Going to the mall is an integral part of living in Abu Dhabi. Whether you’re just popping out to pick up some groceries or spending the afternoon at the cinema, at some point, chances are you’ll find yourself ducking into one of the numerous food courts or eateries dotted around the shopping precincts. That being the case, we’ve munched our way through the best mall food offerings we could find to bring this comprehensive rundown of where to spend your dirhams when the hunger pangs kick in on your next shopping spree.
The rules
• Team TOAD have been to 37 restaurants in the city’s malls to bring you the most comprehensive round-up.
• We’ve deliberately not included the likes of Burger King and McDonald’s on this list.
• Most of Abu Dhabi’s malls are included, from Marina to Al Ain, but souks are not.
International
Hard Walls: Situated on the second floor of Marina Mall, walking into Hard Walls is a slightly surreal experience. Once you fight your way through the thick cloud of shisha smoke (unless you’re partial to it then fill your boots) and onto the outside terrace, you’ll be greeted by accommodating staff and a hefty menu. They do everything from drinks to soups, salads, appetisers, pastries, pasta, pizza, seafood and everything in between. A great place to meet up with friends.
Recommended dish: Shanghai shrimp.
Marina Mall (02 681 8114).
Bliss House: Part of a wider franchise in the city, this venue serves up large portions of yummy sandwiches and hefty salads. The outlet in Mushrif Mall is manned by friendly staff, ready to assist you. Be forewarned that portions are quite huge, so a salad might suffice as a meal. The food court in Mushrif Mall is clean and well manned, so you can enjoy a meal in relative silence. Prices are reasonable, considering the massive portions.
Recommended dish: Tackle their spicy chicken sandwich.
Mushrif Mall (02 690 4422).
Asian
Yin Yang: Unless you’re at a barbecue or a child’s birthday party it always feels a bit odd eating off a paper plate. But that’s exactly what you’ll get at Yin Yang. It’s quite fitting that this venue is set in the noisy, busy, overcrowded Marina Mall food court because that’s what the grub from this eaterie is like. Serving up a selection of Asian dishes from curries to soups and beyond, the menu is straightforward. They’ve also got an open cooking area if you have a hankering for something barbecued.
Recommended dish: Chicken Thai red curry.
Marina Mall (02 681 8158).
Thai Express: A menu full of classic Thai dishes but don’t expect too much – after all, this is fast food we’re talking about. It’s all pretty standard fare but it’s also a great option if you fancy something a bit more substantial than a burger – particularly if you’re going to the cinema in the mall of an evening. The staff are also incredibly friendly. Don’t be too scared of the spicier dishes, either – they’re nothing too wild. Swerve the rubbery discs of thod man pla (fried fish cakes), though – thoroughly unpleasant.
Recommended dish: Chicken phad gaprow kai.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 639 6630).
The Noodle House: For a mall food restaurant, The Noodle House is a pretty trendy setting. Long tables line the dark-tiled floor, and there’s a real buzz about the place. The one in Al Wahda mall is set on two levels (although that doesn’t make it particularly pushchair friendly if you’re a mum: the stairs are steep) and has developed quite the reputation for delivering fresh ingredients promptly. One word of warning: the food here is good, but your wallet will be sobbing afterwards more than Gwyneth Paltrow does when accepting an Oscar.
Recommended dish: The Thai-style chilli prawns with basil.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7391).
Hot Plate: Nestled in the food court at the Mina Mall, this eaterie serves up a rich menu of four cuisines: Indian, Thai, Pakistani and Chinese. The price might be slightly higher than you would expect for a mall outlet, however portions are excellent, well prepared and the service is very accommodating and friendly. Many dishes are quite spicy, however you can ask for a meal to be prepared with less punch. The setting might be a little dingy, but the food is completely worth it.
Recommended dish: Hammour tikka.
Mina Mall, port area (02 676 5488).
