Dive into Downtown: Hidden Gems in Abu Dhabi

What a round up of lesser-known dining delights we have to pop on your radar this month! If you’re ready for a foray into downtown Abu Dhabi, look no further - these hidden gems will leave you with a smile on your face and change in your pocket.

VANSHA GHAR

AL DANAH

Located in the hustle and bustle of downtown Abu Dhabi, you can find Vansha Ghar opposite the Hamed Center. Recognisable by its neon green and pink lights, get ready for some really great food! Parking can be found across the street - then brave the underground pedestrian crossings of Abu Dhabi to reach your destination.

The steamed chicken momos (AED18) are our favourite! Steaming, soft and juicy, they are stuffed with flavourful chicken. For the price, they are a steal. The veg vansha combo (AED30) is one of their most popular dishes. It includes rice, daal, saag (a yummy, leafy vegetable dish), potatoes and many little Nepali sides. We recommend the combo meals as an entry point, so you can taste a wider range of what’s on offer before venturing further into the menu.

Ambience is not amazing, as it is a hole in the wall, but to be expected. Oh, and they don't accept card payments, so make sure you bring cash!

Price: under AED80 for a meal for two with drinks

Open: Daily | 6am - 11.45pm

Contact: 02 644 0788

QIAN ZHOU HOTPOT

AL DANAH

Located in the old cinema building downtown, Qian Zhou HotPot really does feel like a hidden gem… once you find it! A buffet style restaurant, it is spacious and clean with traditional decor. For an authentic hotpot experience, this one is a must-try!

We opt for the individual hotpot (AED49 + tax) - there's a wide range of hotpot ingredients and elements to make your DIY sauce. They have all your typical hotpot meat cuts (mutton, beef, chicken) and seafood including crab balls, crab sticks and fish - everything halal.

The price also includes daily dishes on the buffet counter like fried rice, noodles, tofu, bbq beef, as well as sweets like sesame and custard breads. They also offer slices of orange and watermelon, a point of difference from some other hotpot restaurants and a nice refresher alongside a hot meal.

There is an option to go for hotpot + BBQ as well (AED69). Qian Zhou has a no waste rule (there’s even an additional charge for any food waste) and is cash only.

Price: AED49 for hotpot, AED69 for hotpot + BBQ, plus tax

Open: Daily | 11.30am - 11.30pm

Contact: 02 674 7677

ZAHRAT LEBNAN

KHALIDIYA

In a city overflowing with strong Lebanese options, this month Zehrat Lebnan is on our radar, a presence in the local market for over 30 years.

Guided by the friendly staff - it’s an indecisive day for us - we opt for a range of dishes. First up, the falafel plate (AED20) - not bad, but we have enjoyed better falafel. The mixed grill (AED69) is a strong choice, featuring meat skewers, shish taouk, kebab chicken, lamb chops and arayes kofta with accompaniments. The fattouch salad is gorgeous, very fresh and our pick of the day (AED24), while their shawarma platter (AED52) is rather run of the mill.

To finish off, out comes halawet el jibn, a Syrian dessert made of semolina and cheese dough, stuffed with cream and topped with pistachio and sugar syrup (AED25). Love it or hate it, this one will divide the crowd - but it comes highly recommended by the staff. It’s very sweet, and the rose flavoured syrup can be overpowering for some but if you love it, you love it.

The portions are massive, but it’s a bit pricier compared to other Lebanese restaurants. The food is of high quality and service is excellent! Wait staff are happy to make recommendations, and very friendly too.

Price: AED200 to easily feed 4

Open: Daily | 8am - 2am

Contact: 600 500502

NIHAL

AL DANAH

Over the years, Nihal has proven itself to be consistently pocket-friendly and maintained high standards of deliciousness, both for dining in and delivery. It’s definitely an Indian restaurant we find ourselves returning to regularly.

We recommend you start with the onion bhaji (AED19), onion smothered in a simple, fragrant spiced batter and fried to crispy perfection, and their chicken pahadi tikka (AED38) - chicken marinated in mint sauce and chargrilled.

For mains, we rate the butter chicken (AED 38), which has the right balance of sweet and tangy and has a lovely velvety texture. The mutton biryani (AED38) also doesn’t disappoint: the meat is tender, and the rice has just the right mix of spices, with cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon and cloves coming through.

The staff are friendly and always polite, and very happy to offer recommendations if needed!

Price: A meal for 2 for under AED100

Open: Daily | 11 AM - 12 AM

Contact: 02 631 8008

CHAAT CHASKA

AL DANAH

Chaat lovers, this one's for you! This Indian street food paradise is really delightful, a colourful spot located near Madinat Zayed that’s perfect for a mid-week outing or a fun weekend meal with friends.

