For the past twelve months we’ve been scouring the city in search of the top plates of food in Abu Dhabi. After hundreds of meals, we’ve whittled it down to our favourite 50. Bon appetite!
Sticky Toffee Pudding – Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill
Marco Pierre White might be best known for serving great cuts of meat, but it was the fabulous sticky toffee pudding that we couldn’t shake from our minds for weeks after our last visit. Meltingly soft sponge and sugary toffee are a match made in heaven when done well, and at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill you can get one that’s as close to perfect as we’ve ever had.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain (02 654 3333).
Pad Thai – Silk & Spice
A dish that you will find in most restaurants offering similar cuisine, if you’re looking for really good pad Thai then Silk & Spice is the restaurant you really must visit. The décor is stunning here as well which really adds an extra dimension to your dining experience.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Al Markaziyah (02 813 7777).
Fish and Chips – Turquoiz
The debate on who offers the best fish and chips in Abu Dhabi rages on. In our opinion the winner of that particular award, for this year at least, is the dish offered at Turquoiz. Lightly battered fish and perfect cooked chips are served with a portion of mushy peas that will have you clamouring for more.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island (02 498 8000).
Chocolate Extravaganza – Bord Eau 
A solid balloon of chocolate looks somewhat simple when initially presented to the diner, but there is a lot more in store. A rich hot chocolate sauce is drizzled over the sphere which subsequently melts to reveal
a chocolate mousse inside. The dish is stunningly rich and decadent, if you’re a fan of chocolate (and not many people aren’t when it tastes this good) trying this desert is an absolute must.
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 509 8888).
Café de Paris Sauce – Café Entrecote de Paris
Thick, rich, creamy and ridiculously decadent, the signature sauce at Café Entrecote de Paris is perhaps the most unique dish in Abu Dhabi, and for good reason. The sauce is made using a secret recipe that only a few restaurants across the world are privy to, no imitation compares favourably to the original. It might not be the healthiest of accompaniments going, but it’s certainly one of the most delicious.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 557 6508).
Dahl Makhani – Ushna
Thick, creamy and intensely flavoured with garlic, this lentil dish is a staple of most Indian restaurant menus, but nowhere is it served better than Ushna. The depth of flavour is simply exquisite.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1769).
Crème BrÛlÉe – Brasserie Angelique
Entirely traditional, but elegant and bursting with taste, Brasserie Angelique’s version of the ubiquitous dish is king of the Abu Dhabi crème brûlée scene. Vanilla pod essence and a crisp lid is the way the desert should be served, if you want to taste a perfect one head to Brasserie Angelique.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar (02 811 5666).
San Pei chicken – Hakkasan
Any trip to Emirates Palace is an occasion, but a dinner at Hakkasan goes beyond even what you would expect from the iconic hotel. You won’t find gourmet Chinese cuisine like this in many places worldwide, a meal here will live up to its expensive price tag. Tangy, sweet, but with a sharp kick of chilli to cut through the dish, the San Pei chicken was the star performer on our last visit.
Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 7999).
Bonna Annee Special – Bonna Annee
As traditional as it gets, Bonna Annee is a great little eatery serving Ethiopian food of the highest quality. The restaurant’s best dish is the Bonna Annee special – a selection of the best wats (meat and vegetable stews) of the house served on a platter of injeera bread. A fab introduction to this delicious cuisine.
Tourist Club Area (02 491 2128).
Prawn Moilee – Indigo
You might think that seafood and coconut curry is an acquired taste, but any doubters will be converted by the prawn moilee at Indigo. The dish packs plenty of oomph while retaining the subtle elements of its ingredients.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
Seafood Tagine – Golden Sail
The combination of shrimps, squid and cuttlefish cooked superbly in a traditional Moroccan tagine is an inspired example of culinary beauty. Doused in a juicy and rich tomato sauce, this is one of the more unique and tasty seafood dishes in the capital.
Al Markaziyah (02 627 7204).
