When I first moved to Abu Dhabi from Dubai it was like a big changed for me specially when it comes to choices of Pakistani food outlets. There were very few outlets that offers Pakistani food and five years back I knew only one which was Ibrahimi Restaurant on Electra Street. Most of the times I found no option but to drive to Dubai / Sharjah to get some tasty food as there were always lots of options but I was always eager to get something in Abu Dhabi. I mean come on drive miles away to get a food but there were other stuff as well anyway....... gone are the days as I need fingers to count good Pakistani restaurants in Abu Dhabi. After trying all of them many times I would like to share my personal experience with precise location of each of them (I found maps on internet quite misleading most of times that spoils your mode to begin with) ......... Love to have your feedback and something to add in list.
Student Biryani (02-6222898)
To be very frankly speaking in Karachi there are many better options for biryani now e.g. Premeium biryani but for us living in U.A.E we can still count on this popular franchise. Located at the corner of the junction of Liwa street and Khalifa street behind newly opened WTC and Central souq. Plenty of Parking including corniche area and underground parking nearby. Although the franchise started in 1969 in Karachi by the name of Cafe Student but in U.A.E it is quite new as it started first branch in Karama Dubai.
So you are there now whats special to order I mean beside The Biryani? Well you can order a combo with Haleem, Karahi and Behanri Kebab and beaware of Mirchi as it is smoking hot....
Lal Qila (02-6575000)
An upscale eatery on the junction of Najda and Khalifa street located inside the Trianon Hotel and part of the famous franchise from Karachi. It entered in U.A.E market by opening a theme restaurant in Jumierah Dubai and quickly gained popularity. Inaugurated by Pakistani Ambasador in U.A.E in 2013 who liked Kunna Paya here. It is not as big as the one in Dubai or Karachi and a bit dark but it is good to have some good place to eat in Capital with plenty of parking underground and around.
Mama's Cuisine (02-6781151)
Well does not sound like a name of a Pakistani restaurant but trust me this is very much Pakistani restaurant. The manger is a lady and place is located on Najda street between Nissan showroom and Mitsubishi showroom near Sana fashion and it is not facing najda street but in a side alley (sounds like a riddle...!!!). Anyway the special thing about the food is that it is definitely homely that helps you understand the Name i.e. (Maan Kay Haath Ka Khana...!!). Sounds a good option for bachelors but what I found that it was even famous for family. Biryani and Karahi is a must to order also there was something new on menu which is Karak Kashmiri Tea.....specially in a chilly evening of Abu Dhabi.
Habib Resurant (02-6721648)
Having a craving to eat Halwa Puri in the Friday morning as you may feel lazy to make breakfast. Go for Habib resturant (though there are many other places to get Halwa puri but I am referring to the best one). Located in Old tourist club area behind modern bakery (look around you will find it... lots of demolishing work going on in the area). Well logical question is is there any other good options for lunch or dunner beside halwa puri. Well the answer is you wouldn't need lunch if you eat halwa puri here as it is pretty oily and stuff you know what I mean........... high octane (98) not special (95). But there is nothing exclusive....may be buy crispy Samosa chat in evening.....
New Nemat Kadah Resturant (02-6335878)
Well there is nothing new about this restaurant except the name. Have usual stuff on the menu that you can try and they have halwa puri both on Friday and Saturday and located just beside the Fruit, vegetable and fish market in Madinah Zayed area bhind post office. Try Qeema, Paya and Karahi they are O.K. Few years back it was really a Nemat for Pakistani food lover, however, you can still count it beside other options. Folks from Lahore and other surrounding area are going to appreciate a lot.
Sahar Resturant (02-6343110)
Well the lover of Nihari get ready for the most famous Nihar place (It is not my Favorited as I will explain later.....) in Abu Dhabi. Yes it is Sahar resturant dated back since 1988 and it is located in Madinah Zayed back side of Pan Emirates furniture and GEMACO building. They are famous for every day special but Sadah and Maghaz Nihari is every day.
Mohd Naeem Resturant (02-6323924)
Well if you have cravings for real taste of Karachi food and my favorite Nehani then look no further then Naeem resturant behind Lifeline hospital on Electra street. The must have are Nihari and Zaafrani Qourma every day plus Sheermaal on Fridays. I think Nihari tastes better here then in Sahar but people might differ. Never ate there always took away and enjoyed whatever I got ,although, my stomach complained sometimes but my tongue enjoyed every bite.
