It’s easy to think there’s no reason to visit Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone. But look under the surface and you’ll find plenty going on, from eateries and spas to malls and even art. Andy Sherwood drives over to find out more.
It’s as far removed from the glittering skyscrapers of our nation’s capital as you can get. On one road, in among all the dust covered factories, is an old bus which is doubling as a rubbish skip. On the next is an abandoned SUV with so much damage to the front of it, the bonnet looks like a xylophone. Huge cranes from the port dominate the skyline like angry Transformers. In fact, so unfashionable is this industrial zone that it’s even spelt two different ways on two nearby road signs (is it Mussafah or Musaffah?). But head down the E22 towards Al Ain taking the E30 towards this busy area and its very close neighbour Mohammed Bin Zayed City and, among all the businesses, schools and nurseries, you’ll find the emirate’s biggest mall, modern gyms, some great eateries and even culture.
Shopping
Dalma Mall
Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping centre is well and truly cavernous (it’s worth walking around all of it just for the workout you’ll get), with three floors of retail outlets although the third floor is still disappointingly barren. But you will find Topshop, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Boots, Aldo, American Eagle, BHS and a massive cinema to name a few. Head to their central water feature and have a look at two American classic cars on display from the Emirates Motor Sports Federation: a 1929 Ford and a 1953 Chevrolet. The weird clown mannequins doing handstands outside Clown Candy gave TOAD the shivers but are a great photo opportunity for kids.
Mussafah, just off the E30 (02 550 6111).
Mazyad Mall
Technically in Mohammed Bin Zayed City (although only by a few minutes by car from Mussafah) and nowhere near as comprehensive as Dalma, but it does have a Lulu department store (which is currently selling 32inch Sony Bravia TVs for Dhs1,299, a bargain) and a very comprehensive sports shop called Milano, which has sales of up to 50 percent on selected items, and a La Senza lingerie store. Apple Plus Computers is a great spot for your Mac and PC needs and also has some curious looking PCs which seem to have borrowed the body parts from the latest Apple products.
Mohammed Bin Zayed City (02 553 2233).
Coming soon: Capital Mall
Five minutes from the heart of Mussafah, work is almost complete on this new centre. Expected to feature 220 fashion, food and entertainment outlets including a Lulu, Capital Mall will also have an atrium
and an outdoor terrace. It was meant to open in April but is now expected to be fully-operational by the end of 2013.
www.manazelspecialists.com.
Dining
Shake Shack
So popular is this burger joint’s London branch people will often queue for 45 minutes. And it’s had the same effect on the people of Mussafah. Shake Shack sells not only burgers, but great hot dogs, shakes (peanut butter flavour, anyone?) and the curiously-named concretes (frozen custard blended with toppings). Try the lemon strawberry meringue pie.
Dalma Mall (02 612 0750).
Burger Fuel
This chain from New Zealand has recently opened a branch in Dalma Mall and do a great selection of beef burgers (the BF Monster is exactly that, with a 1/3lbs burger, cheese, beef bacon, avocado, beetroot, mango, salad and relish all somehow finding room under a bun), more healthy chicken burgers and a TOAD not-so guilty pleasure: mini burgers. They currently have a Ramadan meal deal, which includes a family-sized selection of burgers, sides drinks and dates. The décor is fun. Think American diner with an emphasis on classic cars, even in the names of the dishes: fancy some chicken fenders?
Dalma Mall (02 612 0750).
India Palace
TOAD’s got a soft spot for this chain of Indian eateries in the capital, which also has a branch on the top floor of Mazyad Mall. We’re big fans of their murgh lababdar (chicken in a herb tomato gravy) and their rather big veggie menu (try the palak paneer lassoni). The décor is always cute in their branches and this one’s no different. Think regal wooden walls and window frames and cute statues of elephants welcoming diners. They are also serving iftar during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Mazyad Mall (02 553 2259).
Bricco Pizza & Pasta
With chains all over the city, what was once called Bricco Café is back with a rebrand, but is still serving a selection of Italian dishes such as caprese, bruschetta, salads, pizzas and plenty of pasta dishes. They also go off-piste once in a while with their food, including the Indian spice-infused Oriental pasta and the not very Italian inclusion of tandoori skewers and burgers. The menu is well and truly huge, though.
