If you’re ever wandering down Electra Street and stumble across a cosy little restaurant that’s bursting at the seams with warm vibes and delicious smells, you’ve probably discovered Aroy Dee Thai Restaurant.
This spot is one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, bringing flocks of fans from across Abu Dhabi to its unassuming corner downtown. Arrive on any given night and you’ll be lucky to squeeze into a seat, so we recommend making a reservation before you arrive.
Everyone who walks in gets treated like a regular; the service is enormously warm and friendly (even by our incredibly high Abu Dhabi standards) and there’s a joyful vibe as soon as you walk through the doors.
It’s not just the service and décor that will make you happy you’re here. Because we’re yet to sample a dish here that isn’t a smash hit.
Grab one of Aroy Dee’s famous coconut milkshakes before you order your food: sweet, and instantly refreshing. These shakes are also a perfect way to cut through the spice that comes later.
Prawn cake starter is a meaty, crispy bite to open up your appetite with, accompanied by a sweet, spicy sauce. But move through appetisers swiftly, because mains aren’t far behind.
If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you might want to choose an alternative dish, but we’re huge fans of Aroy Dee’s curries, which bring the heat in more ways than one.
(You can always ask the chef to dial the spice back a little, but since heat is central to these two dishes, you’re better off choosing something else. As for us? Bring on the heat.)
Everything is cooked beautifully, the flavours hit all the right notes, and the rice is a fantastically fluffy sidekick. We’ve heard Aroy Dee does a fire Thai hotpot too – you can guarantee it’s on the to-try list for the next visit.
A (not so) secret gem downtown with incredible food. Hot stuff.
