Arab Udupi
No restaurant in Abu Dhabi garners enough success to warrant a third branch without the help of a loyal following, and this Indian outlet has fans in spades. The menu may be slightly eccentric (we can’t imagine they get many orders for their pasta, sandwiches or Chinese food) but the Indian grub at the heart of it is more than solid. The aromatic, meaty mutton biryani makes a great value lunch at just Dhs20, especially when drizzled with a spot of cooling cucumber raita.
(02 658 8331).
Tarbouche
No mall, souk or downtown street in Abu Dhabi is complete without somewhere to pick up a helping of hummus and tabbouleh, and this is Central Market’s token offering. The menu is a condensed version of all the usual mezze and grilled meat, while the standard bagged flatbread is replaced by hot, puffed-up basketfuls. It’s a tad pricier than some other Lebanese joints, but for a seat in the souk’s airy main atrium (not to mention staff in awesome fez hats) we reckon it’s worth the extra beans.
(02 626 0700).
T House
Still slurping the same old English breakfast tea every morning? Tut tut. Luckily, it’s never too late to broaden your brewing horizons, and this cosy new cafe is the place to do it. Their shelves are stocked with scores of different flavoured and herbal teas (everything from Chinese lapsang suchong to Sri Lankan black, white and green varieties), which are available to buy by the tin or the freshly made cupful. Whichever you go for, remember to make a stop at the cake counter.
(02 628 9969).
Zadina
Famed for their sweet, toffee-like flavour, Emirati dates are the envy of the world. As with most things, the capital’s local fruit tastes even better with the addition of chocolate and adorable sprinkly things, and you’ll find plenty of both at this place. With its fancy ribbons and gift boxes, it’s more a place to pick up gifts than indulgent snacks to snaffle for yourself. Still, if you can keep a secret, then so can we.
(02 658 9969).
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
As soon as the kids see the giant apron-wearing bear by the door (though we admit we initially thought it was a sloth), it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll be leaving with a bag of something sweet and sticky. All the usual bite-size white, milk and dark chocolates are in the offing, but to really keep them quiet, grab one of the slabs, swirled with peanut butter, fudge, nuts and more.
(02 639 8400).
Wadi A’z Zafran
Giving the slick and shiny souk a dash of old-world charm, this pocket-size shop is recognisable by the heaving sacks of spices, herbs and other dried goods parked by the doorway. Everything from frankincense to rosemary can be bought by weight, while inside there’s also a cracking selection of dried fruit, nuts, seeds and herbal teas, portioned up into neat bundles. But the star attraction is their imported Iranian saffron, believed to be the very best in the world and possess unique healing qualities.
(02 628 2680).
Souker duper
A year on from the souk’s opening, these guys are busier than ever.
Shakespeare & Co.
There aren’t many cafes in the city where you’ll need to book to guarantee a seat, but space always seems scarce in this Victorian-themed spot.
(02 639 9626).
Kababs n Kurries
Friendly (if slightly confusing) joint that does modern Indian cuisine very well indeed – try the lunchtime thali deal for a well-priced sample of the chef’s skills.
(02 628 2522).
Kitsch Cupcakes
For better or worse, garishly coloured confectionary is all the rage in the capital at the moment, and these guys seem to be the craze’s chief beneficiaries.
(02 639 8100).
