UAE is undoubtedly on the hot list now: The fifa world cup 2022 Running in Nearby Qatar, and the Netflix reality series, dubai bling An embarrassingly addictive mix of diamonds and drama has entered our lives. Add to this the coming winter, and holidaymakers are once again flocking to the Arabian Peninsula in search of somewhere warm and quick. whereas Dubai has traditionally been called relatively ‘touristy’‘, Abu Dhabi has graduated from just a detour and is fast emerging as a destination in its own right. Much of the credit goes to the capital emirate’s intriguing culinary landscape, which caters to the 200 nationalities that populate it.
50 best restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa to return to Abu Dhabi in January 2023 A successful first edition in February 2022, Luxury dining is once again in the limelight.
Burrata with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil at LPM | photo credit: special arrangement
over the decades
50 years ago, before the country’s formation, the humble Bedouin diet of dates, frankincense, rice, fish and lamb saw a new wave of flavors thanks to trade ties. “Emirati dishes such as ragg (crispy flat bread with cheese, honey or date syrup), chabab (pancakes with date syrup, local honey and cheese) and ballelet (omelet with vermicelli noodles) are sold in these markets by enterprising women Fragrant dishes from passing merchants,” explains Khlud Ateeq, the country’s first Emirati female chef.
Fast forward to the period between 1990 and 2010, and exciting, exotic concepts pop up in every corner of the globe. “Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Korean, Ethiopian and Filipino restaurants popped up and were very successful,” she adds, adding that during this period, the only way to enjoy an authentic Emirati cuisine experience was in an Emirati home for Fridays. was to be invited. Lunch.
It’s also changing as local chefs re-embrace and highlight their own cuisine: the mezlai at Emirates Palace, for example, is designed to recall an airy Bedouin tent, bringing in quality seafood from the sea. serves local favorites such as labneh, fatoush and grilled kebbeh, using locally sourced ingredients. , mountains, oasis and desert.
Abu Dhabi’s luxury dining started seven to eight years ago and has been growing rapidly ever since, says executive chef Pang Longchin, who serves South American cuisine at COYA Abu Dhabi. He continues, “Building on the success of the MENA 50 Best Restaurants event held in Abu Dhabi [in 2022] Already shows what kind of restaurants you can expect in this city. Along with COYA, Hakkasan and Butcher & Still were ranked among the 50 Best Restaurants in the MENA region.
Chilean Sea Bass Cazuela at COYA | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Peruvian vs Emirati flavors
Located next to the Galleria Mall near the Four Seasons Hotel, on Al Maryh Island, which is seen as one of Abu Dhabi’s “popular and high-sought” locations, the branch is one of 10 COYAs worldwide. Is. “Launching COYA [here] It was challenging in the beginning as South American cuisine was still new to the market. We reworked and adjusted the menu so that we can cater to a diverse clientele; It’s also different from what we were used to in Dubai,” says Pang. The Chilean sea bass cazuela is a crowd favorite. He believes that part of COYA’s success lies in the similarities between Peruvian and Emirati cuisine Both cultures love to present their food with that in mind. Both love having a treat in the middle of the dining room to share with family and friends,” says Pang.
luxury as a lifestyle
Apart from a global flavor profile, restaurants like COYA are also moving beyond just culinary offerings to offer 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 held their own music festival in Dubai which saw resident DJs from around the world for a day to night beach fest on the Palm Jumeirah. They support local artists in all locations by collaborating with them on art projects and showcasing their work.
A glimpse into LPM Abu Dhabi | photo credit: special arrangement
expat boom
In Al Marah Island, overlooking the sea as sunset sets behind the city skyline, is LPM Abu Dhabi, a hot nod to French Mediterranean cuisine that opened in 2017. Locals and tourists gather here to relax on the sunny terrace, eating escargots de Bourgogne (snails with garlic butter).
When he was in Dubai in 2012, Navneet Chandran, chef at LPM Abu Dhabi, would notice a steady influx of locals and expats from Abu Dhabi looking for luxury dining experiences. “Many of the diners I see here know me from Dubai,” he says. Since 2015, the chef says more luxury restaurants are opening in the city. “We now have a lot of regulars who come here for business lunches with their colleagues in the afternoon and dinner with their families in the evening,” says Navneet.
In summer, the restaurant is frequented by locals. “In December, we see a lot more migrants.” While the core menu doesn’t change, curations that attract a local clientele are added each season. “Even as the demand for authentic Indian food is on the rise, Abu Dhabi has a number of great Indian restaurants,” says Khlud. “Whether you want Pondicherry Prawn Curry, Lucknowi Lamb Boti, Alleppey Fish Curry, or Chettinad Aloo, Abu Dhabi has it all. We also see tourists looking for Iranian and Lebanese cuisine,” she adds.
Solaris, a cocktail presented by COYA | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Navneet LPM moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi during the pandemic. He says, “The number of locals and expatriates we are getting now is double that of last year. This is even higher than the number before the pandemic,” says the chef. “This year has been the busiest ever.”
The author was in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi