"Emirati Flavor and Ambiance Starting out as one of the United Arab Emirates' first food trucks, Meylas is no longer so much about grabbing a quick bite of local culture on the go, as it is about experiencing the traditional flavours in a small cafe decorated like a "canteen" from a bygone era. You will feel like you're at the start of the modern development in the UAE. Dallah (traditional coffee pots), henna, shopping bags, postcards, and children's games are on display and for sale if you choose to take a bit of that culture home with you. Of course, the food and hospitality is at the center of attention. Locally sourced ingredients contribute to chbaab, a pancake served with date syrup and salonat badu, the traditional bedouin stew made with chicken or lamb. At the end of the meal, you'll find several sweets like khabees that are spiced with cardamom and saffron or legeimat, which reminds me of a donut hole sweetened with dates syrup and topped with sesame seeds. Coffees and teas are prepared the way they used to be and should not be passed up at the end of the meal while you mull over the days events. I recommend ordering a smattering of anything that looks interesting off the menu to share."

"Camel-Milk Chocolate Looking to bring home a sweet souvenir? Something different from a huge bar of duty-free Toblerone? Al Nassma chocolate is made with camel milk, said to be the next "superfood," with lower fat and more vitamins than cow milk. Then again, it is chocolate, so it's not exactly a health food. That said, it's worth a try. It would be a shame to miss out on the healing benefits of camel milk, right? especially when it comes in such a tempting package. Al Nassma is made in Dubai , but available in Abu Dhabi at Cafe Arabia and the Emirates Palace Hotel."

"Going the Saj Way With efficient delivery and delicious Lebanese, I have had plenty of Saj Way's chicken sandwiches and fattouch salads. Each meal comes served fresh and full of flavors—some I've never tasted together before. This fattouch has lettuce, radish, mint, parsley, cucumbers, pomegranate, and pita chips with salad dressing that perfectly compliments the mix. Next time I'm definitely ordering their Saj sweets that include chocolate and bananas stuffed in Saj bread."

"Date Night and Dim Sum Cantonese food at its best, in a glamorous environment where light and shadows wash over you, will make you feel like you're in a haven for royalty. And, located in the Emirates Palace Hotel, you're not far from just that. If you're in the mood for flavors from China, you'll certainly enjoy the Hakka hand-pulled noodles, charcoal-grilled lamb chops or king prawns, and coconut semifreddo for dessert."

"Poolside Lunch or Brunch Lovely ambiance, casual poolside atmosphere, and beautiful and sumptuous foods greet you at Nahaam. The restaurant in Jumeirah Hotel at Etihad Towers features an internationally inspired menu with stir fry, hamburgers, pizzas, and traditional beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian mains. The best time to go to Nahaam is for Friday brunch when they pull out a phenomenal selection of seafood, hot food on the grill outside, kids alley of sweets and smaller bites, and a dessert buffet that will tempt even the most diehard dieter into eating a few stunning creations."

"The Perfect Catch to End the Day Beachy and beautiful, Catch has one of the flashiest logos on the Corniche. Thanks to the art and creativity of head chef Roudy Petersen, it also serves some of the best seafood. Overlooking the water, with inviting indoor seats or a refreshing patio on Abu Dhabi 's Corniche, you can enjoy a French-influenced Asian and Middle Eastern menu, with such dishes as Thai-style clams and caramelized black cod. The Catch Signature Sushi and Sashimi for two makes the restaurant a perfect place to take a date, too."

"A Food Tour of Vasco’s Journey The concept behind Vasco’s menu is to serve food that tastefullly maps the route of the explorer Vasco de Gama. Flavors from Spain , around Africa, and India round out the menu. Though appearing fairly simple, the flavors are full and thoughtful. The restaurant is located right on the Arabian Gulf, and indoor/outdoor seating gives guests the choice of enjoying winter sea breezes or retreating inside during the scorching Abu Dhabi summers."

