Lonely Planet has launched its first guide to Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene. Created in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Culinary, an initiative by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the guide shines a light on the capital’s leading dining spots. It was launched to coincide with Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, which is running until December 9 and includes events and dining opportunities across the city.
Lonely Planet’s The World of Abu Dhabi Cuisine includes 100 culinary destinations, from fine-dining restaurants to off-the-beaten-track eateries. It features street food, quick bites and dessert spots “for every budget, taste and mood”, as well as a “need to know” section that advises newcomers to the UAE on local customs and traditions relating to food.
“Food delights our taste buds and fulfils our appetites, but more than that, every meal tells an incredible story of culture, history and humanity,” writes Ali Al Shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, in the foreword to the book.
“Here in Abu Dhabi, we know and understand the power that food holds in every community, and we make sure we can always serve the best and authentic food from every part of the world to our visitors and residents.”
The book’s first section is dedicated to fine dining and includes an interview with chef Tom Aikens of steakhouse Oak Room, Mediterranean-style Alba and the healthy living-inspired Market at Edition Abu Dhabi. Faisal Naser of the artisanal fast-food concept Lento is also profiled, alongside Khaled al Saadi of Fa’e Cafe and Balveer Balkissoon, chef at Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi.
The guide’s listing of fine-dining restaurants is dominated by international concepts such as Coya, Cipriani, Cafe Milano, Zuma, Hakkasan, Buddha-Bar, Nusr-Et and Marco’s New York Italian.
A section dedicated to “Abu Dhabi’s best-kept secret restaurants” is broken down by neighbourhood, covering downtown, the waterfront and Al Zahiyah. “The hidden gems that dot Abu Dhabi’s streets offer dirham- and waistband-stretching sustenance you will be glad you discovered,” the guide says.
Diners in downtown Abu Dhabi are advised to start at Al Markaziyah, where they can feast on everything from Indian subcontinental cuisine to Nepalese momos and Jamaican jerk chicken. The food court at Madinat Zayed Mall is listed as a must-visit, despite not making it on to most tourist maps. In Al Zahiyah, or Tourist Club Area, diners can sample Afghan treats at Khyber Darbar, Ethiopian specialities at Sheger and Indonesian delights at Bandung.
The guide also has a section dedicated to Emirati cuisine, highlighting spots such as Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe, Yadoo’s House and the aforementioned Fa’e Cafe. Al Mina Fish Market, Mezlai, Meylas, Al Areesh and Najd Palace also get a mention.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
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It Was Just an Accident
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Rating: 4/5
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Results
Stage three:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s
General Classification:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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