Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi

While I have started to explore the idea of cooking at home -- yesterday I successfully experimented with a slow-cooked pot roast -- my wife and I still love to hit the town and dine in style with the best of them in Abu Dhabi.

Let's get down to brass tacks here: this city has many fabulous hotels, which feature many different restaurants. We have not eaten at all of them. Not even close.

That is why I do not consider myself an accredited restaurant critic. So don't hate.

I am just another empty mouth to feed as we are are in constant search for good, affordable grub. So the following list was compiled with absolutely zero allegiance to any of these fine establishments.

But each of them made the final cut because we like them and continue to visit them again and again. So take that for what it's worth and Bon Apetit!

(Drumroll, please...) Our Top 10 in no particular order:

Noodle Bowl

Located at A1 Madina Al Riyadiya, next Zayed Sports City. Phone# 02 447 2405

I would say it's one of the best Chinese food restaurants in town as we are addicted to the dim sum. It's sort of a hidden gem because it is located above a bowling alley. So random. They actually have a balcony that overlooks the bowling lanes. Classic for people watching. They do not sell booze.

Le Boujolias

Located at A1 Madina Al Riyadiya, next Zayed Sports City. Phone# 02 447 2405

An old-school French cuisine restaurant with a pulse. We come for the steak entrees and always find the time to dabble with an assortment of delicious starters like Escargots and frog legs cooked in buffalo sauce. The smoking room in the back is where all the action is. Cheap house wine served in crafts.

Lebanese Flower

Located at Defense Road, Al Dhafra. Phone# 02 641 4128

Outdoor dining area is always special and the food -- they have the best schwarma in town -- is very good but the service in notoriously bad. You have to put up with douche bag servers hitting on your wife right in front of you. The food comes out when it's ready and they take cash only. Kind of shady. No booze.

Indian Palace

Located at Mushrif Mall, 2nd Street and Airport Road. Phone# 02 447 2420

Been there with actual Indian people  -- mad street credit -- and they give this place high reviews. The menu goes on forever as the options are endless. The booths are pretty cool as you can shut the doors for privacy. It is inside a mall but you lose track of that as soon as you walk in. No strong drink.

FANR

Located at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. Phone# 02 657 5888

One of my favorite afternoon chill spots. Also a must for visitors. Not only is it right next to the upcoming Guggenheim Museum on Saadiyat Island, but it also has a very cool outdoor patio. And with no hotels in eye sight, they also serve booze, which is a welcome surprise. Try the camel burger. Yes, you heard me right. Camel.

Sontaya

Located at St. Regis Island Resort, Saadiyat Island. Phone# 02 498 8888

Had to put one luxury restaurant on the list and I'm glad it is this one. This Southeast Asian spot has a very scenic layout and is right near the water at the St. Regis Island Resort. Every time we have been here, we fall victim to their different curry dishes. Very sexy place to take a lovely lady on a date. Full bar ready to go.

Cafe Arabia

Located at Villa No. 37, 15th street, opposite Mushrif Park. Phone# 02 643 9699

A definite go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or brunch. It is built inside a villa so they use all three floors as they have one of the best rooftop scenes in the city. The menu is very healthy and the service is usually awesome. No alcohol but climbing the staircase is like a serene walk through an art studio. Very relaxing.

Diablito

Located at Yas Marina, Yas Island. Phone# 02 565 1175

If there is one thing this city could really use, it is an up-tempo Tex-Mex restaurant and this spot comes close to the mark. Amazing sunsets views from the rooftop patio and it's located right in the heart of Yas Marina. The drinks flow, including their homemade sangria. They have huge burgers, fajitas and burritos on the menu but don't sleep on the pizza.

Leopolds Of London

Located at Nation Towers on the Corniche. Phone# 02 665 4776

This place has a top-notch coffee and tea game, if you're into that. The food is also amazing as we tend to visit during the hangover (ahem) brunch hours on the weekend. The sun room provides great views of the the Corniche as the deli and bakery will wet your tongue before you even take your seat. Unfortunately, no booze.

Frankie's

Located at the Fairmont Hotel, between the two bridges. Phone# 02 654 3333

Best Italian spot in town and contrary to what many think, it's not pretentious. Well, not too much. A stylish atmopsphere sets the tone and the live jazz piano music during the evening hours adds to the experience. We are in love with the Capesante Gratinate and the Involtini Di Melanzane. Vast selection of wine and beer.

