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Where Locals Eat in Abu Dhabi
PIKE’s Picks
From Emirati breakfasts and farm-to-table cafés to one of MENA’s best pizzerias and small local projects, these places show a side of Abu Dhabi that many visitors miss. We’ve rounded them up in one list to make your next food stop a little easier.
LOCAL
Al Zeina, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 70–100 AED per person
Average bill: 70–100 AED per person
A neighbourhood café where people come for breakfast, coffee and to catch up with friends. Inside you’ll also find a barbershop and a small lifestyle store with clothing, accessories and products by local brands. It gets busy in the mornings, so arriving early is usually a good idea.
LOCAL. Photo credits: Instagram @_localuae_
Blue
Marsa Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 250–350 AED per person
Average bill: 250–350 AED per person
A relaxed waterfront restaurant built around seasonal ingredients and simple, well-balanced dishes. Many of the vegetables and herbs come from the team’s own farm in Abu Dhabi, so the menu changes throughout the year. The wine list is also worth a look, with plenty of orange wines and pét-nats that are still hard to find around the city.
Blue. Photo credits: Instagram @restaurant.blue.
Mazaraa
Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 90–130 AED per person
Average bill: 90–130 AED per person
Part organic farm, part café and part farm shop, Mazaraa feels nothing like the desert around it. After breakfast or lunch, you can walk through the greenhouses, meet the animals and pick up the same vegetables, dairy products and eggs used in the kitchen.
Mazaraa. Photo credits: Instagram @mazaraacafe.
Marmellata
Souk Al Mina, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 80–120 AED per person
Average bill: 80–120 AED per person
A tiny pizzeria that’s become one of Abu Dhabi’s favourite food spots and earned a place on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Chef Raj Dagstani runs it with his family, giving the place a warm neighbourhood feel. The pizzas are made with locally grown ingredients, reservations aren’t available, and the queue outside is part of the experience.
Marmellata. Photo credits: Instagram @marmellatalove.
Barbassi
M39, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 60–90 AED per person
Average bill: 60–90 AED per person
The sandwich shop from the team behind Marmellata, with focaccia sandwiches as the main attraction. The space is small but full of character, with warm colours, wooden details and a relaxed atmosphere. It only opens from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, so it’s worth planning your visit.
Barbassi. Photo credits: Instagram @barbassiboom.
Mina Creamery
Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 30–45 AED per person
Average bill: 30–45 AED per person
A local ice cream shop just a few steps from Marmellata. The menu is built around local ingredients and flavours inspired by Emirati home cooking, with scoops like saffron halwa, karak tea, orange blossom and olive oil with za’atar. It’s an easy stop after lunch and one of the nicest places to end a food walk around Mina Zayed.
Mina Creamery. Photo credits: Instagram @minacreamery.
Meylas
Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi
Average bill: 90–120 AED per person
Average bill: 90–120 AED per person
One of the best places to try Emirati food in Abu Dhabi. What started as a small food truck by Sheikha Al Kaabi has grown into a Michelin Guide restaurant that locals often recommend first. Come for breakfast to try several traditional dishes at once, or share one of the large rice and meat platters for lunch.
Meylas. Photo credits: Instagram @meylas.
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Date of the article's release: spring 2026