As temperatures cool down in Abu Dhabi, smoke clouds billow up from the city’s outdoor shisha cafes. In other words, now that it’s safe to sit outside again without fear of melting away shisha season is definitely back.
Bargain hubbly bubbly
Marina Al Yakhoot Cafe
The venue: The cafe is located across from Marina Mall, facing the marina so the view at night time really is gorgeous – you can sit outside overlooking the docked boats and Abu Dhabi’s skyline running along the Corniche. The cafe is generally busy, with lots of locals out enjoying an evening smoke.
Our shisha experience: The choice of shisha here is fantastic. We decided to try something new and opted for Eskandrani flavour which is double apple (made from Egyptian apples according to the waiter) The service was quick and the shisha arrived without delay. The Eskandrani shisha was rather flavourless, so we tried again and ordered a regular double apple which was much better. It was fruity, not too sweet and very easy to smoke. The apple taste lasted for over an hour and the charcoal was topped up regularly.
Verdict: It might not be the best shisha you’ll ever try, but at that price, who’s complaining?
Price: Dhs12 for the unflavoured varieties salom, quas and zaglo. Dhs15 for double apple. Dhs17 for a choice of 16 flavours including; banana, coconut, rootbeer, cappuccino, cherry and rose.
Marina Al Yakhoot Cafe, opposite Marina Mall (02 667 6710).
Lebanese Flower
The venue: The restaurant is located on Defence Street and we sat in the outdoor seating area which is cordoned off with shrubs. Aside from the irritating sounds of cars horns the venue is relaxing and chilled out, heaving with families, friends and couples from every nationality.
Our shisha experience: The restaurant offers a good range of flavours and our grape and mint shisha arrived within five minutes, served by a friendly waiter. The smell of the shisha was fruity and refreshing compared to how it tasted, burning for over an hour without losing flavour and the coals were refreshed frequently. We were also given a complimentary tray of watermelon.
The verdict: Lebanese flower is a bit of an institution in the city. It has been around for a long time and the reason is clear: the combination of friendly staff, inexpensive prices and top quality shisha.
Price: Dhs25 for a variety of favours including mint, melon, cherry, rose and grape, or a mixture of lemon and mint or grape and mint.
Defence Street (02 642 4208).
If you have money to burn…
The pool
The venue:The pool bar has such a chilled out atmosphere, and if you visit just before dusk, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a beautiful sight.
Our shisha experience: As we relaxed on a sun lounger by the pool, we spotted a customer who had a pineapple balanced on top of his shisha. The waiter told us that this type of shisha is exclusive to the Shangri-La – flavoured tobacco and coals are placed inside the shell of a scooped out fruit such as a pineapple or an orange. After explaining in detail how the shisha is made he then proceeded to warn us solemnly: ‘Don’t tell anyone – this is a secret!’ So naturally, our lips are sealed…
After ordering the ‘Rose Special DIY’ our eyes watered a little and not just due to the smoke, the special costs Dhs90. But it was worth it – the smoke was thick and packed with sweet, fruity flavour. It was an exceptionally smooth shisha and we could really pick up the sweet pineapple taste.
Verdict: The shisha, service, atmosphere and experience can only be described as flawless. Without doubt we’’ll come back again.
Price: Dhs60 for the plain flavours , including mint, melon, cherry, rose, grape etc. Dhs90 for the ‘Special DIY’ shisha
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888).
Breeze Lounge
The venue: Located at the beach club at Emirates Palace, Breeze Lounge is a beautiful place to sit. Bubbling jacuzzis, floodlit pools and a fresh sea breeze set a very romantic, atmospheric scene. Usually the public don’t have access to the beach club, so this is a very easy way to enjoy it without taking out one of their phenomenally expensive beach club memberships…
Our shisha experience: Not the greatest, unfortunately. The shisha was more or less flavourless (even though we’d ordered double apple), and not particularly smooth. It also took an extremely long time to arrive even though we were the only clientele there at the time.
Verdict: We didn’t think this shisha was worth the money here, and the service was friendly but chaotic. You’re paying out for the views and atmosphere essentially, so if you’re prepared to do that, by all means pay a visit. Just don’t expect a great smoke.
Price: Dhs65 for a choice of flavours including double apple, grape and mint.
Emirates Palace (02 690 9000).
Health warning
Bear in mind that although shisha smoking is very widespread in the UAE, it’s still bad for your health – medical research suggests
it’s just as harmful to your lungs, if not more so, than smoking a packet of cigarettes. So only indulge on special occasions!
