Shawarma, shish tawook and more: Authentic eats in Abu Dhabi | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Destinations
Food & Drink
News
Stay
Video
More
Destinations Food & Drink News Stay Video
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Destinations
Food & Drink
News
Stay
Video

Follow CNN Travel
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Destination Abu Dhabi
Ad Feedback

Shawarma, shish tawook and more: Authentic eats in Abu Dhabi

Published 10:06 PM EST, Mon December 26, 2016
Link Copied!
Peppermill's Chicken Chettinad offers a south Indian style boneless chicken curry with blended spices and coconut.
Peppermill —
Peppermill's Chicken Chettinad offers a south Indian style boneless chicken curry with blended spices and coconut.
Tablez Food Company Abu Dhabi
Peppermill serves up excellent north and south Indian cuisine in various spice levels and caters to vegetarians as well.
Peppermill —
Peppermill serves up excellent north and south Indian cuisine in various spice levels and caters to vegetarians as well.
Tablez Food Company Abu Dhabi
Sambusek's menu features an impressive array of hot and cold mezzehs, mutabbal and sambusek.
Sambusek —
Sambusek's menu features an impressive array of hot and cold mezzehs, mutabbal and sambusek.
courtesy Rosewood Hotels
The Lebanese establishment stands out from the rest in the city with some of the most scenic tables -- offering beautiful views of Abu Dhabi Island.
Sambusek —
The Lebanese establishment stands out from the rest in the city with some of the most scenic tables -- offering beautiful views of Abu Dhabi Island.
courtesy Rosewood Hotels
Drivers in giant SUVs pull up to give their orders at Shish Shawerma before driving around the block three or four times as their meal is prepared. This is the capital at its most authentic.
Shish Shawerma —
Drivers in giant SUVs pull up to give their orders at Shish Shawerma before driving around the block three or four times as their meal is prepared. This is the capital at its most authentic.
courtesy Shish Shawerma
Its sandwiches -- chicken or beef -- using its in-house baked kaakeh topped with sesame seeds, are the most popular item on the menu.
Shish Shawerma —
Its sandwiches -- chicken or beef -- using its in-house baked kaakeh topped with sesame seeds, are the most popular item on the menu.
courtesy Shish Shawerma
Abu Dhabi isn't the most obvious destination for authentic Vietnamese food. Hanoi Naturally, however, serves up just that. We recommend the Cha Ca La Vong, a Hanoi style turmeric fish fillet served with dill and peanuts.
Hanoi Naturally —
Abu Dhabi isn't the most obvious destination for authentic Vietnamese food. Hanoi Naturally, however, serves up just that. We recommend the Cha Ca La Vong, a Hanoi style turmeric fish fillet served with dill and peanuts.
courtesy Hanoi Naturally
Hanoi Naturally's dishes offer a blend of fresh ingredients and spices.
Hanoi Naturally —
Hanoi Naturally's dishes offer a blend of fresh ingredients and spices.
courtesy Hanoi Naturally
Once a mobile kiosk, Bu Tahfish experienced a Cinderella-like transformation after the UAE's founding Sheikh Zayed visited and enjoyed a meal there in the 1950s. Zayed was so impressed that he helped the restaurant expand.
Bu Tafish —
Once a mobile kiosk, Bu Tahfish experienced a Cinderella-like transformation after the UAE's founding Sheikh Zayed visited and enjoyed a meal there in the 1950s. Zayed was so impressed that he helped the restaurant expand.
Ashley Lane
Customers visit Le Beaujolais for its French food, grills and friendly service.
Le Beaujolais —
Customers visit Le Beaujolais for its French food, grills and friendly service.
courtesy AccorHotels
This tiny bistro, with its white and red check tablecloths, Parisian-style bar and Théophile Steinlen-esque posters, is an institution among the expat set.
Le Beaujolais —
This tiny bistro, with its white and red check tablecloths, Parisian-style bar and Théophile Steinlen-esque posters, is an institution among the expat set.
courtesy AccorHotels
Manna Land serves authentic Korean lunch boxes like bibimbap -- a perfect place for a quick lunchtime stopover.
Manna Land —
Manna Land serves authentic Korean lunch boxes like bibimbap -- a perfect place for a quick lunchtime stopover.
Ashley Lane
Like its main courses, the appetizers at Manna Land are something to look forward to.
Manna Land —
Like its main courses, the appetizers at Manna Land are something to look forward to.
Ashley Lane

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN Travel

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts Sitemap

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.