Al Arab

From Time Out Abu Dhabi Eating Out 2010

Popular with taxi drivers who want a taste of home, if you want an inexpensive dinner with a dash of local colour then Al Arab is not a bad option. It’s a cheap and cheerful Asian restaurant that caters mainly for local workers from the subcontinent. Certainly, judging by the many noisy regulars who devour their dinners with relish, it provides a welcome meeting spot too. The décor is decidedly devout, with religious prints of Mecca and illustrated verses from the Koran lining the walls. The electronic bug-zapper works overtime, but the red chairs and tables are all clean.

Meanwhile the menu spans the continent, with Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, and Bengali cuisine all on offer. Nothing here will break the bank (it’s only Dhs4 for soup) although items such as beef pencil, chicken bananas, chicken roast old fashion and brain fry make you question the pros and cons of being a bit adventurous. It is unlikely to ever truly rival local affection for the food court over the road at Al Wahda Mall, but Al Arab has gathered a reliable niche market and it serves it well.

Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.