What’s On takes a trip to Masdar City Abu Dhabi, the eco-friendly free zone in UAE capital, with driverless cars and presidential visits.

The capital’s eco-centre has more to offer than just tips on saving the planet…

1. Osha
An Emirati restaurant that only opened in October 2014, with a menu placing an emphasis on home cooking. Dishes include marga-saloona (stew with Emirati spices and rice), mashwai um nayef (roasted lamb or chicken on basmati rice) and ghouzi dyay (baked chicken with rice mixed with nuts, raisins and fried onions). You can sit Bedouin-style here and pieces of art by Emirati artists hang from the walls and are available for purchase.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 5553575. Taxi: Masdar City. osha.ae

2. Barbacoa
A sleek, minimalist Mexican restaurant serving a simple menu of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. You choose from those and then add protein or veg plus sauces, such as red chili salsa. Make sure you try the banana pudding for dessert.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, daily 11am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6394226. Taxi: Masdar City. barbacoa.ae

3. Sumo
This sushi house was one of the first restaurants to set up in Masdar and you’ll find its neon blue lighting right next to the city’s wind tower (which helps to regulate the temperature, meaning it’s often cooler here than any other part of the emirate).The menu is huge: think bento boxes, platters, sushi rolls, nigiri and even a page of veggie dishes.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, daily 11am to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 5570500. Taxi: Masdar City. sumosushi.net

 

4. Eco Planet
Masdar’s quirkiest store, Eco Planet sells a selection of toys, but you won’t find an Anna from Frozen doll here. These are toys to get your children’s brains working, including a Soda Can Robug (a robot made out a can), a Windmill Generator and kits that teach your young ones the laws of physics. Also sells a range of bags and iPad cases hand-woven by Emirati artists.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 9pm. Tel: (02) 5590100. Taxi: Masdar City. ecoplanet.ae

5. Organic Foods And Café
The supermarket for those of you wanting a healthier shop every week has branches in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi’s Nation Galleria, but an eco-city is perhaps its most logical home. This is where to go for your gluten-free pasta, your tasty (but expensive) quinoas and fancy dark chocolates.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 9am to 7pm. Tel: (02) 5571406. Taxi: Masdar City. organicfoodsandcafe.com

6. Haddins Gym
One of Abu Dhabi’s most popular gym chains (their HQ is at Zayed Sports City) from Aussie Michael Haddin also has a recently opened branch in Masdar. You can try a variety of classes here, including circuit training and boxing fitness.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, daily 6am to 10am, 3pm to 9pm. Tel: (02) 8109955. Taxi: Masdar City. haddins.com

Driverless Cars
So how do you access all this? Through the driverless. Check it our below….

Masdar City Abu Dhabi guide