Prego’s (Madinet Zayed Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers, Abu Dhabi) — The best of Abu Dhabi’s Italian restaurants, Prego’s offers up authentic, well-executed Italian fare, including delicious handmade pastas (you can see them being made!) and wonderful wood-fire oven pizza and pasta. The fresh-out-of-the-oven breads and virgin olive oil on arrival is scrumptious, with a […]
Porter’s Pub (Grand Millenium Al Wahda, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi) – Home-sick Americans passing through Abu Dhabi will likely hit this place. Along with beef hamburgers, salads, jumbo hot dogs, this restaurant also serves Philadelphia cheese steaks, and even chicken quesadilla is thrown in (even though that’s technically a Mexican dish). Classic rock and pop […]
Nobu (The Crescent — Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai) – the world-renowned Japanese restaurant created by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, combines his cutting edge style with South American influences to create a truly stunning space and unforgettable dining experience. Complemented by a sushi bar and sake lounge, Nobu gives you the perfect excuse to dress […]
Nautilus (Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) – located in the marina wing of Yas Viceroy Hotel, this is a fine restaurant for seafood lovers. There is an assortment of fresh fish, clams, caviar, scallops, and prawns. Well-regarded dishes here include the sea bass and salmon. The space-age décor also stands out […]
Le Café (Emirates Palace Hotel, Corniche Street, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi) – along with chicken caesar salad, chicken paninis, and desserts such as tarts, caramel tiramisu, novelty cakes and biscuits, the standout dish at this restaurant would have to be the critically-acclaimed Camel Burger (a camel meat patty served with a side of chickpea […]
Jazz Bar (Corniche Road West Al-Khudeirah Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel, Abu Dhabi) — One of the city’s oldest and most consistently fine restaurants serves up fabulous cocktails, clever contemporary fusion cuisine, and live jazz in a modern Art-Deco-inspired interior. The South African bands play on a raised platform behind the curved bar, so it’s possible […]
Hemingway’s (Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi) – Decent-tasting Tex-Mex food and other items ranging from enchiladas, fajitas, jumbo shrimp and burgers through to finger lickin’ Cajun spiced salmon. That, as well as “Inca Arrows” (huge fingers of deep fried chicken breast, breaded mozzarella sticks, and a salad, along with a tangy barbecue sauce).
Hakkasan (Emirates Palace Hotel, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi) – opened in 2010, this is a well-regarded Chinese restaurant among the expat crowd. Hakkasan’s signature dishes like Peking duck with caviar and grilled Wagyu beef with king soy sauce are served alongside a set of new dishes created especially for an Emirate clientele. The restaurant […]
Chamas (InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi) – A Brazilian churrascaria steakhouse is the last thing one would find in the Persian Gulf. Those who come across this restaurant and have already been to similar Brazilian steakhouses know the drill: each table has a round green and red disc. If the waiters with […]
Water Taxi (Dubai) – a.k.a. “Abra”, in Dubai, a river crossing by a water taxi, which costs very little as it is used most often by the country’s expat working class. However, it is worth a trip if you are into new experiences and like most other activities in Dubai, is very safe. There are, […]