40 editor picks in Abu Dhabi.
40 cheap eats places in Abu Dhabi, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Abu Dhabi: the places editors actually return to. All Abu Dhabi food.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TipGulf News describes the Osmaleya as a kunafa cake, two layers of crisp vermicelli around a soft centre of fresh cream or cheese.
Naeem Sweets at Marsa Mina, Abu Dhabi, is the kunafa shop of a Jordanian maker who opened on Hamdan Street in 1974 and reopened here at the age of seventy.
TipGulf News says the owner still comes in at 15:00 every day and stays until 21:00, and the shop uses ingredients from Denmark and the Balkans.
Thalassery Thattukada serves Malabar parottas, beef curry and mutton biryani near Big Mart in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, at about AED 60 for two.
OrderMalabar 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.
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.
OrderMalaysian 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.
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.
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.
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.
TipGulf News notes a second branch in Khalidiya; this listing is the Salam Street shop in the Tourist Club area that opened in 1980.
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.
OrderSudanese 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.
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.
OrderManaqeesh 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.
OrderKebab, 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.
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.
OrderManaqeesh 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.
Barbassi, from the team behind Marmellata, serves stuffed focaccia sandwiches and coffee in the M39 creative district of Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi.
OrderOlive, tomato and oregano focaccia, or the melted ham and cheese sandwich with veal rump and mustard pickle.
TipWhat's On put the plain olive, tomato and oregano focaccia at AED 25 and the filled focaccia sandwiches at AED 45.
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.
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 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.
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.
Qwaider Al Nabulsi in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, sells Arabic sweets including baklava, qatayef and mamoul with nuts, open daily from 09:00 until midnight.
TipProperty Finder lists pistachio Turkish fingers and qatayef with cheese or nuts among the best sellers at this Al Ramlah Street shop.
Mina Fish Market in Al Mina, Abu Dhabi, lets you pick fish at a stall, have it cleaned for about AED 16 for 3 kg, then cooked at a kiosk or restaurant.
OrderFish cleaned and grilled to order
TipMost stalls are cash only with ATMs at the entrance, and a weekday morning avoids Saturday queues of an hour or more at the cleaning counter.
Chaat Chaska sells vegetarian pani puri, dahi puri, samosas, jalebi and falooda near Madinat Zayed in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, with chaat items all under AED 12.
OrderPani puri, dahi puri and samosa chaat
TipBest Bites puts a meal for two at AED 49, and the Madinat Zayed outlet is one of three branches, with Musaffah and Mushrif Mall.
Golden Spoon Indian Vegetarian serves family-run vegetarian curries with some Chinese twists in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, with mains at AED 17 to 28.
OrderVegetable akbari, dahi bhalla and garlic naan
TipBest Bites says the manager's mother creates the dishes behind the scenes, and Mawaqif parking is available outside the door.
Chaat Chaska sells vegetarian chaat, samosas and falooda near Madinat Zayed in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, where Best Bites says AED 49 feeds two people.
OrderPani puri, dahi puri and samosas
TipBest Bites says nothing on the chaat list tops AED 12 and the food comes out quickly, which makes it a fast, cheap lunch.
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.
Payyannur Restaurant serves nool parotta, thattu dosa with veg stew and Kerala-style biryani on Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street in Abu Dhabi, from 06:00.
OrderNool parotta and thattu dosa with veg stew, then the fish mango curry or the Kerala-style biryani.
TipOrder several plates for the table: Gulf News reports one group of six covered shrimp starters, fish mango curry, idiyappam and parotta.
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.
Al Sultan Bakeries & Markets runs a branch in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, selling Arabic bread, samoon, baklawa and knafa, open daily from 06:00 to 00:30.
TipThis is the Najda branch opposite the Vision Twin Towers; the operator's list says its Khalidiya branch in Al Hisn is open 24 hours.
Al Alamain Restaurant sells hot dog and liver sandwiches at AED 6 in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, a long-running street-food counter that opens at 05:00.
OrderHot dog and liver sandwiches
TipFACT recommends the falafel sandwich here, and the room opens at 05:00, so it works as an early breakfast stop.
Zaatar and Karak is a food truck on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, baking manakish and saj wraps and pouring karak tea, open 24 hours on the island's listing.
OrderManakish and karak tea
TipYalla names the spiced karak as the reason people return, and the truck also sells seafood dishes such as lobster and oysters.
Al Alamain Restaurant in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, serves sandwiches from the early morning until 01:00, and it stays open for a late hot dog or liver sandwich.
OrderHot dog and liver sandwiches
TipThe room opens at 05:00 and closes at 01:00, so it serves both early breakfasts and late snacks.
Dragon Bao Bao cooks Northern Chinese dumplings, handmade noodles and a revolving hot pot at AED 39 on Electra Street in Abu Dhabi, open daily until late.
OrderRevolving hot pot and dumplings
TipChoose a broth base, fillings and condiments for a personal hot pot; Yalla says the handmade noodles and baozi set it apart from stir-fry rooms.
Oriental Kopitiam serves nasi lemak, laksa, toast sets and Hainanese chicken rice from a stall in the Flavours Hub food hall at Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi.
OrderNasi lemak, laksa and Hainanese chicken rice
TipThe National lists dishes at AED 25 to 55, with crab from AED 60, so the noodle and rice plates are the sub-AED 50 order.
Al Alamain Restaurant sells hot dog and liver sandwiches at AED 6 in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, and keeps long hours, from 05:00 to 01:00 every day.
OrderHot dog and liver sandwiches
TipWhat's On notes generous portions at very low prices; FACT adds the falafel sandwich to the order.
House of Dim Sum is a stall in the Flavours Hub food hall at Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi, selling dumplings and buns priced at AED 18, open to midnight or later.
OrderDumplings and steamed buns
TipThe National likens the hall to Singapore hawker centres, with menu boards showing clear prices at each stall and shared tables.
Mina Creamery scoops ice cream in weekly-changing flavours such as blueberry earl grey and halwa salted saffron at its first shop in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi.
OrderWhichever flavour is new that week, or olive oil with za'atar and halwa salted saffron.
TipBest Bites says each week brings a new flavour, with past ones including blueberry earl grey, white choco matcha and a cheeseboard ice cream.
Nihal Restaurant serves Indian and Chinese dishes such as butter chicken and mutton biryani in a large room behind Lifeline Hospital in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi.
OrderMutton biryani, butter chicken and Indian-Chinese mains
TipBest Bites rates the butter chicken and mutton biryani at AED 38 each; Experience Abu Dhabi notes a banquet hall upstairs for events.
Salam Bombay Vegetarian Restaurant serves Mumbai street dishes such as pav bhaji, paani puri and kachori chaat on Electra Street in Abu Dhabi from 07:00.
OrderPav bhaji and paani puri
TipBest Bites says paani puri is served only from 16:00, so time a visit for the afternoon, and recommends finishing with masala chai.
West to West serves Caribbean and West African rice plates, grilled meats, stews and vegan dishes at the Flavours Hub food hall in Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi.
OrderRice plates, grilled meats and stews
TipThe National puts mains at AED 35 to 50 and says each stall shows menu boards with photos and clear prices, as in a Singapore hawker centre.
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