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The UAE is undoubtedly on the hot list now: the FIFA World Cup 2022 is taking place in nearby Qatar and the Netflix reality series, Dubai Blings A disturbingly addictive mixture of diamonds and drama has crept into our lives. Add to this the approaching winter and vacationers are once again flocking to the Arabian Peninsula, looking for warm and quick getaways. While Dubai has traditionally been promoted as relatively ‘touristy’, Abu Dhabi has graduated from being a mere detour and is rapidly developing into a destination in its own right. Much of the credit goes to the capital emirate’s intriguing culinary landscape, which caters to its populous 200 nationalities.
After a successful first edition in February 2022, the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants return to Abu Dhabi in January 2023, once again focusing on luxury dining.
Burrata with cherry tomatoes and basil at LPM | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
For decades
50 years ago, before the nation was formed, the humble Bedouin diet of dates, laban, rice, fish and lamb saw new flavors thanks to trade relations. “Emirati dishes such as ragag (crispy flat bread with cheese, honey or date syrup), chebab (pancakes with date syrup, local honey and cheese) and balaleet (omelette with vermicelli noodles) are selling more along with traders in these markets. Fragrant dishes from visiting merchants,” explains Chef Khulood Atiq, the country’s first female Emirati chef.
Fast forward to the period between 1990 and 2010, and exciting, foreign concepts have arrived, reflecting every corner of the world. “Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Korean, Ethiopian and Filipino restaurants have popped up and are very successful,” she continues, adding that in this era, the only way to enjoy an authentic Emirati culinary experience is to invite an Emirati home on a Friday. lunch
This is also changing as local chefs again embrace and highlight their own cuisine: for example, Mezlai at Emirates Palace, designed to recall an airy Bedouin tent, offers sumptuous takes on local favorites such as labneh, fattoush and grilled kebbe, using quality ingredients from the sea. , mountains, oases and deserts.
Abu Dhabi’s luxury dining started peaking seven or eight years ago and has been expanding exponentially since then, says Pang Longchin, executive chef at COYA Abu Dhabi, which serves South American cuisine. He continues, “Based on the success of the MENA 50 Best Restaurant ceremony held in Abu Dhabi [in 2022] This already demonstrates the quality of restaurants you can expect in this city. Along with COYA, Hakkasan and Butcher & Still are ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the MENA region.
Chilean Sea Bass Cazula at COYA | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Peruvian vs. Emirati flavors
Next to the Galleria Mall near the Four Seasons Hotel at Al Maria Island, considered one of Abu Dhabi’s “popular and high-demand” locations, the branch is one of 10 COYAs around the world. “Launching COYA [here] South American cuisine was still new to the market so it was challenging in the beginning. We’ve reworked and tweaked the menu so we can cater to a diverse clientele; It is different from what we are used to in Dubai,” Pang said. Chilean Sea Bass Cazula is a crowd favorite. He believes that part of COYA’s success lies in the similarities between Peruvian and Emirati cuisine. “Both cultures like to share their food in mind. Both love to put dinner in the center of the dining room to share with family and friends,” says Pang.
Luxury as a way of life
Global flavor profile aside, restaurants like COYA go beyond mere culinary offerings to provide a holistic experience of luxury. “Art and music are part of COYA’s core DNA. We have our own in-house record label COYA Music. Through COYA Music we offer events, podcasts, playlists as well as releases. This year they have their own music festival in Dubai, Day to Night at Palm Jumeirah. The beach sees resident DJs from around the world for the festival, who support local artists of all locations by collaborating with them on art projects and showcasing their work.
A PEAK AT LPM ABU DHABI | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
Expatriate boom
On Al Mariah Island, overlooking the sea as the sun sets behind the city skyline, LPM Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017, is a warm nod to French Mediterranean cuisine. Locals and tourists gather here to relax on the sunny terrace. Escargots de Bourgogne (snails with garlic butter).
When he was in Dubai in 2012, Navaneet Chandran, chef at LPM Abu Dhabi, witnessed a steady flow of locals and expatriates from Abu Dhabi seeking luxury dining experiences. “Most of the diners I see here I know from Dubai,” he said. The chef said that since 2015, more luxury restaurants are opening in the city. “We, now, have many regulars who come here for business lunches with their colleagues in the afternoon and dinners with their families in the evening,” says Navaneet.
In summer, the restaurant is frequented by locals. “In December, we see a lot more expats.” While the core menu remains unchanged, curations are added each season that appeal to local clientele as well. “As Abu Dhabi is home to many great Indian restaurants, the demand for authentic Indian food is also on the rise,” says Khulud. “Whether you want Pondicherry prawn curry, Lucknow lamb boati, Alleppey fish curry, Chettinad aloo, Abu Dhabi has it all. We also see tourists looking for Iranian and Lebanese cuisine,” she adds.
Cocktail by Solaris, COYA | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Navneet LPM moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi during the pandemic. He says, “Currently we are getting double the number of locals and expats than the previous year. This is more than the number we had before the pandemic,” added the chef, adding, “This year is the busiest.”
The author is in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi
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