The Best Restaurants in Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi (2026 Guide)

Al Khalidiya has built a reputation as one of Abu Dhabi’s most varied dining destinations. The restaurants in Khalidiya cover a sweep of cuisines that few neighbourhoods in the capital can match: North Indian biryanis, Turkish grills, Japanese omakase, Egyptian home cooking, and Italian classics.

This guide covers some of the best places to eat in the area, listed by cuisine type, so you can find the right spot for any meal.

• Why Al Khalidiya is one of Abu Dhabi’s best dining neighbourhoods
• Best Indian restaurants in Khalidiya
• More cuisines to explore in Khalidiya
• Restaurants in Khalidiya Mall
• Restaurants in Khalidiya compared
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Al Khalidiya is one of Abu Dhabi’s best dining neighbourhoods

Sitting south of the Corniche and close to the city centre, Al Khalidiya has always attracted a diverse mix of residents. The area’s streets and its main shopping destination, Khalidiyah Mall, are home to restaurants serving cuisine from India, Turkey, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, and Pakistan. This concentration of variety in one walkable area is what sets it apart from other Abu Dhabi neighbourhoods.

The neighbourhood also has good delivery coverage through the major apps, making it easy to enjoy these kitchens from home. For those who prefer to dine in, many of Khalidiya’s restaurants are close enough to each other that an evening of exploring the area’s food scene is genuinely practical. Residents looking to move to the area can browse apartments for rent in Al Khalidiya.

Best Indian restaurants in Khalidiya

Al Khalidiya has one of the strongest concentrations of Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. They span everything from quick-service biryani counters to more polished sit-down dining.

1. Mughal Darbar Restaurant

Mughal Darbar brings the rich flavours of Mughlai cuisine to Al Khalidiya, with a menu built around slow-cooked meats, aromatic gravies, and fragrant biryanis rooted in the North Indian tradition. It’s a solid option for those who want a more substantial Indian meal rather than a quick bite.

• Location: Ras Al qit’ah, behind Rotana Mall, Al Bateen, W10, Abu Dhabi

2. Gazebo

A long-standing favourite in Abu Dhabi, Gazebo specialises in North Indian and Mughlai classics, butter chicken, biryani, kebabs, in a bright, family-friendly setting on the ground level of Khalidiyah Mall. It is one of the most accessible Indian restaurants in Khalidiya for a mid-week meal or a weekend lunch with the family.

• Phone: 02 3048237
• Location: Ground Level, Khalidiyah Mall, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

3. Soul of India

Soul of India lives up to its name with a menu rooted in the home-style cooking of the subcontinent, with hearty dishes that feel less restaurant-formal and more like genuine Indian hospitality. It is one of the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi Khalidiya for those who want traditional, everyday dishes rather than a curated fine-dining experience.

• Phone: +971 2 585 9093
• Location: Corniche Tower-B, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

More cuisines to explore in Khalidiya

Beyond its Indian dining scene, Al Khalidiya offers a strong spread of international cuisines. Turkish restaurants are particularly well represented, alongside Italian, Japanese, Egyptian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, and international grill options.

1. Al Farah Restaurant

Al Farah has built a following across Abu Dhabi for its generous Middle Eastern spreads, serving grilled meats, mezze platters, and fresh-baked bread. It is a reliable neighbourhood pick for Levantine flavours that delivers on quality without the fine-dining price tag.

• Phone: +971 600 570000
• Location: Khalidiya St., Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

2. Tasha Restaurant

Tasha brings Egyptian home cooking to Al Khalidiya, with a menu centred on traditional dishes served in a casual atmosphere that makes it popular with families and regulars alike. Its relaxed setting and approachable menu make it a dependable choice for those who want authentic Egyptian flavours close to home.

• Location: 26 Khor Al Jafrah St, Al Khalidiyah, W9, Abu Dhabi

3. Il Forno

With more than two decades of operation in Abu Dhabi, Il Forno has established itself as a dependable spot for Italian classics. You can order wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and Tuscan-style dishes. The Khalidiyah Mall location makes it one of the most convenient options for a sit-down Italian meal in the heart of the neighbourhood.

