10 Best Places to Eat in Abu Dhabi
From Emirati kitchens to waterfront restaurants, these ten addresses offer a delicious introduction to the UAE capital.
Abu Dhabi rewards a curious appetite. A meal here might begin with fragrant rice and slow-cooked meat, take a detour through a Japanese kitchen, and end over Lebanese dishes beside the sea. Grand hotels are part of the story, but so are neighbourhood restaurants and independent businesses with a clear sense of identity.
The most interesting way to eat through the capital is to make room for that variety. This editorial selection brings together ten places for different moods, occasions and cravings.
1. Erth — For a Taste of Contemporary Emirati Cooking
Set within the historic Al Hosn area, Erth puts Emirati food at the centre of the occasion. Its emphasis on seasonal ingredients from producers across the UAE gives the restaurant a strong connection to its surroundings. The setting draws on local heritage, making it a thoughtful starting point for anyone interested in the capital’s food culture.
Make this the meal you build an afternoon around: explore the cultural district, then sit down with time to consider how a contemporary kitchen interprets regional traditions.
2. Al Mrzab — For Emirati and Kuwaiti Comfort Food
On Airport Road, Al Mrzab offers Emirati and Kuwaiti cooking in a setting where diners can choose conventional tables or floor cushions around low tables. Majbous, a rice dish served with meat or fish, provides a useful introduction to the menu.
Its appeal lies in the kind of meal that invites sharing. Go with company, ask for guidance on portions, and leave space on the table for something unfamiliar. For visitors keen to explore Gulf cooking, this is an address worth prioritising.
3. Marmellata — For a Casual Pizza Evening
Marmellata brings an independent spirit to Souk Al Mina. This pizza-focused restaurant has earned recognition for its rotating selection and informal approach, with its waterfront neighbourhood adding another reason to explore beyond the city’s hotel dining rooms.
Save it for an evening when the plan can stay simple: pizza, good company and a wander around the area. Check its latest opening arrangements before heading over, particularly if your visit depends on a tight schedule.
4. Otoro — For Modern Japanese Flavours
At Al Qana, Otoro is chef Akmal Anuar’s take on modern Japanese dining. Its ingredient sourcing reaches across Japan, while dishes highlighted by Abu Dhabi’s tourism authority include yellowtail carpaccio, Wagyu tempura and seabass miso yaki.
The menu suggests a rewarding way to order: move between delicate seafood and richer cooked dishes. It is a particularly appealing choice for diners who enjoy Japanese food and want a meal with plenty of variation.
5. Zuma — For a Stylish Dinner with Friends
Zuma occupies a waterfront position at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. Its contemporary Japanese menu spans the main kitchen, sushi counter and robata grill, giving a group several directions to explore within one meal.
Choose it for a dinner where conversation and sharing are central to the evening. Rather than giving everyone a separate course, consider building a collective order across the different sections of the menu.
6. Hakkasan — For a Special Occasion
Hakkasan at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental brings Cantonese cooking into an intimate, dramatically styled dining room. Dark tones and intricate woodwork establish the mood before the meal begins.
This is a strong candidate for an anniversary, birthday or carefully planned date. Let the setting justify a slower evening: arrive with time to spare, study the menu and give dinner the attention usually reserved for the celebration itself.
7. Talea by Antonio Guida — For an Elegant Italian Meal
Also at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Talea takes its cue from cucina di famiglia, or family-style Italian cooking. Its dining room uses blue, white and yellow alongside contemporary Italian art, bringing a bright visual character to the palace setting.
Consider Talea when you want the familiarity of Italian cuisine within a more formal occasion. It makes sense for a leisurely dinner with people who enjoy taking their time over a meal.
8. COYA — For Peruvian Flavours
COYA at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island adds Peruvian cooking to the capital’s international dining mix. For anyone planning several restaurant visits, it offers a useful change of direction from the Japanese, Italian and Lebanese kitchens elsewhere on this list.
Make it a chance to explore. Ask the team to guide you through the current menu and assemble a meal that introduces different ingredients and preparations, especially if Peruvian cuisine is new to you.
9. Beirut Sur Mer — For Lebanese Dining by the Sea
On Saadiyat Island, Beirut Sur Mer pairs Lebanese food with a coastal setting. Its interiors feature hanging greenery and floral touches, while the terrace offers an appealing option for an evening meal when the weather allows.
This is an easy restaurant to imagine anchoring a relaxed day on the island. Keep the afternoon flexible, gather a few friends and let dinner become the part of the itinerary that nobody needs to hurry.
10. Li Beirut — For Lebanese Classics with a Refined Touch
At Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Li Beirut serves Lebanese cuisine with contemporary presentation. Hot and cold mezze, grilled specialities and a terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf give diners several reasons to settle in.
It is a fitting choice for a family celebration or an evening with visiting guests. Build the meal around a selection of mezze before moving to the grill, allowing the table to explore a range of flavours together.
Make Room for More Than One Kind of Meal
A rewarding Abu Dhabi food itinerary needs a little variety. Book a special dinner, seek out Emirati cooking, and leave an evening free for pizza or a shared Lebanese meal. Each offers a different glimpse of the city—and a good reason to return hungry.
Restaurant menus, opening hours and booking policies can change. Confirm current details directly before visiting.
Author: swoosh0018
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