Abu Dhabi is a culinary lover’s paradise, almost every month a new restaurant opens in this capital. You may find it difficult to keep up with them all and have difficulty choosing which are the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi that are worth trying.
Best Restaurants in Abu Dhabi Right Now
To help those of you visiting Abu Dhabi, we have selected the 10 best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, which you should try even just once. Our selected restaurants are renowned for their efforts to serve authentic and delicious dishes, as well as excellent service to make diners have a pleasant culinary experience.
Pizzeria Marmellata
Nearly four years ago, Raj Dagstani and his then 13-year-old son Sebastian started a home-based pizza business, Marmellta, from their small kitchen in a corner of Abu Dhabi. Their pizzeria is famous for its homemade focaccia and pizza, and when it was only open one day a week it managed to create high curiosity and demand. People were lining up to get their slices.
After the pandemic ended, Marmellata is open five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Previously, they only had a small kitchen, now they use part of their house to expand the restaurant area. Everything cooked here always uses fresh ingredients and fresh dough. You have to come here and try it. We recommend the pepperoni pizza with garlic confit and spicy honey.
Location: Marmellata Bakery
Check Instagram Marmellatalove for more pizza options.
Fishmarket
If you’re looking for a seafood experience in Abu Dhabi, Mina Fishmarket Abu Dhabi is the place to go. This fish market has 104 fresh fish stalls, eight dried fish stalls, several fruit and vegetable stalls, commercial stalls, and eight restaurants.
Fishmarket offers visitors a unique experience where you can choose the seafood you want, and then you can take it to the restaurant there to be cooked by frying or grilling which will be served with other dishes.
You can enjoy your seafood with beautiful beach views.
Location: Fishmarket
Check Instagram @fishmarketad to see what dishes they have
FINZ Restaurant
Enjoying sitting back and relaxing at Finz, while eating seafood by the sea is an experience you shouldn’t miss. The key specialty of this FINZ restaurant is that it only uses fresh fish for all its dishes. Every visitor who comes to Finz admits that every dish is very delicious.
We recommend you order dishes such as sea bass with lentils, or seafood biryani. If you’re wondering what to order, ask the chef for recommendations on what they’re catching today.
With a warm and comfortable restaurant atmosphere, you can enjoy beautiful views of the canal and Abu Dhabi at night from their terrace.
Location: Beach Rotana Hotel, 10th Street, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi
You can connect with them at @Finz_abudhabi
Al Afiya Al Maghribi Restaurant
The next best restaurant in Abu Dhabi is Al Afiya Al Maghribi. This restaurant is famous for its authentic Moroccan cuisine. Located on Zayed The First Street behind The Shining Tower in the Khalidiya area, you will experience a culinary experience as if you were in Morocco, with its atmosphere and taste.
The restaurant is decorated in a beautiful traditional Moroccan interior. You’ll be welcomed by Moroccan Ladies who will mix fresh tea according to your wishes with the taste of Moroccan spices. After that, you can consult what menu you want.
Their best-selling dishes are Lamb Couscous with vegetables, Moroccan Nicoise Salad, and various grilled meats. You can choose this place to gather with friends over a big meal because most of the food here has large portions. Ah, and don’t worry if you are a vegetarian, as this is the right place for you.
Location: Al Afiya Al Maghribi Restaurant
Check out their Instagram @alafiyaalmaghribi if you need information on booking a private.
Rempah Indonesian Restaurant
If you’re interested in trying Indonesian food, come to Rempah Indonesian Restaurant. The attraction of this restaurant lies in its food which is rich in spices and always made from fresh ingredients. “Great food & care makes customers return every time.” is their tagline.
This restaurant, which was inaugurated in 2022, was initially opened to treat the longing of Indonesian citizens in the UAE for regional food. However, recently Rempah Indonesian’s customers also come from local residents and other foreigners who visit Abu Dhabi.
You’ll find traditional Indonesian nuances in the interior design which displays various Indonesian crafts and toys.
The best-selling food you must try at this restaurant is Beef Rendang and Grilled Chicken Kalasan. You should also try Jamu, a traditional Indonesian wellness drink.
Location: Rempah Indonesian Restaurant
Check Instagram @rempah.ae for orders online for dine-in, takeaway, or booking a table.
Pasha Turkish Restaurant
Pasha Turkish Restaurant, located at Mubarak Bin Mohammed St – Al Khalidiyah – W9 – Abu Dhabi, is a typical Turkish restaurant. They offer authentic culinary delights, with a variety of delicious and rich dishes cooked using traditional Turkish cooking techniques.
The restaurant’s comfortable atmosphere with friendly service make visitors always want to come back to this restaurant. One of their best sellers is Mix Grill called “Ali Nazik”. Comes with fresh grilled kebabs, beef tikka, lamb chops, lamb cubes, chicken wings, tawouk, served with fresh Turkish bread, salads, and appetizers. You should try that.