• Phone: 02 633 7730
• Location: Level 2, Khalidiyah Mall, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

4. Chagh Kabab

Chagh Kabab is an Abu Dhabi restaurant specialising in authentic Turkish-style grills, lahmacun, kebabs, pide, and more, in a relaxed setting that draws a steady crowd of regulars. Its focus on wood-fired preparations and quality meat sets it apart from standard grill houses in the area.

• Phone: +971 2 681 8166
• Location: Near Khalidiyah Mall, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

5. Hatay Turkish Restaurant

Named after Hatay, a Turkish city celebrated for its diverse culinary heritage, this restaurant brings southern Turkish home cooking to Al Khalidiya. They serve dishes that lean more rustic and homestyle than a typical kebab house. Open daily from 8 am to 1 am, it covers everything from a breakfast stop to a late dinner.

• Phone: 02 562 8777
• Location: United Square Building, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi (next to Shining Towers)

6. Kinsu Japanese Restaurant

Kinsu is a premium Japanese restaurant in Al Khalidiya offering sushi and omakase-style dining for those who want a more considered Japanese meal in the neighbourhood. The Al Sahel Tower setting gives it a quiet, refined feel well suited to special occasions or an indulgent evening out.

• Phone: +971 50 563 8213
• Location: Al Sahel Tower, The First Street, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

7. Otantik Café & Restaurant

Otantik blends Turkish hospitality with Mediterranean café culture. The place serves breakfast and pastries in the morning, full mains through the afternoon, and lighter bites into the night. Its long opening hours from 8 am to 2 am make it one of the most versatile spots in the area for any time of day.

• Phone: 02 546 8583
• Location: Garden City Tower, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

8. Oh My Grill

Oh My Grill keeps its focus on satisfying grill food, such as burgers, steaks, wraps, and more, delivered with a casual vibe that keeps the place busy through lunch and dinner. It is a crowd-pleaser for residents who want reliable food without a complicated menu.

• Location: Ahl Al Majd Street, Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

9. Royal Bannugul Restaurant

Royal Bannugul is a Pakistani restaurant in Al Khalidiya known for its Bannu Gul beef pulao, a slow-cooked rice dish with deep, smoky flavour that has built a loyal following since the restaurant opened. It is a neighbourhood gem for those who appreciate regional Pakistani cooking at its most genuine.

• Phone: 02 667 1777
• Location: Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

10. Steak Chef Restaurant

Steak Chef delivers premium cuts cooked to order in a clean, upscale-casual setting. It is a proper steakhouse experience that keeps the focus where it belongs: on quality beef. Located on Corniche Street near Al Khalidiya, it is the area’s go-to for restaurants along the Corniche that deliver something more special.

• Phone: +971 50 603 6001
• Location: Corniche Street, opposite Nation Towers, Abu Dhabi

Restaurants in Khalidiya Mall

Khalidiyah Mall serves as one of the neighbourhood’s main dining hubs, with a food court on Level 2 that makes it easy to grab a meal during a shopping visit. Among the restaurants covered in this guide, three are located inside the mall: Gazebo (North Indian and Mughlai), Il Forno (Italian pizza and pasta), and Chagh Kabab (Turkish-style grills).

The mall is open daily and accessible by bus routes 10, 32, and 40. For a full overview of what the centre offers, including entertainment and retail, see our Khalidiyah Mall guide.

Restaurants in Khalidiya compared

The table below gives a quick overview of all restaurants in this guide to help you find the right spot for your next meal.

Key takeaways

• Al Khalidiya is one of Abu Dhabi’s most culinarily diverse neighbourhoods, with restaurants spanning Indian, Turkish, Japanese, Italian, Egyptian, Pakistani, and international grill cuisines within a small, walkable area.
• The area has several dedicated Indian restaurants, including Gazebo at Khalidiyah Mall, making it one of the strongest parts of the capital for authentic Indian cuisine.
• Khalidiyah Mall’s Level 2 food court brings several of the neighbourhood’s top dining options into one accessible location, with Gazebo, Il Forno, and Chagh Kabab among the options.
• Khalidiya’s restaurant selection caters to a wide range of occasions, from a quick casual lunch at Oh My Grill or Chagh Kabab to a premium Japanese omakase at Kinsu or a steakhouse dinner at Steak Chef.

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