We recommend diving in with a selection of dishes, including pani puri, dahi puri, samosas, jalebis and faloodas (nothing over AED12). Everything is tasty, the food comes out quickly and the staff really contribute to a fun atmosphere.  

It’s a great little locale if you enjoy good and reasonably priced chaat. This one is very pocket-friendly and for AED49 easily feeds 2 people. ‘Chaska’ means ‘obsession’, and we’d argue that the name isn’t wrong - but you be the judge after a visit!

Price: a meal for two for under AED 50!

Open: Monday - Thursday | 6am - midnight; Friday - Sunday | 6am - 1am

Contact: 02 650 0101

BANDUNG INDONESIAN

AL ZAHIYAH

Named after the capital of Indonesia’s West Java province, Bandung brings authentic and pocket-friendly Indonesian food. It has the classic South-east Asian favourites we all love to love and we recommend going hungry as their portion sizes are huge.

The mie goreng and nasi goreng (AED22-35, depending on your choice of protein) is perfect for every fried rice & noodle lover, with that street food charm and flavour to match.

They also do varieties of Indonesian BBQ, fish, egg and soya bean dishes, with their top notch ones to try being their telor balado (fried egg with chilli, AED16), sate ayam (chicken satay, AED20), ikan asam manis (fried fish with sweet & salty sauce, AED38) and their mixed fruits with ice dessert, which is both refreshing and the perfect sweet finish (ice campur, AED20).

Price: Feed a family of 4 for under AED100

Open: 11AM - 12AM

Contact: 02 645 2008

HANKOOK KOREAN

NAHYAN CAMP

This Korean favourite might not win awards for its interior beauty but upon taste, it’s no wonder people flock to this little eatery. With a stove hidden in each table, you can opt for a hot-pot/cook-your-own meal or go simple with a massive bowl of Korean-fried chicken. This sticky-sweet goodness had our table oohing and ahhing in pleasure.

With 8 private booths and tasting menus available, you can taste your way around Korea. The dishes we tried ranged from AED56 – AED68 so perhaps a little steep for a true hidden gem but the dishes are totally worth it.

Open: 11AM – 11PM

Contact: 02 642 3399

BOSNIAN HUT

AL DANAH

Love Bosnian food - or at least think you might like to give it a try - put Bosnian Hut on your list! Balanced between Eastern and Western cultures it's probably most closely related to Turkish and Greek cuisines. Dishes are somewhat (pleasantly!) meat-based - although there are some really good vegetarian options too - served with simple veg and potatoes or bread with a light, spiced sauce.

Must-tries are the klepe, small meat-filled potato dumplings in a creamy sauce and the cevapi, small juicy meat kebabs. The beautiful, spiralled pita (AED35) is to die for and a must-order dish as is the amazing meaty burek pastry (AED35). Get a rice pudding to finish! (AED21)

Open: 12PM – 12AM

Contact: 02 566 6215

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SALAM BOMBAY VEGETARIAN

MBZ, AL DANAH, NAHYAN CAMP

With a few branches across Abu Dhabi, it’s clear that this vegetarian restaurant has a good thing going, mainly due to its quality food and reasonable price point. We really enjoy our meals there.

For snacks, we opt for pav bhaji (a thick vegetable curry served with a soft bread roll), paneer pakoda (cottage cheese marinated in spices and then deep fried - yummm!), and for mains, we recommend the massive maharaji thali, which is a selection of small veg dishes served on a round platter.

Salaam Bombay is well known for its chaat as the ingredients are fresh, and the paani puri, which is a deep-fried breaded cup filled with potato, onion, or chickpea and delicately spiced with tamarind chutney, chilli powder and chaat masala, is especially is delicious. Although they only serve it from 4 PM - it’s definitely worth the wait!

Don’t leave without trying the delicious masala chai!

Price: A meal for 2 for under AED120

Daily | 7 AM - 11.30 PM

Contact: 026777076‍

PHO HA NOI VIETNAMESE

NAJDA ST

You heard it here first, we think we’ve found one of the best phos in Abu Dhabi and we would never gate-keep such a brilliant find!

Stepping into the colourful and clean restaurant, guests are greeted with bubbly hellos, quick service and shown to a table that's surrounded by traditional Vietnamese art.

The signature pho bat da hot pot (AED55) is an experience all on its own: the waiter brings your ingredients tableside and prepares the dish in front of you - beware the pho bowl is piping hot! The flavour itself is incredibly comforting, with beef and bone broth-esque savoury notes that keeps you going back for more.

We also recommend the traditional tra sua tran (Pho Ha Noi's answer to bubble tea!, AED20) and tra dao cam sa (peach, orange and lemongrass tea) to complement your meal. Feeding two people for under AED150 is a win in our books!

