The Ultimate Guide to Dining at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi

If you're searching for the most spectacular culinary experiences in the UAE, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi is the place to start. Home to some of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, this world-class hotel combines global fine dining with signature flair. The restaurant list at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is seemingly endless and certainly has something to cater for every taste, every whim and every fancy: from Michelin-starred venues to beachfront grills and beautiful afternoon teas, there’s something here for every craving and occasion.

Here’s our guide - where will you start?

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STRAWFIRE BY ROSS SHONHAN - OUTSTANDING JAPANESE WARAYAKI RESTAURANT IN EMIRATES PALACE

Brace yourself for a big call: Strawfire is Abu Dhabi’s best restaurant and we think it’s also the best restaurant in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.  To back up this claim, we can report that Strawfire is one of the very few restaurants in Abu Dhabi that absolutely must be booked ahead - it's always busy and always buzzing.  

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What makes Strawfire the king of Emirates Palace restaurants? 

This best-in-class offering from Chef Ross Shonhan sports a fabulous menu, with everything revolving around the warayaki method of Japanese cuisine - quite literally, putting straw on the fire.  Periodically, the kitchen is ablaze with light as more straw is piled onto the open flame, while burrata is grilled to perfection on top, corn sizzles, and wagyu is grilled. 

A la carte ighlights:

• Wagyu gyoza
  
  
• Prawn toast with dancing bonito flakes
  
  
• Lobster and tuna hand rolls made tableside
  
  
• Creamy mentaiko spaghetti
  
  
• Strawberry s’mores masterpiece

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Chef’s Choice

The omakase menu from the chefs or the first taste menu are culinary journeys worth taking. These cover all the high points of the a la carte menu, but take the thinking out of ordering. We recommend!

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Drinks

Strawfire also has Abu Dhabi’s best drinks.  The sommelier team is unmatched in skill and approachability and as a result we tried a carafe of excellent sake which is also available by the bottle. Choose from a global wine selection and a vast range of champagnes, both available by the glass or bottle. Beer, mostly Japanese craft beer, is excellent and the range of spirits (including a great selection of Japanese whisky) is broad. 

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Create one-of-a-kind cocktails: pay a mixology fee, choose your base and let the talented team concoct something that’s bespoke for you.  Choose your size too (short, long or surprise me!) and this also applies to mocktails. We believe that these are the best in Abu Dhabi - the flavour profiles are incredible, making for intensely drinkable beverages. 

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We can’t recommend Strawfire enough. Families are welcomed, but it’s equally as good for a date night,  the sultry decor and exciting kitchen action providing the backdrop for a serious night out for foodies and drink aficionados alike. 

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Open: 6PM - midnight

Bookings: moauh-restaurants@mohg.com or 02 690 7999

EPISODES - AFTERNOON TEA RESTAURANT, PATISSERIE AND DELI AT EMIRATES PALACE

If an outstanding afternoon tea is what delights you, Episodes, the afternoon tea restaurant at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is the place to go. 

With master patissier Chef Alex Thabard at the helm, desserts and patisserie items are upscale, strong on taste and big on aesthetics. 

The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental afternoon tea at Episodes is an experience that’s as elegant as it is glorious. Set in a beautifully stylish space, this isn’t your average tea-and-scones situation, this is afternoon tea done the Palace way. You’ll be treated to delicate pastries, buttery scones, savoury bites, and an amazing selection of fine teas (or bubbly, if you’re feeling fancy), all served with signature five-star flair. Whether you're celebrating something special or just in it for the cake, this is one of those Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental moments you’ll want to savour slowly and definitely snap for the ’gram.

Signature experience: the Emirates Palace gold cappuccino, topped with 24K gold leaf and the hotel’s iconic silhouette, is the must-try photo moment, much loved by tourists and locals alike. Pictured atop the creamy cappuccino foam is Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel itself, along with a liberal sprinkling of gold leaf. The decadence alone is so UAE and the fact  that it tastes and looks amazing is an added bonus. 

Tea Apothecary & Gourmet Deli (spaces 1 & 2): 8 AM – 11 PM

Mandarin Cake Shop & Gelateria (spaces 3 & 4): 10 AM – 11 PM

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BROADWAY BAR AND BRASSERIE - CASUAL AMERICAN-STYLE BAR AT EMIRATES PALACE

Broadway is the quintessential American bar - you could be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into 1920s New York, complete with exposed brick walls, green leather banquettes, an impressively sweeping bar and food that’s completely on point. It’s the place to have a drink at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. 

