1. Beirut Sur Mer

Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

At Mamsha Al Saadiyat, the exclusive beachfront community of luxury apartments, townhouses and penthouses in Saadiyat Island close to Soul Beach, a number of restaurants offer a wide range of dining experiences. Beirut Sur Mer stands out here for serving up authentic Lebanese dining by the sea. There is a variety of mezze (small dishes served at the beginning of a multi-course meal), salads, sandwiches, and grilled specialties.

The restaurant was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the famed Michelin Guide in 2022, attesting to its high-quality cooking.

For starters, a popular breakfast option to share with your partner is Aramramiyeh, which is a dish of sunny-side up eggs partnered with labneh makdous, foul medames, halloumi bil teen, tlameh beytouteh, pickles and olives, halawi with banana and honey croissant, ashta and banana, Lebanese jam, Nabulsi cheese, sliced fruits, and your choice of tea or coffee.

Another exciting menu item to try is their Manakish, which is a flatbread with pizza-type toppings. Sample the Lahmeh Bil Ajine made with a special spicy minced meat recipe, and pomegranate molasses.

For a Lebanese treat, order the Shakshouka a la Libanaise, which is lamb sujok, fried eggplant, chickpeas, onion, tomato topped with two sunny-side up eggs, and sumac.

Craving cold mezze? Try Warak Arish, or stuffed vine leaves with meat (beef or lamb), tomato, parsley and rice, cooked in a citrus juice. 

For seafood items, order the Kreydes (4 pieces of Grilled jumbo prawns served over a bed of watercress, fresh zaatar, onion and molasses), Karakand (oven-baked lobster served with Traboulsiyeh and Beiruteyi salsa), or the Sea Bass (cooked for 50 minutes and weighing 750 grams, with olive oil, herbs and citrus, served with harra sauces and lime tarator). 

For Halawiyat or dessert, sample the Millefeuille Beiruty or semi-melting muhalabiyeh ice cream, crispy phyllo, clotted cream and nuts with orange blossom. There’s also the Loukoumades Trilogy: Debes kharoub-, date honey-, and simple syrup-soaked fried Lebanese dumpling.

2. Tean

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

For traditional Levantine dishes, head over to Tean at the stunning five-star beach resort Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort and have your fill of freshly baked breads, beautifully grilled spiced meat and hearty mezzes. Make sure to bring your friends with you as the restaurant’s assortment of Turkish, Greek, Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes are meant to be happily shared.

Start your meal with Cheese Sambousek (Akawi cheese wrapped in light pastry) or savoury Chicken Liver sauteed in pomegranate molasses. 

Next, the Tean Mix Grill composed of lamb kofta, shish taouk, beef tikka and lamb chops are sure to satisfy big appetites. There’s also a Seafood Platter of sea bass fillet, jumbo shrimps, lobster and octopus for those craving lighter fare, but with the same smoky charcoal grill experience.

Try the Damascus Lamb Ouzi (lamb shoulder, rice, mixed nuts, green peas and carrots) for a hearty main with a rich Eggplant Moussaka for a side. Don’t miss the Turkish Pide, a traditional stone-baked Turkish specialty, with spinach, pomegranate molasses, pine nuts and sumac. 

And to cap off your meal, order the Riz Bi Haleeb, a sumptuous dessert of rice, cream, pistachio and rose water.

3. Majlis

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

For authentic Arabic dishes with an exciting modern twist, you simply cannot miss Majlis, also at the Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Located on a beautiful outdoor terrace, guests can enjoy their meals while breathing in the fresh sea air and marvelling at exhilarating ocean views. 

From breakfasts to mains, there’s something for everybody at Majlis. Try the Foul Medames (fava beans, cumin, onion, tomato, parsley, extra virgin olive oil and lemon wrap) or the Avocado Tartine (sourdough bread, avocado mash, sun dried tomatoes, feta crumble and a poached egg) for an indulgent breakfast.

Falafel Wraps and Chicken Gyros are classic favourites and are perfect with contemporary pairings like Lentil Soup, Vegan Cobb Salad, and Burrata. For mains, Black Angus Beef Tenderloin, Grilled Salmon, and Chicken Breast stuffed with Wild Mushrooms, Turkey Bacon and Orzo Risotto are sure to please your taste buds. 

Majlis is also renowned for its Arabic Savoury & Sweet High Tea, where you can bring your group of relatives and friends to share and enjoy Lamb Sambousek (lamb, pastry and tahini sauce) and Cheese Rekakat (cigar-shaped filled pastry with halloumi, feta and Kasseri cheese) alongside Khabisa (toasted semolina, rose water, and caramelized sugar syrup) and Rose Turkish Delight.

4. Mijana

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Grand Canal, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi

Outside of Saadiyat Island, at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel, you’ll find classical Lebanese cooking at Mijana for a wonderfully filling meal that can be capped off with a shisha pipe on the terrace afterwards. 

