Al Khalidiya: a Michelin Selected manaqeesh oven where regulars queue for takeaway, a Syrian grill open since 1975, a Kerala parotta room, Lebanese sweets and a Colombian villa kitchen.
Al Farah is a Michelin Selected Middle Eastern restaurant on Khalidiyah Street in Abu Dhabi, popular for breakfast, with manaqeesh and fresh oven bread.
OrderManaqeesh and the fresh bread coming straight out of the oven, the two things Michelin notices as you arrive.
TipExpect a queue of people collecting manaqeesh orders; the Michelin Guide lists Al Farah among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Kaabi Kabab Restaurant & Grills has served Syrian and Arabic grills in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, since 1975 and won an Urban Treasures award in 2023.
OrderThe quarter-kilo mixed grill, up to three cuts from AED 46 on the 2026 menu, with hummus at AED 17.
TipSandwiches are the cheap way in: kebab at AED 10, tikka and shish tawook at AED 14 each, against grill plates from AED 34.
Thalassery Thattukada serves Malabar parottas, beef curry, potthu kaal and mutton biryani from a small room near Big Mart in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi.
OrderPotthu kaal, the bone cracked at the table for the marrow, with Malabar parottas, then the mutton biryani.
TipStart with a kadak tea, as Gulf News does, then order parottas, beef curry and potthu kaal; the tables gradually fill up by evening.
Fonda Colombiana serves empanadas, arepa de choclo and patacones con carne desmechada from a colourful villa on Al Mihtham Street in Al Manhal, Abu Dhabi.
OrderEmpanadas, arepa de choclo with cheese and patacones con carne desmechada, as Best Bites advises.
TipSeating runs from inside with air conditioning to outside among hammocks, and the restaurant takes reservations on WhatsApp.
Al Farah is a Michelin Selected Middle Eastern restaurant on Khalidiyah Street in Abu Dhabi, popular for breakfast, with manaqeesh and fresh oven bread.
OrderManaqeesh and the fresh bread coming straight out of the oven, the two things Michelin notices as you arrive.
TipExpect a queue of people collecting manaqeesh orders; the Michelin Guide lists Al Farah among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Tripoli Sweets in Al Hisn, Abu Dhabi, makes Lebanese sweets including the Osmaleya kunafa cake, maamoul and namoura, open daily 08:00 to 22:30.
Worth the queueOsmaleya kunafa cake
TipGulf News describes the Osmaleya as a kunafa cake, two layers of crisp vermicelli around a soft centre of fresh cream or cheese.
Al Farah bakes manaqeesh in its oven on Khalidiyah Street in Abu Dhabi, a Michelin Selected room where regulars queue to collect orders to take away.
TryManaqeesh from the oven
TipExpect a queue of people collecting manaqeesh orders; the Michelin Guide lists Al Farah among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Kaabi Kabab Restaurant & Grills sells kebab, tikka and shish tawook sandwiches at AED 10 to 14 in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, open past midnight.
TryKebab, tikka and shish tawook sandwiches
TipHummus at AED 17 and a khalta of grilled tomatoes with chilli at AED 6 round out a cheap order from the operator's 2026 menu.
Thalassery Thattukada serves Malabar parottas, beef curry and mutton biryani near Big Mart in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, at about AED 60 for two.
TryMalabar parotta with beef curry
TipCurly Tales prices a meal for two at about AED 60, and Gulf News notes the tables fill up gradually by evening.
Al Farah on Khalidiyah Street in Abu Dhabi bakes manaqeesh from the oven and stays open until 00:30 on weekdays and 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
TryManaqeesh from the oven
TipClosing is at 00:30 from Sunday to Thursday and 01:30 on Friday and Saturday, so a late manaqeesh run is possible.
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