Shawarma in Abu Dhabi

Best Shawarmas in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a haven for food lovers and as its popularity as a holiday destination is on the rise, more and more food joints on every budget scale seem to be appearing to meet everyone’s taste.  If you are holidaying in the Emirates, you can’t leave without sampling the nation’s favourite street food – the shawarma.  Shawarmas can be arranged open or closed, The latter is normally more popular and an easier way to eat it.  The open version is normally a posh sit-down way of eating it!  Shawarmas consist of a soft, round flat bread filled with pieces of succulent, marinated chicken or lamb roasted on a spit and dressed with a garlic mayonnaise sauce, pickles, tomato, few French fries all rolled up and wrapped ready to tuck into.   An alternative to the shawarma is the manakish, a flatbread style pizza topped with a variety of ingredients from assortments of cheese, minced meats, tomatoes, chillies and zaatar.  Most of the Lebanese street food joints are open late into the night - some even 24 hours, ideal for the post club crave!  Prices at the cafes and restaurants below are all very reasonable.   Typical prices of shawarmas are between 5 and 8 Dhs.  Bowls of hummus, moutabbal etc range from 10 – 15 Dhs each, manakish can range from 10-15 Dhs and mixed grills and other mains are between 20-35 Dhs each.  These prices are variable and just to be used as a guide. 

Our Abu Dhabi Shawarma Favourites:

Lebanese Flower in Khalidiya, is a long standing favourite and you know you must be getting quality as there is almost always traffic congestion outside the restaurant area with food pickups!  Recently the size of their shawarma has reduced but the flavour and meat is top notch.  A decent place to eat in too, with many complementary breads and pickles thrown in. Open till 4am (+971 2 6658700) 

A Lebanese eatery legend is Maroush, on Khalifa Street off the Corniche.  Another branch exists on Salaam Street.  Their shawarmas are value for money and they also do an incredible whole roast chicken meal with chips, bread and sauces for under 25 Dhs as well as the usual Lebanese dishes.  Open till 1am. (+971 2 644 1419)

Lebanese Mill, Najda Street, Abu Dhabi (opp Emirates Bank/ Nissan showroom).  The shawarmas here are top quality, even their complementary pickles and salads taste fresher then most low/mid range eateries.  Open till 1am  (+971 2 6712277) 

Automatic, Al Maria Cinema Bldg, Hamdan Street.  There are two branches of Automatic literally opposite each other, both serving more or less the same menu of typical Lebanese cuisine.  We have tried both, and quality of food is great at both places with very reasonable prices.  Shawarmas and their falafels get the thumbs up.  Open till 1am. (+971 2 676 9677)

Beirut, Khalidiya Mall and Al Wahda Mall.  A new breed of café/ restaurant billing itself as the Lebanese alternative to the standard Burger King and KFC joint.  They serve the regular classics: hummus, moutabbal, falafels, vine leaves and their shawarma sandwiches taste good.  Their convenience is location but pricing not as reasonable as the independent cafés. Open till 12/1am.  (+971 2 6359090) 

Al Safadi, Khalidiya Street, Opp Khalidiya Garden and Berlitz.  This café/restaurant may have gone amiss on previous walks as the neighbouring joints are a Subway, Burger King and KFC, but on your next Lebanese crave, give this place a try.  The menu is extensive and in addition to the classics, you’ll find chicken livers, sausages, steak and veal escallops as well as a standard shawarma.  Al Safadi is Decent enough to eat in and unlike Lebanese Flower, here you will get a table pronto which is not a reflection of the food, just a best kept tasty secret. Open till 1am (+971 2 666 0201)