Parmigiana di melanzane – Porto Bello
A classic Italian dish of aubergine topped with a crusty layer of salty Parmesan cheese, it’s easy to understand why this recipe is a favourite for Italians worldwide. Porto Bello’s interpretation of the dish keeps to the custom flavour combinations, but the quality of the ingredients elevate the plate above your traditional Abu Dhabi Italian fare.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 443 9999).
Salmon Fillet – Shakespeare & Co
Served atop a colourful ensemble of garnishes, the salmon fillet at Shakespeare and Co. is pure poetry. The fish is cooked to perfection and the crispy, salty skin compliments the fresh fruit and vegetable tartar. A thinly sliced aubergine crisp rests delicately against the fillet, topping off this artful dish.
The Souk Central Market, Al Markaziyah (02 639 9626).
Tapas – La Cava 
Tapas and grape combinations are very much in fashion at La Cava. The Spanish serving style is well suited to the fantastic bar-come-dining space; this is a place where you can enjoy a romantic dinner for two or a casual soiree with a group of friends in equal comfort. The air-dried beef loin and salmon and cream cheese offerings are particularly moreish.
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Apple Tart – Catalan
Symmetrical slices of cut apple atop a single sheet of pastry, seasoned with vanilla beans and served with cinnamon ice cream and Chantilly cream, the apple tart at Catalan is simple, elegant and spectacularly beautiful. The taste is pretty unforgettable as well.
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Scallops & Shrimps – The Forge 
Beautifully presented and ticking all the boxes you could list for a fine dining plate, the scallops and shrimps at The Forge is perhaps the best seafood dish in the city. Large juicy morsels of prawn and scallop nestle within a perfectly flaky puff pastry.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a (02 818 8282).
Margarita Pizza – Biancorosso
Abu Dhabi is full of delightfully intricate and unique dishes intended to wow, but sometimes it’s the simplest dishes that leave the longest lasting impression. Alongside the burger, the margarita pizza is perhaps the most replicated dish in the western world, yet Biancorosso still manages to pull off the impossible and produce one than stands apart from the rest.
Y Tower, Al Nahyan (02 658 4244).
Red Velvet Cake – Magnolia Bakery 
It takes something very special for a cake to make it all the way to the heady heights of the top 50 dishes of 2013, but the red velvet cake is just that good. If you haven’t visited this bakery get yourself down to The Galleria and pick up one of these cream cheese frosted beauties. Or get it in cupcake form for a sweet treat.
The Galleria, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island (02 674 9380).
Tarte Tatin – Le Beaujolais
The apples, which look more like plums, hold their texture on the tart only to burst in a sweet and fruity flavour explosion on the tongue. Ask to have it with cinnamon ice cream.
Mercure Centre Hotel, Hamdan Street (02 633 3555).
Chocolate Fondant – Café Entrecote de Paris
If you think Café Entrecote de Paris only serves steak, you’d be right, if it wasn’t for the superb desert menu that completes your dining experience here. Top of the bill though is the chocolate fondant, a delicious warm cake with the gooeyest of centres. The contrast of soft sponge and runny sauce is a marvellous combination.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 557 6508).
Veggie Burger – NRG 
The good old fashioned burger is more than commonplace in Abu Dhabi, particularly in the city’s many venues offering bar food. However, the veggie burger at NRG is the one that sticks in our mind over all others.
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 644 6666).
Pistachio Gelati – Dolce
On a hot summer’s day nothing beats a huge scoop of delicious ice cream, and the best we’ve had to cool us down in 2013 came from café-come ice cream parlour Dolce. Our favourite is the gorgeous pistachio flavour, but we would encourage you to try them all.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqtaa (02 818 8282).
Falafel sandwich – Lebanese Flower
Lebanese Flower is an institution in Abu Dhabi, and its obvious why. The mezze and grills are all great but the dish that makes our top 50 is the incredibly tasty falafel sandwich.
Salaam Street, Tourist Club Area (02 645 6338).
Tandoori Lamp Chops – Sorso 
More of a bar than restaurant, Sorso still manages to deliver great food from its kitchen, and nothing here beats the tandoori lamb chops. Served with mint yoghurt and onion marmalade, this is a truly refined dish served in a refined setting. A strong contender for our favourite dish of the year.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a (02 818 8282).