Mazyad Mall (02 551 8556).
Pizza Amore
TOAD sometimes order pizza from the Tourist Club branch when we’re working late and this is a great place for a quick pit stop and even better for delivery. Their pizzas are particularly good, with a delicate light base and toppings that are fresh and avoid being too sloppy. Try their signature Pizza Amore (shrimps, spinach and chili) and the calabrese (salami, chili). Their pastas can be a bit wobbly though; the veg in the tagliatelle verdure (broccoli, carrot, mushroom and cauliflower with pesto sauce) was disappointingly limp and lacking in any real taste of pesto. But the ravioli ziogivanni (minced meat, parmesan and cheese sauce) is
a surprise hit.
Mazyad Mall (02 559 4899)
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
Again, technically in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, but easy enough to find from Mussafah and they deliver. Think large dosas (try the onion variety) and thalis, and their lassis also come highly recommended, but don’t miss out on the mixed veg chilli fry.
Behind Al Safeer Centre, Mohammed Bin Zayed City (02 553 3444).
Body and mind
Fitness First
The massive Fitness First at the back of Dalma Mall has two areas, mixed and ladies only, and is open from 6am every day except Fridays, when it opens at 9am. It features freestyle, free weights, strength and cardio sections as well as a group exercise (GX) studio, stretch zones and personal training areas. Classes include cardio sculpt, Zumba and step. Membership packages ranging from three-18 months are available priced from Dhs1,999-5,999.
Dalma Mall (02 550 4330).
Gold’s Gym
Not long opened in Mazyad Mall, join during Ramadan and you’ll get 15 percent off your membership. As well as the usual kit you’d expect to find in a branch of one of the biggest gym companies in the UAE, it also offers a selection of classes including Bodypump, abs, Zumba and step aerobics.
Mazyad Mall (02 553 9888).
Aziz
This branch of the spa chain for fellas offers everything from haircuts and threading to massages, Moroccan baths and mani-pedis. You can also get waxed here and have a facial, and they do home visits. There’s a ladies spa called Azela next door.
Mazyad Mall (02 559 4118).
Kaya
This skincare clinic caters for ladies looking for laser hair removal, wrinkle reductions, Botox, facials, peels and more. Check out their website, where if you make an appointment for a consultation online, you get 50 percent off the price. If you sign up online you’ll also be able to take advantage of the special offers they’ve got on during the Holy Month.
Mazyad Mall (02 553 4333) www.kayaskinclinic.me.
Silver Palace Ladies Salon
Offering keratin treatments, haircuts, facials, hair removal and henna, it also offers a home service for ladies who don’t have much time on their hands. This place uses Institut Karite and Thalgo products and check out its website to see a selection of spectacular Arabic and Asian henna designs.
Mohammed Bin Zayed City, ME12, Behind Mazyad Mall, www.silverpalacesalon.weebly.com (050 672 5375).
Art and culture
Abu Dhabi Art Hub
Mussafah’s only art gallery will take some finding, but is definitely worth a visit. It provides facilities, including studios to create masterpieces and accommodation, to artists from all over the world, giving them the chance to meet local talent. They exhibit work and also have a small café should you get peckish during your visit. They sell art, and you can find out about how you can buy a piece of work (in Mussafah and all over the city) on page 19. They hold events all over the emirate as well and often have live painting sessions in Dalma Mall.
Off 16th and 7th Streets, Mussafah, www.adah.ae (02 551 5005).
The National Library
Once you’ve finished up in Mussafah, head here on your way back into the city. Built in 1981, the National Library collects and organises all national literary information and is home to two million volumes covering books, periodicals, manuscripts and electronic materials. It also contains more than 300,000 titles in Arabic and 100,000 titles in foreign languages. Free membership is available (a refundable Dhs400 deposit aside) and you can keep books for 15 days at a time.
Mussafah Road, 33rd Street, between Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and Airport Road (02 657 6034).
