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Dubai: They are an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s thriving urban culture and have been part of the emirate’s local landscape for over 20 years.
Small bakeries on busy roads, time-honored restaurants that have become landmarks around the city or quaint dessert shops tucked away in neighborhoods, Abu Dhabi has identified 11 restaurants in the UAE as “urban treasures”.
If you want to experience the city life of Abu Dhabi, you can check out these food outlets by:
Why are these outlets recognized?
On June 30, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) officially announced the 15 winners of the 2021 Urban Treasure Awards. These venues are considered historic in Abu Dhabi and are considered part of the city’s vibrant cultural and urban landscape.
In addition to restaurants, the award recognizes tailors, fabric stores, perfumers, jewelers and photography studios, all of which have contributed in some way to Abu Dhabi’s cultural and social narrative for over 20 years.
1. Aksa Candy
Al Aqsa Desserts in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
Al Aqssa sweets specialises in Arabic sweets, from kunafahs to baklavahs, basbousahs and more. The main branch on Salam Street in the Abu Dhabi Tourism Club district opened in 1980, and the restaurant opened another branch in Khalidiya three years ago.
Place: Salam Street, Tourist Club, Al Zahiyah – Abu Dhabi
2. Ibrahim Restaurant
Al Ibrahimi Restaurant in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
Known for its large, affordable buffets, Al Ibrahimi Restaurant has six locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the first opening on Electra Street in 1993. This restaurant chain specializes in Pakistani cuisine.
Place: Electra Street Abu Dhabi
3. Al Raiqa Dates and Fruit Trade
Al Raiqa Sweets in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
Although Al Raiqa has several branches in the UAE, the main branch is located at the Mina Fruit and Vegetable Market in Abu Dhabi. The shop sells fresh and dried dates, nuts, saffron, Arabic coffee, honey and more.
Place: Mina Fruit and Vegetable Market Shop 59
4. Al Sultan Market and Bakery
Al Sultan Bakery and Market in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
Al Sultan Markets and Bakeries opened its first branch in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas area and has 12 stores across the UAE, specialising in Arabic sweets such as kunfahs and qatayefs, freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries.
Place: Al Ain Road, Baniyas, Abu Dhabi
5. Binhai Road Automatic Bakery and Market
Corniche Automatic Bakery in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
Another popular bakery in Abu Dhabi, Corniche Automatic Bakeries and Markets, has five branches in the emirate, with the first opening in Mussafa in 1992. You can even get some groceries to eat there as the bakery has an attached supermarket section.
Place: M-37, Musafa, Abu Dhabi
6. Bu Tafish Restaurant
Bu Tafish Restaurant in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: Instagram/butafish_uae
This seafood restaurant has been around for over half a century. Founded in 1968, Bu Tafish has two branches in Abu Dhabi, one in Al Ain and one in Dubai. From squid rings to grilled sherry, the restaurant specialises in seafood grills and Arabic cuisine.
Place: Al Quffal Street, Al Bateen
7. Tripoli Sweets
Desserts in Tripoli, Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
If you want to upgrade your Kunafah experience, how about trying “Osmaleya”? Imagine two layers of crunchy vermicelli in a lush fresh cream or cheese center, you might call it a kunafah cake. Founded in 1989, Tripoli Sweets specialises in Lebanese desserts where you can enjoy sweets such as Osmaleya or mamoul sweets, halawat alrez (rice pudding with nuts and cream) and namoura (semolina cake).
Place: 17 Al Atnab St – Al Hisn – W4 – Abu Dhabi
8. Lebanese Flower Bakery
Lebanese Flower Bakery in Abu Dhabi
Photo credit: Facebook/Lebanon Flower Bakery
Lebanese Flower Bakery has a wide range of manakish, fatayers and pizzas with three branches, the main one is in Al Dhafrah, Abu Dhabi.
Place: The first street behind Zayed Al Fardan Exchange – Abu Dhabi
9. Indian Palace Restaurant
Indian Palace Restaurant in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: DCT Abu Dhabi
In 1997, the first Indian Palace restaurant specialising in Mughlai cuisine was located on Abu Dhabi’s busy Al Salam Street. Today, the restaurant has 12 branches in the UAE and serves a variety of popular Indian dishes, from tandoori kebabs to curries and biryani.
Place: Opposite Adnoc Distribution Headquarters, Al Salam Street
10. Al Dhafra Restaurant
Al Dhafra Restaurant in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: Instagram/aldhafra_restaurant
Visitabudhabi.ae, the official website of DCT Abu Dhabi, describes the Al Dhafrah area as a place where “desert meets sea”. Established in 1993, Al Dhafra Restaurant claims to be the culinary representative of this philosophy. The Seafood Restaurant at Abu Dhabi Heritage Park also offers a dhow cruise dinner experience, serving Emirati and international cuisine.
Place: Heritage Park, Corniche, Abu Dhabi
11. Zahrat Lebnan Cafeteria and Restaurant
Zahrat Lebanon in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: Youtube/Zahrat Lebnan
Founded in 1983, Zehrat Lebnan has seven retail outlets in Abu Dhabi, focusing on Lebanese cuisine. If you visit any of their branches, you can enjoy authentic Lebanese cuisine, from cold mezzehs and shawarmas to more indulgent mixed grills.
Place: Behind HSBC, Al Zahiyah, Block E16-02
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