Let’s be perfectly clear from the outset – autumn in Abu Dhabi is more a state of mind than anything else.
While other parts of the world may see this as an opportunity to hike in forests, rake orange leaves and layer up with hats, scarves and chunky sweaters, the closest we get is a light cardigan and, perhaps, a few days without A/C.
Slightly cooler days and hours of guaranteed sunshine mean that our autumns happen in kitchens. Expect the more responsive chefs to switch to seasonal menus and look out for warming and cosy dishes across the city.
Here are ten top autumnal dishes to try in Abu Dhabi.
Beef stew at Belgian Café
It might feel incongruous appropriating culinary seasons from overseas, but you may as well go all in with a steaming bowl of Belgian beef stew. It comes with a side salad, but we’re all about mopping up juices with handfuls of salty European fries.
Dhs105. Radisson Blu, Yas Plaza, Yas Island, radissonhotels.com (02 656 2000).
Carpaccio of beetroot and goat’s cheese salad at Marco’s New York Italian
Vegetarians and fans of purple foods can get in on the carpaccio game with thinly sliced slithers of seasonally appropriate beetroot. Among the simple, but high-spec dishes at celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s Italian American lounge it is an equal to the finest and comes with sides of candied walnuts, grapes and a goat’s cheese salad.
Dhs65. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Al Maqtaa, fairmont.com (02 654 3238).
French onion soup at Paul
We may have raved about the croissants at this French bakery before, but there is a lot more to take in at a bakery specialist with nearly 150 years of history. This hearty French onion soup comes with melting mozzarella cheese and arrives at your table in a homemade bread bowl. Carb-tastic.
Dhs32. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, paularabia.com (02 673 8474).
Mushroom risotto at Villa Toscana
Autumn in Tuscany is the name of the romantic drama we wish we had starred in. Obviously there is the scenery and the gorgeous sepia-toned landscapes and sunsets, but then there’s the food. Oh, the food. Dishes like this risotto with porcini and fried oyster mushrooms that capture the flavours, but also the feelings of the season and landscape.
Dhs140. St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, Al Khubeirah, villatoscana-abudhabi.com (02 694 4553).
Pumpkin curry at The Coffee Club
An Australian café with more than 400 outlets around the world, this chain has to be considered a success. They’re clearly pumpkin-lovers and stick it in soup, salad and keto bowls. There is even a pumpkin and chickpea coconut curry that might even be healthy as well as pleasingly autumnal. Spiced with cumin and turmeric it has extra spinach and cherry tomatoes to fill out the flavour.
Dhs56. Al Forsan Village, Khalifa City, thecoffeeclubme.com (02 556 6167).
Pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks
The #psl is a global autumnal phenomenon that many missed out on due to the pandemic last year. This year, however, the clovey, cinamonny, nutmeggy, and pumpkinny coffee is back in a blitz of promotional activity and with side orders of a pumpkin dessert to boot. Hurry before the limited edition disappears again.
Dhs23. Various locations, starbucks.ae (02 695 8298).
Shepherd’s pie at Fado
There’s nothing better than that first bite of shepherd’s pie where you sweep through all the layers. A good pie makes you feel like you’re at home. The shepherd’s pie at Fado features ground beef and vegetables in a rich sauce topped with colcannon, served with hops-cheddar bread. Sounds like a lulla-pie.
Dhs79, Oryx Hotel Corniche Road (02 692 2218).
Slow-roasted pumpkin risotto at Montauk
Named after the luxe beach resort in New York state this cool Al Bateen eatery made an instant impact on the Dhabi dining scene. A lot of that is down to dishes like this slow-roasted pumpkin risotto. The autumnal shades are matched with flavour of sweet paprika and gooey cheese amid the carnaroli rice. Far tastier than a jack-o’-lantern.
Dhs65. Opposite Al Bateen Park Plaza, Al Bateen, instagram.com/montaukabudhabi (02 546 6255).
Sticky toffee pudding at Stills
Considering it is such a mellow and calming dessert it is amazing how the words sticky toffee pudding makes our pulses race. Every word is better than the one before it and it is an after dinner option as rich in evocative nostalgia and syrupy autumn memories as it is butterscotch sauce and caramelised walnuts. Oh, and there is a scoop of ice cream too. Thanks, autumn.
Dhs55. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, facebook.com/stillsyasisland (02 656 3066).
Warm Granny Smith apple pie at McGettigan’s
Of all the foods we would be happy to bathe in, and it is a regrettably lengthy collection, custard is probably the top of the list. Better still if it is poured over a slice of apple pie. Granny Smiths have long been one of the most popular variety of apple and are a quintessential autumn ingredient in country kitchens on many continents making this a dish likely to bring a tear to the eye of many expats longing for some orange leaves and a woolly hat.
Dhs38. Dusit Thani, Al Nahyan, mcgettigans.com (04 204 9301).
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