Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Restaurants
Recommended restaurants
BiCE Restaurant
Widely known for its superb Italian cuisine, this restaurant in the Hilton International hotel is a very popular choice, and booking is recommended. The windows running from floor to ceiling ensure panoramic views of the Gulf outside.
Hilton Abu Dhabi hotel, Corniche Road
Tel: (02) 681 1900.
Website: www1.hilton.com
Price: $$-$$$
Bord Eau
It's only been a year since it opened, but Bord Eau has already forged a reputation for being one of the city's best restaurants. The experimental French cuisine isn't easy to understand, but it's exquisite.
Shangri La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri,
Tel: (02) 509 8888.
Website: www.shangri-la.com/en/property/abudhabi/shangrila
Price: $$
Finz
Finz has earned itself numerous accolades for its fresh and often simple seafood menus. Reservations are recommended.
Beach Rotana Hotel.
Tel: (02) 644 3000.
Website: www.rotana.com
Price: $$
Istanbul
Excellent Turkish cuisine is on offer at Istanbul, a charming and welcoming restaurant, and the food is consistently of the highest standards. The grilled meats are wonderful.
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area
Tel: (02) 644 6666.
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com
Price: $$
Lebanese Flower
Offering a wide selection of delicious mezze, Lebanese Flower is part of a popular chain of restaurants. The grilled meats are excellent, as are the other staples of the Lebanese kitchen on offer here.
Defence Road
Tel: (02) 642 4208.
Price: $
Rodeo Grill
Prime steaks and grilled seafood are some of the most popular entrees on the menu at this classic restaurant. The wine selection is very good, which is not always the case in Abu Dhabi. A stylish establishment.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Hotel, Abu Dhabi Beach
Tel: (02) 894 1182.
Website: www.rotana.com
Price: $$-$$$
Sayad
A wonderful seafood restaurant at the Emirates Palace, Sayad (Arabic for fisherman) offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The exotic fish dishes are created with superb finesse. This is as good as seafood gets.
Emirates Palace, West End Corniche
Tel: (02) 690 9000.
Website: www.emiratespalace.com
Price: $$$$
Nightlife
Nightlife in Abu Dhabi tends to be restricted to the hotels, since the country's licensing laws restrict the sale of alcohol.
Bars: Heroes Diner, in the Crowne Plaza, is a sports bar with regular entertainment, while Mai Tai Bar in the Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers is a very friendly place with live music and a good, welcoming atmosphere. The Mardi Gras is a jazz bar and restaurant in the Capitol Hotel and is great for a cocktail or two. For loud music and dancing, the Filipino bar Ratskeys in the Grand Continental Hotel is the place to visit.
Clubs: The popular Tequilana club in the Hilton International has a variety of themed nights, like R&B nights and salsa nights. Zenith is a nightclub in the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort & Towers that often attracts quite a large crowd to its dance floor.
Live Music: Clubs with live music include the Sax Restaurant Club in Le Royal Méridien hotel and The Jazz Bar in the Hilton, both of which have good jazz bands. Bigger music concerts with international stars are often hosted by the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Old Airport Road (beside Qasr Al Hosn) (tel: (02) 621 5300).
