Abu Al Afwal is a middle eastern restaurant in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi.
Editorially verified October 2, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: A Sudanese cafeteria in Al Zahiyah that opens only in the evening for foul and falafel, named an Urban Treasure in 2023 and a stop on a 2025 food walk of lesser-known cuisines.
Tip: Foul 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.
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Address: Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi
New City Palace cooks Peking duck, dumplings and noodle dishes by Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, and is open every day from 11:00 until 23:00.
OrderPeking duck, the dumplings and a rice or noodle dish, the three things Best Bites recommends.
Why locals goA simple, low-priced Chinese room by Al Falah Street that Best Bites calls a community favourite, though even regulars are unsure if it is New or just City Palace.
TipBest Bites counts New City Palace a community favourite for its low-priced Peking duck, dumplings and rice and noodle dishes.
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.
Why locals goRun since 1987, it moved after redevelopment to a site near the Ministry of Finance on Al Falah Street, and some diners drive in from Liwa.
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.
Bosnian Hut serves cevapi, haji kebab and burek in a cottage-style room on Hazza Bin Zayed The First Street in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, open daily from noon.
OrderCevapi with somun and kaymak, haji kebab, klepe and warm burek, the dishes Best Bites names.
Why locals goIts front is dressed as a Bosnian cottage on Defence Road, and inside there are only five tables and a private family room.
TipYalla suggests starting with Bey soup, an okra soup in a chicken broth, then Sitni Kebab served in somun bread.
New City Palace cooks Peking duck, dumplings and noodle dishes by Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, and is open every day from 11:00 until 23:00.
OrderPeking duck, the dumplings and a rice or noodle dish, the three things Best Bites recommends.
Why locals goA simple, low-priced Chinese room by Al Falah Street that Best Bites calls a community favourite, though even regulars are unsure if it is New or just City Palace.
TipBest Bites counts New City Palace a community favourite for its low-priced Peking duck, dumplings and rice and noodle dishes.
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.
Why locals goA canteen-style sandwich counter in a subtle corner of the M39 creative neighbourhood in Mina Zayed, with room only to order and sit for a quick bite.
TipWhat's On put the plain olive, tomato and oregano focaccia at AED 25 and the filled focaccia sandwiches at AED 45.
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.
Why locals goA homegrown ice cream brand that began as a delivery operation and opened its first shop in the MiZa district of Mina Zayed, near Barbassi.
TipBest Bites says each week brings a new flavour, with past ones including blueberry earl grey, white choco matcha and a cheeseboard ice cream.
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.
Why locals goRun since 1987, it moved after redevelopment to a site near the Ministry of Finance on Al Falah Street, and some diners drive in from Liwa.
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.
Hankook serves Korean hot pot, cook-at-the-table meals and fried chicken on Defence Road in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, open daily from 11:00 to 23:00.
OrderCook-your-own hot pot or a big bowl of Korean fried chicken, both named by Best Bites.
Why locals goEach table has its own stove for cooking at the table, and eight private booths sit in a room Best Bites says will not win awards for looks.
TipBest Bites says the dishes it tried cost AED 56 to AED 68, and that the room has eight private booths and tasting menus.
