The 35 best dishes in Abu Dhabi to eat right now

American Hot pizza at Marco’s New York Italian

We’re sure we weren’t the only ones who were tremendously excited when Marco Pierre White opened up his second restaurant in the capital back in September. With a cool bar area, lots of retro booth and photos of the man himself covering the walls it ticks all the boxes. It specialises in uncomplicated, high-quality Italian food and if you’re a pizza lover you have to try the exceptionally popular American Hot. Served on a thin and crispy base and topped with salami, mozzarella, tomato and chillies, it delivers the perfect mix of fiery spice, delicious meat and stringy cheese.
Dhs85. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta (02 654 3333).

Arroz Nikkei at COYA

No, you’re not experiencing déjà vu, this dish just never gets boring. An iron pot of creamy rice, mixed with delicate sea bass… It just doesn’t get any better. This could well make it on to this list until the end of time..
Dhs216. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 306 7000).

Baja tacos at Amerigos Mexican Bar & Restaurant

This chilled Mexican restaurant has recently had a revamp. The result is a more colourful and modern dining room, and more vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. But of all the flavourful and authentic Mexican dishes, the baja fish tacos simply stand out above the rest. Lightly battered fish is joined by spicy aoili and red cabbage, and wrapped in soft tortillas. It’s light but super tasty, and every time we buy a plate (which is embarrassingly often), we wish they would never end..
Dhs68. Park Inn by Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Island (02 656 2000).

Beef Pepper Doburi at Tori No Su
We love Japanese food and Tori No Su is about as authentic as you can get without taking a trip to Tokyo. The Beef Pepper Doburi is a real delight with succulent shredded beef strips, fried onions, sliced shitake mushrooms, grilled onions and an oyster pepper sauce soaking into fluffy rice.Grab some chopsticks and get stuck in apologetically, we know we do.
Dhs115. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche West (02 811 5666).

Burrata Pizza at Mare Mare

Forget the amazing views and this restaurant is still impressive with its excellent Italian food. We know good pizza and the burrata pizza here is up there with the best of them. The crust and base are a thing of beauty and when you’ve got a huge ball of buratta at the centre we can forgive you for using a knife and fork to get stuck into every but of the creamy cheese, tangy tomato and fragrant basil pesto that make this pie a real gem.
Dhs85. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort (02 811 4342).

Butternut squash tortelli at Circo
You’ll find a menu full of all the staples and favourites from the boot-shaped country at this circus-themed Italian, plus a few more adventurous dishes such as truffle risotto and poached octopus. The butternut tortelli is swimming in butter (it’s so naughty but we love it), and the naturally sweet butternut goes perfectly with the nutty parmesan cheese and pesto sauce. Served perfectly al dente with just a hint of bite, we could eat bowl after bowl, after bowl.
Dhs79. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 418 2415).

Chicken anticuchos at VaKaVa
Restauranteur Richard Sandoval describes VaKaVa as being the “twin sister of Toro Toro: sassy, vibrant and young”. It’s certainly a winning combination, and the menu is full of colourful South American creations such as tacos, ceviches and grills. Our favourite is the chicken anticuchos, served on a mini grill and featuring succulent meat scattered with fresh chillies and pickled cucumber. The side of corn on the cob is a real treat, too.
Dhs60. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, West Corniche (02 811 5666).

Chicken parmigiana sliders at The Warehouse
There are many very good things about The Warehouse. But that should go without saying really, as we were hardly going to name it our Best Bar of the Year for 2019 without having some solid reasons for doing so. But as well as offering a cool night out, it also has a menu of very enjoyable sharing-style bar food. We’re obsessed with the mini sliders, served in a kind of brioche loaf (we love the satisfaction of tearing it apart) and while the classic cheeseburger is excellent, the chicken parmigiana variety is our number one choice. Tended breaded chicken is topped with lots of tasty tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, and it’s utterly addictive.
Dhs60. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 307 5591).

