Ah, the humble sandwich. Such a simple yet versatile beast loved the world over. Whether you’re a fan of toasties, subs, clubs or just a plain old cheddar on white with a fine layer of butter there can be few finer lunchtime pleasures than this ingenious invention.
Our tummies rumbling, we’ve hunted down the capital’s top spots that really understand how to make a spot-on sarnie.
Super sandwiches
El Paso Chicken Sandwich at No57 Boutique Café
They say everything is bigger in Texas and when you lay eyes on No57 Boutique Café’s El Paso Chicken Sandwich you’ll understand why. Braised pulled chicken, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, chipotle aioli, melted mozarella and black beans are somehow crammed between two slices of rustic Italian bread. It will stretch both your mouth and belt buckle. Yee-haw.
Dhs60. Open daily 9am-10.45pm. Al Bateen (02 441 6100).
The Moroccan at Jones the Grocer
A sandwich so good that Mrs Jones has it for lunch herself. The Moroccan is an explosion of taste and deliciousness that will take you on a journey to Casablanca and back. Spiced lamb shoulder, roasted red pepper, hummus, Greek yoghurt, mint mayo and coriander salad on rosemary flatbread. We think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Dhs52. Various locations including Khalidiya St and Khalifa City, www.jonesthegrocer.com.
The New Yorker Sandwich at Café 302
Sandwiches in the Big Apple are taken very seriously so if you are going to name one after NYC then it better be good. Café 302’s New Yorker lunch bite (or whenever you feel like it) consists of smoked salmon and cream cheese which is topped off with chive, capers, red onions and rocket. Truly a sandwich you can’t refuse.
Dhs46. Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Fatima Bint Mubarak Street (02 610 6688).
The Reuben at Stock Burger Co
The origins of the Reuben are oft argued about, but in our eyes who made it first doesn’t matter one lick. What does matter though is the unbelievably good version at Stock Burger Co. Smoked and peppered 9oz pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, homemade sauerkraut, pickled cucumber and a dollop of grainy honey mustard or Thousand Island sauce that is placed between two thick pieces of toasted rye bread (or wheat bread if you please). It will have you counting down the seconds to lunch time.
From Dhs40. Open Sat-Wed noon-midnight, Thu-Fri noon-1am, Dhafeer Street (02 647 4888).
The Super Sandwich at Brunch & Cake
This newcomer is fast becoming one of the most popular eateries in Abu Dhabi (are we really surprised?). But when it comes to sarnies there can only be one – the super sandwich. Chicken, nachos, guacamole and chipotle sauce is a Barcelona staple and we are in no doubt it will become the same here.
Dhs72. Open daily 9am-11pm. Marsa Al Bateen Marina, www.brunchandcake.com (052 811 3952).
Wonderful wraps
The Braised Beef Cubano Wrap at Fifth Street Café
Known for its knockout burgers, Fifth Street Café demonstrates that the kitchen is as equally gifted when it comes to wraps. The braised beef Cubano offering involves pastrami, pickles, emmental cheese and some tangy mustard cloaked in a tortilla. Simple but delicious.
Dhs50. Open daily 7am-11pm. Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 698 2255).
Buffalo Chicken Wrap at Stars N Bars
We are crazy for everything buffalo chicken so this always going to make the cut. Lightly breaded chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce (drool) with avocado, tomato, lettuce, red onion and ranch dressing, all wrapped up in a tomato tortilla. This effort packs a little kick for spice-lovers.
Dhs70. Open Sun-Wed noon-1am, Thu-Fri noon-3am, Sat midday-2am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 0101).
The Gyros Wrap at Nolu’s Café
For a Lebanese luncheon in a cool California-inspired surrounding, Nolu’s Café is a great spot. With this wonderful wrap you get some gyros meat joined by lettuce, pickled onions, cucumber, sprout cucumber yoghurt and sumac, which is all wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Super-fresh, super-filling and super-flavoursome. Two, please.
Dhs63. Open daily 9am-10.30pm. Al Raha Beach (02 557 9500). Open daily 9am-11pm. Galleria Mall, Zayed, The First St (800 66587).
The Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding Wrap at 1762
Now this is what we are talking about when it comes to a big eat to stave off hunger until dinner time. Spinach, caramelised onions, horseradish mustard, a pot of gravy and, of course, roast beef star in 1762’s wonderful take on classic British cuisine – and we have to say it’s proper good stuff.
Dhs42. Open daily 8am-10pm. Al Khalidiya (800 1762).
The Spiced Prawn Fajita at The Third Place Café
Don’t try and get technical. A fajita is a wrap, end of. Now that we have cleared that up have a look at The Third Place Café’s little cracker. Prawns are gently fried and spiced before avocado, peppers and onions are thrown into the mix. Grab one and soak up a little sun.
Dhs50. Open daily 8am-10.30pm. Corniche Road, Khalidiya (02 681 1877).
Voluptuous veggies
The Flatbread Sandwich at Warehouse Tapas & Bar
This place is well-known as a sophisticated spot to enjoy your hour away from the office or a quick drink after work. However, we are here to talk sandwiches and Warehouse has come up with a vegetarian flatbread sandwich to please our non-carnivore friends. Mushrooms, gruyère cheese, thyme and garlic are all served on flatbread. So good that even the non-veggies in the office have given it the thumbs up.
