Best malls in Abu Dhabi: 20 Abu Dhabi malls and who they're perfect for

The city is not short of malls, we all know that. And now, with the summer sun doing its thing, Abu Dhabi Malls are where everyone seems to be heading.

But, if all the malls keep blurring into each other in your mind or you’re not sure which one to head to and for what, we have a little guide to help you find the stuff you need and discover some great attractions that you might not know about.

Happy browsing shoppers. Here’s the lowdown:

Best Abu Dhabi malls in 2024

Perfect for escape artists: Abu Dhabi Mall

Abu Dhabi Mall is your central go to. Yes It has over 200 stores including Zara, Calvin Klein, DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger and everything you might possibly need, plus more. It’s also home to Prison Island, one of the best escape rooms in the city. Group activities have never been so fun. Will you escape the cells?

Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-11pm. Al Zahiyah, near Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 645 4858).

Perfect for a pit stop on the way back from the beach: Al Raha Mall

List of Abu Dhabi Malls — Credit: Al Raha Mall

Al Raha Mall is handily located right near the beach meaning it’s a superb option for a quick outfit change on the way back into town. Forgot your towel? No biggie. That’s not to say it doesn’t do other stuff, the mall is packed with Arabic fashion brands, global labels and a handy supermarket.

Open Sun-Wed 10am-11pm; Thu-Sat 10am-11pm. Channel Street, Al Raha (02 556 2229).

Perfect for a surprise: Al Wahda Mall

There’s no end of surprises at Al Wahda Mall, which is even bigger thanks to the extension and packed with brands, experiences and handy outlets as well as restaurants (from Famous Dave’s BBQ to Samurai Japanese) that everyone will love. Also, it’s conveniently located next to the Abu Dhabi bus station and buzzing Al Wahda area. It’s a win-win.

Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Sat 10am-11pm. Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 443 7000).

Perfect for market lovers: Al Seef Village Mall

Al Seef Mall is a community-focused shopping destination with everything you might expect, from shops to salons, an art gallery to kids’ entertainment. You’ll find some pretty cool cafés that are more than just a food court. But the reason we love it most? The Walk. Tucked behind this mall is a bustling outside street packed with more cafés, art and places to watch the world go by. It’s the best antidote to having to drive all the time.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Al Salam Street, Khalifa Park area (02 448 8886).

Perfect for school holidays: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall

Escape the heat at Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, as this spot is home to both Trampoline Land and Crazy Car indoor racing for kids. It’s the perfect way to hav ethe little ones work off some serious energy.

There’s also Wanasa Land, which has games for all of the family and Jumpers, a huge bouncy castle and games experience. It will be a family day out to remember. Abu Dhabi malls is where it’s at.

Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Bawabat Al Sharq St, Bani Yas, Baniyas East (02 503 1400).

Perfect for recycling: City Center Masdar

While it isn’t huge, City Center Masdar has something for everyone, from picking up perfume to a gymnastics centre for the kids, but one thing we’ve been really impressed with is you can take your electronics to be recycled at Minutes at City Center Masdar.

You can also bring your clothes to a tailor at to be upcycled into a new garment (at Stitch in Time). There’s never been a better time to give your clothing a new lease of life. There are also 18 EV charging stations at the mall so your journey is bound to be super green.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Masdar City (800 CC MALL).

Perfect for home lovers: Dalma Mall

Dalma Mall might be home to over 450 brands but soon it will also be home to IKEA, every expats’ favourite homewares store. As well as the big blue and yellow super store, Dalma really has it all for the home, from fancy mattress shops to designer sofas and every home accessory you need to make your Abu Dhabi flat or villa a cosy and homely.

And treat yourself afterwards with everything from Shake Shack to sushi or even a cheeky Nando’s. Go on, you deserve it.

Open daily 10am-10pm.Al Wazn St, Abu Dhabi Industrial City, ICAD I (800 DALMAMALL).

Perfect for kids: Deerfields Mall

Deerfields Mall has a kids’ loyalty card which gets little ones under 12 a range of discounts and goodies when they (you!) spend in the mall, from 10% off at bookstores to buy one, get one free on meals at select restaurants. Adults can pick up everything from local perfumes to home furnishings, with Carrefour, Centrepoint and Homes R’ Us as some of many must-visit shops

Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Al Shahama Road (02 501 0826).

Perfect for a chilled shop: Forsan Central Mall

Khalifah City has Forsan Central Mall and locals love it for the eco-styled design. It takes inspiration from a bamboo forest an we’re here for it. The skylights and greenery inside give it a really quiet, peaceful feel, despite housing everything you need in a neighbourhood mall, including a cinema, food court and kids’ zone.

Open daily 8am-midnight. 4 Abdulrahman Bin ‘Awf St, Khalifa City, Sector 33 (02 204 7000).