Chef George Lyon, came up in London’s best restaurants and commands the helm with aplomb. 

Food highlights:

• Beef Wellington
  
  
• Lobster thermidor
  
  
• Porcini agnolotti
  
  
• Seabream with pesto
• Legendary Sunday roast

Saturday brunch is a great place to start what will undoubtedly be your Broadway love affair. Start with cocktails and mocktails (the happy Holi and apple not martini being the faves of the mocks along with a banging virgin Mary, while the cocktail favourites are the exceptional old fashioned and the espresso martini to finish).

Share starters including gorgeous Fin de Claire oysters, a superb pate and the best cauliflower salad in town as well as the incredible beef tartare with squidges of a creamy, delicate mustard butter. 

The porcini agnolotti main is a win, while the seabream with a glorious pesto pour and a quality striploin, cooked to perfection are also great options. 

And the vibes? This is a foodie brunch, one for people who love savouring great food and excellent drinks in the most comfortable of surroundings. The musicians rev up as the day wears on and there’s huge potential for dancing. There’s nowhere quite like Broadway in Abu Dhabi and we consider this a Saturday afternoon winner.

Sunday Roast 

Equally as good is the Sunday roast, which gives new meaning to the typical pub lunch with upscale beef, lamb and chicken and outstanding vegetables - you can depend on  Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental to raise the tone! 

Chef Lyon’s classical training takes centre stage here and delivers an exceptional meal that exceeded our expectations on every level. Take your pick from roasted sea bream, spiced roasted cauliflower, sirloin of beef, lamb shoulder, or corn-fed chicken as well as a large side of vegetables.

The overnight cooked sirloin of beef was butter-soft and perfectly salted, while the slow-roasted lamb shoulder, salted in rosemary and garlic and slow-cooked for 9 hours, was so tender and evokes memories of childhood family meals and good times. The French corn-fed chicken is brined to retain moisture and finished with a sage butter, resulting in one of the tastiest chicken experiences ever. Choose a favourite? Impossible!

The Sunday Roast at Broadway is, in our opinion, the best roast offering in Abu Dhabi.  There’s a lot of food and the drinks are fabulous and include draught beer, French wine, cocktails and mocktails. Cancel all other afternoon plans: this is one to be savoured. 

‍Broadway is great whichever day you go. Thursday has a great deal for women with free-flow fabulous drinks and bar bites for just AED185. This is a great reason to head to the bar, and if it’s your first taste, we hope you have many more!

Saturday Brunch: Sat 12:30–3:30PM | AED380/480/680
Sunday Roast: Sun 12:30–5:30PM | AED295/395/595 Kids AED90
Bookings: 02 690 8888 | moauh-reservations@mohg.com

HAKKASAN - MICHELIN STARRED ASIAN RESTAURANT AT EMIRATES PALACE

Perhaps the most well-known of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental’s restaurants, Hakkasan continues to draw a crowd. This Asian fusion restaurant won a celebrated Michelin star a couple of years ago and impresses with both food and drinks.  

Start your night either in the modern, minimalist dining room or on the spacious terrace if weather permits … and we recommend you begin with the Peking duck.  Get it with caviar if you’re feeling rich and decadent. We love the premium dim sum options, but don’t sleep on the wagyu puff, a beautiful take on the Chinese original. 

The black cod and seabass are both noteworthy but lobster enthusiasts will love this version, done to perfection.  

There are plenty of options for vegetarians at Hakkasan, another reason why it’s so popular with the Abu Dhabi regulars. 

Drinks

With names like captivation, passion and trust, the cocktail menu boasts an intriguing blend of flavours, with a story behind each. There’s a small selection of beer including Chinese Tsing Tao and Japanese Kirin, as well as non-alcoholic cocktails that are of a high standard. And as with every restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace, there’s an impressive range of spirits, particularly vodka and whisky.  

Hakkasan is a place you must visit at least once on your Abu Dhabi journey. Food is served with a style and grace that’s unmatched. 

Open 6.30PM - 11.30PM

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TALEA BY ANTONIO GUIDA - MICHELIN STARRED ITALIAN RESTAURANT AT EMIRATES PALACE

Talea is both elegant and casual, serving a quality of food that drew the attention of the Michelin Guide a couple of years ago, and earning the restaurant a Michelin star.  

But don’t be fooled into thinking that there’s any stuffiness - in fact, this is a great option for foodies or families any day or night of the week. The restaurant design is as chic as you’d expect, with colour and texture paving the way for an exquisite finish. 

