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Tuck yourself into Abu Dhabi's delicious food scene

Abu Dhabi - The city offers memorable encounters with local and international cuisines set in a breathtaking ambience

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Whether you dine out on a regular basis or special occasions, you will have noticed that the food scene has changed quite a lot in Abu Dhabi. Previously there were a handful of fine dining options located in certain clusters. Whereas now, with a range of international restaurants opening up alongside a steady expansion of homegrown joints, the capital is dotted with interesting dining options.

Participating restaurants at Taste of Abu DhabiAvasa: Situated in The Collection, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Avasa offers delectable North Indian cuisine along with some great views of the island. Standout dishes include the Banjara Chicken Kebab, Dilruba Smoked Paneer and the Masala Chai Chocolate Bomb. Villa Toscano: Located in St Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, near the stunning corniche, the restaurant offers authentic Italian dishes in a warm and cosy dining area. Their pizzas are melt-in-your-mouth delights while the pasta and risotto selection are truly lip smacking. Café D'Alsace: Offering a fusion of French, German and Swiss influences, this restaurant located in Yas Marina lets diners choose from a wide variety of delicious dishes. Their specialities include Quiche Ratatouille, Fribourg Cheese Fondue and Confit of Duck Leg, among others. Nolu's: This relaxed eatery, located on Al Raha Beach, is a hidden gem and offers classic pastas and burgers along with a menu dedicated to Afghan cuisine. Their must-try dishes are the Mantoo Dumplings, Qabili Pallow and Koobideh Chicken. Caramel: The restaurant is located in The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and diners can expect a memorable time thanks to the incredible dishes on offer. Everything right from the Chicken Lettuce Bites to the Mac and Cheese and Lamb Sliders is divine.

Abu Dhabi is growing and diversifying its food scene at a rapid pace. The choice and range of tastes have attracted some of the most influential names in the culinary world to set up shop here. Internationally renowned restaurants such as Asia de Cuba, KOI and popular Dubai joint Bikers Café, have recently opened their doors much to the delight of foodies.
Modern and cosmopolitan, Abu Dhabi offers memorable encounters with local and international cuisines set in a breathtaking ambience - be it at the Yas Island or in the centre of the city. From authentic Emirati dishes to Chinese, Indian, French, Lebanese or Moroccan dishes, the dining options in the city will leave you spoilt for choice.
High-end restaurants are known to offer exquisite dishes with the finest ingredients that measure up to their global counterparts. Here you can indulge in a variety of authentic cuisines in some of the most beautifully styled surroundings. There are also a number of budget eateries nestled in the city where you can eat plates of curry, rice or noodles to your heart's content.
Restaurants are constantly evolving and have become image-conscious. It is steadily matching up with Dubai's popular culinary scene. Today, Abu Dhabi has everything from open kitchens and cooking stations to multi-cuisine eateries where you can sample, for example, Japanese and Italian dishes, under one roof. Another trend that has become a big hit are tapas-style meals. There is also an increasing demand for organic and locally sourced ingredients. Restaurants have started to incorporate these into their menus to meet the tastes of every discerning customer.
Alternative dining options such as pop-ups and food trucks have burst onto the scene and are becoming a regular fixture at food festivals taking place around the year. For instance, the Abu Dhabi Food Festival is a gastronomic feast that gives residents a taste of gourmet cuisine, Emirati cuisine as well as street bites, alongside different cuisines from around the world.
The capital is now gearing up for the Taste of Abu Dhabi festival, which met with resounding success last year. Popular fine dining restaurants in the capital will be participating at the event along with a number of top international chefs such as Reza Mahammad, Siba Mtongana and Jenny Morris. The chefs will keep visitors entertained with live cooking demos and master classes.