Abu Dhabi is full of cultural attractions, ranking among the 100 most visited cities in the world. But let us be honest — cultural hunger isn’t the only one to satisfy. For food lovers, we have good news: the Abu Dhabi restaurant scene is the perfect place to treat yourself over the weekend and start the new week with +1 kilogram and +100 points to your mood!

Abu Dhabi is truly an amazing place, filled with must-visit spots you should see at least once in your life. We have already shared a tour guide recommending the most interesting places to visit in the UAE capital. So now it is time to create a similar guide for the best cafés and restaurants.

I have compiled my personal top four spots with dish recommendations. Here we go!

Unlike the well-known "bed and breakfast," this particular  BB stands for "Bites and Baos" (which I think is also a pretty good option). The place looks like a Greek taverna (incredibly green, with white and blue stripes on the sofas) and is really popular among residents and tourists. Although the visuals have a warm southwestern vibe, the menu mainly features Eastern cuisine. 

If you love fresh seafood, this is definitely the place for you! Here you can even try Dibba sourced oysters — 6 pcs will cost you 90 AED.

What to try 

Starters: I would definitely recommend the super green hummus (but I might be biased as I am in love with Arabic hummus and take it literally everywhere). 

Seafood: I took BB – XO prawn skewer and loved it.

Dessert: My personal favourite is the waffle apple pie. It is served in a waffle cone and comes with salted caramel!

Price: Bites cost 45–55 AED; BBQ ranges from 65 to 150 AED; and Baos are around for 70–80 AED.

This nice café features a new Arabic style in terms of design: minimalist chairs, a mix of tiles and wood, a lot of sunlight and low green plants. The great feature for me as well — their vibey arabic playlist. By the way, they are sharing some of the songs on social media and for me, it is the perfect music for work!

My personal rule: if there is a dish with truffles on the menu, I definitely need to try it! So… 

What to try

Breakfast: I went for basics — eggs Benedict with smoked salmon which was incredible.

Lunch: I highly recommend the truffle pizza and tortellini with truffle sauce and ricotta.

Price: Breakfast will cost you around 50–80 AED. Lunch menu prices vary greatly depending on the dish — salads are around 50–60 AED, and main courses range from 80 up to 200 AED.

By the way, there is a branch in Dubai, but the design there is slightly different.

First of all, this cafe impresses with its appearance — true to its name, it is designed like an ancient cave. This is quite a challenging task for designers; if the space looks overly exaggerated, it can easily feel more like a children's playroom. And the team has nailed this concept perfectly — Cave Café looks both minimalist and stylish. 

The concept definitely grabs attention, but design alone is not enough. The fact that the venue continues to attract many visitors (by the way, a lot of locals are there, which means there is something that keeps them coming back) shows that it serves good food!

The cuisine is diverse, featuring fish, meat, and salads — everything I have tried happened to be delicious. I was curious to try the kimchi and purple shrimp tartare — and recommend taking a note to try it. But I was also impressed with the dishes I managed to steal from my friends’ plates.

What to try

Starters: Pan de tomate with burrata and anchovies.Main: Glazed spicy octopus. It is served with kimchi, so you can tackle two cravings at once.Dessert: I haven’t tried such tasty tiramisu anywhere in Italy, honestly. It is a must!

Price: Starters are around 30–50 AED; main dishes are 60–90 AED.

By the way, we sat outside (finally, the pleasant weather) and the terrace overlooks the large promenade by the canal, so grab your sunglasses (or order online after reading our guide) and enjoy fresh air.

Every time me and my friends come to Abu Dhabi, we always visit Antonia. The restaurant’s terrace faces the beach and the sea, so in the evenings there is a nice breeze blowing through.

The restaurant owner is Italian, and when we first came here and I ordered just tiramisu, he said he would never serve it without a main dish (typical Italian man!). We struck a deal, but believe me — after trying the pasta and pizza, I understood why he protested. 

Honestly, you can order anything —  and you won’t go wrong. If you come with a big group — it is even better — get a table and try everything you can. But for sure, I will give you a few recommendations.

What to try

Starter: They have both meat and fish options — I recommend the Tartare di Tonno (it is fresh tuna and avocado).Pizza: Bresaola is nice.Dessert: Everything is delicious! (Yes, I have tried everything). I would say – go with Cannoli — it is quite unusual, and it comes with two tubes, so you can share.

Price: Starters are 80–90 AED; pizza is around 60–80 AED, but it is large — we ordered two for four people and were stuffed; pasta is 80–90 AED.

And as a bonus, there is a café Local, which people call a hidden gem of the city in Google reviews. It is a spacious and bright place that shares its space with a streetwear shop where you can also buy clothes from local designers, such as Amongst few. They offer insanely good coffee — just like in specialty coffee shops — and Instagram-worthy breakfasts you will want to come back for. They also serve bites, perfect for a quick snack throughout the day.

What to try

The dishes are nice and classic. My friends loved the beef sandwich, but my personal favourite is the grilled cheese sandwich coming with mozzarella and cheddar.

Price: The average cost of a sandwich here is between 30 and 45 AED; salads are around 45 AED.

Missing out on the coolest events in Dubai? We know where you’ll be in November: The Crowd Test Festival — the very first Art and Music Festival by The Sandy Times. 

The lineup is incredible: Mainline Magic Orchestra from Spain, Eden Burns from New Zealand, and a lot of your favourite DJs like Hani J, Hassan Alwan, Bazzzuk, and more.

Mark your calendar, snag your tickets, and get ready: November 16, 2024, from 5 PM to 3 AM at Monkey Bar, Dubai.