5 Great Pakistani Restaurants To Try In Abu Dhabi

If you’re looking for excellent, authentic Pakistani food in Abu Dhabi, we’ve got a bunch of options for you to try. Whether you’re after a flavourful biryani, succulent kebab, perfectly cooked boti chicken or a rich curry, the city is brimming with Pakistani restaurants to try. Vegetarians are well looked after as well, with all of our top picks offering some excellent vegetarian options. Let us know if we’ve missed your favourite - or where we should try next!

Boti Street

This popular restaurant near WTC Mall is bright and busy: enjoy the colourful interiors and a revolving clientele hailing from all over as they have plenty of loyal customers. 

Don’t go past the chicken handi - we usually end up ordering extra garlic naan to scoop up the dregs of the delicious gravy, even after the chicken has been demolished - it’s that good. The restaurant’s namesake - boti chicken - is a must try in any form, and they have some great vegetarian options as well - check out the palak paneer handi. Staff are helpful if you need recommendations, but won’t hover over you. 

Open: daily | 8AM - 12AM

Contact: 02 621 3363

‍Tikka Tonight‍

If you’re in the mood for fresh and flavourful Pakistani food, take a seat beside the windows and watch the hustle and bustle of the city as you tuck in. 

Must-try dishes? The BBQ platter is great if you fancy a bit of everything - the portions are generous, the meat is tender and perfectly cooked, and the marinated chicken boti hits the spot. The chapali kabab is also worth a mention, but you can’t really go wrong - we recommend ordering an array of dishes to share for the best experience. This Pakistani chain has several outposts, but we always wind up at the Madinat Zayed restaurant - quick and convenient, it’s usually easy enough to nab a park outside.  

Open: daily | 11AM - 12AM (until 1AM Friday & Saturday)

Contact: +971 24439798

Al Ibrahimi 

Another Pakistani joint that stacks up enough to have multiple branches, you can find a handful scattered around Abu Dhabi. Running errands at Al Wahda Mall? Stop by for a quick lunch or dinner, you won’t be disappointed - they put many of the other food court offerings to shame! Dishes are flavourful and prices are very reasonable. Try the mutton kabab or lamb chops for a perfectly seasoned protein hit.  If you prefer to dine at more of  a restaurant setting, the Electra branch is pleasant, with outdoor seating when the weather is nice. 

Open: daily | 11.30AM - 11.30PM

Contact: 02 443 6001

Lahore Darbar

This hidden gem in Musaffah is worth the drive - or a perfect pitstop for lunch if you’re in the area. The biryani is popular - give the mutton a whirl - and balance a decent amount of spices without going overboard on heat. If you enjoy Pakistani sweets, they have a decent selection, and we’re advocates of trying a few different ones every time. 

Open: daily | 4.30AM - 12AM (from 9AM Saturday & Sunday)

Contact: 056 635 7496

Student Biryani 

A good option if you're looking for Pakistani food nearby in central Abu Dhabi. The biryani is highly rated - given their name, we’d be worried if it wasn’t! - but there is plenty more to enjoy on the menu as well, including a range of curries and kababs. Photos of Pakistani legends on the wall are a fun touch, and it’s a nice dine in option - although they do a busy delivery trade, and offer catering as well. 

Open: daily | 12PM  -  12AM  

Contact: 054 990 8494