10 important and reasonably priced road meals to attempt in Abu Dhabi
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Halawet el-jibn
Halawet el-jibn interprets to candy cheese. The Syrians have taken these soft-as-a-pillow cheese rolls around the globe. In Abu Dhabi, you may see a handful of choices alongside Khalidiya Street. They’re sometimes lower into small bites and topped with sufficient crushed pistachio to present them a slight crunchiness.
Unlike most of the different road snacks on this record, halawet el-jibn are simply pretty much as good, if not higher, the following day.
Our suggestion: Al Sultan Sweet
Price vary: 20 AED for a small plate or 70 for a kilo
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Karak tea
This wealthy, creamy milk tea might be the simplest merchandise to search out on our record. Think masala chai however with fewer spices. And on this case, the dominant cinnamon and cardamom flavors are all you want. Karak tea additionally goes nicely with any of the opposite fashionable road meals gadgets you may discover in Abu Dhabi.
Our suggestion: Bait Al Shay
Price vary: 1-4 AED
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Kibbeh
These fried patties are crispy on the skin and succulent on the within. In Abu Dhabi, they’re sometimes full of floor lamb, onion and pine nuts. You can get pleasure from them plain, which is what we suggest when you’re attempting these American football-shaped meze for the primary time. They additionally go nicely with tahini or tzatziki sauce. Some locations will serve them with plain yogurt.
Our suggestion: Zahrat Lebnan
Price vary: 9 AED per piece
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Knafeh
Knafeh is without doubt one of the hottest Middle Eastern sweets to go. A typical sq. slice can be about an inch thick with gooey cheese wedged between crispy shredded filo dough. Compared to baklava, the sweetness is extra delicate and it is also extra delicate.
At Qwaider Al Nabulsi, they serve custard and cheese variations. Inside this small and environment friendly candy store, they’ve each on show simply an inch above their round stoves, which hold them heat all through the day. You can watch the crew lower away on the latter, with the cheese clinging to the spherical base like what you’d see when eradicating a slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza from the pie. Ask the workers, and so they’ll inform you they’re serving Palestinian-style knafeh.
Our suggestion: Qwaider Al Nabulsi
Price vary: 70 AED per kilo
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Luqaimat
These candy and easy deep-fried dough balls are omnipresent all through Abu Dhabi and far of the Middle East. The outer layer of those bite-sized confections glistens from the date syrup, whereas the sesame seeds give them an additional crunch. We suggest consuming them recent out of the frying pan with a view to actually expertise the crunchy exterior and comfortable, ethereal middle.
Our suggestion: Rigag Khalidiya
Price vary: 7 AED for the smallest portion
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Manakish za’atar
This easy mixture of olive oil and dried herbs baked into flat bread of various thickness is a road meals staple all through the Middle East. In Abu Dhabi, there’s a notably excessive focus of choices in Zone 1, alongside Muroor Road. We suggest having fun with yours as recent out of the oven as potential. It additionally reheats nicely.
Our suggestion: Manakish Express
Price vary: 6-8 AED
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Rgag
This wafer-thin crepe-looking bread is made with complete wheat flour and full of a skinny layer of cheese, egg, honey or fish paste. The result’s a crispy road snack that is not as filling as the opposite gadgets on our record. We suggest the Nutella model from Lgymant & Rgag, which is positioned in Zone 1, close to Umm Al Emarat Park.
Our suggestion: Lgymat & Rgag
Price vary: 7-15 AED
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Parotta
In Abu Dhabi, yow will discover dozens of takes on this flaky layered flatbread. The conventional technique to get pleasure from parotta is with curry. But as that is the Middle East, you may as well discover shish tawook and shawarma variations.
At House of Tea, the choices get actually weird. Along with a cup of karak or Kashmiri tea, you’ll be able to get pleasure from parotta full of something from hen nuggets to chili Cheetos. The latter will get the nod for crunchiest, most inventive and least dietary.
Our suggestion: Bait Al Shay
Price vary: 3-6 AED
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Sambusas
These crispy triangular pastries are a preferred road snack all through the Middle East. In Abu Dhabi, you may discover a number of savory choices alongside Muroor Road in Zone 1. The commonest fillings are meat or potato. Vegetarian variations are additionally fashionable.
Our suggestion: Samousa Corner
Price vary: 3-5 AED
Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Shawarma
Last however definitely not least, this amalgamation of a number of the finest Middle Eastern elements is a necessary cease on any Abu Dhabi meals crawl. You’ll discover the very best focus of shawarma distributors alongside Hamdan Street. And Zahrat Lebnan is one other native favourite with a couple of areas. They have hen and lamb choices, with the latter merely known as meat. For a little bit of spice together with your hen and garlic sauce, attempt the Mexican.
Our suggestion: Bait El Khetyar
Price vary: 8-16 AED
