There is no denying that Abu Dhabi is ready for its close-up as a foodie destination. The wealthiest city in the world has an incredible amount of food and restaurant options for travelers and locals alike. In fact, there are over 2,000 restaurants in Abu Dhabi, with new ones popping up on a daily basis.
Due to the fast-paced lifestyle in Abu Dhabi, as well as the rapid economic growth, most of the locals eat out on a regular basis. If you are on holiday in Abu Dhabi, you should also want to try as many new kinds of food as possible.
This can be slightly overwhelming, especially if you are planning a trip to Abu Dhabi and don’t want to waste a meal eating mediocre food. To help you out, and to ensure that everything you taste is delicious, here are three essential meals to have in Abu Dhabi.
- Best home-cooked Emirati food at Yadoo’s House
While traveling in Abu Dhabi, you need to taste local “home-cooked”-style Emirati cuisine. Nowhere is better for this type of meal than Yadoo’s House (which means “Grandmother’s House”). The name says it all; here, you can experience Emirati cuisine the way local families do.
The menu is comprised of traditional Emirati main courses such as harees and machboos, as well as local fishes and side dishes, which all ensure that a feast occurs on your table.
Whether you are new to Emirati cuisine or have eaten it plenty of times before, it is almost guaranteed that you haven’t had it in the way that Yadoo’s House does it. Make a reservation and get ready to get comfortable in your (new) Grandmother’s house.
- Best steak in Abu Dhabi at Boa Restaurant
As a meat lover, you aren’t going to go hungry in Abu Dhabi. This city has a wide variety of options for those who need a little meat in their day. From more exotic offerings such as camel to local favorites such as shawarma, there are plenty of different possibilities for you.
In addition to trying camel and shawarma (and lots of lamb, beef and chicken), you should take advantage of Abu Dhabi’s more luxury meat offerings such as the menu at Boa Restaurant. It is here that you can find the best steak in Abu Dhabi.
What makes this an epic dining experience is the combination of juicy meats and mouth-watering side dishes and house-made sauces, as well as the wide range of cocktails and wine on offer and the excellent customer service.
While in Abu Dhabi, you want to dine in this highly recommended restaurant.
- Best brunch in Abu Dhabi at Koi Restaurant
One of the most innovative meals to indulge in while traveling in Abu Dhabi is a Japanese brunch. In Abu Dhabi, Japanese restaurants have always been an essential part of the culinary scene; however, over the past couple of years, Japanese brunches have been creating a lot of excitement for being one of the most exciting dining experiences around.
Visitors and locals alike believe that Koi Restaurant is home to one of the best brunches in Abu Dhabi because it provides more than just a meal, and instead, should be considered an experience.
The best brunch in Abu Dhabi consists of steamed rice (gohan), miso soup (miso shiru), fermented soy beans (natto), grilled fish (yakizakana), pickled vegetables (tsukemono), dried seaweed (nori), and vegetable side dishes (kobachi).
Each of the brunch items is served in perfectly portioned dishes to ensure that you still feel lovely after consuming the brunch. From the interior design of the restaurant to the friendliness of the staff, the fresh food and the grounds that are available for a post-eating stroll, brunch at Koi Restaurant is a must-do while in Abu Dhabi.
Keep in mind that in the UAE, Fridays and Saturdays are considered the weekend, so these are the best days for brunch in Abu Dhabi.
Have you ever travelled to Abu Dhabi? Are you considering a trip to UAE in the future? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Jenene Bronwin Batts is the Senior Marketing Coordinator at Tourism Development & Investment Company or TDIC. She oversees website maintenance, PR requests, marketing initiatives and all general guests’ enquiries for the company’s destinations, including KOI Restaurant & Lounge and Boa Steakhouse in Abu Dhabi.