24 best takeaways in Abu Dhabi

From fast food joints to meals for the health conscious; Arabic cuisines to Italian, we have listed the 24 best takeaways in Abu Dhabi that you should have on your speed dial.

Burgers

01. Hwy 55

If it’s a greasy burger you’re after you really can get no better than this Southern- inspired chain. You can even order up a pint or two of frozen custard to keep in your fridge for whenever a craving hits.

Minimum order: Dhs36.
Most popular dish: the cheesesteaks or the Andy double cheeseburger.
We recommend: the tasty Shrimp Po’ Boy.

Hwy 55, Al Muroor, Abu Dhabi, daily 11am to midnight. Tel: (02) 6411161. Taxi: Al Muroor, just off Dalma Street. hwy55burgers.com

02. BurgerFuel

This Kiwi chain consistently serves good quality burgers and fries. Plus the veggie options (think chickpeas, smashed pumpkin and
grated beetroot) are a lot more interesting than what you find elsewhere.

Minimum order: none, although there’s a delivery charge of Dhs5.
Most popular dish: the Mushroom Meltdown.
We recommend: the veggie, pumpkin Motobites.

Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to midnight, Thur to Fri 10am to 1am. Tel: (02) 5506385. Taxi: Dalma Mall. uae.burgerfuel.com

03.Burger Hood

Better than average ingredients justify the over-priced burgers and the chicken is sourced locally.

Minimum order: Dhs100 to Dhs250 depending on area.
Most popular dish: the classic cheeseburger.
We recommend: the moreish shaved onion rings.

Guardian Towers, Muroor Road, Embassies District, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (02) 4499990. Taxi: behind Holiday Inn, Airport Road facebook.com/BurgerHood 

Indian

04. Ushna

While most people dine in at this gorgeous Indian restaurant, if you want to eat posh curry in your pyjamas then why not try takeout? Note: they’ll only deliver to the Al Maqta and Raha Gardens area.

Minimum order: Dhs200 in the Al Maqta area.
Most popular dish: the Malai chicken tikka.
We recommend: daal makhani.

Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 12.30pm to 11.30pm, Thur and Fri 12.30pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 5581769. Taxi: Souk at Qaryat Al Beri

05. Chappan Bhog

This restaurant won’t win any awards for décor or ambiance (it’s pretty bleak) but it should for the epic dosas. Ask about their range of 100 Indian sweets on the menu, too.

Minimum order: Dhs30.
Most popular dish: Punjab thali.
We recommend: Masala dosa.

Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6503666. Taxi: between Salam Street and Najda Street, near Adnoc. 

06. Biryani Pot

Expect your next delivery of biryani to come in a heavy clay pot, which you can then wash and reuse afterwards.

Minimum order: Dhs50.
Most popular dish: the chicken biryani.
We recommend: the delicious quinoa veggie biryani.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Al Maryah Island, Sat to Wed 11.30am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 11.30am to midnight. Tel: (02) 6766555. Taxi: Galleria, Al Maryah Island. biryanipot.ae

Healthy eating

07. Soulfull

This health conscious café has nutritional facts for their dishes posted online, so you know what you’re eating.

Minimum order: Dhs30.
Most popular dish: the sprightly Persian chicken.
We recommend: kale, chicken and halloumi salad.

Green Emirates Building, Al Muroor, Abu Dhabi. Sun to Thurs 8am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6433669. Taxi: by LuLu supermarket, off Muroor Road. soulfull.ae

08. Firin Gluten Free Bakery

The menu availability can be a bit hit-or-miss, but this is a great place to load up on gluten-free cakes, breads and treats for breakfast.

Order a load and freeze them to keep on hand.

Minimum order: Dhs50 to Dhs200 depending on area.
Most popular dish: the vegan banana bread.
We recommend: the savoury chia and flax seed muffin.

Firin Gluten Free Bakery, Al Rowdah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 8am to 8pm. Tel: (02) 4471711. Taxi: near Al Bateen Airport. facebook.com/firinbakeryuae

09. Natural Kitchen

It seems everything comes sprinkled with chia seeds at this clean eating café. Not that we’re complaining because the food is good, the portions large and you’ll suffer no post-meal regret.

Minimum delivery: Dhs60 on Reem Island, depends on location – if calling off-peak more flexible.
Most popular dish: the Grand Casablanca salad.
We recommend: the Super Break natural yoghurt pot.

Marina Square, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thurs 7am to noon, Fri and Sat 8am to noon. Tel: (02) 6665995. Taxi: Marina Square, Building 7. naturalkitchen.ae

10. The Raw Place

Cold pressed juices and smoothies dominate the menu here, but there is a range of raw light bites and raw salads worth a try if you want something a bit more substantial.

Minimum delivery: Dhs100, with a Dhs20 delivery charge.
Most popular dish: green gold juice, nan’s roll.
We recommend: the vegan pesto knoodles.

World Trade Center Souk, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7am to 10.30pm. Tel: (02) 6334677. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. therawplace.com

International

11. Barbacoa

While the premise of this Mexican joint is simple – you pick your base (taco, burrito, quesadilla or bowl) and fill it with toppings – the food is good.

Minimum order: Dhs30.
Most popular dish: quesadilla.
We recommend: Maria’s banana pudding.

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

12. Urban Bites

Online ordering here is a breeze and the food is of a good standard. Check out the unique coffee flavours like date frappe with cardamom.

