Amid the ever-changing face of the UAE capital (new brunches, new hotels, new everything) there are few constants like karak in Abu Dhabi. Just as the city itself is ever evolving, tastes change as well. Foodie trends emerge and different fashions come and go. Not much stays the same. The popularity of karak chai, however, has persisted for decades.
Since long before the UAE was even formed cafés and kiosks have been selling steaming cups of the spiced tea drink to thirsty patrons.
Whether it is a Dhs1 cup from a roadside stand or a fancier version from a more upmarket café the warming drink is popular with drinkers needing a sugary fix. But what is karak and where is the best karak in Abu Dhabi?
What is karak?
The budget price tag and availability of supermarket do-it-yourself products suggest there might be some uniformity across the city. They all just stick a teabag in boiling water and the differences are not real, right?
Wrong. The precise recipe for handmade karak differs from location to location and there are different presentations and preparations within a single café, never mind at different joints on the same street.
Our best advise is to shop around until you find a brew that suits you. Often times a single Dhs1 coin is enough to buy you a hot karak.
Exact recipes differ, but most often you will have boiled water, loose tea leaves, milk, cugar, cardamon and a blend of spices.
Here’s where to find the best karak in Abu Dhabi right now.
Al Fanar
The idea of gourmet karak is slightly incongruous with its street food origins. However, this Emirati restaurant specialises in bringing authentic dishes from a heritage cookery book directly to your plate. For a fancified karak come here. Go down a fusion route and order hazelnut, caramel, saffron or toffee nut variants for a whopping Dhs12.
Open Mon-Fri 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-11pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island, alfanarrestaurant.com (02 877 2272).
Dar Al Karak
Opposite Reem Island and in a well-established part of town this neighbourhood could be considered karak central, with dozens of cafes within walking distance of each other. In karak circles, the Dhs4 price tag for a cup might seem excessive, but there are a few extra varieties to experiment with. Ginger, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon? Try them all and still get change from a Dhs20 note.
Open daily 7.30am-11.30pm. Salam Street, Al Dhafrah (02 441 0055).
Emirates Karak
As no-frills as you will find anywhere in the UAE. A paper cup, extra sugar, a spicy concoction, a dash of sweetened milk and is there anything else you could really want? If the answer to that is a curry to go with it you can splash out and still be spending less than Dhs10.
Open daily, 6am-midnight. Sanaiya 2, Mussafah Sanaiya (02 555 6151).
House of Tea
There are branches of this low-cost chain all over Abu Dhabi, meaning you’re never far from a karak fix. The basic karak is the same as you would find all over the country, but if you’re feeling especially adventurous order yourself a zatar karak for just Dhs2. Ginger and lemon teas are also available as is the ever popular mint tea.
Open Sat-Fri 6am-midnight. Baniyas, houseoftea.ae (02 583 1979).
The Kettle Corner
With a menu that reads like a greatest hits of Indian street food it should come as nu surprise that they serve cracking karak here at this Boutik Mall joint. All the karak chais – and there are a few varieties – come with a mini masala puri so you get a bite alongside the sweetness. Even though the saffron infusion is a bit indulgent it will still only set you back Dhs7 and there is a slow-boiled masala chai with more spices and a zingy ginger option as well.
Open daily, 7am-11pm. Sham Boutik, Al Reem Island, thekettlecorner.ae (02 884 4560).
Milky Karak Cafeteria
Karak as the streets intend it to be served. Sugary sweet and flavoured with black tea and some spice this roadside café doesn’t go for frills or fusions. Just hand over a dirham or two (when it is this cheap does it really matter?) and get the drink that powers millions of people a day. There are a few street food snacks available, too, if you need a bite as well. There are a couple of seats outside if you have time to stay and chat, otherwise either get your cup for walking through the neighbourhood or have a karak to go as you drive away.
Open daily, 6am-midnight. Al Falah Street, Al Dhafrah (02 443 0830).
Parker’s
In karak terms the quoted price of more than Dhs20 makes this an outrageously lavish take on the humble roadside favourite. Normally we’d be all about the Dhs1 version and refusing to pander to the higher price for what is a very simple beverage. But we love Umm Al Emarat Park and everything about it. Strolling around the park, karak in hand ticks a lot of our boxes so if you’re willing to overlook the fee then this is an option.
Open daily 8am-11.30pm. Umm Al Emarat park, Al Mushrif, byparkers.com (02 621 5381).
Tea Break
A homegrown success story that has taken a fast food concept and seen it expand with outlets across the city. Perhaps best known for a variety of brightly coloured and imaginatively flavoured smoothies, juices and milkshakes you can also get burgers, sandwiches and snacks at the various outlets around town. Not to mention a trusty karak to go.
Open daily, 9.30am–6pm. Near International Hypermarket, Khalifa City, teabreakcafe.com (02 444 1499).
Tea for Time Cafeteria
We can’t bring ourselves to call any cafe with close to a dozen types of tea, Horlicks and a bunch of coffees on its menu basic – really, what more could you want? Among it all is karak and still at just Dhs1 per cup. In a city where a Dhs1,000 meal is not out of the question we genuinely believe that a karak a day, with all its warming flavour and delicately spiced glory, for more than three years is a better use of the cash.
Open daily, 6am-midnight. Al Falah Street, facebook.com/teafortimecafeteria (050 830 4899).
Tea Junction
It really is amazing that you can get karak, or anything for that matter, for just Dhs1. Price inflation has hit so many outlets hard that things that used to be just a few dirhams routinely cost more than ten, now. So, make sure to support your local fast-food joints, cafés and takeouts. There are burgers, juices, wraps and more at this spot. Do your shopping in the nearby supermarket but before you leave, make time for karak here. It is virtually free and an experience to enjoy.
Open daily, 7am-2am. Near Carrefour, Khalifa City A (02 551 1955).
Yadoo’s House
The name means “grandmother’s house” and this restaurant near the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre serves up predominantly Emirati food. As with much of culture in the UAE it takes influences from the wider region and also the Indian sub-continent, so there is no surprise to find karak chai on the menu. A small karak will set you back Dhs5, but if you’re feeling sociable it is one of few places where it can be ordered by the entire pot-full. Find friends and chip in Dhs17 between you for a giant serving and also look out for ginger and saffron flavours of the drink as well.
Open daily, 8am-11pm. Al Nasr Tower 2, Muroor Street, Embassies District, instagram.com/yadoos_house (02 441 1311).
Hungry for more? Click here for top places to try Emirati food in the city.
