The UAE Guides

Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Best Restaurants for Every Budget

Β· 4 min read Food Guide
Restaurant dishes including raclette and eggs benedict on a table in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Contents

  1. Budget Dining (AED 20–70/person)
  2. Mid-Range (AED 80–200/person)
  3. Fine Dining (AED 250+/person)
  4. Markets and Street Food
  5. Where to Eat Near the Grand Mosque
  6. See Also

Abu Dhabi’s food scene is often overshadowed by Dubai’s international reputation, but the capital has its own strong dining culture. The Lebanese and Emirati traditions are better represented here, the waterfront restaurant options are excellent, and the hotel dining - particularly on Saadiyat Island and the Corniche - consistently competes with anything in the region.

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Budget Dining (AED 20–70/person)

Hamdan Street: The old commercial spine of Abu Dhabi runs through the Khalidiyah district and is lined with affordable Iranian, Pakistani, and Lebanese restaurants that have served the same communities for decades. No single restaurant name dominates - look for the busy ones with handwritten specials on chalkboards.

Al Mrzab Restaurant, Hamdan Street area: One of the most accessible dedicated Emirati restaurants in the city. The machboos (spiced rice with fish or chicken), harees (slow-cooked wheat and meat), and luqaimat (honey dumplings for dessert) are all good. Expect AED 40–70 per person.

Sajway: An Emirati-owned quick-service chain specialising in saj (thin flatbread) wraps. Good for a quick lunch, approximately AED 20–35. Branches across the city.

Lebanese Flower: A reliable Lebanese chain that has operated in Abu Dhabi for years. The mezze (hummus, fattoush, kibbeh, maklouba) are consistently good. Lunch combo deals from approximately AED 40 per person.

Mid-Range (AED 80–200/person)

Li Beirut, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche: One of the better Lebanese restaurants in the city in terms of both quality and setting. The outdoor terrace has Corniche views. Mezze and grills - expect AED 100–160 per person with soft drinks.

BICE Restaurant, Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche: Italian food with a broad menu including good fresh pasta. Around AED 120–180 per person.

Meylas, Al Seef: One of Abu Dhabi’s more thoughtful modern Emirati restaurants. Locally sourced ingredients, refined presentation, and a menu that goes beyond the standard machboos and harees. Around AED 120–180 per person.

Coya Abu Dhabi, Four Seasons DIFC: Peruvian-Japanese food in an energetic setting. The ceviche, tiraditos, and anticuchos are all excellent. Around AED 200–300 per person.

Fine Dining (AED 250+/person)

Nahaam, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort: The most ambitious and consistent Emirati fine dining experience in Abu Dhabi. Locally sourced Gulf seafood, heritage grains and vegetables, and traditional spice profiles interpreted through a fine dining lens. Approximately AED 300–450 per person. Reservations recommended.

Talea by Antonio Guida, Four Seasons Al Maryah Island: The Italian chef’s Abu Dhabi outlet. Refined pasta, fresh fish, and Italian classics in an elegant room. Around AED 400–500 per person with wine.

Hakkasan, Emirates Palace: Cantonese fine dining in the palace setting. The dim sum lunch is the best value offering - approximately AED 200–300 per person. Dinner from AED 400.

Azura Panoramic Lounge, Intercontinental: 33rd floor sunset cocktails with panoramic Gulf views. Light bites and cocktails from approximately AED 100 per person. Useful as a pre-dinner sundowner rather than a full restaurant.

Markets and Street Food

Abu Dhabi Fish Market (Mina): The old fish market near the Abu Dhabi port is the most characterful food experience in the city. Arrive early (07:00–10:00) to see the catch being sold. Several simple restaurants grill to order behind the market stalls - a full meal of fresh grilled fish with rice and salad costs approximately AED 60–80.

Lulu Hypermarket food courts: Lulu operates large hypermarkets across Abu Dhabi with food courts that serve everything from Indian thali to Arab grills at very reasonable prices - around AED 15–30 per dish.

Where to Eat Near the Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque area has limited restaurant options immediately adjacent. Karma Kafe at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (a 10-minute walk from the mosque) is a good option for a meal after a visit - Asian-influenced with a waterfront terrace, around AED 80–150 per person.

For broader city information, read our Abu Dhabi travel guide.

GetYourGuide lists food tours and souk walks in Abu Dhabi - a useful way to get oriented on the street food scene before eating independently.

See Also

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Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Abu Dhabi known for?
Abu Dhabi has a strong Emirati culinary tradition focused on rice dishes with fish or meat (machboos), slow-cooked wheat and lamb (harees), and fresh seafood from the Gulf. The city also has excellent Lebanese, Iranian, and Indian restaurants from long-standing resident communities.
Is food expensive in Abu Dhabi?
The range is wide. A full meal at a good Levantine restaurant on Hamdan Street costs AED 40–80 per person. Hotel restaurant dining typically costs AED 150–300 per person. Fine dining at Emirates Palace or Saadiyat Island restaurants runs AED 350–600+.
Is there good Emirati food in Abu Dhabi?
Yes - more so than in Dubai. Al Mrzab on Hamdan Street is the most accessible Emirati restaurant for visitors. Meylas and Nahaam at the St. Regis Saadiyat are the most refined options. The Louvre Abu Dhabi area also has a cafΓ© with Emirati-influenced items.
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