"Brunch at Oléa Don’t visit Abu Dhabi without attending at least one extravagant Friday brunch. The buffets in Abu Dhabi hotels make those in Las Vegas look like New York City hot-dog carts. The Oléa brunch at the St. Regis on Saadiyat Island is an expansive culinary wonderland: Let the sun-drenched buffet counter take you where it will, from fresh oysters to Arabian barbecue to the carvery where some majestic leg of lamb is always at the ready. Also not to be missed is the foie gras bar, where a chef will grill up a slice to perfection right in front of you. For dessert, stop by the cheese table for a selection of fromage and a glass of port, or pluck a gold-flecked pastry or two from the endless platters perched beneath fountains of many-flavored chocolate sauce."

"As a city with many Western expats, Abu Dhabi features restaurants that offer a retreat to the familiar. Sometimes another kebab, another bowl of hummus, or another ball of kibbe won’t do the trick—and that's when you turn to a pint of Guinness and some fish-and-chips. Abu Dhabi's Fadó is the latest outpost of the Irish-owned American pub chain; it's located in the Oryx Hotel in the vibrant Khalidiya neighborhood. The menu boasts all the pub standards you would expect, including burgers and chicken wings, but the live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights is the real draw. Listen to a Filipino band play American classic-rock standards over a glass of wine, a cocktail from the well-stocked bar, or just a nice, cold pint of beer."

"Nolu's Downtown Abu Dhabi offers countless food cultures to explore, but the real fun starts when cuisines begin to intersect on its fusion menus. Nowhere is there a more eccentric pairing of culinary traditions than at Nolu’s Downtown in the Galleria Mall on Al-Maryah Island. The decor is that of a healthy California gastropub, and the menu is as well—with a twist: Afghani flavors and ingredients suffuse a menu filled with California classics such as kale Caesar salad and Baja fish tacos. Be sure to try an Afghani starter such as the sweet and savory borani kadoo or the mantoo dumplings. And if the West-Coast-sprouts vibe isn’t your thing, try the qabili pallow , a tender lamb shank served on a bed of Afghani brown rice, raisins, and carrots."

"Once you find Bu (derived from the Spanish buenísimo , or “exceptionally good”) in the Central Market at the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi , you are in for a Latin-infused treat. Look for the elevators leading to the Hub and take one to the fourth floor. Bu’swood-and-steel industrial decor is offset by modern lines to providethe perfect setting for its pan-Latin cuisine. Choose to order individually or from the expansive sharing menu. Don’t miss their assortment of a half-dozen ceviches which pair fresh fish with classic Latin flavors. Bu is also known for its innovative cocktail menu, which includes mezcal concoctions that tend not to be very common in Abu Dhabi. Puff on a Cohiba cigar over dessert and you’ll almost be able to feel the Caribbean breeze."

"Abu Shakra on Muroor Road serves up delicious Egyptian cuisine in the heart of Abu Dhabi. After entering through the bustling, smoky kitchen area, you ascend a staircase that features an illuminated wall of Egypt’s golden-age stars of the cinema. Settle into the newly renovated dining room with its expansive view of the Corniche and be sure to start your meal with a plate of koshari , the national dish of Egypt, which consists of macaroni, rice, and lentils topped with crispy grilled onions and chickpeas. The spicy, juicy lamb chops are also a favorite, alongside other grilled dishes such as kofta , shish tawook, and chicken wings."

"For 30 years, Fishmarket at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi has been serving the freshest seafood in a unique, family-friendly location. Drawing on Abu Dhabi’s famous market in Mina Port where locals can purchase just-caught fish in a traditional street setting, Fishmarket puts a Thai spin on the Gulf market-to-plate experience. When you enter Fishmarket, you are presented with a massive bounty of edibles from the sea, nestled into a blanket of shaved ice atop tiled counters that stretch throughout. You make your selections (massive prawns from the Gulf are always a good idea) and a waiter takes them to the kitchen, where they are prepared to your liking. If you want a taste of Abu Dhabi’s seafood heritage, Fishmarket is a great place to start."