For cold mezze, have a taste of their Moutabel Shamander with beetroot, tahini, yoghurt, rosewater, pistachio, olive oil. Larger parties can start off their meal with the Cold Mezze Platter consisting of beetroot moutabel, muhammara, hummus, Warak Enab, Moutabal batinjan, babaganoush, labneh, and hummus beiruti. For the hot mezze, try the Asafir Al Tayyen or grilled baby figbird with garlic, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice.

The Mouajnat platter (fried) has two pieces each  of fried savory kibbeh lamb, cheese roll, spinach, and chicken musakan falafel. This is served with tahini, tomato, yoghurt, and mint sauce.

Excellent main course options include the Kousa Bil Laban (baby marrow, minced meat, pine nuts, yoghurt sauce, garlic, coriander olive oil, and vermicelli rice), Kabab Karaz (minced lamb, cherry sauce, onion, Arabic spices, pine nuts), and the Mijana special called Mijana Mashawee Mshakaleh (a mix of shish tawook, kabab halabi, lahem beef meshui, and lamb chops ayares).

5. Erth

North Parking, Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi

Erth Restaurant proudly serves traditional Emirati cuisine using ingredients locally sourced from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Hatta and all across the Emirates.

Aside from a mouthwatering dining experience, guests are also treated to a wonderful vibrant energy from the elegantly designed restaurant space. The establishment is designed by distinguished interior designer BONE in collaboration with popular regional personalities, bringing creative furnishings that pay homage to Emirati culture to the restaurant.

An unforgettable dinner at Erth Restaurant can start with appetisers such as Farm-fresh Harvested Mushrooms with salted almond crumble (made with sofrito, local mushrooms, and a fresh herbs mix), Cauliflower Tabbouleh with green loumi dressing (with parsley, hazelnut, and lime), and the Casuella Hot Pot with local ghee (with risotto, parmesan, basil pesto, and black garlic).

Indulge in main courses like Margooga Ravioli (with vegetables Margooga, asparagus tomato confit, and a Parmesan emulsion), Umm al Quwain-farmed Sea Bass Fillet (with walnut, olives, pomegranate relish, and roasted red pepper jus), and Bzar-marinated Beef Short Ribs (with kale leaves, cauliflower puree, and bone marrow sauce).

6. Yadoo’s House

Al Nasr Tower 2, Al Murror Street, Abu Dhabi

For delicious Arabic cuisine in Abu Dhabi served in big portions at low prices, Yadoo’s House is just the place for you.

The restaurant is located beneath an apartment block within the Rabdan suburb, behind Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi and close to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Yadoo’s House, which translates to “grandmother’s house”, does offer that charming and inviting vibe of a familiar kitchen and dining room where families and groups of friends can come together to share a satisfying meal for all palates. 

Choose your Emirati cuisine favourites from the menu of comforting dishes including Kofta (meatballs), Majboos (mildly spiced rice typically served with chicken), a traditional stew called Salona (made with chicken, seafood or lamb), and grilled meats. Sea bass and lobster can satisfy cravings for delicious seafood. There are also sandwiches, salads and pasta items for more familiar flavours. Breads like Khameer and Poori are served with cheese and dates syrup. And for diners with a sweet tooth, dessert offerings like Kunafa, Dates Aseeda and Foulat Yadoo are sure to please.

7. Al Mrzab

Airport Road, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi

Al Mrzab, located along Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, offers well-loved Emirati and Kuwaiti classics on its menu. Locals and visitors alike love this establishment, as evidenced by the crowds of diners that regularly flock here and are happy to wait for a table. Seating varies, from conventional tables to majlis and private cabins to lower tables with comfy seat cushions.

If you crave Kuwaiti food, order from options like Chicken or Lamb Majbous and Mixed Seafood Moutabbaq (Jasheed, Nagar, Shrimps). For traditional Emirati meals, offerings like Madhrouba and Margugah Chicken, Thareed Lamb and Chicken, and Aseedah Fish are definite crowd pleasers. 

In the mood for lamb? Get the Ghouzi Lamb, with your choice of Local, Nouaymi and Najdi options. There are also Chicken, Lamb and Fish Biryani and Curry, and Hamsat from the Gulf (Shrimp, Squid, Chicken or Meat).

For grilled favourites, order Lamb or Chicken Tikka with yoghurt, Mince Lamb, or Chicken Kababs.

Popular desserts are Khanfaosh, Loquaymat, and Ferni.

A Taste of Arabia

For Saadiyat Island guests and Abu Dhabi staycation visitors, it is vital to pay a visit to the finest, most beloved Arabic restaurants in order to fully experience the culture and traditions of the region. Reserve your table at these restaurants and be prepared to go on an unforgettable culinary journey. Get in touch with us or view our top dining recommendations to make your pick.