Dhs65. Open daily 4pm-1am. Al Khaleej Al Arabi St, Al Rawdah Capital Centre (02 307 5552).
The Falafel Wrap at Urban Kitchen
Check out this little beauty from the classy establishment that is Urban Kitchen. The green pea and chickpea falafel wrap is a combination of quinoa taboulé, cucumber pickled vegetable, spinach, beetroot hummus and labneh. The restaurant offers live cooking stations with chefs strutting their stuff will keep you entertained while you dig into your sandwich.
Dhs55. Open daily 6.30am-10.30am, 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street (02 698 8137).
The Grilled Vegetable Sandwich at Circle Café
Looking for a grilled sandwich that isn’t swamped by melted cheese? Then get down to Circle Café to try the grilled vegetable offering. Slow-cooked mushrooms, tomatoes, Italian parsley, white beans, garlic and chili are served with sweet potato fries and vegan mayo and not a sliver of the yellow stuff in sight (apart from the sun of course).
Dhs40. Open Mon-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm. Al Raha Gardens Plaza, Khalifa City (02 556 1550).
The Hummus Toastie at tashas
tashas’ hummus toastie is a must-try for anyone in the mood for something less meaty. Hummus, rocket, avo, roasted tomatoes, feta, poached egg, zaatar spice on toasted village bread. It is one of the most popular spots in the city and when you see the stunning outdoor terrace, experience the lively atmosphere and of course, taste the food, you’ll know why.
Dhs72. Open daily Sat-Wed 8am-11pm, Thu-Fri 8am-midnight. Al Marsa Street (02 445 0890).
The Vegan at 90 Centigrade
On the look out for a casual setting and, more importantly, a vegetarian sandwich? Check out 90 Centigrade where punters can chomp down on The Vegan. A wholewheat, multigrain croissant filled with chickpea, grilled red pepper, fried aubergine and cauliflower and then drizzled in a Sicilian pesto sauce. Delish.
Dhs50. Open daily 6.30am-1am. Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 485 3968).
Under Dhs35
The Avocado at Café Arabia
Seriously, did you honestly think we would round up the best sandwiches of Abu Dhabi and not include one that is dedicated to avocados? Oh, please. Café Arabia rustles up a little gem that will only set avo fans back Dhs30. Mozzarella, tomato, homemade pesto served on the café’s signature bread (and obvs avocado) make this a cheap and consummately cheerful lunch.
Dhs30. Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Karamah (02 643 9699).
The Grilled Pepperoni and Salami at Egg Shack Café
Have a guess what most of the dishes are at this café? Yes, it is egg. However, here is a curve ball – the grilled pepperoni and salami sandwich. This one is for those who love their meat. Savoury slices of pepperoni and salami are laid out on two rounds of bread before melted cheese is whacked on both sides. It tastes amazing and best of all it only costs Dhs25. Don’t tell us price doesn’t add to the taste.
Dhs25. Open daily 7.30am-5.30pm. Al Mushrif (02 666 4141).
Miss J Triple Decker at Miss J Café
Featuring all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a pâtisserie, Miss J Café covers all bases when it comes to meal times. However, this lovely venue is on this list because of its Triple Decker sandwich. When it comes to bang for your buck then this monster for only Dhs25 will be incredibly difficult to beat. Chicken, beef, fried eggs, cheese, tomato, cucumber, mayonnaise and mortadella is crammed into one sandwich. The only problem is how to fit it all into your mouth. We’ll always find a way, that’s for sure.
Dhs25. Open daily 7am-10.45pm. Zayed The First Street, Plaza Boulevard (02 666 7800).
The Musakhan roll at Tawa Bakery
If you want gourmet then you have to spend money, right? Wrong. Tawa Bakery’s gourmet sandwich range is full of freshly baked breads used to create super sarnies that are wholesome, gluten free and, most wonderfully of all, great value for money. The Musakhan roll is one that catches the eye immediately with sumac-braised chicken blended with onions and Arabic spices rolled in traditional Arabic bread and served with green side salad and tahini sauce, and it only costs Dhs30. Need we say any more?
Dhs30. Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Muneera Island (02 556 6900).
The Pesto Caprese at Sam’s Box Café
Want a perfect pizza? Go to an Italian. Want a cracking curry? Go to an Indian. Want a superb sandwich? Go to the sarnie specialists Sam’s Box Café. This place is all about healthy, fresh, fast food that fits into today’s up-and-at-’em lifestyle. There are plenty of options from which to choose but our favourite is the pesto caprese, made up of fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, tomatoes and covered in yummy homemade pesto. And what’s best of all it is only Dhs31.50. Healthy for you and your bank balance. Now there’s a win-win.
Dhs31.50. Open daily 6am-2am. Capital House, Al Karamah Street, Embassies District (02 666 7004).
The Tamago and Soseji Sandwich at Yamanote Atelier
If we had a prize for the capital’s cutest sandwich, it would be hard to look past Yamanote Atelier’s tamago and soseji creation. The restaurant, which bases most of its dishes on the flavours and precision of Japanese baking, the culinary craft of French pâtisseries and the range and quality of Emirati ingredients has developed this dainty piece sarnie super fans will be salivating over. Soufflé egg, beef sausage and cheese are neatly packed into homemade bread. This is winner for Instagram and a real tummy pleaser.
Dhs32. Open daily Sat-Wed 8am-10pm, Thu-Fri 8am-11pm. Al Seef Village Mall (04 388 1811).
