smallpiff

Family are visiting AUH on stopover to SE Asia. They'd like to taste some "authentic" food (not necessarily Emirati, but not pie and chips I'd guess). I'd like it to be a reasonable place, not cafe, but also not ridiculous price, somewhere downtown and close to watering holes.

As I live up the road in DXB I haven't a clue what and where is good in Abu Dhabi.

Is this better in the Sand Pit, I have no idea.....

Over to you?

thanks

Bahtatboy

Lebanese Flower Restaurant. There are at least two outlets: one on Road 11 opposite Al Wahda Mall, one in the backstreets opposite Sheraton Khalidiya.

smallpiff

I'd heard that this was more of a cafe than a restaurant. Never been so you would know better.

thanks

Meow

It a decent cafe and the food is great. Some of the best shwaramas you'll find anywhere.

Bahtatboy

Full-blown restaurant.

Millhouse

One vote for a cafe, one for a restaurant. Bistro?

Smallpiff - it's a very simple mid-low end restaurant serving great food. It you want good arabic food but in a high-end environment, the arabic at the YAS hotel is very good. Personally, I'd go to the lebbo-flower- even if the one on Salam Street was closed several times by the health department...

Otherwise - if they want Indian food (which is basically authentic for here too) - then I would highly recommend India Palace on Salam Street. While a chain, the one in AD is authentic and serves great food - unlike the rubbish Dubai versions.

flares

If you want a trad arab desert caravan type experience you could go to 'Saudi Cuisine VIP' in Abu Dhabi just off the Corniche

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Abu_Dhabi.html

Unlicenced ;-)

csdf

Yes, Saudi Cuisine VIP has had many good reviews. Been meaning to go for a while now. The bugger with most of these "local" restaurants is trying to find them.

mikewot

If anyone is looking for Dubai places this is good http://www.iliveinafryingpan.com/ and there is a map https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...0ee8b50f&msa=0

I was at the Cabrito Mandi last night, fantastic lamb and I was absolutely stuffed for the princely sum of 75 Dhm. Great for those who live near Barsha.
http://www.iliveinafryingpan.com/cab...taurant-dubai/

flares

There's a Cabrito in Riyadh on AbdulAziz.

Huge restaurant specialising in trad desert tucker kabsas mandhis - massive rice platters with big chunks of meat - eat in or take out. They have rows and rows of spits with various carcasses roasting on. Massive operation. No piggies though - missing a trick there.

busybee2

there is indian palace in mushrif mall and also mazyad mall too no need to go into salam st and try to find a non existant parking space. indian palace is the best in auh.

Millhouse

but the one on Salam Street is very 'authentic' on the inside. The ones in the malls are fake.

flares

the one in Mushrif Mall is done out in a similar way to Salam St one. Not like a Food Court unit - think there's one like that in Dubai Mall though

Millhouse

has it got a Jewellerywallah?

al dente

The lebanese at the Hilton has a licence and is not expensive. We started to get take away from there, rather than leb flower, when we have guests in town.

Leb flower is a cafe to me. Kebobs and Kurries in Central Market is rivalling Tandoori Corner for our indian affections nowadays.

Has anyone tried Foodlands?