Sweetcorn Fritters – Jones the Grocer
Served with a poached egg and tomato and coriander relish, Jones the Grocer’s sweetcorn fritters are a great snack or main meal, depending on how big your appetite is.
Mamoura Building, Al Muroor (02 639 5883).
Truffle mac and cheese – BBQ Al Qasr
The only thing homely about this mac and cheese is the size of the portions, because the addition of truffle to this creamy home-cooked staple elevates the dish to other-worldly goodness. It’s thick, it’s cheesy and it’s probably not that healthy for you. But there’s no way you’ll think twice about polishing the whole thing off.
Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 7999).
Theatre Salads – The One CafÉ
The One restaurant is a real gem in the Abu Dhabi café scene. Next time you’re in the area drop in and try one of the Theatre salads. You get to make your perfect dish from a list of ingredients.
The One Café, Al Khalidiyah (02 681 6500).
Profiteroles – Prego’s 
The perfect combination of choux pastry, Chantilly cream and chocolate drizzle, the profiteroles served at Prego’s is a home run of a desert. It’s fun, fancy, looks good and tastes great. You can even easily share it if you want to – we’re pretty sure you won’t though.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
Penne alla norma con bufala campana – Spaccanapoli
This simple dish of penne pasta served with a sauce of cherry tomato, basil, aubergine and mozzarella relies entirely on the freshness and quality of its ingredients, but manages to pull this off successfully. Offering everything and more you could ask for from a plate of pasta, once you’ve tried it this dish Spaccanapoli will quickly become one of your regular haunts.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street (02 616 6101).
Chicken Enchilada – Easy Bites
Great tomato flavours with plenty of spice, the chicken enchilada is a taste sensation that should be a regular order on any office lunchtime delivery rota. Be warned though, productivity is seriously reduced after this massive lunch.
Salaam Street (02 644 8440).
Top shelf Guacamole – Cantina Laredo
Made freshly to order at your table, Cantina Laredo’s guacamole blows all other Mexican dips, be it restaurant or shop-bought, out of the water. Only the freshest avocado is used, and you can determine how spicy or zingy your particular taste buds like it by requesting the quantity of ingredient such as chilli and lime juice.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4877).
Mushroom salad – Sho Cho 
For fans of mushrooms, this salad is mind-blowingly good. A huge pile of funghi are barely, but perfectly cooked and seep dark vinegary juices that compliment bitter salad leaves. A great starter to share or delicious main course, this a superb example of simple ingredients used well to deliver an excellent plate of food.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1117).
Lobster Bisque – Brasserie Angelique
The lobster bisque at Brasserie Angelique is much more than your run of the mill soup – it’s velvety soft decadence in a bowl. The lobster flavours that run through this creamy delight from first mouthful to last are a joy, and just when you think there are no more surprises you discover meaty morsels of lobster ravioli at the bottom of the bowl. An instant classic.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar (02 811 5666).
Carrot Cake – Nolu’s CAfÉ
Nolu’s Café is a favourite with TOAD, whether you’re just dropping by for a quick coffee or a hearty meal there’s something on the menu to match your desires. Our particular treat of choice though is the ‘sinful’ carrot cake, that we can find an excuse to tuck into regardless of the time of day we’re in for a visit.
Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach (02 557 9500).
Zataar crusted Rack of Lamb – Li Beirut
A cracking crust elates this rack of lamb above the regular cut of meat you can find in other restaurants. Served with a tangy tomato jam, indulgently delicious black truffle shavings and a sweet potato slice, this is one of the best lamb dishes you can find anywhere in the city.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar (02 811 5555).
Chicken Katsu Curry – Toki 
Breaded chicken escalope, sticky rice and a thick puddle of katsu curry sauce is comfort food at its finest, and the taste of the dish more than lives up to the appetizing nature of the plate. In a city where Japanese food is increasingly prevalent, Toki still does it best.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah (02 678 7700).
