Joanna James
While offers stunning attractions, exciting shopping sprees and fun desert adventures, don’t forget Abu Dhabi is also a haven for foodies! The city’s culinary scene blends rich Emirati traditions with a modern flair, serving dishes like those mentioned below that are as comforting as they are unforgettable.
When comfort food calls, Thareed answers with warmth and flavour! This slow-cooked stew of tender beef, chunky potatoes, and hearty vegetables is the epitome of a soul-satisfying meal. Some restaurants will swap the beef for chicken or go full veggie if that’s more to your liking. This dish is best enjoyed with bread, which soaks up all those rich, savoury juices providing a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s the perfect way to treat your taste buds after a day exploring Abu Dhabi’s cosmopolitan cityscape.
While you may have ordered this street food fave in your home country, you definitely must try the version in the UAE including when in Abu Dhabi. The sight (and aroma) of layers of marinated meat, slow roasted on a vertical spit until it’s tender, juicy, and slightly crispy on the edges will ignite your cravings! Whether it’s chicken, lamb, or beef, every bite is packed with flavour. Wrapped in soft pita bread with fresh veggies and creamy sauces like tahini or garlic yoghurt, it’s the ultimate grab-and-go meal. The good thing is, that you not only get it at streetside eateries but also restaurants of accommodation providers like Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort; this adds to the convenience of enjoying this dish multiple times during your getaway.
Don’t forget to also experience the golden, crunchy perfection of falafel. Made from chickpeas or fava beans, these deep-fried balls are spiced to perfection and often paired with hummus, tahini, and fresh greens. Whether you go for a falafel wrap (ideal for munching while wandering the streets) or a falafel rice bowl for something heartier, this dish never disappoints. It’s proof that vegetarian food can be exciting, flavourful, and oh-so-satisfying. Bonus: it’s also great to share as part of a romantic dinner in Abu Dhabi but ensure to order enough to satisfy you both!
Think of Machboos as biryani’s Emirati cousin with its own variations. This fragrant rice dish is cooked with tender chicken, lamb, or shrimp, simmered in a spiced stock infused with cardamom, saffron, and other spices as well as loomi (dried lime). The resulting culinary creation is bursting with layers of flavour. The slow cooking process ensures every grain of rice and bite of meat is infused with aromatic goodness. Served with a side of fresh salad or yoghurt, Machboos is a feast fit for a foodie king or queen!
No meal in Abu Dhabi is complete without a taste of Luqaimat, the dessert that wins hearts (and stomachs) at first bite. These deep-fried dough balls are golden, crispy on the outside, and melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside. Drizzled with sticky date syrup or honey, they are sweet, indulgent, and downright addictive. Traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan, they are perfect for any occasion when you need a sugar fix. Just be warned… they are so good that stopping at one is nearly impossible!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
