Top 20 Cafés and Restaurants in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, UAE

Abu Dhabi boasts a diverse culinary scene, featuring everything from traditional Emirati dishes to international gourmet cuisine. Here are the top 20 cafés and restaurants you should visit when in the city.

1. Em Sherif Café

Cuisine: Lebanese
Must-Try Dish: Fattoush Salad, Mixed Grills
This elegant Lebanese café offers a rich menu of traditional Middle Eastern flavors. Their fattoush salad and mixed grills are a must-try, offering an authentic taste of Lebanese cuisine.

2. Zuma Abu Dhabi

Cuisine: Japanese
Must-Try Dish: Black Cod, Sushi Platter
Zuma offers a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese cuisine, with dishes like miso-marinated black cod and their signature sushi platter being the star attractions.

3. Li Beirut

Cuisine: Modern Lebanese
Must-Try Dish: Lamb Ouzi, Seared Foie Gras
Located at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Li Beirut is known for its modern twist on Lebanese cuisine. The lamb ouzi and foie gras are popular choices for a refined dining experience.

4. Coya Abu Dhabi

Cuisine: Peruvian
Must-Try Dish: Ceviche, Beef Rib
Coya brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to Abu Dhabi. Their ceviche and slow-cooked beef ribs are must-tries for those looking for exotic, fresh flavors.

5. Sontaya

Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Must-Try Dish: Tom Yum Soup, Peking Duck
With a stunning view of the beach at St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Sontaya serves flavorful Southeast Asian cuisine. The Tom Yum soup and Peking duck are favorites.

6. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

Cuisine: Cantonese
Must-Try Dish: Crispy Duck Salad, Dim Sum Platter
Located in the Emirates Palace, Hakkasan is an award-winning restaurant known for its Cantonese dishes. The crispy duck salad and dim sum platter are highly recommended.

7. Catch at St. Regis

Cuisine: Seafood
Must-Try Dish: Lobster Thermidor, Oysters
This chic seafood restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes. The lobster thermidor and freshly shucked oysters are highly recommended.

8. Tashas Al Bateen

Cuisine: International
Must-Try Dish: Chicken Livers, Avocado Toast
Tashas, located in Al Bateen, offers a relaxed yet upscale dining experience. The chicken livers and their famous avocado toast are must-tries.

9. Louvre Abu Dhabi Café

Cuisine: French
Must-Try Dish: Croque Monsieur, Tarte Tatin
This café is perfect for a quick meal while visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Their Croque Monsieur and Tarte Tatin are perfect for a light but satisfying lunch.

10. The Terrace on the Corniche

Cuisine: International Buffet
Must-Try Dish: Seafood Spread, Arabic Mezze
Located in the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, The Terrace offers an extensive international buffet. Their seafood spread and Arabic mezze are highly popular.

11. Bord Eau

Cuisine: French
Must-Try Dish: Duck Confit, French Onion Soup
Bord Eau in the Shangri-La Hotel is one of the finest French restaurants in the city, serving dishes like duck confit and a classic French onion soup.

12. La Petite Maison

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Must-Try Dish: Burrata, Grilled Lamb Cutlets
La Petite Maison offers a fusion of French-Mediterranean cuisine, with dishes like burrata and grilled lamb cutlets being customer favorites.

13. Majlis Saadiyat

Cuisine: Emirati
Must-Try Dish: Harees, Luqaimat
For an authentic taste of Emirati cuisine, Majlis Saadiyat is the place to visit. Try the traditional harees and luqaimat (sweet fried dumplings) for a unique experience.

14. Roberto’s Abu Dhabi

Cuisine: Italian
Must-Try Dish: Truffle Risotto, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio
Roberto’s combines traditional Italian flavors with a modern twist. Their truffle risotto and wagyu beef carpaccio are highly recommended.

15. Salt

Cuisine: Burgers and Fast Food
Must-Try Dish: Wagyu Sliders, Cheese Fries
Salt, located at Umm Al Emarat Park, is famous for its Wagyu sliders and cheese fries. It’s a popular casual dining spot, especially for burger lovers.

