Al Farah

Al Farah is one of the most popular places in Abu Dhabi for a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast. Set in the heart of Al Khalidiyah, it is part of a family-owned group of restaurants and is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi, which also includes it among the best breakfast spots and the best Arabic restaurants in the city.

The first thing most people notice is the queue at the oven. Customers line up to collect manaqeesh, the Levantine flatbreads, along with bread fresh from the oven. You can take them away, but sitting down lets you explore a much longer menu. The dining room is bright and contemporary, and there is a terrace for cooler days.

Breakfast is the time to come. The Michelin inspectors recommend ordering a spread of breakfast mezze to share: foul, the fava bean stew; shakshuka; fatteh; and hummus balila, all eaten with freshly baked manaqeesh and bread straight from the oven. Later in the day, the extensive menu covers a wide range of Middle Eastern dishes, so it works just as well for a casual lunch or dinner.

Prices are low, which makes Al Farah one of the best-value meals in central Abu Dhabi and an easy choice for families and budget travellers. It suits solo diners grabbing a quick manousheh as much as groups settling in for a long weekend breakfast. No alcohol is served, and the atmosphere is relaxed and local.

According to the Michelin Guide, Al Farah opens from early morning until midnight every day, which makes it convenient whatever your plans. Reservations are handled directly by the restaurant, and booking is wise for larger groups at weekends, when breakfast is at its busiest; otherwise, arrive early or be prepared to wait briefly for a table.

Al Khalidiyah is easy to reach by taxi from anywhere on Abu Dhabi island, and breakfast here can be followed by a morning walk along the Corniche. If you are short of time, take a selection of manaqeesh to go and eat them by the sea. First-timers should not over-order: the mezze arrive quickly and the bread keeps coming, so start small and add dishes as you go.