New Restaurants In Abu Dhabi | Best Bites

NEW OPENINGS: THE JUNE EDITION!


We're so lucky in Abu Dhabi that new restaurants are opening all the time. We've got a couple of exciting new cafes and we're always happy to see when existing brands branch out too, an excellent Pakistani-Afghani kabab spot which will be great if you're catering for a crowd, a cracking new late-night spot with amazing food and drinks and a vibe that we've been missing in Abu Dhabi. There's a Filipino fave opened in Al Wahda Mall and somewhere new for Raha Beach residents to add to their local dining lists as well as a pizza place to get your taste buds tingling. Best of all, a new Abu Dhabi beach has reached our shores! Check out the new Abu Dhabi restaurants here!

ORO

NAHYAN CAMP


Just along from Rain in Nahyan Camp area, sits Oro, the Neapolitan pizzeria with a difference. Not only do they do traditional Italian pizzas, but also non-traditional toppings like Mexican wagyu. You can also find burgers and toasts on the menu, in an effort to cater to everyone. The Mr White's burger looks like one we might try first! And the pizza? We'll let you decide for yourself if Oro is the best Napoli-style pizza in Abu Dhabi!


Time: 12PM - 12AM

Price: Pizzas from AED45-AED53, burgers from AED45

Contact: https://www.instagram.com/oro.pizzeria/

PAL CAFE

KHALIFA CITY A


It was our first time visiting this new-ish area at the Yas end of Khalifa City A. Pal Cafe is a great addition to the area, not only offering the usual breakfast items but some surprisingly good desserts. It was the millionaire's shortbread that caught our eye but the chocolate cheesecake that turned our heads. Soft and moussy and laying on a crispy, caramel biscuit base, this was the cheesecake of dreams. The New York cheesecake was similarly exciting, lemony and with a superb consistency.


What makes Pal stand out from the rest is its completely reasonable pricing. The square of millionaire's was just AED15, the cheesecakes AED25! Decor in the cafe is functionally funky, possibly not the kind of place you'd curl up with a book, but definitely a great option for KCA dwellers to settle with a laptop and spend some time, without feeling like you'd spent your week's budget.


Time: 7AM - 10PM

Price: Breakfasts AED30-40, desserts AED15-25

Contact: 050 704 4473

GERRY'S GRILL

AL WAHDA MALL


This fabulous Filipino favourite comes to Abu Dhabi at last! Serving everything from fried chicken, lumpiang and grills to fishy soups and delicious bowls of halo halo, this is an exciting addition to Al Wahda Mall food options. If you haven't tried Filipino food, Gerry's is a great place to start your education!


Time: 10AM - 10.30PM

Price: Appetisers average AED22, soups from AED32, grills from AED32

SADDLE

AL BATEEN


Following the success of its Hudayriat-based food truck, Saddle now has an on-the-ground location in Al Bateen. The menu boasts an impressive range of breakfast food including granola, hot brioches and croissants and both savoury and sweet crepes (the chips and cheese is divine!) as well as a good coffee selection. Decor is fairly masculine, but if you're looking for breakfast with a view in Abu Dhabi, Saddle's conservatory windows tick that box - and don't miss the massive iron horse sculpture suspended from the ceiling to great effect!


Time: 8AM - 12AM

Price: Croissants from AED25, brioches from AED38, espresso AED19

Contact: 054 300 0587

THE KOSHER PLACE

VENETIAN VILLAGE


Haven't tried Kosher food, now's your chance! The Kosher Place is Abu Dhabi's first dedicated, dine-in restaurant serving kosher food. Situated in the Venetian Village, diners can enjoy great water views and the excellent ambiance of the creek while enjoying food made to exacting kosher standards. Offering Arabic-style cuisine, The Kosher place specialises in excellent hummous, felafel, soups and rolls. Desserts are fairly mainstream - we enjoyed the tarte tatin.


Time: 3PM - 10PM

Price: Kebab skewer AED65, entrecote AED265, sides AED28, dessert AED48

Contact: 050 175 9411

THEORY SPECIALTY COFFEE

KHALIDIYAH


Theory is newly opened in Khalidiyah, parallel to the Corniche. The decor is light and modern but functional with some excellent green touches, giving it a comfortable and easy feeling. We pored over the menu and found a number of dishes we could devour but settled on the San Sebastian cheesecake which is completely delicious and definitely less 'burnt' and more 'baked' than its counterparts, and the lotus cheesecake. We'll be going back to try the breakfast items which look sublime - and the portions are huge!


Time: 7.30AM - 12AM

Price: Breakfast from AED48, salads from AED59, desserts from AED31

Contact: Call or what's app 050 700 0556

RABAB KABAB

KHALIDIYA


Rabab Kabab is the new favourite among those looking for great quality Pakistani and Afghani food. They pride themselves on the freshness of their meat, producing platters for 2, 3 and 6 people with a plentiful amount of Afghani rice and the best grills this side of Lohore! They also serve excellent karahis and some truly authentic Pashtun food: Shinwari tikka, dumba Shinwari & Afghani namkeen pulao. If you're looking for some great food at a pocket-friendly price, Rabab Kabab is your best option.