Open: 11AM - 11PM

02 632 1448

MOTI MAHAL DELUX

INDIAN

Moti Mahal is one of Abu Dhabi's longest standing Indian restaurants and it's created the most loyal of followings: the food is not only insanely good, but affordable too!

Butter chicken, the perennial favourite, is creamy with lots of pieces of tender chicken. The dahl makhani is delicious and quite thin in texture, while the vegetable biryani is a huge serving, more than enough for two people and full to brimming with vegetables. Roti, naan and parathas are on point and in terms of spice, just enough heat is added so as not to overpower the dish, which so many places tend to do.

If you like Indian food, Moti Mahal is a must-try.

Open: 11.30AM - 11.30PM

Price: Butter chicken, dahl makhani, lamb korma, veg biryani rice, plain paratha, potato paratha AED 135

Contact: 02 674 2121

LAHMAJOON

ARMENIAN/GEORGIAN/SYRIAN

Let’s begin with the kachapouri because if you order, this is where you should start: don’t wait to get stuck in: this dish is best enjoyed while the runny yolk can still be mixed in with the gooey, warm feta and mozzarella cheese and melted butter. The homemade dough, rolled into boat-like shape to hold all the gooey goodness, was so soft, it ripped apart. We loves this traditional Georgian dish!

The sarouk Beirut is more of a pastry style dough, filled with fried lamb cubes, peppers and onions marinated in Armenian tikka spices. The contrast of the spice against the three cheeses melted on top is divine. Cut up into slices, this is the perfect pull apart sharing pastry.

From the Invincible Wraps selection, we were childishly tempted to order the Slutty Turkey (yes, we're 5!) but we kept it classy and ordered the Lahmajoon antap and the chah kebab. These wraps are a little thicker, incredibly soft and more like a flat bread, baked fresh in-house. The Lahmajoon antap with its Armenian spices, spicy ground meat and the addition of the eggplant (which is apparently traditional) is simple yet delicious - and BIG! Flavours of the barbecued vegetables mixed in with the ground meat really come through in the chah kebab.

And dessert, you say? Oh yes. We got the Steve Special with kinder but the Lahmajoon special was particularly interesting. I’ve never had tahina in sweet form but with the banana on manakish bread, we're converted

Order direct through 052 734 3439 or via delivery platforms

Open: 7M - 9PM Sundays, midnight all week

Price: lahmajoons AED12-19

Contact: 02 444 4337

RUSSIAN KITCHEN HOUSE

UZBEK/RUSSIAN

If you're on the lookout for affordable, authentic Russian and Uzbek cuisine, we've got just the place for you. Tucked away in the city, this hidden gem is an owner-operated restaurant that has been satisfying taste buds for a remarkable 18 years. And it's not hard to see why – the food is fantastic.

We recommend trying at least a couple of our favorites. Start with the herring salad (AED28), this stacked salad of potatoes, carrots, herring and bright pink beets is a pleasant surprise of flavors. The fish BBQ (AED40) comes perfectly seasoned and fried, so light and crispy you’ll even crave the skin! Don't miss out on the manti (AED30), generously-sized dumplings filled with savory minced meat. They're so big that you might find yourself torn between using your hands or a fork to enjoy them. Last, but certainly not least the cheese chebureki (AED9) is a heavenly delight of buttery, flaky pastry filled with gooey melted cheese. If you're up for variety, they also offer meat or potato filling.

From the authentic flavors to the budget-friendly prices, this place has it all.

Priyatnogo appetita!

Open: 9.30AM - 11.30PM

Price: mostly under AED30 per dish

Contact: 02 676 7834

TRIPOLI SWEETS

LEBANESE/ARABIC SWEETS

Tripoli Sweets is a traditional Arabic bakery nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, serving Lebanese inspired delicacies and confectionery that have the authentic Teta’s touch to them. It’s a charming store and the staff are lovely and welcoming, ready to box your orders with their fresh, daily-made treats.

Favourites include the cheese kunafa bread that is the perfect blend of savoury and sweet with a delicious honey flavour and warm gooey cheese and the pistachio baklawa with rose syrup infused pastry.

Tripoli Sweets is perfect to cater family gatherings, gifts to loved ones back home or to satisfy your sweet tooth any day with a mouth-watering Arabic treat.

Open: 8.00AM - 10.30PM

Price: Cheese Kunafa Bread | AED12.50, Assorted Baklawa | AED115 per kg AED2-3 per piece, Namoura | AED55 per kg, Ma’moul mix | AED60 per kg

Contact: 02 634 3117

SPOT KARAK

NAJDA AREA

Calling all Karak tea lovers, we love Spot Karak for its cheap and authentic experience.