Cowboy Steak – Rodeo Grill
There are steaks, and then there are steaks. And then after that there are steaks that are so large they’ve got their own gravitational pull. But it’s not the just size of the 500g prime US ribeye cowboy steak at Rodeo Grill that sets it apart from the meaty pack, the cut is packed full of flavour and cooked expertly to order. There’s also an impressive sides menu to accompany the dish if you have room.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
Tagine D’Jaj Mkalli – Agadir 
A dish of braised baby chicken cooked and served in the traditional Moroccan tagine, the tagine d’jaj mkalli packs a huge punch of flavours. Onions, garlic, ginger, saffron, lemon and olives are the ingredients providing the taste sensation here, when combined with the succulent yet crispy-skinned chicken the result is a plate of food to rival the best in the city.
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City (02 614 6020).
Beef Fillet – Porto Bello
A perfect combination of flavours, this beautifully cooked Angus fillet with foie gras sauce and red onion marmalade is perhaps an unusual selection at an Italian restaurant. Trust us though, ordering this piece of beef at Porto Bello will open your eyes to Italian cuisine beyond pasta and pizza. Simply sublime from first mouthful to last, you’d have to go a long way to find a better carne dish in an Italian restaurant than this one.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 443 9999).
Foie Gras Tranch – The Yacht Club
Perhaps slightly out place on the heavily Japanese-inspired restaurant, The Yacht Club’s foie gras hot tapas offering sets itself apart purely on the grounds of taste. Ridiculously rich and decadent, the combination of foie gras and chocolate brioche is something that maybe shouldn’t work on paper, but the moment the dish touches your lips thoughts of what ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ become irrelevant, because the truth of the matter is that this tapas is sublime.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888).
Cheeseboard – Bord Eau 
There are some great cheeseboards on offer across the city, but standing tall at the top of the ladder is the fromage mountain available at Bord Eau. The cheese here obviously has a distinct French theme running through it, but the variety on offer is fantastic. The accompanying breads and chutneys are also top quality.
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 509 8888).
Faraona alla Diavola – Bocca
This beautifully grilled guinea fowl served with roasted potatoes and asparagus, all drizzled in chilli oil is hearty, yet still elegant. The meat is full of flavour, and the addition of the chilli gives the dish a welcome extra punch that you aren’t expecting.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah (02 681 1900).
Calamari, Burrata e Salsa alla Norma – Bocca
Beautifully cooked calamari and a huge hunk of melting burrata cheese, this starter is so tasty you’ll strongly consider ordering a second one as a main course.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah (02 681 1900).
Chicken and leek pie and chips – Chameleon
You won’t see many pie and chips combos making the best dishes of the year in Time Out worldwide, but then again this isn’t any old pie and chips. The chicken and leek pie, served with a Stilton gratin, is packed well and oozes sumptuous and flavoursome gravy, and the chips are perhaps our favourite in the whole of Abu Dhabi.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain (02 654 3333).
Duck Ravioli – The Park Bar And Grill
Perfectly rolled ravioli filled with well seasoned duck, perfectly cooked and swimming in a delectable jus, this dish and The Park Bar and Grill is one of those courses that gets better every time you think about it.
Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
BBQ skewers – Chamas
Meat, glorious meat! There’s no issue about asking for more at Chamas because it’s all you can eat beef, chicken and lamb here. Waiters bring skewers of delicious meaty goodness past your table at regular intervals, meaning that you really can eat until you’re stuffed. The beef is the best dish coming out of the kitchen, but make sure you grab at least a bite of each.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888).
Butter Chicken – Angar
This butter chicken is moist, succulent, and full of the flavour that makes the dish such a crowd-pleaser the world over. There are dozens of restaurants you can order butter chicken from in Abu Dhabi, but this one is the best.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 0600).
Fattoush – The Beach House
This delight has the traditional ingredients alongside walnuts, giving it a twist that works. This light and fresh salad balances the dressing with flavours making it a stellar side-dish or enjoyed as a meal on its own.
Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
Grilled Barramundi – Finz 
Served on a bed on violet mashed potato, the Australian barramundi fillet is a beautifully elegant dish which thankfully isn’t let down by its flavour once you tuck into it. A lemon butter sauce completes the dish, this is a plate of food that has been well thought out and executed to a tee.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000).
