Now that we’ve finally got some clement weather, I was wondering if there’s anywhere in the city where I could have a barbecue in a public place? Am I right in thinking that it’s illegal at most parks and beaches?
As the prominent signs all over the Corniche and most public parks testify to, barbecuing is on the same blacklist of banned activities as picking flowers, camping and ball games at most places across the capital. But you needn’t resort to having a barbecue inside your apartment and covering the walls in soot, as there are a few places where you can fire up the charcoals without fear of being fined.
Firstly, the park in front of Hilton Baniyuna on the Corniche, right next to the children’s water cannons, has a handful of purpose-built cooking areas, where you are free to put fire beneath flesh. Make sure you get there early to beat the rush, however; you’ll be left holding a shopping bag of raw meat while watching others enjoy a delicious alfresco feast if you procrastinate too long.
Head further up the Corniche towards Al Mina Port, in front of the Al Diar Capital Hotel, and there is another public park full of concrete barbecue stands. This spot is a favourite haunt for Abu Dhabi’s Filipino community, and most weekends it’s full of Kabayan folk charring giant chunks of meat over the flames.
Beachside barbecues are against the law in Abu Dhabi, but if you really feel the need for a sand-covered burger, Al Maya Island is one of the few locations where it’s legal. You’ll need a boat or Jet Ski to get to the desert island, as it’s 30 minutes from the Corniche, but barbecuing, camping and ball games are all deemed acceptable.
Within city limits, there is always the option of paying out hard cash for a hotel beach barbecue. One of our favourites is at Traders Hotel (02 509 8600) in Bain Al Jessrain, which runs a regular Friday afternoon barbecue session where you get as much meat and fish as you can fit in your stomach for just Dhs120. Elsewhere, if you’re part of the city’s moneyed set, head to the Barbecue Al Qasr on Emirates Palace (02 690 9000) beach, where they’ll cook up the finest food on an outdoor grill. Your bill will set you back at least Dhs500, so it’s a tad more expensive than a portable barbecue and a few burgers from Carrefour, but at least you can be sure you have the city’s blessing.