Zyng Asian Grill: This restaurant’s problem has always been location. Hidden at the back of Marina Mall near Billabong, it’s actually worth seeking out. While the menu is a tad hit and miss, the fact you can mix and match your noodles is a nice touch and the soups, such as the beef and noodle, make for a decent, hearty lunchtime meal for around Dhs50. The décor is a bit sterile, although the glass walls are impressive. They seem to have quite a regular turnover of staff here, but regardless of the changes, they’ve always been friendly.
Recommended dish: Go for the Mongolian lamb grill.
Marina Mall (02 681 9319).
Japanese
Fujiyama: This Japanese outlet serves a range of teriyaki dishes and some sushi. Steer clear of the sushi though and you will have a hearty meal. The teriyaki dishes use fried fish, shrimps, beef and chicken. Each dish comes with a large portion of egg fried rice or noodles. The noodles can be a bit too greasy, although the fried rice is surprisingly light. The only gripe we have is that the noise means it’s not exactly a relaxing environment, but that’s the nature of a food court after all.
Recommended dish: Shrimp teriyaki.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 644 6356).
Italian
Pizza Amore: Pizza Amore is a bit of an Abu Dhabi institution for one simple reason: they do pretty good pizzas. Which is good, because the amount of sub-standard concoctions we’ve made our way through over the years beggars belief. The faux Italian layout of the one in Tourist Club itself is quite kitsch but the one in Al Raha Mall is more of a take-out place. Their salads are decent as well, but the pasta dishes disappointing.
Recommended dish: Calabrese pizza.
Al Raha Mall (02 556 5290).
Biella: Not the cheapest place you can visit in a shopping centre, but Biella’s cool blue walls at the back of the first floor of Abu Dhabi Mall will lure in those of you wanting more than a Hardee’s burger while out shopping. The staff are polite but don’t go over the top, nor do they hassle you once you’ve received your food. Free bread is dished out to start and there’s plenty on the menu, from soups to meat dishes and pastas and of course, pizza. It’s perfect for lunch with friends or even a business meeting. The only downside is the price. It’s a bit steep for mall food.
Recommended dish: You’ll love their creamy chicken alfredo pasta.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 643 4005).
Il Forno: Il Forno serves a classic Italian menu with an endless range of pizzas, pastas and salads. It’s all quite basic stuff, but surprisingly tasty given the low prices. The pizza is particularly good – thin crispy bases, generous amounts of topping and they’re easily big enough to share between two people. But the main reason we always revisit Il Forno in Abu Dhabi Mall is the shady terrace outside, where you can sit and gaze at the sea and the Beach Rotana’s stretch of sand while you eat. Classic menu maybe, but classic mall dining this isn’t.
Recommended dish: Pizza Rosta.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 644 7511), Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7344), Airport Road (02 443 5578), Khalidiyah Centre (02 633 7730).
Bricco Café: A good spot to stop for something quick but substantial and very tasty while out shopping. The décor is simple and comfortable and the chefs rely on quality ingredients to make the dishes shine.
Recommended dish: Spaghetti carbonara.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7751).
Italianissimo: This upscale mall eaterie is decorated with black and white photographs, vintage movie posters, plush couches and ornate elements. They even have a dessert cart that is wheeled to your table! The Italian menu is full of items that had our mouths watering, although some dishes sound much more appetising on paper, such as the bland pasta pansotti. Despite the venue being relatively empty, the meal took a while to arrive, however we got to dig into a bread basket with the regular dips of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pomodoro sauce. The food is generally decent, save for the one botched main. Overall, the experience is more akin to a restaurant than a mall outlet.
Recommended: The pizza with bresaola.
Abu Dhabi Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island (02 671 6812).
Café food
Alfredo’s: More of a cool coffee hangout than somewhere you’d go for some grub as such but still, what they have on offer is decent. With a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and so on to go with your cup of Joe (check out their white chocolate mocha, by the way), Alfredo’s is a great little spot to sit and watch the world go by – well to watch people shopping, anyway. It’s a very smoky venue (although they do have a small non-smoking section) so if that’s a problem it may not be up your street.
Recommended dish: Italian sandwich.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 643 4660).
