Restaurants

This can't-miss, mostly Jordanian hotspot makes Abu Dhabi's best shawarma, carved from two massive spits (one chicken, one beef) and served sandwiched, sliced or plated to legions of connoisseurs in simple yet styli…

How good is this 1920s Chicago–inspired steakhouse at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi? We don't have enough space to tell you. American chef Marshall Roth sources his meat from the Temple Grandin–designed Creekstone Farms in…

Singaporean chef Akmal Anuar turns out innovative yet unpretentious Asian-influenced small plates at this tiny, unlicensed spot – a perfect foil to Dubai's expensive, overblown eateries. There are around 25 seats in…

With a patio overlooking the Gulf, hospitable staff and a delicious seafood-focused, fine-dining blend of regional and international cuisine, it's not surprising reservations are recommended. The Vasco twist to the …

You know you're somewhere unique when the complementary water is infused with frankincense. This delightful restaurant, housed in a renovated khan (guesthouse) that was built 140 years ago and which used to charge b…

With its starburst abstract panels, lime-green decor and a wholesome menu, this charmer feels more California than Abu Dhabi, but the secret recipes of the owner's Afghani mother add a delightfully regional spin. Tr…

Every dish speaks of refinement in this perennially popular bi-level restaurant that gives classic Japanese fare an up-to-the-minute workout. No matter if you go for the top-cut sushi morsels (the dynamite spider ro…

A grand old tree, white wicker chairs, turquoise benches and billowing flowers create a sun-dappled refuge in the courtyard of an old pearl merchant's house. The menu includes lots of Emirati specialities, including…

With a choice of open-air and majlis-style dining (on sedans in small rooms), this excellent restaurant has spilt into a courtyard of illuminated trees to create a thoroughly Arabian experience. Make sure you try Ka…

The summit of Japanese cuisine in Abu Dhabi. Book ahead to enjoy the superb sushi and sashimi, the signature miso-marinated black cod or a hunk of meat cooked to perfection on the robata grill. Alcohol served (sake,…