After arriving in Abu Dhabi and settling into our hotel, we were ready to eat. We stayed in the Al Zahiyah area and had absolutely no idea where to go to grab some food. After asking one of the staff at our hotel for a recommendation for authentic local cuisine, they pointed us in the direction of Meknes Restaurant just a few blocks away. This Moroccan restaurant was empty when we arrived around 3:00pm, but the colourful decor and delicious menu invited us in. Needless to say, the food was seriously incredible. So much so that we returned the next day for more.

Our experience with Abu Dhabi food at Meknes Restaurant

Before our mains arrived, a bowl of spicy potatoes, a spicy sauce, and plenty of delicious freshly baked Moroccan bread (khboz) was put on our table. Everything was simple, yet incredibly tasty. We actually had to stop ourselves from eating it all before our meal arrived.

We literally wanted to order everything on the menu at Meknes Restaurant. Each dish sounded delicious, but I settled on the lamb tagine with caramelised onions and chickpeas. I had no idea the portion sizes were going to be so big – the photo honestly doesn’t do it justice. I can eat a lot (and I mean a lot). But I had to take at least 1/3 of this dish back to our hotel because I could not handle another bite. The tagines were all priced at a very reasonable AED50 (around HK$100) given the quality of food and the portion size.

When the manager (or owner?) saw me taking photos of the dishes with my camera, he approached me and wanted to look at them. He then asked if I wouldn’t mind sharing the photos with him. Of course, I had no problem doing so. I even showed him how to accept an airdrop, which was quite funny. In return, he offered us Moroccan tea free of charge at the end of our meal. We definitely appreciated the hospitality.

We ended up loving the food so much that we went back the following day to try their shakshuka (AED35). Although I preferred other versions of shakshuka I’ve tried over theirs, you can’t beat the price and friendly service. If you’re wondering about Abu Dhabi food, I would highly recommend a visit to Meknes Restaurant.

Meknes Restaurant
Shop No.2, Mina Road
Al Zahiyah
Abu Dhabi