Of course, there’s also the Turkish Kebab, which you can enjoy and then finish off with a cup of the famous Turkish Coffee. Did you know that Angeline Jolie also serves Turkish coffee at her fashion boutique in Manhattan?
Location: Pasha Turkish Restaurant – مطعم باشا التركي
Instagram @PashaTurkish
Al Mrzab Restaurant (Emirates and Kuwait)
You can’t visit Abu Dhabi without trying a meal at Al Mrzab Restaurant. Al Mrzab is one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, one of the popular culinary destinations, especially for those looking to experience traditional Emirati flavors.
What makes this restaurant unique is how it ensures that the atmosphere of the Emirates is still felt, such as low tables with comfortable floor cushions. You will feel like you are eating at home in Abu Dhabi.
Most of the menus served come from the Emirates, such as majbous (rice and lamb) and haress (boiled wheat). You should try mandi (spiced rice cooked with mutton or chicken), and mutabbaq (stuffed pancakes).
Al Mrzab Restaurant is famous for its friendly service and good-quality dishes. If you visit Abu Dhabi and want to enjoy local Emirati culinary delights, this restaurant is the right choice.
Location: Al Mrzab Traditional Restaurant
Instagram Al Mrzab
Beirut Sur Mer - Lebanese Restaurant
Beirut Sur Mer is a restaurant with authentic Lebanese flavors on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. With its beachfront location, Beirut Sur Mer will give you an unforgettable experience, eating Lebanese food while enjoying spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf, especially if you get a seat on the outdoor terrace.
The chefs at Beirut Sur Mer always ensure that each dish is prepared with the utmost care, mixed with the freshest ingredients that make their Lebanese cuisine special. When you visit this place, you must try the savory mezze and mixed grill to accompany your dinner with a beautiful view. And after that, you’re ready to plan a trip with friends to Lebanon.
With delicious food and excellent service, it’s no surprise that this place was included in The World’s 50 Best Discovery which highlights the extraordinary culinary experiences of this place.
Location: Beirut Sur Mer Restaurant
Instagram: @beirutsurmer
Cafe Otantik - Turkish and Mediterranean
Cafe Otantik – Turkish is one of the famous restaurants in Abu Dhabi, offering a variety of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. If you visit Abu Dhabi, you must come to this restaurant.
The specialty of Cafe Otantik lies in its authentic culinary delights, rich in traditional flavors, combined with a super comfortable restaurant interior. They are always serious about preparing dishes made from recipes passed down from generation to generation.
The restaurant has also arranged perfect seating sections to suit everyone’s preferences, so don’t hesitate to come here with friends.
Cafe Otantik’s best-selling menu includes a variety of Turkish specialties, such as baklava, mezze, and kebabs. By the way, if you come in the morning, you can order a very delicious Otantik Breakfast.
Location: Cafè Otantik – TCA Branch, Abu Dhabi
Instagram @otantikae
Namak Mandi - Pakistani Restaurant
Namak Mandi is one of the best authentic Pakistani restaurants in Abu Dhabi. They present a unique culinary experience focused on dishes from the Peshawar region of Pakistan, known for its rich, spiced grilled meats.
The uniqueness of this restaurant lies in the cooking process that uses a tandoor (clay oven) to provide a deep and authentic taste.
This restaurant is located in the middle of an industrial area and is easy to find. With typical Pakistani decorations that are thick with colors and ornaments, you’ll feel a comfortable and warm ambiance as soon as you arrive here.
The barbeque lamb here is very juicy and delicious, as is their Naan Bread which is soft and always served fresh from the oven. Must try. Once you taste the dishes at Namak Mandi, you will immediately feel like you are traveling to Pakistan.
Location: Namak Mandi Abu Dhabi
Visit their Facebook Page Namak Mandi Restaurant
Satisfy your culinary experience in Abu Dhabi with a list of the best restaurants
Exploring Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene is a journey through a variety of culinary landscapes, each of which offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
There is Pizzeria Marmellata with homemade focaccia, Fishmarket to pick up fresh seafood and cook it on the spot, FINZ with its elegant seaside eateries, and Moroccan dishes at Al Afiya Al Maghribi.
You also must try Beef Rendang at Rempah Indonesian Restaurant, sip Turkish Coffee at Pasha Turkish, and a delicious Mandi at Al Mrzab Restaurant.
Sur Mer Beirut. The best restaurant with Lebanese flavors with amazing views in Abu Dhabi.
Cafe Otantik. The right place for those who want to experience authentic Turkish and Mediterranean flavors in Abu Dhabi.
And Namak Mandi, the best Pakistani restaurant in Abu Dhabi. The taste of spices is strong and delicious, with large food portions. Suitable for eating with friends and family.
A culinary adventure in search of the best authentic restaurants in Abu Dhabi is not to be missed. From Turkish specialties at Cafe Otantik to Pakistani dishes at Namak Mandi, the city offers a dazzling gastronomic experience for food lovers.
You can book a UAE tour with us, and you’ll get the opportunity to try various good restaurants during the tour.
