Your Guide To The Best Restaurants In Al Qana

The Al Qana precinct is a go-to for excellent restaurants - and great coffee - in Abu Dhabi. Its proximity to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque makes for a perfect lunch or dinner spot after your visit, and it’s a great place to catch up with friends or entertain colleagues by the water. 

Home to the National Aquarium, Pixoul Gaming and Adenark Adevnture, it’s a popular spot for a family day out in the capital - but where should you eat after the fun and games are done and the kids are hungry right now? 

Whether you fancy an impressive Lebanese spread, contemporary Japanese food, excellent coffee or somewhere for a pretty afternoon tea, we have you covered with a round up of the best places to eat at Al Qana.

Oii 

This pretty Mediterranean restaurant has the tagline ‘serving joy’, and with an absolutely wonderful food offering, delightful mocktails and a super terrace to match, it’s easy to see why. Serving up dishes to make your stomach growl, look out for baked camembert topped with honey, rosemary, chilli and nuts, plump little gnocchi, and an impressive galaktoboueko for dessert - filo pastry layered with sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and a light orange syrup. 

While the whole Al Qana precinct is dry, you wouldn’t notice it with tasty beverages like these ones -with twelve signature mocktails on the menu, so you’ll easily find a favourite. Insider tip? Check out the fab BB+ menu at Oii - for just AED160 per person, enjoy three courses and a mocktail to wash it all down! 

Open: daily | 8AM - 12AM

Bookings: 02 628 2983

James

Serving up seriously good coffee and a vibe to match, James has found a strong following in Al Qana to match the busy trade at their original outlet on Reem Island. Bustling well into the evening hours, grab a table outside for a spot of people watching, or perch inside the welcoming industrial-chic interiors as the loyal coffee lovers of Abu Dhabi come and go. 

Opt for the Turkish eggs or a serving of French toast you’ll struggle to finish for breakfast, and for lunch tuck into the slow cooked lamb rack if you’re after something substantial. For a lighter pick, we can’t go past their fresh salads and sandwiches, all washed down with a specialty coffee of course. Insider tip? Their croissants are a buttery, flakey delight so nab one if you can. 

Open: daily | 8AM - 11PM | until 11.30PM on weekends

Bookings: +97 128869949

OTORO

Recognised for several years running with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for good quality, good value cooking, this modern Japanese restaurant is a breath of fresh air. An open kitchen anchors the contemporary Japanese-style interiors, so you can watch the experts at work as they whip up plate after plate of tasty Japanese cuisine. Try the claypots - all are tasty! - and if you’re a sushi lover, their maki is on point. The Wagyu burger is also well worth ordering - it’s simple, but the quality and flavour shine. Unsurprisingly, there’s a focus on high quality ingredients - some are flown in specially from Japan - and the staff are friendly and helpful. Do yourself a favour and head in for lunch: they have a cracking lunchtime set menu starting at AED125 that’s bursting with flavour - and some unexpected surprises. 

Open: daily | 12PM -11PM | until 11.30PM Friday & Saturday

Bookings: 02 886 9995

Grand Beirut 

Already worth checking out for its waterside location and Insta-worthy interior - hundreds of pink flowers hang from the ceiling, while large glass windows showcase stunning views of the water and mosque from their upstairs vista - you’ll find yourself returning for the well-priced, authentic Lebanese menu. Our picks? Their moutabal jnoubeh topped with smoky fried eggplant cubes, lovely pomegranate molasses and a sprinkling of walnuts, the batata bil felfol - seriously good potatoes! - and the mixed grill is hard to pass up. Get a bunch of plates and share - the best way to enjoy Lebanese cuisine.  

The open kitchen adds to a lively atmosphere, the waiters are lovely and oh-so-helpful, and treat yourself to millefeuille or kunafa to finish - you can thank us later! 

Open: daily | 9AM - 12AM | until 12.30AM on weekends

Bookings: 050 442 9211

Joud Cafe

The Al Qana outpost of this popular homegrown coffee shop chain is a go-to in the precinct, and it’s not hard to see why. The bright and airy space, with its big windows and cosy decor, makes it an ideal spot for breakfast with friends, a relaxed coffee or lunch date or an afternoon of getting some remote work done. 

Their menu is hearty - check out truffle mushroom Benedict and their shakshuka, our favourite - and the coffee is good. Coffee connoisseurs will get their fix with V60, chemex, iced Spanish lattes and even a humble chai all making an appearance when we stop in.

Open: daily | 8AM - 11PM | until 12AM Friday & Saturday

Bookings: +971 56 525 8235

Al Safadi 

This well-known Lebanese restaurant group from Dubai opened its first Abu Dhabi outpost right here in Al Qana in 2023 - and they haven’t looked back since. Buzzing with locals, particularly in the evening, you know you’re on track for a great Levantine meal from the get go. All your favourites make an appearance - from fatayer, kibbe and hummus to mixed grill and shawarma - or you can push the boat out with some more adventurous picks like lamb tongue. Alongside their regular menu, each week they mix it up with daily dishes to try. Service is on point and attentive - great Lebanese food backed up with great staff!

Open: daily | 9AM - 1AM

Bookings: 600 500601

CAVE 

Not just an edgy name, Cave delivers on the vibe as well: inspired by nature, the interiors resemble a literal cave, but don’t worry - you won’t be dining on camping snacks here. Tuck into bites that wouldn’t be out of place by the Mediterranean seaside - halloumi salad, burrata, beef skewers - alongside more substantial pastas and mains. Drinks are light and fresh, and look as good as they taste. 

For a wow-factor to match the rocky backdrop, try the signature Molten Cake: rich dark chocolate sponge with melted white chocolate mustard and tangy passion fruit jam, encased in roasted meringue. Yum! 

Open: daily | 9AM - 12AM

Bookings: 02 558 1112

La Vena

If you’ve seen their Instagram-worthy afternoon tea setup, you’ll be no stranger to the charm of La Vena. Presented in a gorgeous box - complete with a gold key to unlock your treats - it makes for a perfect birthday treat or a special girly afternoon out. We’re also big fans of their pull-up cakes - we rate the raspberry cheesecake - and the funky interiors make it a great hang out spot, just a quick walk across the footbridge from the National Aquarium.

Sweets aside, they do a great local breakfast (look out for the balaleet and khameer) and have a fab tea selection - something we often find lacking in Abu Dhabi’s coffee scene!

Open: daily | 9AM - 12AM | until 1AM on weekends

Bookings: 02 626 4670

Graffiti Pizzeria x Trattoria

Looking for some good pizza at Al Qana? Plating up Neapolitan-style pizzas and fresh pasta, Graffiti is a solid choice for a cosy Italian meal that won’t leave you hungry. Perched on the water’s edge, it’s a great option for families after a day at the National Aquarium, Pixoul or Adrenark Adventure: tucking into a solid feast of Italy’s favourite flavours will satisfy little tummies and big ones. 

The pizza is woodfired - tick - and their gnocchi is freshly made, so give it a try. Save room for dessert, with everything from tiramisu to Nutella calzone on the menu.  

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Bookings: 056 531 5316