Hidden food gems: Egg Shack Cafe is a cheap treat, no yolk

If you’re an avid foodie who spends your weekends and evenings scouring the capital’s nooks and crannies for egg-citing new culinary offerings, then you’ll want get cracking and get yourself to the Egg Shack Cafe.

Located on Old Airport Road, behind Al Ittihad Healthcare Centre, this is one of the only dedicated egg restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

And while the service isn’t egg-cellent – the staff and the chef had difficulty understanding gluten free and claimed they didn’t have time to talk to me about it – the outlet delivers when it comes to tasty ­affordable food served in a relaxed, funky, modern setting.

When you arrive for the first time, it’s a mystery what you’ll find behind the big wooden doors.

It was 9am on a ­weekday morning, and I was greeted by two smiling waitstaff and found myself in an empty restaurant space.

I immediately feel at home inside, despite it being empty. It is modern and cool with its wooden tables and panelling, stainless steel chairs and cool drop lights.

I opt to sit outside despite the busy morning traffic, and am impressed with the menu. The waitress tells me the Tangier Shakshouka (Dh35) is a big seller, followed closely by the Eggs shack burger (Dh28), which has a ground Angus beef patty, served on a potato bun with over medium egg, cheddar cheese, lollo rosso, tomato, topped with special sauce.

But, being gluten free, I opt instead for the protein omelette – egg whites with spinach, artichokes and halloumi cheese (Dh22), which is served within 10 minutes and is hot and tasty.

Opened just eight months ago, The Egg Shack serves all-day egg dishes (including coddled eggs, pesto egg benedict and a dish called eggs n’ nest – overeasy eggs served on a hash brown, topped with Parmesan cheese), side bites, burgers, rice dishes and desserts as well as hot and cold drinks.

The most expensive dish on the menu is Dh45.

The restaurant, which is said to be popular with Emiratis and expats, seats 16 people inside and four outside and is open from 8am to 2pm and 6pm to 11pm daily (midnight on the weekends).

• Egg Shack Cafe, Old Airport Road, Abu Dhabi. Call 02 666 4141. Review meals are paid for by The National and conducted incognito.

mhealy@thenational.ae