Crispy salmon and crab croquettes at The Foundry
The Foundry is one of the capital’s most well-established and much-loved steakhouses, but every time we visit we still never fail to be impressed by the cool and very striking chairs, framed with Game-of-Thrones style backs. But of course the food is great too, and we’re not just talking about the quality cuts of meat. Our favourite starter is the salmon and crab croquettes, which comes served with a blob of avocado hummus and a spoon of tomato chutney. It’s packed with beautiful pink fish and the creamy flavours of the avocado and tang of the chutney work together perfectly. We could easily eat several portions at once.

Dhs69. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Mina Street, Al Zahiyah (02 818 4888).

Dim sum at Li Jiang

We’re cheating slightly here, but it’s our own game, so who’s going to tell on us? We love the dim sum at Li Jiang, which is a sliver away from being the best Asian restaurants in the city. There’s no arguing with the dim sum, though. Our favourite is the crystal prawn option, but choose any and you’ll be impressed.
Various prices. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8282).

Dum Ki Sunehari nalli at Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi
Lamb is always best served when it’s slow cooked and when it’s made with care in a rich gravy we’re all in. the bone falls out of this wonderful lamb shank and with vibrant brown gravy with heaps of garlic, chilli, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and more, you’ll be scooping up every last drop with some bread or your hands if you have to. We’re not sure why there’s a gold leaf-coated cherry tomato with the dish but the rest is so good we can overlook the extravagant vegetable.
Dhs175. Emirates Palace, Corncihe West (02 690 7999).

Fish and Chips at Hamilton’s Gastropub

It’s a winning combination but things can often go wrong with this British dish. However that’s not the case at this trendy Saadiyat food spot. The fish is perfectly encased in crispy hops batter, flakes beautifully when cut and comes alive with a squeeze of lemon. Dunk your chips in the tartare sauce and mushy peas and you’ll be smiling from ear to ear.
Dhs95. Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).

Golden bricks at 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant

Take a deep-fried block of rice, top it with tuna tartare, avocado and tobiko and finish with a pristine sliver of gold leaf you have this masterpiece. On a menu of many highlights, this is something we can recommend to everyone.
Part of Natsu tasting menu. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 672 3333).

Greek Salad from Mazi
When it comes to Greek food, it’s generally the simple things that work best. The Greek salad at new venue is Mazi is brilliantly colourful and tasty. Featuring fresh tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, barley, feta and an olive oil dressing it’s an unbeatable classic, and just as good as any of the versions we remember tasting on actual Greek islands. Try this new restaurant next time you’re looking for a chilled lunch spot.
Dhs55. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).

Guacamole at Loca

We feel like there should be something more fancy and more substantial on this list from Loca, but the one thing we always make sure to order every time we visit is the guacamole. It’s wonderful, and they make it right in front of you, so it’s always super fresh.
Dhs72. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 582 3639).

Jerk chicken and coconut rice bowl at Joud Café

This recently opened café ticks all the boxes when it comes to presentation, with cute ornaments, colourful cushions and strategically placed coffee-table books covering the light and airy cafe. The food is exceptional too, and our favourite page of the extensive menu is the one full of wholesome nutri bowls. The spicy jerk chicken comes with a generous serving of sweet, creamy and delicious coconut rice, joined by spicy chicken, black beans, pineapple relish and more vibrant fresh vegetables. A real winner.
Dhs69. Al Seef Village Mall, Khalifa Park area (054 306 9240).

Laksa at Sontaya
Indonesian food is packed full of big flavours and laksa certainly doesn’t lack depth of vibrancy. Sontaya’s take on the classic is a real joy, thick egg noodles soak in a warming curry of creamy coconut, chilli and lemongrass and with juicy prawns quail eggs, tofu and fried onion it’s a medley of textures and tastes that makes you want to lick the bowl clean and book a flight to Jakarta.
Dhs90. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort – Abu Dhabi (02 498 8088).

Mediterranean salad at Alba Terrace
The menu at this gorgeous European restaurant was created by British chef Tom Aikens, and it stars soups, salads, sharing plates, fish, meats and more. The outdoor area right by the pool is stunning, and as you relax on one of the pretty blue and white booths, smoothly sunk down into the edge of the infinity pool, we recommend embracing the theme properly and going for the Mediterranean salad as your starter. Ribbons of colourful raw courgette are joined by juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet red peppers and creamy feta cheese. It’s simple, but clearly made with the very best ingredients the kitchen can possibly source, and the vegetables are all packed with flavour and goodness.

