18 editor picks in Abu Dhabi.
18 middle eastern places in Abu Dhabi we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Abu Dhabi | Middle Eastern across every city.
Tazal is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi, mixing European influences with Arabic touches, plus Gulf and Levant breakfasts.
OrderThe Iranian kabab, bang bang shrimps and kaak Al Quds that the Michelin Guide names as originals.
TipDining service starts at noon; before that the kitchen serves Gulf, Egyptian and Levant breakfast menus, and Michelin praises its weekend breakfast.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
Mashakeek and Steak is a barbecue food truck on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, grilling lamb skewers, shrimp mashakeek and wraps from 11:00 to 03:00 daily.
OrderCharcoal-grilled mashakeek and kebabs
TipYalla lists lamb skewers, shrimp mashakeek, pasta, wraps and hearty salads, so groups with mixed tastes can share one counter.
Harr & Hloo is a barbecue food truck on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, grilling mashakeek alongside burgers, wraps, pasta and risotto, open 24 hours.
OrderMashakeek skewers and grilled wraps
TipYalla lists lamb, wagyu steak, chicken, shrimp and squid from the grill, with Italian pasta and Mexican sandwiches as sides.
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.
Ishtar is a rooftop restaurant and lounge at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi serving North African and Middle Eastern dishes with live entertainment late.
OrderNorth African and Middle Eastern dishes with belly dance shows
TipIt closes at 02:00 from Sunday to Thursday and at 03:00 on Friday and Saturday, and the dress code is smart casual.
Mashakeek and Steak on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi grills mashakeek, kebabs and steaks over charcoal, and its counter stays open until 03:00 every night.
OrderCharcoal-grilled mashakeek and kebabs
TipThe island lists the counter open daily from 11:00 to 03:00, the same hours Yalla gives for it.
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.
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.
Dubai Special Kabab Grills has served kebabs in Abu Dhabi since 1987 and trades near the Ministry of Finance on Al Falah Street, an Urban Treasure.
OrderTikka bil roub, saffron chicken, kebabs and the sultani kebab that Khaleej Times names.
TipKhaleej Times says the yoghurt-based tikka bil roub recipes have stayed unchanged for generations, and some diners drive four hours from Liwa for it.
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.
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.
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