16. Arabesque Café

Cuisine: Arabic and Mediterranean
Must-Try Dish: Shawarma, Falafel
This charming café offers a mix of Arabic and Mediterranean dishes. Their shawarma and falafel are some of the best in the city.

17. Beach House at Park Hyatt

Cuisine: Mediterranean and Seafood
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Seafood Platter, Burrata Salad
Located in the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, this beachfront restaurant offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu. The grilled seafood platter and burrata salad are highly recommended.

18. Bait Al Khair

Cuisine: Emirati
Must-Try Dish: Machboos, Camel Meat
For a taste of authentic Emirati cuisine, Bait Al Khair is a must-visit. The machboos, a spiced rice dish, and their camel meat specialties are unique to the UAE.

19. Maison Samira Maatouk

Cuisine: Arabic and French Pastry
Must-Try Dish: Kunafa, Macarons
This café is famous for its Arabic sweets and French pastries. The kunafa and macarons offer the perfect balance of flavors, making it an ideal spot for a sweet treat.

20. Cipriani Yas Island

Cuisine: Italian
Must-Try Dish: Baked Tagliolini, Vanilla Meringue
Cipriani offers a luxurious dining experience on Yas Island, with standout dishes like the baked tagliolini and vanilla meringue dessert.

Must-Try Dishes in Abu Dhabi

1. Harees

A traditional Emirati dish, harees is a simple but flavorful porridge made from wheat and meat, usually lamb or chicken. It’s typically served during Ramadan but can be found year-round in Emirati restaurants.

2. Machboos

A popular rice dish similar to biryani, machboos is made with spiced rice and meat, usually lamb or chicken, and is seasoned with cardamom, cloves, and dried lemon. It’s a must-try if you want to experience traditional Gulf flavors.

3. Luqaimat

These sweet fried dough balls, drizzled with date syrup or honey, are a classic Emirati dessert. They are often served with Arabic coffee, providing the perfect balance of sweet and bitter.

4. Black Cod

Black cod, usually marinated in miso, is a specialty in upscale Japanese restaurants like Zuma. It’s rich, buttery, and melts in your mouth.

5. Shawarma

A classic across the Middle East, shawarma in Abu Dhabi is served with generous portions of garlic sauce, pickles, and fries, wrapped in warm pita bread. Arabesque Café is a great place to try one.

Must-Try Cakes and Desserts

1. Kunafa

A Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded filo pastry and sweet cheese, then topped with sugar syrup and pistachios. Maison Samira Maatouk serves one of the best kunafa in the city.

2. Cheesecake

For lovers of cheesecake, Tashas is known for its rich and creamy versions, offering different flavors like caramel and chocolate.

3. Tarte Tatin

This French-style apple tart is a standout dessert at Louvre Abu Dhabi Café, perfect after a day exploring the museum.

4. Vanilla Meringue

A signature dessert at Cipriani Yas Island, this light, fluffy vanilla meringue cake is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth.

5. Date Pudding

Using local dates, this warm, sticky dessert is a popular choice across many cafés in Abu Dhabi, particularly in places like Li Beirut.

Must-Try Cocktails in Abu Dhabi

1. Desert Rose

This cocktail is a favorite in many luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi. It’s a blend of rose water, pomegranate juice, and gin, offering a refreshing and floral taste.

2. Coya Sour

Coya Abu Dhabi is known for its signature Coya Sour, a twist on the classic Pisco Sour, made with Peruvian pisco, lime, and egg white.

3. Tropical Oasis

Hakkasan Abu Dhabi serves a fruity and refreshing cocktail made with pineapple, passion fruit, and coconut rum, perfect for those wanting a tropical touch.

4. Passionfruit Martini

This vibrant cocktail is served at Catch at St. Regis, blending vodka, passion fruit, and vanilla, creating the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

5. Arabic Mule

A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this cocktail incorporates local spices and ginger, giving a refreshing and local spin to the well-loved drink.