We all know that Abu Dhabi is one of the best places for food, shopping, and café culture, but did you know that some of the capital’s coolest brands are actually home-grown?
From the startups at Hub71 to little restaurants downtown and online shops, Abu Dhabi is a great place for new businesses to grow and thrive. As Abu Dhabi residents, we tend to feel a little added affection for businesses that have started here.
Small businesses have been a huge part of building the Abu Dhabi community we love so much, plus supporting local is a great way to help the economy.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate list of the capital’s best, coolest and quirkiest home-grown businesses for you to try today.
Affordable home fashion at THE One
Everyone knows THE One as a great place to buy furniture that can transform your living space. THE One was created by Thomas Lundgren and was born and bred in the UAE, where it opened its first store in 1996 – a whopping 24 years ago if you can believe it. Today THE One has a total of 22 stores and one bistro across the Middle East and North Africa. Global change-makers, THE One aims to inspire customers by supporting local and international charities, and starting several do-good initiatives, including ethical sourcing, local volunteering and global education through “THE Onederworld.”
Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, theone.com (02 644 9889).
Coffee and community at Third Place Café
Third Place Café is known as one of Abu Dhabi’s best working cafés for a reason. With plenty of seats, plugs and a delicious menu, it’s a great place to have a work meeting or to bring your laptop. The concept? A café that serves as a neutral corner of the city: a place that is neither work or home, but you feel equally comfortable to work, read a book, make art or sip a delicious coffee. It’s a place that feels like it belongs to the community: where you find yourself bumping into friends and acquaintances or striking up an interesting conversation with the person working beside you. The café was started in Abu Dhabi and delivers on its promise to create a comfortable community environment.
Corniche Road, Villa T3. thethirdplacecafe.com (02 681 1877).
Emirati food at Meylas
Meylas started as a food truck that was the first of its kind in 2014, and is now a hip restaurant (no longer on wheels) in Abu Dhabi. Located at Al Muneera at Al Raha Beach, Meylas Restaurant serves authentic Emirati food with recipes that have been passed down for generations. If you love karak and legeimat, you won’t want to miss out on this home-grown restaurant.
Al Muneera (02 444 8884).
Gluten-free baked goods at Tawa Bakery
100 percent gluten-free, Abu Dhabi home-grown Tawa Bakery makes some of the city’s best fresh baked goods and breads. It also serves celiac-friendly products such as balsamic vinegar, pasta and risotto. The à la carte menu features more than 50 dishes to try, from breakfast plates to burgers and build-your-own pastas. The bakery was started with one mission in mind: to prove that eating gluten-free shouldn’t mean sacrificing taste and quality. It’s a great place to stop for coffee, breakfast or a basket (because we deal in baskets) of baked goods.
Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Al Muneera, tawa.ae (02 556 6900).
Luxury goods at Feathers Fashion
Inspired by the iconic beauty and symmetry of peacock feathers, Feathers’ first boutique opened in Abu Dhabi in 2010. The founder, Khalid Basaeed, wanted to create the first Emirati brand for luxury goods. The brand is deeply rooted in Arabic culture and combines luxury aesthetics with distinctive Emirati and Middle Eastern fashion. It offers a full range of products; leather goods, fine jewelry, writing instruments, fragrances, accessories, sunglasses and shoes. The brand appeals to those who want to make a bold statement with an attention to detail and bold colour combinations. While the brand started in Dalma Mall; today it has stores scattered across the UAE, including at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
demo.feathers-fashion.com (02 565 0032).
Posters from Highlife
UAE-based artist and graphic designer Clare Napper quit her full time job to create a popular business of vintage-style posters that poke fun at various aspects of UAE “high life.” Originally focused on Dubai, she has also launched an awesome Abu Dhabi line that highlights experiences in the capital. Find brilliant artwork for your walls featuring Emirates Palace, the Corniche, The Club and the mangroves. A nice touch for your home or a great souvenir for guests.
highlife-dubai.com
Souvenirs at Little Majlis
Little Majlis is a homegrown UAE-based brand conceived as a result of the limited options for people looking for made-in-the-UAE gifts and souvenirs. The brand aims to give people a true taste of the UAE and tell the story of the region we call home. You’ll find a collection of stationary, accessories and homeware designed in the UAE and predominantly made with locally sourced materials by artisans and small businesses here. The founders, Anna Bolton-Riley and Annabelle Fitzsimmons, have worked in the UAE since 1999 and launched Little Majlis in 2012. You can find its products in Abu Dhabi at Kinokuniya Book Shop, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Virgin Megastore, Qasr Al Watan gift shop and various places online.
littlemajlis.com
Specialty coffee at Blacksmith Coffee Company
Blacksmith is already a darling of Abu Dhabi Instagram feeds; a haven for hipsters and coffee connoisseurs alike, it fits right into the capital’s coffee scene, so it comes as no surprise that it was started here. Located at New York University Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the café was started by a former NYUAD student, whose love for coffee fueled his desire to bring specialty coffee to the capital. It’s the perfect place to get caffeinated and settle in for work or a chat.
New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, blacksmith.ae (02 650 1881).
Quirky home décor at Mosaique Boutique
Mosaique Boutique in Nation Towers has a range of items from designers around the world. Colourful chairs, elegant candles and lush lights – it’s just a sample of what you’ll find in this treasure trove. You’ll also find elegant pieces of fashion, jewellery and even some great literature. It was opened in 2014 by Abu Dhabi-based expat Lama Qaddumi-Shahin. Her eye for interior design had her hunting for unusual home decor items. Much of what she stocks is limited edition and, in some cases, the designers are exclusive to Mosaique in Abu Dhabi. This includes brands as far-flung as Thailand, but plenty closer to home throughout the wider Middle East and, of course, the UAE.
Nation Galleria, Corniche Road, mymosaique.co (02 665 5144).
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If you’re looking for more incredible things to do in Abu Dhabi, you won’t want to miss out on the city’s newest Jamaican restaurant. Read the full review here.