Dhs50. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).

Miso black cod at Zuma

Or, gindara no saikyo miso yaki, to give it its Japanese name. This is another classic that has graced this list lots of times. It’s pretty much perfect with chunky flakes of cod, which has a subtle but deep miso flavour, wrapped in a leaf. It looks stunning and tastes that way, too.
Dhs196. Al Maryah Island (02 401 5900).

Offside Wagyu Burger at Offside Sports Lounge

This is one of those burgers that makes your jaw drop when you see it – and it’s a good job it does, as otherwise you’d never get your chops round it. Sandwiched between the brioche bun is a chunky wagyu beef patty topped with oozing smoked cheese, beef bacon that is all kinds of delicious, cured tomato (no, we’re not sure either), lettuce and dill pickles. Oh, and we forgot about an absolutely massive crispy onion ring. Prepare to get messy and leave very satisfied.
Dhs110. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort (02 811 4342).

Oops I Dropped My Chaat at Namak by Kunal Kapur
If you’re looking for something that’s playful, visually impressive and a delight to eat you’ll be hard pushed to find better than this. Plated to resemble a filled chaat that’s been dropped and splattered all over the plate the dish itself is visually impressive. Put the dramatic and Instagram-friendly presentation to one side and what you’ve got is a vibrant dish with a crispy shell that can be broken to scoop up crispy potato pieces, punchy chutney gel, almond soil, yoghurt and pomegranate seeds. It’s a brilliant dish to share.
Dhs70. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street (02 698 8137).

Orange Blossom Pancakes at Wild & The Moon
What? A vegan dish on our top list? You bet. These delightful pancakes are light as feather and are every bit as indulgent as their dairy counterparts. Perfectly fluffy, with a zesty orange kick, topped with cool coconut cream, chopped bananas and crumbled pistachios, add a little maple syrup and you’re on to a winner.
Dhs45. Cultural Foundation, Qasr al Hosn (056 188 4073).

Paneer roulade at Punjab Grill

With a enviable position overlooking the Grand Canal, the menu at this authentic Indian restaurant contains some creative plates as well as the classics. One of the more adventurous dishes is the unbeatable paneer roulade, and we can’t help but order a portion every time we visit. The huge bowl looks like Italian cannelloni, but in fact it features rolls of soft cheese stuffed with sweetcorn and spinach, and covered in makhani and spinach sauce. Genius.
Dhs98. Venetian Village, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqta (02 449 9839).

Rib-eye at The Grill

Argentinian, grass-fed rib-eye, to be exact. The classy steakhouse at Marriott Al Forsan has lots going for it, not least the quality of its meat. This steak, at Dhs155 for 300g is not the most expensive on the menu, but it’s about the tastiest.
Dhs155. Marriott Al Forsan, Khalifa City A (02 201 4131).

Sea bass at Finz

With a beach-side setting, Finz has perfected a chic coastal vibe. The seafood platters are impressive and made for Instagram, but where it really excels is in the classics. For instance you can’t beat the whole sea bass served in a salt crust, which is de-boned at the table infront of you. There’s more than enough for two and it proves how a seemingly simple dish can be done very, very well. Served with grilled vegetables and some colourful Tunisian couscous, it’s always a total delight.
Dhs510. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 697 9011).

Signature biryani at Kura Kura
This casual Indian restaurant is modesty sized (somewhat surprising given how popular it is), with only about five tables packed into the simple but stylish dining area. Whatever we eat we have to sip a superbly creamy and slightly sweet avocado lassi along with it, and while we love so many of the dishes on the relatively short, but carefully chosen menu, nothing tops the signature biryani. Prepared with “Indian levels” of spiciness (you have been warned), it contains a refreshing citrus sauce, loads of lovely spices and vegetables and chicken, prawn or lamb can be added in for a few extra dirhams. The pot is served practically overflowing, so be prepared to make a bit of a mess. We can’t praise this place highly enough..
Dhs23. Capital Tower, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (02 443 3733).

