As part of a series of culinary guides to various areas of the UAE, The National explores Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen, where great restaurants sidle up next to beachfront apartments, cultural landmarks and a marina.
Visitors can find upmarket vibes at Alba Terrace or down-to-earth, no-fuss dining at Bu Tafish, and everything in between.
Although this is not all the destination has to offer foodies, it's a selection of the best, newest and most popular.
Alba Terrace
This is easily one of the top spots in Abu Dhabi for chilled-out al fresco dining. Sit on the beautifully designed terrace, surrounded by natural, earthen decor dotted with foliage, and enjoy the cooler climes as you tuck into tasty Mediterranean fare at the chic Abu Dhabi Edition hotel. From fresh salads to sharing platters, such as the signature charcuterie board, and grilled meats to a variety of pastas, pizza and risotto, there’s something for everyone.
Open daily noon-11pm; The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen; 02 208 0000; albaterrace.com
Napo
Italian restaurants might be a dime a dozen in the UAE, but Napo Pizzeria is arguably among the best in Abu Dhabi. Delicious pizzas, pastas, meat and seafood dishes adorn the menu, with standouts such as the burrata linguine, watermelon feta salad and truffle mushroom pizza. Interiors are cosy and rustic, while a quaint outdoor seating area offers the perfect spot to enjoy cool temperatures. Prices might be high, but it’s worth it for the execution.
Open Saturday to Wednesday, 1pm to 11pm, Thursday to Friday, 1pm to midnight; West 53 building, Al Bateen; 02 554 4614; napo.ae
OZO Restaurant
Savour Japanese cuisine in Abu Dhabi, where the taste of Tokyo is well and truly alive at OZO Restaurant. Expect sushi, robata grills, noodle and rice dishes, as well as soups and salads. Simple flavours and fresh ingredients shine through, and can be enjoyed in the cosy atmosphere of the small but modern restaurant with Japan-inspired interiors.
Open Saturday to Wednesday, 12.30pm to 11pm, Thursday to Friday, 12.30pm to midnight; Building 1, Marasy Al Bateen Wharf; 02 679 0778; ozorestaurant.com
Tasha’s
For most UAE residents, tasha’s needs no introduction. The casual cafe and bistro from South Africa is a favourite for breakfast, lunch and dinner across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The menu is full of delicious and wholesome dishes, from omelettes and toasties to tapas and mains such as seafood paella. One in particular that stands out is the mushroom toast topped with cream, fresh herbs and an egg, with a salad of rocket and parmesan on the side.
Open Sunday to Friday, 8am to midnight, Saturday, 8am to 11pm; unit B02, Al Bateen; 02 445 0890; tashascafe.com
Marasy Restaurant & Cafe
It’s all about the Lebanese grills at Marasy Restaurant & Cafe. The cosy Levantine spot has all the usual suspects on the menu, from cold and hot mezzes to kebabs, kibbeh and kunafa. But the meat is what you come for. Tuck into juicy cuts and enjoy the atmosphere on the vast terrace in cooler weather.
Open daily 9.30am-1am; building 8, Al Bateen; 02 666 1102; instagram.com/marasyabudhabi
Brunch & Cake
This year, world-famous cafe Brunch & Cake opened its doors in Abu Dhabi and is fast becoming a haven for diners with a sweet tooth. The Instagrammable spot is the largest in the UAE from the brand (there were already two in Dubai), and serves all the signatures, from superfood smoothies to colourful pizzas and, of course, plenty of cake. The Abu Dhabi outpost serves some exclusive items, too, such as New York cheesecake-style ricotta pancakes, pepperoni pizza with chilli honey jam, deep-fried pizza bites and burrata toast.
Open daily 9am-10.30pm; unit 3, Marsa Al Bateen; 800 472 6362; brunchandcake.com
Art House Cafe
A medley of international flavours adorn the vast menu at the Art House Cafe at Etihad Modern Art Gallery, from acai granola to tiramisu pancakes and fresh salads to sliders. While the food is good, it’s the cosy atmosphere, comfy bench-style seating and friendly service that you come for in the colourful, art-filled and eclectically designed venue.
Open daily 9am-11pm; Al Huwelat street, Al Bateen; 02 666 0175; instagram.com/arthousecafead
Camel Station
Camel Station has a rather diverse menu that spans salads, sushi, pizza, kebab, tikka and pasta, to name a few. The main draw, however, is the selection of burgers, which includes classic chicken, mushroom and Swiss cheese, and the baby camel. You can even order your own home burger kit for delivery. The interiors are edgy, encompassing exposed brick, woods and metals, with a circular bar area surrounding a mosaicked wood-fire oven, plus industrial-style lights hanging from the ceiling and quirky yet creative design elements, such as giant masks and wall art.
Open Saturday to Wednesday, noon-11.30pm, Thursday to Friday, noon to 12.30pm; unit 3, Al Bateen Wharf; 02 626 3646; eat.camelstation.ae
No Fifty Seven Boutique Cafe
This elegant spot offers sophisticated takes on cafe favourites, such as pancakes, which come with activated charcoal and salted butter, or scrambled eggs mixed with burrata cheese and zaatar then served on sourdough toast. Non-breakfast items include lobster rolls, chicken katsu sandos and even Emirati rice with lamb. That upmarket vibe is also seen in the minimalist, sleek decor that’s neutral in its grey and earthen tones yet still inviting.
Open Sunday to Wednesday, 9am-10.30pm, Thursday to Saturday, 9am-11.30pm; building 2, Al Marasy; 02 441 6100; no57.co
Bu Tafish
An undoubted Emirati institution, Bu Tafish has been serving seafood grills since 1968. It was founded in the capital by Palestinian Radwan Al Tamimi, who was then aged 17 and got his nickname, Bu Tafish, from Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father. The no-frills diner has since expanded with branches across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and has become world-renowned for its good food and authentic, down-to-earth vibes.
Open daily 10am-midnight; building 3, Al Marasy; 02 666 6108; instagram.com/butafish_uae
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Bluewaters Island restaurant guide: 9 of the best places to eat at the Dubai hot spot
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