Ibrahimi Resturant (02-6323344)
Well there are two of them, one exactly on Electra Street near life line hospital and other opposite to Madina Zayed Shopping center. The main one Electra Street has buffet on mezzanine floor as well as A La Carte and it has big seating arrangement. The other small one in Madina Zayed has a past when it was shutdown by municipality for unhygienic conditions in Kitchen. Both of the places are in the middle of city and is quite famous and busy among people looking for Pakistani food.
OK so now that you are there you have two options at the main outlet either buffet or menu. I think it is better to go for buffet as it is value of money and you have options and you can avoid the risk of ordering something that you might not like (It has happened to me many times here). But never, ever like forever confuse this with the one in Dubai, otherwise you might get disappointed (special warning for fellas visiting from Dubai and mesmerized with appearances........!!!!).
Try the shawarma in the outlet opposite to Madina Zayed shopping mall as it has a unique spicy taste which you will not find anywhere in Abu Dhabi and it is very very popular.
Masala Resturant (02-6337748)
This small resturant with limited seating arrangement located on the busy Electra Street in Khalidiya area. The decor is good and delivery service is efficient. Famous for lunch ordering at office but lacks the maturity in the taste which is the characteristic of Pakistani food. Do not try to be adventurous however try their BarBQ rolls to begin with. They have Halwa puri also for breakfast.
Butt Sweets (02-6338058)
We all know that special occasions like celebrations , eid and other festivals are incomplete without sweet so here is a gem to make your special moments with Butt sweets for Mithais they claim made in Desi Ghee. It is located on Electra street near Hamid Centre.
They also have Halwa Puri on Fridays but I kinda do not like the taste however it is considered very famous.
Fujairah Resturant (02-6775628)
This 14 years old eatery located in the heart of Abu Dhabi behind Eldorado Cinema on Elecra Street. The notorious place to find parking although the situation improved after Mawaqif in terms of HAVOC but still difficult to find parking. But once you pass all that stages the food is simply good. Try BarBQ and Karahi.
Kabbab Kottage (02-6817200)
No there is no spelling mistake and there is no mistake about recommending it to someone..... Once you have got a parking in Khalidiya Mall then proceed straight (well not exactly its kinda zig zag) to the food court on the top and you will be able to locate it. I found BARBQ items very tasty however I have worries about curries as they are not that up to the mark. They have two more outlets in Mushrif mall as well as Mazayed mall. Front staff looks little less enthusiastic but the food is definitely worth trying.
Update : Call before going over there as they might be closed temporarily for unknown reasons.
Student Biryani (02-6222898)
To be very frankly speaking in Karachi there are many better options for biryani now e.g. Premeium biryani but for us living in U.A.E we can still count on this popular franchise. Located at the corner of the junction of Liwa street and Khalifa street behind newly opened WTC and Central souq. Plenty of Parking including corniche area and underground parking nearby. Although the franchise started in 1969 in Karachi by the name of Cafe Student but in U.A.E it is quite new as it started first branch in Karama Dubai.
So you are there now whats special to order I mean beside The Biryani? Well you can order a combo with Haleem, Karahi and Behanri Kebab and beaware of Mirchi as it is smoking hot....
Lal Qila (02-6575000)
An upscale eatery on the junction of Najda and Khalifa street located inside the Trianon Hotel and part of the famous franchise from Karachi. It entered in U.A.E market by opening a theme restaurant in Jumierah Dubai and quickly gained popularity. Inaugurated by Pakistani Ambasador in U.A.E in 2013 who liked Kunna Paya here. It is not as big as the one in Dubai or Karachi and a bit dark but it is good to have some good place to eat in Capital with plenty of parking underground and around.
Mama's Cuisine (02-6781151)
Well does not sound like a name of a Pakistani restaurant but trust me this is very much Pakistani restaurant. The manger is a lady and place is located on Najda street between Nissan showroom and Mitsubishi showroom near Sana fashion and it is not facing najda street but in a side alley (sounds like a riddle...!!!). Anyway the special thing about the food is that it is definitely homely that helps you understand the Name i.e. (Maan Kay Haath Ka Khana...!!). Sounds a good option for bachelors but what I found that it was even famous for family. Biryani and Karahi is a must to order also there was something new on menu which is Karak Kashmiri Tea.....specially in a chilly evening of Abu Dhabi.
