For people who can't digest gluten, an intolerance can play out as an allergic reaction to the ubiquitous protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. In extreme cases, gluten-intolerance leads to coeliac disease, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea. Those with the ailment don't absorb nutrients well and can suffer weight loss, fatigue, rashes and other problems.
Whether you have coeliac or an uncomfortable intolerance to gluten, here are some restaurants in Abu Dhabi where you can dine fear and guilt-free.
Blaze Pizza
The artisanal pizzeria from California opened in the capital in 2019, and has since become popular for baking its pies in a flaming open oven, as well as for its do-it-yourself concept. Gluten-free dough is part of this personalisation option and, while at Dh55 it’s Dh10 more than a regular crust, diners can add as many fresh toppings as they want for the same price.
Open daily; 10am-1am; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 492 6842
Mazi
Billing itself as a “fine-casual venue”, Mazi is the brainchild of Greek restaurateurs Christina Mouratoglou and Adrien Carre, and specialises in the country's cuisine. The restaurant offers sharing-style plates, plus a dedicated gluten-free menu that includes dishes such as chicken thigh souvlaki skewers (Dh135) and artichoke risotto a la polita (Dh115).
Open Wednesday-Monday, noon-3pm, 7pm-11pm (closed on Tuesdays); The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort; 02 498 8955
Jones the Grocer
Replacing the bread on its smashed avo toast with grilled sweet potato (Dh58) and offering white gluten-free toast, the Australian chain has a number of wheat-free options. These include salads with gluten-free dressing, paprika prawns with pineapple and saffron yoghurt (Dh52), and desserts such as macarons (Dh6), almond-orange slices (Dh31) and Valhrona chocolate pecan mousse with caramel (Dh28). Jones the Grocer also has numerous breakfast and main course options for gluten-intolerant diners.
Various locations; 800 56637
Sanderson’s
It’s rare to see a benny (the Canadian version of eggs Benedict) and quesadillas under the “gluten-free” list of a restaurant’s menu, but then Sanderson’s has formulated its dishes using a healthy "eating with intention" policy. Also ticking the GF box at this picturesque cafe are options such as a puffed rice and buckwheat bowl (Dh57) and cashew and coconut hotcakes (Dh59), plus a number of chicken, steak and seafood options.
Open daily; 8am-10pm; The Walk at Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus; 02 222 1142
Tawa Bakery
“Eating gluten-free should never mean sacrificing taste or quality.” That is the founding principle upon which this 100 per cent gluten-free bakery and cafe in Abu Dhabi was established in 2016. The physical cafe has since shut down, but Tawa still offers a delivery service.
On the entirely gluten-free menu are burgers, musakhan rolls, pastas and wraps, plus desserts such as luqaimat, jalebi, waffles and pancakes.
Tawa also offers a box of ready-frozen products for Dh199, which includes a selection of three types of snacks (between 18 and 30 pieces), such as beef and veg samosas, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, risotto balls, sesame cheese rolls, spinach fatayers and beef croquettes.
Orders can be made via WhatsApp on 800 8292 between 10am and 8pm.
Villa Toscana
Fine-dining Italian restaurant Villa Toscana has created a menu called Senza Glutine (Italian for "without gluten"), which boasts a variety of pasta. Choose from gnocchi with tomato sauce (Dh90), spaghetti with pesto (Dh110), porcini mushroom risotto (Dh95), puttanesca-style penne pasta (Dh115) and an aubergine casserole (Dh75).
Open daily, noon-3pm, 7pm-11pm; The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort; 02 694 4553
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: M'A Yaromoon, Jesus Rosales (jockey), Khalifa Al Neydai (trainer)
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: No Riesgo Al Maury, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Mahmouda, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AS Jezan, George Buckell, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Dolman, Antonio Fresu, Bhupath Seemar
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
