The old Tourist Club Area: Sudanese foul in the evening, Palestinian kunafa, Malaysian and Indian rooms, a revolving rooftop lounge at Le Royal Meridien, a pub at Le Meridien and a sports bar at Southern Sun.
MYNT is an Indian restaurant on Salam Street in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, serving tandoor dishes, curries, seafood and biryani from across India.
OrderThe murgh makhani, gosht khada masala and the daab chingri, Gulf prawns cooked with coconut and mustard.
TipFACT magazine singles out the Masala Jhinga Poppers as a crowd-pleaser and calls the chicken dum biryani and malai pista kulfi comforting bookends.
Kopitiam by Chandy's is a Michelin Selected Malaysian restaurant on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, run by owner Chandy, with roti jala and daily specials.
OrderRoti jala, which the Michelin Guide says is always worth ordering, plus the blackboard specials.
TipA blackboard of daily specials supplements the short menu, and Michelin notes the kitchen is visible from the dining room and spotless.
Finz is a Michelin Selected seafood restaurant at the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi, built over the water with a sea-view terrace and chef Luca De Santis.
OrderFruits de mer or moules marinières for a Mediterranean feel, or the tempura roll and teriyaki salmon.
TipThe tasting experience is AED 320 per person, food only, per tbreak's 2026 price check; the terrace faces the promenade, the sea and the skyline.
Al Dhafra Restaurant has served Emirati seafood and grills since 1993, moving from Mina Zayed to Heritage Park on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
OrderGrilled seafood or a mixed grill platter, the two dishes What's On picks out for Al Dhafra in April 2025.
TipThe same operator runs three floating restaurants, Liwa, Toufan and AlFalah, which its own site presents as lunch cruises on the Gulf.
Bonna Annee serves Ethiopian injera platters with shiro, misir wot, gomen and beef tibs in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, open daily from 10:00 to midnight.
OrderThe vegetarian platter on injera, with a side of beef tibs, as Best Bites recommends.
TipBest Bites says staff will explain the dishes and that a shared platter suits mixed groups of vegetarians and meat eaters.
Kopitiam by Chandy's is a Michelin Selected Malaysian restaurant on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, run by owner Chandy, with roti jala and daily specials.
OrderRoti jala, which the Michelin Guide says is always worth ordering, plus the blackboard specials.
TipA blackboard of daily specials supplements the short menu, and Michelin notes the kitchen is visible from the dining room and spotless.
MYNT is an Indian restaurant on Salam Street in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, serving tandoor dishes, curries, seafood and biryani from across India.
OrderThe murgh makhani, gosht khada masala and the daab chingri, Gulf prawns cooked with coconut and mustard.
TipFACT magazine singles out the Masala Jhinga Poppers as a crowd-pleaser and calls the chicken dum biryani and malai pista kulfi comforting bookends.
Al Aqssa Sweets on Salam Street in the Tourist Club area of Abu Dhabi has sold kunafa, baklava and basbousa since 1980, open daily from 09:00 to midnight.
Worth the queueKunafa with cheese or cream
TipGulf News notes a second branch in Khalidiya; this listing is the Salam Street shop in the Tourist Club area that opened in 1980.
Tawa Bakery in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, is a 100% gluten-free bakery and eatery with safe options for guests with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Worth the queueGluten-free bread
TipBest Bites lists the Al Zahiyah shop open from 9AM to 11PM and calls it a dedicated gluten-free restaurant with no cross-contamination.
Captain's Arms is the pub at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi in the Tourist Club Area, with numerous screens for sport and a second floor of pool tables and foosball.
TipPool tables and foosball sit on the second floor, so groups can play between rounds.
PJ O'Reilly's Irish Pub is the poolside pub at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi on Khalifa Street, open until 02:00 and until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
FoodGrilled meats, slow-cooked pork and ribs
TipPJ's lists its Longest Happy Hour daily from 12:00 to 20:00, with drinks from AED 30.
Abu Al Afwal has served Sudanese foul and falafel in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, since 1975, opening each evening and named an Urban Treasure in 2023.
TrySudanese foul with bread
TipFoul is an evening dish here: the cafeteria opens in the late afternoon and runs to 23:30 daily, so a lunchtime visit finds it closed.
Kopitiam by Chandy's serves Malaysian dishes under AED 40 on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, in a small, clean room run by Malaysian-born Chef Chandy.
TryMalaysian dishes under AED 40
TipBest Bites puts a meal for two under AED 100 and says everything on the menu costs under AED 40 apart from the odd special.
Moti Mahal Delux serves butter chicken, dal makhani and veg biryani in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi; Best Bites calls it one of the longest-standing Indian rooms.
TryButter chicken, dal makhani and vegetable biryani
TipBest Bites says the vegetable biryani is more than enough for two, and its table of six dishes with parathas came to AED 135.
Stratos Revolving Lounge Bar & Grill at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi rotates through 360 degrees, serving grilled steaks and cocktails above the capital.
TipIt is open daily from 16:00 to 01:00, with creative cocktails alongside the grilled steak menu.
Blu Sky Lounge & Grill is a sports bar at Southern Sun Abu Dhabi in the Tourist Club area, with big screens and a grill menu, open until 03:00 nightly.
TipA Trackman golf simulator is available from AED 85 an hour, and happy hour runs 15:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 17:00 on weekends.
PJ O'Reilly's Irish Pub at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi on Khalifa Street stays open until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 02:00 on other nights.
TipThe longest happy hour runs daily from 12:00 to 20:00, with select drinks from AED 30, per the pub's own site.
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