Abu Dhabi is known for its towering buildings and glorious beaches but little is said about its dining scene, despite the capital being full of great restaurants and cafes.

With all of the dining options available, it can be difficult to decide where to eat, so here is a list of 20 of the best places to eat in Abu Dhabi to make your decision that little bit easier.

Loca

Loca is a Mexican restaurant and bar which aims to break away from the Tex-Mex fast food craze by creating authentic Latin American dishes. Not only is Loca home to delicious food, it is also home to fantastic presentation, both on the plate and in its interior design.

Loca was designed by the renowned Ferry Tabeling and it even has it’s own ‘tap table’, where Heineken is brought to customers in the form of a table top tap.

Sontaya

This endlessly romantic restaurant is a must-visit for couples as it holds unmatchable ambiance with its beach view.

The restaurant itself is set on a cluster of floating pavilions and its extensive menu - including an impressive vegetarian section - leaves nothing to be desired.

Sportsman’s Arms

Sportsman’s Arms is an American/Irish restaurant and is a great place to eat if you have little ones in tow as it is home to an informal bar and lounge area.

This family-friendly restaurant has a relaxed vibe and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it the perfect location for a family breakfast or a post-work snack.

With live sports being shown at the Sportsman’s Arms, along with an impressive selection of craft beers and cocktails, it’s not surprising that this restaurant is so popular with both locals and tourists.

Asia de Cuba

Asia de Cuba features a lounge area, a restaurant, a beach deck with views of the Arabian Gulf, and an outside bar so, regardless of your tastes you’ll be sure to find a setting to suit you.

At this restaurant, you can treat yourself to brunch, lunch, or dinner, or you could simply order cocktails and while away a day or an evening in a high-quality setting. There’s even a gluten free menu available and an entire menu dedicated to cocktails and cleansers.

Sangeetha

Sangeetha is a wholly vegetarian Indian restaurant and its owners pride themselves on nurturing their customers with healthy food.

Traditional and hospitable, this restaurant has a huge variety of menu options, with highlights including the Paneer Butter Masala and the Dal Tadka.

Game of Toast

This Game of Thrones themed restaurant, where ‘dinner is coming’, is the ideal dining location for any fan of the HBO series.

Specialising in comfort food, such as gourmet toasts and sandwiches, this restaurant stays true to its theme, displaying Games of Thrones memorabilia throughout the site.

Tasha’s

Tasha’s is a laidback eatery with two menus: the classic menu and the inspired menu. Both menus were created with the aim to break the conventions of daytime eating.

The minimalistic layout of Tasha’s leaves the food as the main event and, with great flavour and fantastic presentation, you won’t be disappointed.

Tawa Bakery

Tawa Bakery is 100% gluten free but still has a diverse menu, with options ranging from pizza and pasta to pancakes and burgers.

The owners of Tawa Bakery fully believe that, when eating gluten free, one should not have to compromise on taste or quality, which is why they only serve high-standard and flavoursome food.

BOA

BOA is primarily a steakhouse, but also offers vegetarian, poultry, tapas, and seafood options. Here you can choose to dine in the lounge, the restaurant, or on the terrace - each of which offers a wholly relaxing experience. 

Its dramatic interior makes for the perfect setting for a swanky dinner and its impressive cocktail menu makes it a great place for after work drinks.

NRG Sports Cafe

If you’re looking to catch the game, regardless of which country you’re rooting for, NRG Sports Cafe is the place for you to eat. This sports themed bar shows live sporting events from across the globe on both indoor and outdoor screens.

This cafe serves classic dishes from an array of cultures, such as curries and burgers, and in true sportsman spirit, if you wear your team’s kit to NRG Sports Cafe, you get 30% off your food order.

Zuma

Zuma embraces the Japanese style of eating, where food is served to be shared at the table.
Fully equipped with a sushi & robata counter and a tranquil bar and lounge area, this restaurant is ideal for a relaxed dinner in a luxurious environment.

At Zuma, you can also opt to eat in the semi-private dining area to add a more intimate feel to your party’s meal.

Koi

Koi has the aim to change hospitality and dining into an art form by enhancing the experience; at Koi you’ll find excellence in the combination of food, design, and comfort.

This Japanese restaurant serves all of the signature dishes, such as Kobe style filet mignon, alongside other, more adventurous dishes so, whether you like quirky or classic, you’ll find something to suit you.

Gazebo

This fine dining Indian restaurant uses a combination of traditional cooking techniques which can be enjoyed by connoisseurs of the cuisine and newcomers alike.

Gazebo is famous for its Biryani and, along with an array of the restaurant’s dishes, it is cooked with the Dum Pukht technique. For high-quality, authentic Indian food, this is the restaurant to visit.

Hakkasan

This restaurant is the perfect place to dine for celebratory occasions as it’s fully equipped with a bar area, a lounge area, a restaurant area, and four private dining rooms.

At Hakkasan, you’ll find all of the signature Hakkasan dishes such as the Peking duck served with caviar, along with twists on the classics to keep you on your toes.

Meylas

Meylas provides its customers with authentic Emirati dishes and the restaurant’s name depicts it’s nature: Melyas means a place in which people can gather in a comfortable environment.

At Meylas, the food is kept simple and traditional but with a contemporary twist, staying true to the Chef’s love of classic cultural cuisine.

7Spices

If you’re after traditional Emirati cuisine, 7Spices is a must-visit restaurant for you. This restaurant has taken inspiration from the seven Emirates in order to make its dishes as authentic as can be.

7Spices prides itself on changing the perception on fast food, bringing its customers top-quality meals in the shortest time possible.

Famous Dave’s

All of the food at Famous Dave’s barbecue is made from scratch and the meats are slow cooked to accentuate all of the natural flavours.

But it’s not just barbecue food that you’ll find at Famous Dave’s as you can also opt for soup and salad, pitmaster platters, and hand-crafted flatbreads.

Fairways

Fairways is famous for its weekly dining events such as its Bubbalicious Friday Brunch where you can experience a multitude of cuisines cooked at live stations and Claws on Wednesdays, where you can witness the live interactive cooking of lobsters.

With fantastic events and food to match, Fairways is definitely a must-visit restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Frankie’s

The love child of Marco Pierre White and Frankie Dettori, Frankie’s offers over 80 Italian dishes with an innovative twist, giving the restaurant a modern feel.

With live entertainment every night, along with the option to choose from fine or casual dining, this restaurant is a great place to eat for an occasion.

Villa Toscana

Specialising in Italian cuisine, Villa Toscana draws culinary inspiration from Tuscany, Umbria, and Emilia-Romagna.

With menu highlights including the homemade lobster and prawns ravioli and the braised veal tortelli, Villa Toscana leaves nothing to be desired.

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