Dreaming of being whisked away to a Greek isle? ZOE might not have you completely convinced you’ve stepped into a restaurant in Mykonos, but it’s about as close as you can get.
The sweet little restaurant in Marsa Al Bateen is tucked behind The Abu Dhabi EDITION and creates a secluded, sunny vibe with views of the boats bobbing nearby.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both a good shout so you’re covered whether you’re headed here during the summer or winter. The terrace is decked out in flowers, plants and loads of comfy blue cushions, while the inside is covered in beautiful blue and white tiles, indoor plants and beachy furniture.
The menu is absolutely packed with Mediterranean favourites, with everything from spanakopita to grilled octopus for starters. The spanakopita is a popular option (and definitely worth the recommendation from the friendly waitstaff) but whatever you do, don’t miss out on the feta cheese wrapped in phyllo.
You might have to wait for a while for it come – it’s freshly baked after all – but the tangy cheese, crispy phyllo and sweet Greek honey drizzled on top combine into a perfect bite that makes it well worth the wait.
Up next, ZOE serves some pretty spectacular salads. The Greek salad comes with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onions, olives and crumbled barrel-aged feta. It tastes like a forkful of summer by the Mediterranean sea. The watermelon and arugula salad is exactly what it says on the tin, plus toasted pine nuts and a balsamic glaze to tie it all together.
If you’re looking for a heartier meal, you can also go for one of the mains, such as Moussaka, roasted half chicken or seafood linguine. Every flavour hit the right note at ZOE. You’re going to want to take a stroll around Marsa Al Bateen afterwards.
This might be one of the most picture-perfect spots in the city, so don’t leave without requesting a few pictures to update your feed with.