Eric Kayser: This coffee shop chain is most renowned for its tempting array of pastries. If you’ve got a sweet tooth then Eric Kayser will have something to satisfy your sugar cravings. Away from the sweet stuff the menu is crammed full of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and much, much more. It’s quite a nice place to chill out with friends and indulge in a caramel macchiato – although even the coffee here is overly sweet.
Recommended dish: The yummy chicken focaccia melt.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 2020).
Tim Horton’s: A great spot just outside Abu Dhabi Mall. If it’s a hearty, meaty, big and bouncy hot panini you’re after you could do much worse than dropping by this establishment. The sandwiches are thick and delicious – much like the coffee. If your hunger hasn’t been satisfied by the time you chomp your way through one of their breaded offerings then you can always round things off with a nice, fresh doughnut.
Recommended dish: The huge Tuscan turkey hot panini.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 674 0192).
Gloria Jean’s: Gloria Jean’s deserves special mention for their rather extensive menu of sarnies and cakes. The staff are extremely helpful; they’ll help mums with buggies and bring your drinks and food to your table. One word of warning: the serving of sugar in their drinks and cakes seems to be dialed up to 11. It really is a place for those with a sweet tooth. It’s a welcoming vibe with plenty of kids running around and old sofas to fall back into.
Recommended dish: Their salads are worth a try, as are their muffins, but if you’re really pigging out, try the cheesecake.
Mushrif Mall (02 690 4422).
Bloomsbury’s: You can barely move in this city at the moment without something spongy, crammed with buttercream and sprinkle-topped being shoved under your nose. And while Abu Dhabi’s cupcake craze shows no signs of slowing, it’s good to see that some cafés out there are at least making an attempt to go against the grain. They offer two categories: luxury and boutique. The Raspberry Dream is a favourite with regular customers; with vanilla sponge, a fruity raspberry buttercream and a fresh raspberry on top. Bloomsbury’s aim is to make cupcakes taste as good as they look and they live up to their mantra. They also do a bargain afternoon tea, with cakes and sarnies, for Dhs55 per person.
Recommended dish: The key lime pie cupcake.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7070), Mushrif Mall (02 450 0300).
Miss J Café: The black and white tiled floor, central counter and plush red seating give this small café the feel of an American diner. The menu is the usual café fare, with burgers, sandwiches and a tempting array of cakes to choose from, but there is also a large selection of sweet and savoury crêpes, each named after a country (depending on the filling). The food is cheap, even by mall standards, meals are filling and if you like crêpes you’ll find more than enough choice to keep you happy.
Recommended dish: Order the standard hamburger. It’s a winner.
Marina Mall (02 681 2350).
Café du Roi: This café nestled in Abu Dhabi Mall offers a rich menu of cooked meals and Arabic and international fare. The setting is rather dark and often attracts many people for coffee or beverages. They have a bakery section that sells all kinds of pastries and sweets, although some items might seem a tad overpriced. The staff are friendly and accommodating and you can tailor any dish to your choosing.
Recommended dish: The grilled chicken plate is great.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 644 6356).
Galler Chocolate: This gourmet style café sells a lot of decadent chocolate treats, as well as some interesting menu items. Being a Belgian chocolate house, the menu offers dishes which incorporate chocolate in some way. We tried the shrimp salad with chocolate and the beef fillet with chocolate sauce. While the fare is pricier than the usual mall eats, the execution of the meals is worth it. Nevertheless, the service is appalling and you need to be very specific when ordering. The chocolate drinks are excellent and well worth a stop – especially fun is the tasting selection of hot chocolate from three different centuries.
Recommended dish: The chocolate shrimp salad is divine.
Marina Mall (02 681 8566).
La Brioche: This all-rounder serves excellent coffee, a decent breakfast, good salads and plenty more besides. From quiches and soups to pasta and meat courses, and pastries served all day, it is easy to fill rumbling tummies of any size or inclination at this well-established café.
Recommended dish: Eggs Benedict.
Marina Mall (02 681 9319).
