piles of fresh salads, pasta dishes, risottos and heavenly grilled meats. In case you are looking for a place to have a heavy and hearty brunch, then you have come to the right place. The place also has a long list of coffees to choose from. Do not miss out on the cooked breakfast choices here.

Jones the Grocer

Address: Etihad Airways Centre, East, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Jones the Grocer

5. Observation Deck at 300

Enjoy one of the finest high teas up on the Observation Deck at 300. It is a Swiss cafe situated on the Etihad Tower’s 74th floor. Visualize yourself nibbling on delicious salad, quiches, and sandwiches as you tower over the world. You will also be stunned with the enormous collection of coffees and teas.

As you munch on, enjoy the majestic view around. Enjoy glimpses of the pretty islands with their magnificent white sand beaches, the top of the Emirates Palace, the luxury hotels of Khalidiyah and the beauty of Corniche Beach. It is one of the finest places in the city to get lost in while relishing the sights and sipping your cup of coffee.

Observation Deck at 300

Address: Tower 2, Level 74, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Observation Deck at 300

6. Meylas

Abu Dhabi is famous for its innumerable choices of luxury dining. Meylas is one of the finest eateries in the city where you can enjoy authentic Emirati cuisines. Moreover, you will feel completely at-ease since it is a no-frills place. A young admiration lady called Shaikha Al Kaabi founded this restaurant. She is intensely passionate about popularizing her country’s culinary heritage.

Shaikha Al Kaabi is known to recreate her favorite recipes from her childhood days with a twist in this modest eatery, located near the beach, and uses only local ingredients in her recipes. Highlights from her menu are the balaleet, which is saffron noodles along with egg and Chbaab, pancakes dipped in date syrup. You will crave for more even when you are full.

Meylas

Address: Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Meylas

7. Frankie’s

The food at Frankie’s Abu Dhabi will definitely live up to your expectations. After all, you will be dining at a restaurant that is jointly owned by renowned chef Marco Pierre White and Frankie Dettori, the world-famous jockey. The restaurant offers exotic Italian cuisines with dishes like wagyu steaks, oil-laced risottos and yummy lobster ravioli. However, the USP of Frankie’s lies in its specialized menus.

Frankie’s

Address: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Frankie’s

8. Le Royal Meridien’s Ramadan Tent

Have you booked your trip to Abu Dhabi during Ramdan? Now, that is the month of fasting for Muslims all over the world when they do not eat during the day. But that does not mean you will have to also abstain from eating. On the contrary, you can eat during the day behind the closed doors. However, bars do not serve alcohol until the sun sets. You can be privy to an amazing insight into the Islamic hospitality and culture if you visit Abu Dhabi during the holy month.

As the sun sets every evening, people celebrate Iftar, which is a sort of a feast to break their day-long fast. You can enjoy some of the most lavish spreads at the Ramdan Tent of hotel Le Royal Meridien, such as lip-dam king biriyanis, cold and hot mezzo, slow-cooked lamb and other exotic dishes. The food is so delicious that even you may wish that you had fasted for the entire day like the locals.

Le Royal Meridien’s Ramadan Tent

Address: Sheikh Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: Le Royal Meridien’s Ramadan Tent

Begin your wonderful culinary journey

So there you go! Cherish your vacation at Abu Dhabi while you do your sightseeing and visit some of the most amazing places in and around this gorgeous city. And when you have hunger pangs, you just know where you need to visit.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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