WINNER
Café 302
Decorated in a predictably stylish fashion, it’s all about wooden furnishings, tempting food displays and minimal fuss at hipster-friendly Café 302. The fresh juices and cold brews come in a glass milk bottle (of course) and while you could call the fancy presentation unnecessary, both the hot and chilled caffeine-based beverages are all excellent. The food options include something for everyone, and vegans are very well catered for with a special Thursday-night vegan buffet, and plant-based breakfasts such as tofu benedict, warming oatmeal with soya milk and cranberries and blueberry rice pancakes.
Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Hamdan Street, Al Markaziyah (02 610 6666).
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Joud Café
This café prides itself on preparing everything in-house using the best ingredients the chefs can get their hands on. That means they bake their own breads, cakes and desserts, sauces are made from scratch, meat is hormone-free and produce is organic where possible. We can never resist the tempting cakes, and savoury highlights include the spicy Mexican taco salad and naughty crispy chicken burger.
Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Bateen (056 525 8235).
No. Fifty Seven Boutique Café
Yes this place has a thing for charcoal-coloured items, but that doesn’t mean it’s trying too hard or a bit pretentious. The menu at this Al Bateen venue is packed with exciting and flavourful dishes, which means that it always takes us ages to order whenever we come here. This place offers everything from hearty salads like the crispy grain bowl, to snacks like boneless chicken wings and teriyaki Brussel sprouts. The aforementioned activated charcoal pancakes are worth a try, too.
Al Marasy, Al Bateen Harbour (02 441 6100).
NOMINEES
Art House Café
If you’re on the lookout for something unique then this is the place. The café, which is part of Etihad Modern Art Gallery, is something of a work of art itself with cool and unique furnishings making it an Instagrammers dream. The food is great too, affordable and with its quirky layout it’s always a memorable visit.
Daily 9am-11.30pm. Art House Café, Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen (02 666 0175).
Café Arabia
It’s as laid back as a day spent lounging on a hammock by the ocean and with an eclectic yet oddly fitting and charming décor, Café Arabia is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a good bite to eat. There’s a huge variety of food on offer so you’re likely to find exactly what you’re after and a budget friendly prices.
Sun-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm. 15th Street, Al Mushrif (02 643 9699).
Sanderson’s
With a cool venue and a friendly vibe we’re big fans of this trendy restaurant and we’re not the only ones. Often packed, especially at weekends, it’s a must-try spot for foodies. Plus with so many great dishes to try it will keep you coming back to try again and again and that’s really not a bad thing when the food is so enjoyable.
Daily 8am-10pm. Sanderson’s, The Walk at Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, Khalifa Park asrea (02 222 1142).
tashas
Having consistently impressed since opening in Al Bateen we can forgive the missing apostrophe and the lower case ‘t’ (almost). In fact it’s the winner of the Best Breakfast at Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2019 so you can bet the food is great and the prices are wallet friendly too making it a top spot to visit in the city.
Daily 8am-midnight. tashas, Al Bateen (02 445 0890).
The Living Room Café
Charming, laid-back and family friendly, The Living Room Café is popular spot for many in the city and it’s easy to see why. With a comfortable mix of chairs and sofas, a menu packed with loads of different options and prices that won’t make you gasp when you get the bill it’s an ideal spot for a bite to eat when out and about.
Sun-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm. The Living Room Café, Khalifa Bin Shakhbout Street (02 639 6654).
The Third Place Café
This homely café is a great spot for working remotely, enjoying a bite or a quick coffee and a catch up. It’s warm and inviting, has a string of regulars and a wallet-friendly menu that has more than enough options to satisfy your hunger whatever it is you’re after when you visit.
Daily 8am-11pm. The Third Place, Corniche Road (02 681 1877).
Waterlemon
Yes that’s lemon, not melon, and this understated and minimalist restaurant is a relaxed place to enjoy a meal while enjoying views overall Bateen Marina. There are lots of great dishes to tuck into, some a bit more experimental in flavor combinations than others, but with affordable prices and a nice setting it’s a great place to visit.
Daily 8am-11.30pm. Waterlemon, Al Bateen (02 635 5050).