Caffé Nero: This British import is now a firm favourite with Abu Dhabi Mall regulars. Though it is really more about the coffee here, it’s also great to grab breakfast or lunch. Morning foods run the line of pastries but they also do a filling porridge. Throughout the day the sandwiches, wraps and paninis are all good and worth a try – as are the very tempting cakes and desserts.
Recommended dish: Blackberry and bran low fat muffin.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 676 6427).
Indian
Asha’s: Tucked away in Khalidiyah Mall, Asha’s is fancy enough to make you forget you’re eating while surrounded by shoppers. The décor is plush, airy and contemporary, with even plump cushions supplied on the seats in the booths. Service is prompt and with a smile, although their timings can be a bit off: we were greeted with warm poppadoms, then had to wait an age for our drinks and starters, yet got our mains literally as we finished those aforementioned appetisers. Try the deep fried yet delicate prawns in breadcrumb to start (although serving it with the same chutney you get with your poppadoms is a bit cheeky, in our opinion). It’s pricey and some mains could do with an injection of flavour, but the good news is the portions are so big, you’ll have enough for two meals. Ask for a doggy bag.
Recommended dish: The rich tomato paneer makhani.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 9300).
India Palace: This one has a sister restaurant in Tourist Club which recently received a favourable review from TOAD. And the Mushrif Mall branch is pretty decent as well. Plonked near TFI Friday, it’s the more bustling of the two restaurants, as you’d expect from a busy mall. That doesn’t mean they shirk on the service, though and the menu full of kebabs, curries and biryanis will please many a palate.
Recommended dish: The creamy banja kofta (cottage cheese dumplings) is great.
Mushrif Mall (02 690 4422).
Zara Zardozi: This cavernous eaterie is situated in the middle of Al Raha Mall. It’s absolutely huge inside, but the lack of music means that every clink of a knife and every clatter of a pan resonates around the whole building. The food is another thing altogether: the menu is massive and fusion is the name of the game here. There’s a chicken curry with pesto and their famous tandushi (chicken tikka with seaweed and rice) which, put simply, should be avoided at all costs. The waiters unfortunately put the dozy into Zardozi, but there’s the odd dish on the menu worth your dirhams.
Recommended dish: The desi fondue is a tasty twist on a French classic and naan bread dipped in the piping hot cheese works surprisingly well.
Al Raha Mall (02 556 5188).
American
Burger Bureau: This one takes some finding, as it’s hidden right at the back of level three of the new Al Wahda Mall extension. But it’s worth seeking out. The burgers are fresh and keep grease to a minimum and you can also build your own. It’s a huge place, bright and airy with plenty of nods to Americana on show. We’d recommend this place for a pre-match burger if you’re off to see Al Wahda FC.
Recommended dish: The steak out – a sirloin steak with mushrooms, onions and BBQ sauce.
Al Wahda Mall (800 128 7437).
TGI Fridays: Has two branches in Abu Dhabi, one of which is a noisy number in Mushrif Mall. We’ve heard staff whooping and even singing during visits. As for the food, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a fast food chain. Burgers, tacos, sliders, and chicken wings, none of which will win awards, but will leave you with a stomach the size of an oil drum.
Recommended dish: The Philly cheese steak sandwich.
Mushrif Mall (600 523 334).
Fuddruckers: It’s loads of fun to eat here and sometimes you’ll face a wait at weekends to get in, as large families and groups fill the booths. Burgers are the order of the day – whether they’re beef of chicken – and are brought out deconstructed. You get to top your sandwich with as much of whatever you want from the salad bar. The buffalo chicken wings aren’t too shabby, either.
Recommended dish: Plough through a buffalo chicken sandwich.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7538).
Chili’s: Manned by friendly staff who make you comfortable as soon as you enter. The menu is full of great options such as the Chili Fries and loaded potato skins. With large tables, this is a great spot to take friends.
Recommended dish: The molten chocolate cake is a monster!
Al Mariah Mall (02 671 6300), Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 9300).