Honorable Mentions:

El Sombrero

Located at Sheraton Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road. Phone# 02 677 3333

They do have this amazing all-you-can-drink and all-you-can eat special on Thursday nights (may have to double check the actual night) that definitely does not disappoint. The deal includes margaritas along with a loaded food menu. Private rooms that seat up to 10 are available if you call ahead.

Shakespeare and Co.

Located at Guardian Towers, off Murror Road and 31st. Phone# 02 491 7673

Their chic Victorian-style will warm your heart and their menu is very classy, and at the same time, it offers everything. We like to think of it as the closest thing to an American diner in Abu Dhabi, but with a more aristocratic feel. They serve all three meals around the clock and it's also a great meeting spot for coffee. Popular among Emiratis. No alcohol.

Le Boulanger

Located at Corniche Road, just before Marina Mall. Phone# 02 428 5371

Loaded menu with different nationalities featured but the best thing about this spot is their location. Overlooking the Corniche, it also provides a front-row seat for any water sports events. It's a huge venue but no on-site parking. Shisha burns all day long but unfortunately, not a drip of alcohol to be consumed. Their lentil soup served in a bread bowl is a must.

Hosting friends in the UAE

When I lived in the sunny Caribbean, my house had a revolving door as friends, relatives (and some times, people I barely even knew) came for festive visits. They would come for a few days or maybe a week. One or two of my drifter buddies -- I won't name any names -- even tried to move in and play that infamous role of the guy on the couch.

I took it as a sign of my amazing hosting ability.

But after three years of countless visitors in the Virgin Islands, the steady flow of couch surfers came to a screeching halt as soon as I moved to Abu Dhabi. For shame.

In the 13 months we have lived in the UAE, only one man has actually stepped up to the plate and made good on a Middle East adventure visit. That man, who is highly-recognized across the globe, is none other that Sir Hensley of St. Croix.

On his way back to the States following a two-week bender in India, the 'Crucian Swimming Sensation' as he is also known, made a three-day stop in the desert and I think his life was changed forever.

I was so excited for his visit, I took two days off of work and pretended to be a bright-eyed tourist for the weekend so we could see all the sights together.

This wasn't your typical international bromance excursion. We drank the finest spirits, indulged in the best cuisine and even made the 123-story trek up the tallest building in the world. It was all the cool stuff I have been wanting to do since I moved here. But I guess I just never really had the motivation.

The photo below documents when Hensley got yelled at for wearing too many clothes at the Corniche. No joke. In a Muslim country, Hensley was reprimanded because he put his foot in the water while wearing jeans. That is the security guard in the background. Hensley was very perplexed.

But he quickly got over one of the many blatant contradictions in this country and settled in for a delightful lunch on Saadiyat Island. At Fanr Restaurant, next to where they are building Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum, we enjoyed afternoon beers under the sun and munched on camel burgers.

Yes, you heard me right: we ate camel burgers.

It was delicious. Tasted like lamb -- which is usually what is in the burgers here -- but it had some undertones of meatloaf in it. All of the camel burgers, our faithful waiter said, are served well done.

From there, we moved on to visit Miranda at her work, the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, for a few more poolside cocktails. Look at Hensley here. So happy to explore.

A quick visit to the Souk Qaryat Al Beri for some sushi was followed by some live music at the Jazz Bar and then a sophisticated trip to Heroes, a self-described 'scruffy sports bar' popular with Expats. Only the finest people in this fair city regularly visit Heroes. As we left later that night, I shook hands with each of the doormen and the front register girl and exclaimed 'Best bar in Abu Dhabi!' Fortunately, they did not sense a whiff on my sarcasm.

We didn't stop there. The next day was dominated by a boozy brunch in Dubai followed by a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa.

Shortly after, Hensley was on a plane and back in America before he even knew what hit him. Cheers, old mate! It was an honor hosting our first stateside visitor. Your certificate will be arriving in the mail in 7-10 business days.

And if you or anyone you know would like to follow in Hensley's footsteps and make a visit to the fine country we call the United Arab Emirates, please send a self-addressed envelope to:

AARON GRAY
Finest Expat Host in the UAE, Inc.
PO Box 111434
Abu Dhabi

Ask Hensley for yourself: Middle East adventures of the highest caliber await.