Habib Resurant (02-6721648)
Having a craving to eat Halwa Puri in the Friday morning as you may feel lazy to make breakfast. Go for Habib resturant (though there are many other places to get Halwa puri but I am referring to the best one). Located in Old tourist club area behind modern bakery (look around you will find it... lots of demolishing work going on in the area). Well logical question is is there any other good options for lunch or dunner beside halwa puri. Well the answer is you wouldn't need lunch if you eat halwa puri here as it is pretty oily and stuff you know what I mean........... high octane (98) not special (95). But there is nothing exclusive....may be buy crispy Samosa chat in evening.....
New Nemat Kadah Resturant (02-6335878)
Well there is nothing new about this restaurant except the name. Have usual stuff on the menu that you can try and they have halwa puri both on Friday and Saturday and located just beside the Fruit, vegetable and fish market in Madinah Zayed area bhind post office. Try Qeema, Paya and Karahi they are O.K. Few years back it was really a Nemat for Pakistani food lover, however, you can still count it beside other options. Folks from Lahore and other surrounding area are going to appreciate a lot.
Sahar Resturant (02-6343110)
Well the lover of Nihari get ready for the most famous Nihar place (It is not my Favorited as I will explain later.....) in Abu Dhabi. Yes it is Sahar resturant dated back since 1988 and it is located in Madinah Zayed back side of Pan Emirates furniture and GEMACO building. They are famous for every day special but Sadah and Maghaz Nihari is every day.
Mohd Naeem Resturant (02-6323924)
Well if you have cravings for real taste of Karachi food and my favorite Nehani then look no further then Naeem resturant behind Lifeline hospital on Electra street. The must have are Nihari and Zaafrani Qourma every day plus Sheermaal on Fridays. I think Nihari tastes better here then in Sahar but people might differ. Never ate there always took away and enjoyed whatever I got ,although, my stomach complained sometimes but my tongue enjoyed every bite.
Ibrahimi Resturant (02-6323344)
Well there are two of them, one exactly on Electra Street near life line hospital and other opposite to Madina Zayed Shopping center. The main one Electra Street has buffet on mezzanine floor as well as A La Carte and it has big seating arrangement. The other small one in Madina Zayed has a past when it was shutdown by municipality for unhygienic conditions in Kitchen. Both of the places are in the middle of city and is quite famous and busy among people looking for Pakistani food.
OK so now that you are there you have two options at the main outlet either buffet or menu. I think it is better to go for buffet as it is value of money and you have options and you can avoid the risk of ordering something that you might not like (It has happened to me many times here). But never, ever like forever confuse this with the one in Dubai, otherwise you might get disappointed (special warning for fellas visiting from Dubai and mesmerized with appearances........!!!!).
Try the shawarma in the outlet opposite to Madina Zayed shopping mall as it has a unique spicy taste which you will not find anywhere in Abu Dhabi and it is very very popular.
Masala Resturant (02-6337748)
This small resturant with limited seating arrangement located on the busy Electra Street in Khalidiya area. The decor is good and delivery service is efficient. Famous for lunch ordering at office but lacks the maturity in the taste which is the characteristic of Pakistani food. Do not try to be adventurous however try their BarBQ rolls to begin with. They have Halwa puri also for breakfast.
Butt Sweets (02-6338058)
We all know that special occasions like celebrations , eid and other festivals are incomplete without sweet so here is a gem to make your special moments with Butt sweets for Mithais they claim made in Desi Ghee. It is located on Electra street near Hamid Centre.
They also have Halwa Puri on Fridays but I kinda do not like the taste however it is considered very famous.
Fujairah Resturant (02-6775628)
This 14 years old eatery located in the heart of Abu Dhabi behind Eldorado Cinema on Elecra Street. The notorious place to find parking although the situation improved after Mawaqif in terms of HAVOC but still difficult to find parking. But once you pass all that stages the food is simply good. Try BarBQ and Karahi.
Kabbab Kottage (02-6817200)
No there is no spelling mistake and there is no mistake about recommending it to someone..... Once you have got a parking in Khalidiya Mall then proceed straight (well not exactly its kinda zig zag) to the food court on the top and you will be able to locate it. I found BARBQ items very tasty however I have worries about curries as they are not that up to the mark. They have two more outlets in Mushrif mall as well as Mazayed mall. Front staff looks little less enthusiastic but the food is definitely worth trying.
Update : Call before going over there as they might be closed temporarily for unknown reasons.