Seafood
Jimmy’s Killer Prawns: The setting certainly does no justice to the prawns, which are aptly named ‘killer,’ and complemented by a selection of good sauces. All in all, everything that we tried from the sea is thoroughly satisfying here. The steak strips and rice however, deserve to be shunned. Staff are polite, albeit seeming a little deflated, but they certainly get points for being so accommodating of our questions regarding food intolerances, and actually responding to them.
Recommended dish: The creamy mussels are perfect.
Mushrif Mall (02 450 0300).
Lebanese
Just Falafel: We’re regular customers at Just Falafel and why do we keep going there? Because Just Falafel’s menu is so simple (falafel sandwiches, fries and mint lemonade) you don’t have to think too hard about what to order. They’re filling, taste good and cost next to nothing and the best thing is that they are all themed by country. So a Japanese has extras like wasabi mayo while Greek will be dressed with tzatziki. Service is snappy and we like this no fuss attitude. The name says it all really.
Recommended dish: We love the Japanese falafel wrap – it’s the east and Middle East rolled into one.
Delma Mall (02 551 0748), Al Ain Mall (03 737 6607).
Tche Tche: This Arabic eatery offers a wide selection of Middle Eastern and international meals. With a host of sandwiches, salad, breakfasts and daily specials, you are sure to find something that will please your palate. Located at the ground floor in Al Raha Mall, the interior is large and well suited for large groups. Many customers choose to indulge in a shisha after eating, while enjoying a game of tawleh or backgammon. Service is prompt and prices are quite reasonable.
Recommended dish: The chef’s cheese and turkey ham salad.
Al Raha Mall (02 556 6411).
Beirut: The outlet in the Al Wahda Mall food court has a large selection of salads and meals. They offer different plates as daily specials, and your dish will include a small salad and a soup. Portions are generous and meals are prepared fresh and as close to home as you can get in a mall eatery. The service is prompt, as everything is already laid out so that you can choose your meals.
Recommended dish: Kibbeh bil saniyyeh.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7655).
Zaatar w Zeit: Fast food Lebanese style. Whether you’re dining in or taking the delicious treats away, the wraps from Zaatar w Zeit are made fresh to order and come with a variety of interesting fillings from classics like falafel and kashkawan cheese to hotdogs and roast beef. The fries are great as well.
Recommended dish: Sujouk.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 8034).
Persian
Hatam: The offerings at Hatam can be summarised as grills and stews – but what it lacks in variety it makes up for in flavour and quantity. Grills are well spiced and extremely tasty, served with a mountain of excellent rice or fries, and the stews are bursting with flavour. Service is friendly but can be frustratingly slow at times. Don’t forget to ask for the sumac to shake on your rice.
Recommended dish: You’ve got to try the yoghurt chicken kebab.
Marina Mall (02 681 9319).
Mexican
Cantina Laredo: Not the most exciting Mexican food you’ll ever eat, but for a mall it’s really not bad at all. All the standards are present and correct and you’re more likely to be satisfied with safe bets, such as fajitas, rather than the more unusual dishes.
Recommended dish: Top shelf guacamole is the business.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4877).
The weird world of shopping malls
The shopping mall is a staple of Hollywood cinema. Recent films include Seth Rogen’s Observe and Report and Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Classic horror movie Dawn of the Dead is set in a shopping mall. One of the stores in the 2004 remake of this zombie flick is called Gaylen Ross. Gaylen was the name of one of the actors in the original movie.
The Dawn of the Dead remake was shot in a deserted shopping mall in Ontario, Canada, which was demolished after the film was shot.
The West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, has over 800 stores and is home to the world’s largest indoor wave pool. It has over 110 places to eat and 58 entrances.
The world’s biggest mall is actually in the UAE: Dubai Mall is part of the Burj Khalifa complex, and is home to 1,200 shops.
The average mall shopper stays for 80 minutes.
As well as shops, South China Mall in China also houses wind mills and theme parks, plus a replica of the Arc de Triomphe. Beijing Mall in China has a man-made beach!
Sunway Pyramid mall in Malaysia has an unusual entrance. An Egyptian-inspired pyramid and giant lion (designed to look like a sphinx) stand guard outside.
