Forward-thinking, brand-new, multi-cultural, and always looking for a way to push the limits — this is Abu Dhabi. As the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has transformed itself from a mere fishing village to a luxurious city overflowing with stunning architecture, elegant hotels, mouth-watering restaurants and gigantic shopping malls.
In other words, it is a dream destination for travelers.
If you are planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, you are in luck! You are going to be greeted by a laid-back locale that still has enough to offer you for your entire itinerary.
And, for meat eaters, you are also in luck. Here is the ultimate Abu Dhabi travel guide for meat lovers.
- Get ready for a lot of lamb, beef and chicken
Meat lovers can sink their teeth into truly delectable dishes during their time in Abu Dhabi. Get ready to indulge in meals that highlight deliciously spiced lamb, beef and chicken from all the different restaurants serving international cuisines as well as local and traditional offerings.
In fact, make yourself a reservation at the best steakhouse in Abu Dhabi, and you certainly won’t be disappointed by your meat options.
- Try what the locals eat
Plenty of Abu Dhabi locals are sure to enjoy well-cooked meat. In fact, you can meet many of them on the street if you also opt to eat a quick, relatively cheap meal.
The most famous (and popular) street food is shawarma, the beloved dish that consists of thinly sliced meat (chicken, lamb or beef) that comes wrapped in a flatbread with an abundance of fresh vegetables and spicy sauce on top.
Once you have tasted that, you may also want to try a shish tawouk sandwich. Prepare yourself for the drool-worthy flatbread with thinly cut chicken, vegetables and pickles seasoned with garlic and spices.
All travelers should have at least one meal on the streets of Abu Dhabi.
- Try something exotic
As a fan of expertly prepared proteins, you must be excited about trying some new, exotic meats while on holiday in Abu Dhabi. For that reason, you should search for a restaurant with a tasty camel dish.
There is a selection of dishes for you to choose from when it comes to consuming camel. Have a taste of everything from a stuffed camel (which comes with herbs and spices inside), to a camel stir-fry, to a camel burger, or a camel pizza. There is even an option to have camel chocolate! So really, there is something for every member of your travel group.
Additionally, a chelo kebab comes with a side of saffron basmati rice. And then there’s Al Machboos which is a dish with meat, rice and onions seasoned with spices, salt and dried lemon. This all then comes with salad and yogurt raita and, to follow tradition, have it on a generous serving platter and invite everyone at your table to pick from the dish with their right hands.
- Don’t miss out on trying other cuisines
If you are in Abu Dhabi for an extended period, you should take the opportunity to try out other cuisines. After all, Abu Dhabi is known for its incredible selection of restaurants, and it is full of international restaurants.
If you want a burger, Korean barbecue, Turkish food, or Chinese food, you can find it all in Abu Dhabi. In particular, take note that in Abu Dhabi, Indian food is as prevalent as is Japanese food (great if you’re craving fish!).
Make yourself some reservations for trying out these different restaurants, and don’t forget about the best brunch in Abu Dhabi!
But you should certainly try Mandi, a Yemeni dish consisting of meat and rice that is traditionally made in an underground oven until it ultimately falls apart.
Are you a meat-lover who has been to Abu Dhabi? Where did you like to eat? Let us know all your recommendations in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Franck Mottais is the Operations Manager at Tourism Development & Investment Company or TDIC. With a true passion for food and beverage operations, Franck’s personal goal is to consistently deliver the highest quality of guest service and effectively run distinguished establishments such as KOI Restaurant & Lounge and Boa Steakhouse in Abu Dhabi.
Love traveling.