Perfect for having something made: Hamdan Centre

One of Abu Dhabi’s oldest malls, the Hamdan Centre is just the place to experience the city as it was pre-flashy malls with global brands. Head down and soak up the crafters, makers and independent sellers as you shop. The 1980s built, oud-smelling Hamdan Centre is especially good for leather goods and gold jewellery, with plenty of people who can make items to order. It might be rustic, but it sure does have soul.

Open daily 8am-11pm. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 632 8555).

Perfect for an affordable family day out: Khalidiyah Mall

While there are no end of fancy attractions and theme parks around Abu Dhabi, sometimes less is more. From Sparky’s neon lit bowling and amusements to fast-food treats, Khalidiyah Mall offers something for kids of all ages, including sports, books and toy stores to keep the entertainment going when you get home.

Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Khalidiyah, Mubarak Bin Mohammed St, Al Khalidiyah (02 635 4000).

Perfect for a good view: Marina Mall

Abu Dhabi’s bar for malls is pretty high, but Marina Mall is up there as one of our favourites, partly because there’s so much to see and do aside from just shopping.

Apart from the ice rink and bowling alley, enjoy the musical fountains and let’s not forget that 100m high viewing platform, which makes it a must-do for showing friends and family round the city. Finish off your visit with a stop by Home Bakery Kitchen for some super delicious, homebaked treats.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Corniche breakwater (800 6623).

Perfect for essentials shopping: Mazyad Mall

Mazyad Mall, was the first to open at Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Whether you’re getting your nails done, picking up dinner, renting a car or grabbing a coffee and croissant, Mazyad’s size means you can get everything done without walking miles.

Mon-Thu 8am-midnight; Fri-Sun 8am-1am. 28th Street, Near Mussaffah (02 553 2200).

Perfect for fresh food: Mushrif Mall

As well as having over 240+ stores and the biggest mall food court in Abu Dhabi, Mushrif is home to a fresh food market, butchers and fishmongers, with specially trained staff that can debone a joint, fillet a fish and advise you on whatever you want to whip up. Pop by for seafood like crab and lobster, steaks and fresh fruit and veg. Yes, chef!

Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St, Hadbat Al Za’faranah, Zone 1 ( 02 690 4444).

Perfect for a supercar: Nation Towers Mall

Swanky Nation Towers Mall shares a building with the St Regis Hotel and overlooks the iconic Corniche, so it’s the perfect location for Lamborghini’s showroom in Abu Dhabi where you can pick yourself up the latest supercar, like the Huracán Tecnica (yes, we can all dream). Shop ‘til you drop for jewellery, aftershave and fancy chocolates, too.

Open daily 8am-midnight. 1st St, Al Bateen (02 333 8288).

Perfect for a snow day: Reem Mall

One of Abu Dhabi’s biggest openings in 2023 was the 400 store, $1 billion project Reem Mall on Reem Island. Aside from the stores that offer everything you’ll ever need, Snow Abu Dhabi is where you can get chilly this summer, with 10,000 square feet of snow and rides including the Polar Express Train, Crystal Carousel, Ice and Floe’s Bumper Tubes and Drift’s Downhill Run.

There are also cosy spots in the wintery wonderland where you can get a hot chocolate and dinner from The Lodge.

Sun-Mon 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Al Ghazal St, Al Reem Island, Najmat Abu Dhabi (800 707070).

Perfect for a different culture fix: Shams Boutik Mall

On the smaller side on Reem Island is Shams Boutik Mall, which has a more community, everyday feel and includes (amongst others) cult British supermarket Waitrose, an art supplies store, Nando’s and Smoking Doll, a stylish Asian fusion restaurant serving up Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai.

Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Reem Island – Shams Abu Dhabi.

Perfect for escapism: The Galleria, On Al Maryah Island

The Galleria is one of the best malls in Abu Dhabi, from high end stores like Hermes to expat favourites like Zara Home, and it even has its own hotels so you can play, dine and stay without leaving AC in the summer.

But one of the reasons we love it is for Abu Dhabi’s first VR experience, Zero Latency. Cable free, group gaming has arrived and you can head out on adventures like zombie hunting or an ancient alien world. Now that’s a different type of staycation.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Al Maryah Island (02 616 6999).

Perfect for adrenaline junkies: The Mall, World Trade Center Abu Dhabi

Speed freaks should head to a mall. No, seriously. The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi is home to the longest and tallest stainless-steel slide in the Middle East and features two slides, which twist and turn over 54 and 68 metres respectively, where you’ll plunge at a speed of two to three metres a second. Now that’s how to get back to the car park quickly. From Dhs25 per slide.

Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-11pm. Al Markaziyah (02 508 2400).

Perfect for vegans: Yas Mall

Shiny Yas Mall might be home to all the activities like rollerskating, climbing and KidZania, as well as an array of luxury stores, but did you know it’s also handy for vegan and health-conscious shoppers?

From Impossible Earth vegan patties at famed Adrift Burger Bar to the superfood eatery Avobar, plant based on the go has never been so easy. When it comes to Abu Dhabi malls, this one needs to make your must-visit list.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Yas Island (800 927 6255).