Where to eat in Abu Dhabi

Restaurants, cafés and street food in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates that locals actually go to — plus the local names for the chains you already know.

• Al Mrzab — Emirati, Al Zahiyah (2). Order the Harees + machboos. Popular Emirati restaurant serving heritage dishes without the hotel markup.
• Bait El Khetyar — Levantine breakfast, Al Danah (1). Order the Fatteh hummus + zaatar manousheh. Fatteh and fresh mana'eesh — the local breakfast standby.
• Lebanese Flower — Lebanese, Al Khalidiya (1). Order the Chicken shawarma plate. The shawarma-and-mixed-grill anchor of the capital since 1991.
• Meylas — Emirati, Al Muneera / Al Raha (2). Order the Balaleet + regag bread. Home-style Emirati by a local family — the story is the point.
• Al Ibrahimi — Pakistani / Afghan, Al Markaziya (1). Order the Mutton biryani + Afghani naan. Old-school biryani-and-grill hall, always full, always fast.

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