Machboos is rice cooked in the stock of spiced meat or fish with dried lime and saffron, regarded as a national dish across the Gulf states and a fixture of Abu Dhabi's Emirati kitchens.
Where to eat it: 6 restaurants across 2 cities.
Machboos, also written machbous or makbous, is the Gulf form of kabsa, a mixed rice dish whose origin is contested between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The name comes from an Arabic root meaning to press, because rice, meat and spices cook together in one pot. Spices usually include black pepper, cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon and black lime. The Michelin Guide says it can be served with meat or fish, slow cooked with dried limes and saffron, and Erth serves a modern take with lamb in a sweet and savoury sauce.
Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
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Common allergens: Milk
Tip from the editors. Pierce the dried limes so the sourness runs into the stock, and use the stock you measured, not extra water, for fragrant rice.
Al Mrzab is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti restaurant on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, with majlis seating and photos of old Abu Dhabi on the walls.
OrderThe chicken machboos at about AED 61, then cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.
TipIt runs on walk-ins and queues, and Michelin advises expecting a wait; seating splits between private cabins, majlis and regular tables.
Meylas is a Michelin Selected Emirati restaurant at Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi, begun as a food truck by Shaikha Al Kaabi and grown into an all-day eatery.
OrderThe machboos at AED 56 and the saffron balaleet at AED 35, both priced in tbreak's 2026 guide.
TipMichelin lists Meylas among Abu Dhabi's best breakfast spots; it opens at 08:30, and the chefs cook in an on-view kitchen.
Erth is a Michelin-starred Emirati restaurant at Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, cooking modern dishes from Emirati flavours and produce from farms across the UAE.
OrderThe modern lamb machboos, then the Liwa dates batheeta that the Michelin Guide suggests to finish.
TipErth opens at 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and the Michelin Guide lists it among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Villa Mamas is a Michelin Selected Khaleeji restaurant in Abu Dhabi from Bahraini chef Roaya Saleh, serving chicken machbous and hummus with lamb cubes.
OrderThe chicken machbous and the hummus topped with lamb cubes that the Michelin Guide names.
TipVilla Mamas states that 20% of the restaurant's profits go to the Emirates Red Crescent.
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe rebuilds 1960s Dubai in its Al Seef dining room, serving machboos and harees the way the UAE ate before towers rose.
OrderLamb machboos with a plate of luqaimat and date syrup to finish.
TipAsk for the terrace, which looks across the creek at the boats and old Dubai.
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe seats diners under a tree in a covered courtyard in Al Fahidi, a Bib Gourmand kitchen cooking rustic Emirati food.
OrderMachboos rice with dango chickpea soup and a plate of luqaimat.
TipBread is baked in view of the courtyard tables, and live music plays in the evening.
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