Food

If you’re feeling frivolous, experience one of the gastronomic menus, which start at AED600. But if you’re keen to go it alone, the a la carte menu has some real treats. We recommend the polpo (octopus) to start, and the exquisite linguine with lobster. Steak enthusiasts can share the tomahawk while the crusted seabass is one of the most popular dishes on the menu.

To finish, the deconstructed tiramisu is one of the most discussed dishes in Abu Dhabi.  If you love the original, be prepared to leave your comfort zone!

Notably, Talea by Antonio Guida has a kids menu. Featuring such favourites as risotto, coteletta and a fabulous make-your-own-pizza option, this is a great option for parents who want their children kept busy while they enjoy the highlights of the beautiful adult offering. 

Drinks

Wine is European, with an impressive selection of regional Italian options, including a huge prosecco collection, and there’s also an extensive selection of champagne.

Talea by Antonio Guida is one of the Emirates Palace restaurants to go when you feel decadent but want approachable, fabulous food. 

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Open 12.30PM - 3PM for lunch 

6.30PM - 11PM for dinner

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MARTABAAN BY HEMANT OBEROI  - FINE DINING INDIAN RESTAURANT AT EMIRATES PALACE

Chef Oberoi is renowned around the world for his excellent, tradition based culinary magic. Recipes are modernised and given his special touch, while presented in a gloriously decadent way.

Considering its location and the sumptuousness of its decor, Martabaan is eminently affordable, probably the most affordable restaurant in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Start with a set menu at AED299 or take the royal version for AED499. These include such favourites as murgh tikka, samosas, prawns and biryani.

Martabaan is the perfect destination for vegetarians.  Not only is there a good range of vegetarian starters but also grills - don’t sleep on the marinated avocado dish, and the asparagus is a must-try!

There are plentiful biryani options, as well as three kinds of dal - all absolutely beautiful - and as a side note, the camembert and truffle naan … insanely good!

Hi-Tea

As an exciting added extra, you can enjoy a gorgeous afternoon tea at Martabaan. Starting at AED150 per person, this tea stand features sandwiches, toasts and sweets that are designed to delight. Get a cup of superb masala chai and consider yourself in luxe foodie heaven. 

Open from 12.30PM until 10.30PM

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VENDOME - CASUAL LUXURY BUFFET AT EMIRATES PALACE

One of the most popular Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental restaurants is Vendome - everyone loves a buffet and Vendome, the breakfast and sometime-brunch restaurant, is where you can find amazing casual food. Breakfast is extensive with a ton of high end pastries, juices, hot food and exciting options like pancakes and waffles.  The lunch and dinner buffet sports amazing seafood options and a whole range of international favourites with everything from Indian and Asian to European.  

It’s a family-friendly spot with a relaxed but upscale vibe.

Open: 6.30AM -11AM, 12.3PM -3.30PM, 6.30PM - 10PM

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LEBANESE TERRACE - MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT AT EMIRATES PALACE

Ideal for in-house guests wishing to get a taste of the Levant, Lebanese Terraces sports a menu embracing all the favourites. This meal feels like a mini-holiday - Lebanese Terrace at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental brings you the full escape. Whether you’re dipping warm, fluffy bread into creamy hummous or enjoying  juicy mixed grills, every bite feels authentically Middle Eastern, in a high-end ambiance. The terrace itself is gorgeous too, perfect for a sundown feast with views that make you want to stay just that bit longer. 

Open 12.30PM - 11PM

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SAND & KOAL – THE BEST OF BEACHFRONT DINING AT EMIRATES PALACE

For a beachy bite with a side of wow, Sand & Koal is one of the coolest Emirates Palace restaurants to hit up right now. Set right on the sands, this open-air grill at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi brings fire, flavour, and flair to your dinner plans. You’ll find smoked meats, fresh seafood, and knockout sunsets, served with your feet in the sand and a cocktail in hand. It’s laidback luxury done right and  one of the best beach dining experiences in Abu Dhabi. 

Closes from May - October

FINAL WORD ABOUT EMIRATES PALACE MANDARIN ORIENTAL RESTAURANTS

From fire-grilled Japanese cuisine to delicate French patisserie and Michelin-level Italian, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi delivers a dining scene like no other. Whether you’re looking for an elegant afternoon tea, a memorable brunch, or the best restaurant in Abu Dhabi, there’s no better place to start than here.

Explore Emirates Palace restaurants today ... and bring your appetite!

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