If you love hunting for alternative dining experiences, you won’t want to miss this list.
Food trucks started as a hot new fad a few years ago in Abu Dhabi, but over time they’ve proven themselves to be an integral part of the capital’s foodie scene – with some demonstrating serious mileage.
Hidden gems on the move: food trucks are where the coolest pop-ups, concepts and hipster dining habits arise.
If you’re ever looking for something to do during the summer evenings in Abu Dhabi, driving around and sampling the city’s food trucks is a guaranteed gastronomic adventure.
We’ve been on a food tour to find you the city’s best food trucks; from coffee and fast food to gourmet eats, you can get almost anything handed to you through that magical window.
Butcher & Still
Located at ACTIVE on Al Maryah Island, the Butcher & Still food truck serves handcrafted comfort food by Chef Marshall Roth and the culinary team. On the menu you’ll find elevated versions of classic American dishes, such as the cluck burger with crispy chicken, homemade pickles and fries (Dhs45); the signature fried chicken made with Cajun spices and served with a buttermilk biscuit (Dhs45); or the shoestring truffle fries (Dhs25). Sounds like the perfect truck to swing by for a tasty meal, especially after working out at ACTIVE.
ACTIVE on Al Maryah Island (02 333 2222).
Chocolicious
Ever popular for its milkshakes, ice-cream, waffles and crepes, Chocolicious is a sweet food truck you don’t want to miss the next time you’re on the hunt for a sugar fix. The distinctive pink truck is home to some of the city’s best desserts, including the Nutella chocolate crepe (Dhs28) and the Bahbahani Cake (Dhs33). Chocolicious can be found across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: in Khalifa City, Al Shamkha, Hilli, Al Zafarana and Zakher, as well as Khorfakkan beach in Sharjah.
Khalifa City, Al Shamkha (0566050307).
Graffiti Burger
Graffiti Burger is known for its distinctive graphic style and bold menu. The latest menu features twists on Abu Dhabi favourites, such as the chicken curry poratta with fried breaded chicken breast, American cheese, curry sauce, and shredded iceberg lettuce wrapped in a soft poratta (Dhs12). You can also sample the spicy pillow cheese bites (Dhs17) or the Graffiti crazy style fries (Dhs17). You can order online, or visit the truck on Airport Road in Al Mushrif.
Airport Road, Al Mushrif (600 587 002).
Lavose
If you’re looking for a food truck that serves a little bit of everything, Lavose might be the perfect stop for you. Serving burgers, hotdogs, pasta, snacks, sweets and drinks there is certainly lots to choose from. Love all things lotus? They have lotus crepes and pancakes (Dhs18) plus a lotus milkshake (Dhs24). They also serve dynamite shrimp (Dhs30), cheese fries (Dhs18) and a variety of drinks, including mojitos and fresh juices.
Al Shamkhah (054 493 7622).
mlt
Gooey grilled cheese, soft tacos, stuffed waffles, and avocado toast. These are just some of the offerings at one of Abu Dhabi’s favourite food trucks: mlt. Try the egg-o with toasted milk bread and eggs mixed with mlt special sauce (Dhs13); the beef bao comes with thinly sliced wagyu ribeye served with cilantro aioli (Dhs50); the oldskool burger comes with a grassfed beef patty topped with melted cheese and mlt special sauce (Dhs35).
Al Hudariyat Island and Marsa Mina (056 666 5016).
SALT
One of the best known homegrown restaurants in the UAE is SALT. Serving sliders, fries, ice creams and milkshakes, the restaurant grew from one food truck on Kite Beach in Dubai, to new locations in Al Mushrif, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and even Riyadh. The location next to Umm Al Emarat Park is a favourite of Abu Dhabi residents for grabbing lunch before heading into the park to have a walk, check out the botanical gardens or visit the animals. Sample the original Wagyu beef slider with sliced cheese, original sauce, pickles and a butter bun (Dhs32) or try the crispy chicken sliders with chic sauce, lettuce and pickles (Dhs37).
Umm Al Emarat Park (055 996 7381).
Are you still on the hunt for the city’s best eats? Look no further than these lists for Abu Dhabi’s best hotpot, eggs benedict or budget Indian restaurants.