Something smashing at Jones the Grocer
This Aussie café is a bit of an institution here in Abu Dhabi, and while we love coming here for a midday sandwich (they are so huge and brilliant) or a light dinner (we always go for the harissa chicken) it’s in the breakfast options where it really excels. We thought nothing could beat the winning combination of sour dough and avocado until we tried the grilled sweet potato with poached eggs and avocado at Jones. Topped with creamy feta, chilli flakes and a charred lime, it’s packed with flavour and perfect if you want something a bit less carb-heavy. It’s the dream combination.
Dhs52. Various locations, including Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach (02 558 9808).

Seared scallops at Stratos

This is an expensive starter. But it is a good one. Think perfectly cooked scallops, charred on the outside and mother-of-pearl translucent on the inside. Add crispy beef bresaola and a shards of tallegio, with a vibrant romesco sauce and you have brilliant introduction to any meal.
Dhs135. Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Street (800 101 101).

Shakshuka at Shay Madhboot

Tucked away next to a dry cleaners in Al Muroor, Shay Madhoot doesn’t really look anything special from the outside. But the greatness of this breakfast and karak spot isn’t exactly a big secret, and you’ll be lucky to grab a free table in this petite and very popular café. Everything is homemade and made from scratch, so you might be in for a bit of a weight if you come at a busy time. But the shakshuka is more than worth your patience. Neatly presented on a wooden board and with a wicker basket of freshly made porotta bread, it tastes possibly even better than it looks. The yolks are just runny enough and the delicately flavoured sauce is topped with chunks of delicious feta cheese. Incredible.
Dhs40. Dihan Street, Al Muroor (02 621 7323).

Sticky Toffee Date Pudding at Oak Room
Yes, it’s a steakhouse, but the sweets on offer are as impressive as the cuts of meat. We love a generous helping and this wonderfully light take on sticky toffee pudding has us licking our lips just thinking about. The cake, soaking in suitably sticky toffee sauce, comes with a scoop of toffee ice cream that refreshes the palate and makes a journey to the restaurant for dessert alone seem like a good idea.
Dhs30. Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).

The Aloft Maki at Relax@12

With super panoramic views over Abu Dhabi, this bar is an excellent spot for some post-work drinks. It’s also known for its fantastic selection of sushi, and the menu offers an incredible choice of sashimi, nigiri and colourful maki rolls. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose, but the signature maki has to be best. Featuring grilled eel, salmon, crab, avocado, spicy mayonnaise and unagi sauce, it’s perhaps not the healthiest sushi dish around, but it’s definitely worth an extra trip to the gym.
Dhs57.51. Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel, Khaleej Alarabi Street (02 654 5138).

The Breakup at Tamba

This Indian-inspired restaurant is the very definition of the word cool, and you’ll find it packed out every Thursday for the ever-popular ladies night. The food is creative and served with a touch of theatrics (by that we mean lots of sparklers and dry ice), and nothing is more decadent and dramatic than the very chocolatey dessert The Breakup. Encased by a smooth chocolate shell, you get the satisfaction of smashing it open with a spoon before digging in to the layers of cream, chocolate mousse and nuts which hide inside. It’s worth every calorie.
Dhs50. The Hub at The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi (02 672 8888).

The ‘Famous’ Bentley Burger at Bentley Kitchen

Burgers should be eaten with your hands but we understand if you need to cut this one in half to get stuck in. With an Angus beef patty cooked pink, just the way we like it, Applewood smoked shedder, homemade smoked ketchup and a beauty of a bun, it’s a real foodies burger and together with the fries served with shredded herbs or with truffle and parmesan, it makes a brilliant meal.
Dhs75. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 626 2131).

Tuna maki at Buddha-Bar Beach

There are many great dishes on the menu at the brilliant restaurant, but we like to keep things simple with as much sushi as possible, The tuna rolls are excellent here, and something we return to time and again.
Dhs60. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).

Via Chiaia pizza at Café Milano
There’s nothing we don’t adore about this pizza. From the perfect base and crust, served charred and bubbled, to the proportion and selection of toppings, it’s a first class dish. The tomato sauce has fantastic kick from fresh chilli, the cheese is stringy and not overloaded and the veal is wonderfully tender. Friends will want to try a piece but we’d be surprised if you offered to share.
Dhs125. Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah island (02 333 2222).