Time: 12PM - 12AM

Price: Karahi AED35-90, handi from AED26, platters from AED50-840

Contact: 02 642 1311

KAI

THE HUB AT WTC MALL


Where to go for a late night out? Kai, the latest addition to the burgeoning outstanding restaurant scene that is The Hub, is the answer! This lounge bar serves not only sassy drink options, with something for even the fussiest drinker but also an eclectic mix of Asian and Latin food (is there a better combination than this?!) sure to thrill the taste buds. The vibe is strong, with DJs spinning the best tunes designed to get you on your feet. Kai is high on glamour and even higher on party potential: add it to your list!


Time: 6PM - 3AM

Contact: 056 688 4045

MONTAUK

YAS MALL


Montauk is a great addition to Yas Mall and will definitely bring the boys to the yard in terms of people who love to see and be seen and enjoy good cafe food. Decor-wise, it's perhaps a step away from the OG Bateen location but is very pretty inside and service is friendly and genuine. If you're looking for breakfast in Yas Mall, Montauk is a good option: we especially loved the acai bowl and the French toast. There are options for vegans and vegetarians throughout the menu - don't miss the baked portobello mushrooms, these are rich and fresh and beautifully presented. We'll be back for the cakes since they probably have the best selection in Yas Mall!


Time: 10AM - 11PM

Price: Rose latte AED34, French toast AED55, portobello mushrooms AED85, black Angus sliders AED85

Contact: 02 621 2324

JAC & JOE

AL BANDAR


If Al Raha Beach locals need something to get their teeth into, Jac & Joe could quite possibly be the answer! What can you expect? New York-style pizza, healthy, nutritious salads, delectable sandwiches and cheat-worthy desserts! Pizzas include such fun flavours as fig and prosciutto, chicken pesto and eggplant parmesan ... as well as the classics of course. Dine in or get delivered, there's something for you whether you're trying for the summer bod or have given it up in favour of a fun, easy fix!


Time: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu 11AM to 11PM, Friday 2PM to 12AM, Sat 11AM - 12AM, Tuesday closed.

Price: Small pizza AED45, large AED63

Contact: 02 622 9092

KAI BEACH SAADIYAT ISLAND


Finally, the old Saadiyat public beach has had a makeover and has reopened again as Kai ... and what a wonderful beach it is! You can't take your own food and drink in but enjoy mac n cheese, bao, bowls, burgers and fries as well as desserts from the MLT food truck while you bake in the sun on premium loungers and swim in the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf. There are changing rooms on site, parking is free, there's no wifi but you get water on arrival and the timings are good - it opens early enough for you to enjoy a few hours before it gets too hot. The Kai Beach Saadiyat entrance fee depends on which day you go - with weekends being slightly more expensive. We're looking forward to an Abu Dhabi beach day - how about you?


Time: 7AM - 7PM

Price:

Weekday 

Adult AED 75

Child (6-12 years old) AED 35

Child 5 and below complimentary

Weekend & Public holidays

Adult AED 95

Child (6-12 years old) AED 60

Child 5 and below complimentary

Contact: 050 283 5795


Thanks to Svitlana Baranets for info and image.

EATALIAN PIZZA



Located in the Rain block, Nahyan Camp, Eatalian is one of Abu Dhabi's newest pizza joints. Proudly run by Chef Clemente, whose love of pizza led him to Rome to train to be a pizzaiolo, Eatalian also serves salads, sides and desserts, along with a broad range of pizzas, including the popular vegan pizzas! We enjoyed the quattro stagione and the hugely popular burrata best - but we'll leave it up to you to choose your favourite!


Time: 11.30AM - 11PM

Price: Pizzas AED40-67,

Contact: 02 886 9377

NABATI

AL REEF FOOD COURT


An exciting new plant-based option for those south of the border ;)

Nabati in Al Reef food court is going to make a huge difference for many, not least because its plant-based options won't require you to sell body parts in order to afford it! Burgers with homemade brioche buns come in from AED32, tacos from AED35 and a truly great burrito bowl from AED35. They're eve offering some plant-based sweet items like cookies and crack - a peanut butter-based treat! There's loads more to choose from - please get the grilled cheese and review it on the BBAD Facebook Group, it looks divine! This is a great option for plant-based people in Abu Dhabi.


Time: Tuesday - Sunday 12PM - 10PM

Price: Bread from AED7, sides from AED15, burgers from AED32.

Contact: info@wearenabati.com

GAZEBO

YAS MALL


One of Abu Dhabi's favourite Indian restaurants, Gazebo, has opened its doors in Yas Mall, right opposite Vox, providing some interesting competition for Asha's. Gazebo specialises in some outstanding affordable Indian cuisine and isn't only popular for dine-in and delivery, but their catering arm is extremely popular for those who want to feed a crowd. Gazebo offers a broad menu with options for vegetarians and vegans alike as well as some fabulous biryanis (be sure to try the dum pukht!) and curries. Pre-movie dinner anyone?!


Time: 10AM - 12AM

Price: Murgh from AED26, masalas and handis from AED35

Contact: 02 448 2127

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Rachael Partington

5/27/2022