From Time Out Abu Dhabi Eating Out 2010

We once asked one of the waiters at Abu Shakra: ‘Do you serve Arabic food?’ The indignant response arrived sharply: ‘No sir, we serve Egyptian food.’ The various Pharaoh motifs above the door should have been the first giveaway. This honest little Egyptian cafeteria is a cheap eat favourite, dishing out crisp falafel, fragrant tabbouleh and oil-drenched moussaka 24 hours a day for slightly less than a pittance. The interior is neat, clean and surprisingly large. The staff are also very friendly – they even offered to sub us a meal when we lost our wallet. But the bill shouldn’t add up to much more than Dhs80.

The stuffed grilled pigeon, at Dhs60, is a tempting exception, but for something a little different, try the shrimp stew – it’s delicious. Like most of the city’s cheaper establishments, you tend to sacrifice glamour for convenience, but Abu Shakra is ordered, efficient and serves good food. No wonder they’re a little proud.