Minimum order: Dhs35.
Most popular dish: grilled chicken dill pesto sandwich and kale salad with quinoa and fruits.
We recommend: the fantastic eggs rancheros wrap.

Shining Tower, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 8am to 11pm. Tel: (800) 87226. Taxi: Shining Tower, near Khalidiyah Mall. urbanbites.me

13. Julie’s

This café is open 24 hours and also serves freshly baked pastries.

Minimum order: none if ordering on island, off island from Dhs50 to Dhs150.
Most popular dish: the chicken leg Toscana.
We recommend: the farmer’s Benedict eggs.

Beside Adnoc Petrol Station, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 24-hours. Tel: (02) 3048047. Taxi: past Family Park and Corniche, near NBAD building.

14. Fanr

While the camel burger sadly isn’t offered on their delivery menu, they still have the basics covered when it comes to comfort food. Be warned: they’ll only deliver to Saadiyat Island.

Minimum order: Dhs60.
Most popular dish: the gourmet Angus cheeseburger.
We recommend: the salt and pepper squid.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 11pm daily, Dhs75. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae

Pizza

15. 800 Pizza

The wood-fired pies served here are some of the best in town.

Minimum order: none, delivery charge depends on area – up to Dhs6.
Most popular dish: margherita con bufala.
We recommend: torta della nona (lemon custard tart).

Marina Square, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed 11am to 11.30pm, Thurs and Fri 11am to 12.30pm. Tel: (800) 74992. Taxi: Paragon Bay Mall, Marina Square. 800pizza.com

16. Spaccanapoli

While the pastas are good, you should really order the metre-long pizza if you aim to feed a crowd. Top tip: order between their happy hour from 4pm to 7pm to receive a 50 per cent discount.

Minimum order: Dhs80.
Most popular dish: ravioli with lobster.
We recommend: spaghetti alla carbonara.

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (02) 6166261. Taxi: Crowne Plaza. ichotelsgroup.com

17. Russo’s New York Pizzeria

The slices of pizza here are big enough to fold with your hands. If you really want to go all-in order their massive 28-inch mammoth-sized pie.

Minimum order: none on-island, off island from Dhs100.
Most popular dish: margherita.
We recommend: BBQ chicken.

Al Wahda Mall, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 11pm. Tel: (800) 787767. Taxi: Al Wahda Mall. facebook.com/RussosUAE

Arabic

18. Lebanese Flower

Think cheap-as-chips food and massive portions. Plus ordering in avoids having to deal with the sometimes-oblivious waiters.

Minimum order: Dhs30.
Most popular dish: mixed grill and shawarma.
We recommend: shish tawouk.

Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 3am. Tel: (02) 4488131. Taxi: Near Alam Supermarket

19. Man’oushe Street

This recently opened café is certainly worth a visit, to take in all the funky décor, but also a good option for when you’re craving Arabic pastries at home.

Minimum order: none, Dhs5 delivery charge.
Most popular dish: the Cheeki chicken wrap.
We recommend: the tasty akkawi cheese manakeesh.

Salaam Street, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 4am. Tel: (02) 6733360. Taxi: Opposite of Etisalat Building

20. Maroosh

While ordering on the phone can be a bit faffy the Lebanese food here is so good you’ll put up with it.

Minimum order: Dhs50 for off-island.
Most popular dish: mixed grill and shawarma.
We recommend: the kibbeh.

Corniche Street, Abu Dhabi, daily 7am to 2am. Tel: (02) 6214424. Taxi: Opposite Urban Park, next to ADIA building

21. Mora

Stick to the Lebanese fare on offer and this hidden gem will satisfy your stomach and wallet.

Minimum order: Dhs30.
Most popular dish: the Arabic chicken shawarma.
We recommend: shakshouka.

Khalifa Compound, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to midnight. Tel: (02) 6455532. Taxi: Opposite Abu Dhabi Mall

Sushi

22. Sushi Art

Good sushi here, and it also focuses on the packaging – it released limited edition lunch boxes featuring artwork from the hip New York/London-based graphic designer duo Craig & Karl last year.

Minimum order: Dhs70.
Most popular dish: signature volcano and the signature tempura dragon roll.
We recommend: tuna and white truffle roll.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Sat to Wed noon to 11pm, Thur and Fri noon to midnight. Tel: (800) 220. Taxi: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. sushiart.ae

23. Sushi Central

The price is right at this sushi joint, but don’t expect that to mean the food is of a low quality. It’s not – it has several branches in Abu Dhabi and is a previous What’s On Awards winner.

Minimum order: up to Dhs70 depending on area, no delivery charge.
Most popular dish: uramaki crunchy spicy tuna roll.
We recommend: the spicy beef yakitori is magnificent.

Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 11am to midnight. Tel: (600) 520007. Taxi: opposite Dana Plaza, Khalidiyah. Sushicentral.ae

24. Samurai

There’s plenty of decent sushi and Japanese style grills to choose from on their massive menu – over 190 dishes to be exact – so don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on the phone.

Minimum order: Dhs50 to Dhs200.
Most popular dish: dragon roll and the crispy California maki.
We recommend: tempura udon noodles.

Mina Road, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 12.30pm to 12.30am. Tel: (02) 6769911. Taxi: Near Al Diar Capital Hotel. samurai.ae