Don’t give up on your GPS as it has you turning down multiple small streets and alleys to find this “spot.” Serving steaming hot, freshly brewed karak tea car-side in little clay cups, this is a true hidden gem. The car-side presentation is such a fun and has a decidedly Insta worthy twist!

Coming in at a whopping 5 dirhams per cup, your wallet and taste buds will be eternally grateful for this experience.

Open: 5.30AM - 1AM

Price: AED5 per cup

Contact: 02 556 6162

KOPITIAM BY CHANDY'S

MALAYSIAN

If you're on the hunt for authentic and delicious Malaysian cuisine, look no further than Malaysian-born Chef Chandy's restaurant in the heart of Abu Dhabi city. A small but comfortable and spotlessly clean venue, with beautiful flavours, personable service, large portion sizes and cheap prices, it's an absolute must! Everything on the menu is under AED 38 and we highly recommend the char kway teow - flavoursome pad thai-like flat noodles with a runny egg and hint of spice!

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NEW CITY PALACE

CHINESE

New City Palace (or just City Palace - we're never quite sure!) is a BB community favourite. We love the bargainous (not a word but we're going with it) and beauteous Peking duck, the amazing dumplings - could this be the best place to get dumplings in Abu Dhabi? - and the gorgeous rice and noodle dishes. It's a simple place, with a mama-san who will either make you giggle or make you frown (so part of the place's charm!) and lovely staff who make this one of the best Chinese dining experiences in town. A must try!

SAIGON HOUSE

VIETNAMESE

For fresh, light and healthy Vietnamese cuisine, Saigon House, located in Abu Dhabi city, serves up traditional dishes at super affordable prices, with friendly waiters adding to the appeal. Dinner for 2 can easily cost you under AED100 and this includes starters and large-portioned mains.

Every Vietnamese pho needs a delicious broth base and a variety of textures and Saigon House's beef flavoured pho has just that, with the meat and vegetables cooked to perfection adding to the impeccable taste. There's even a lovely hanging swing chair just outside the door, draped in green vines and perfect for that Instagrammable shot!

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BOTI STREET

PAKISTANI

Boti Street is definitely one of Abu Dhabi's favourite Pakistani restaurants, loved by regulars and newbies to the cuisine like us. It's definitely not a canteen, but rather somewhere to come and dine in and enjoy your food - there's a lot to enjoy.

The truck art on the wall is a great talking point and it's completely affordable. Get a halwa puri for breakfast for just AED15 - what a way to start your day. But that's just the beginning ...

There are lots of dishes that sizzle and the aromas are insane! The mutton biryani comes out piping hot with juicy chunks of mutton, the Peshwari kadai is also a must-try, straight from the oven to the table (in the same kadai it's cooked in) and is absolutely delicious. The reshmi kebab handi is served in a delightful brass bowl: the minced chicken kebabs, are nestled in an oily, rich curry sauce and perfect with ghee rice.

Boti Street is a great introduction to Pakistani cuisine and a fun place to eat out.

MANNA LAND

KOREAN

Manna land is an interactive and entertaining DIY Korean BBQ experience, with great value-for-money pricing. Feed an entire family of 4 with their big sharing platter style dishes for less than AED 200, with all appetisers and sides served complimentary with your meal. They also have a selection of fresh juices and a delicious range of mocktails to refresh the palate throughout the meal.

What to try? Our favourites have to be the la galbi gui, Korean hotpot and Korean BBQ boneless chicken.

GOLDEN SPOON INDIAN VEGETARIAN

MADINAT ZAYED

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Golden Spoon opened 25 years ago and this family run vegetarian restaurant, serving traditional Indian dishes with some Chinese twists, has since become a household name to many people in Abu Dhabi - and for good reason. It's a vegetarian's dream come true, but even if you're not, this place is a must-visit.

What to order when you go to Golden Spoon? The vegetable akbari, a tomato and onion based curry cooked with fresh vegetables stuffed in papadums, is the kind of dish that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling: rich, creamy and just enough spice. The vegetable hiryali is a luscious blend of mixed vegetables in a spinach curry which we scooped up every last bite of with the fresh and warm garlic naan bread. The dahi bhalla, a colourful, refreshing yoghurt dish with soft dumplings and a contrast of sweet chutneys and spices, is another favourite.

Sahil, the manager and son of the family, explained to us that his mum works hard behind the scenes to create all the best dishes and firmly believes in creating flavors in every step. This love and attention shines through in every dish.

And the best part? It's SUPER pocket friendly! Main courses range between AED17-28 and naan for just AED3! It’s easy to find and Mawaqif parking is available outside the door.