RESTAURANTS UNDER DHS400
Favourite Brunch Amerigos, Park Inn By Radisson
Abu Dhabi is overrun by brunches offering international dishes, but What’s On readers aren’t just interested in those, it seems – you voted in droves for the Acapulco Brunch at Mexican outlet Amerigos, and with good reason. The tacos, ceviche, grills and churros make this feast just a little bit different from others in the capital.
Favourite Middle eastern restaurant Kamoon, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
You, our army of readers, agree with What’s On, it seems. We gave Kamoon a good review a couple of years back and it’s just got better and better ever since. The menu isn’t about surprises, it’s classic Arabic dishes such as baba ganoush and tabbouleh, but the love apparent in the preparation is clear to see.
Favourite chinese restaurant Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong-style street food is served at Dai Pai Dong, and very good food it is, too. A new chef hasn’t hindered the quality of the a la carte menu or the outlet’s dim sum brunch package on Saturday, and What’s On agrees with you, the voters – it’s our favourite Chinese restaurant in the city and is a winner two years in a row.
Favourite French restaurant Le Beaujolais, Mercure Centre Hotel Abu Dhabi
Remember that scene in The Matrix where Keanu Reeves sees the same cat time and time again? That’s how we feel when we give out this award every year – this stalwart of the Abu Dhabi dining scene has now won three years in a row and continues to impress, thanks to its straightforward take on classic French dishes, friendly, albeit quirky, service and also its passion for special menus and guest chefs.
Favourite international restaurant c.Taste, Centro Capital Centre Rotana
Good, friendly staff and a buffet that is big without being overwhelming, c.Taste gets the classic dishes, from Arabic to Asian and beyond, just right, and its brunch is popular, thanks to pocket-friendly prices.
Favourite italian restaurant Pizza Di Rocco
Di Rocco just keeps on going from strength to strength – it’s a popular pizzeria among the city’s social media foodies, and as well as doing the classics well, it’s a canny chain that caters for those of you on a special diet. You can even order vegan pizzas here.
Favourite Japanese restaurant Sushi Central
The ever-growing Sushi Central remains ever-popular – this is the third year in a row that this haunt has walked away with this much-coveted award. It’s sprawling presence in the city was rubber-stamped when it opened a branch in Yas Marina Circuit. The fish in all four of its outlets is of the finest quality.
Favourite Modern european restaurant Stills, Crowne Plaza Yas Island
For us, it’s always been about the pies at Stills, but there’s so much more to the menu. It’s an eclectic mix, featuring fish
and chips, bangers and mash, ricotta ravioli and pacific crab cake, but regardless of their country of origin, they’re all cooked to perfection.
Favourite Panasian restaurant Max’s Restaurant
Abu Dhabi’s huge Filipino community voted in their thousands for Max’s. The food here is filling, tasty and most importantly, exceptional value. The Pinoy barbecue chicken is a must-try dish but we’re also fans of their crabmeat fried rice.
Favourite the americas restaurant Famous Dave’s
Love meat but on a budget? Go and see Dave. Barbecue is the main event here, especially the beef back ribs and short ribs that are pit-smoked for three to four hours but the burgers and steaks are also legendary. This is classic American food at its best.
Favourite steakhouse Choice Cut
The Novotel Al Bustan’s steakhouse is no secret to the city’s foodies. This is the place to go for a cracking piece of meat but you won’t have to mortgage your house to pay for it. Its salad bar gets just as much attention as the steaks it serves. Top service and a friendly, knowledgeable staff mean it’s no surprise to team
What’s On that you, the readers, crowned it the winner.
Favourite indian Kababs & Kurries
We can’t help but feel a little bit pleased to see one of the city’s most established brands in the capital win. Kababs have been dishing out great food at two venues for several years now and is a worthy champion.
Favourite Fitness club Fitness First, Abu Dhabi Mall
Fitness First scored highly in the voting process – the facilities are top draw and modern, the instructors friendly and the list of classes on offer is comprehensive, covering cycling, zumba, power yoga and more.
Favourite Spa Ibtisama Beauty
Spas come in all shapes and sizes, but this one is a little different. This isn’t a spa for a massage, you head here to give your teeth some TLC. Natural products and LED technology are used to whiten teeth.
Favourite nail bar Nails The Modern Manicure Studio
A phenomenal number of votes were given to a place that offers a huge menu of services (covering everything from a pure butter spa manicure to a cherry almond sugar scrub). The friendly, helpful staff mean this is a place where you will want to spend hours getting your tips and toes sorted.
Favourite hair salon Tara Rose Hair And Beauty Salon
Tara Rose is doing so well, they’re about to open a second branch in Al Bateen. Their team of hair stylists are wellrespected in the city – attention to detail and customer service are just two things that have made this place one of the city’s most popular and we were blown away with how many votes their received – well into several thousands.
Favourite business lunch Todd English’s Olives
The American celebrity chef ’s outlet in the Venetian Village servers a top-draw business lunch with plenty of choice. The ground lamb flatbread to start is particularly good, and we can’t help but recommend the slow braised short rib with roasted onion mash for your main. It comes in at a reasonable Dhs95, but chuck in another Dhs20 and you can make it a three-course affair. End it all with the tasty hazelnut semifreddo.
Favourite Café The Lobby Lounge, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
The Fairmont’s Lobby Lounge is more than just a gateway to the hotel – they do a mean afternoon tea here (there’s a truffle version available), plus you can choose from one of 80 teas from their sommelier. The cakes on offer are pretty spectacular as well.
Favourite healthy restaurant Zest, The Club
Abu Dhabi’s British Club in Al Meena has now won three years in a row with its healthy eating outlet Zest. It gets clever with its menu and we’re big fans of its smoothies (whey protein and peanut better, please) plus it also offers gluten free dishes.
Favourite Pub Grub Belgian Beer Café, Radisson Blu Hotel
The Belgian Beer Café flexed its mussels (see what we did there?) to pull in a huge amount of votes, but there’s so much more on the menu, from classics such as vol au vents and veal meatballs to lamb shank. Simple European food done exceptionally well.