As Abu Dhabi continues to establish itself as one of the world’s most desirable destinations, the city’s amenities are expanding simultaneously, with new hotels, beach resorts, and restaurants opening every year. Thanks to an increasingly diverse population drawn from across the globe, Abu Dhabi now offers a culinary landscape that is truly world-class. Among the many international cuisines available, Chinese food stands out as one of the most widely represented, thanks to the estimated 400,000 Chinese residents living in the UAE. Read on to discover some of the finest Chinese restaurants the capital has to offer.
Dai Pai Dong
Located in the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel on Al Maryah Island, this Michelin-recommended restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Cantonese cuisine. This high-end eatery offers all the classics one would associate with a Chinese restaurant, from dim sum and noodles to tender meat and rice dishes.
The a la carte menu presents discerning diners with an outstanding tasting menu, with favourites such as the Canton Style Chicken with Fish Maw Soup, as well as Wok Fried Udon Noodles. Alongside a 4-person set menu which includes a sumptuous Braised Qingyun Chicken and Abalone, the restaurant also boasts an expansive soup, dim sum and starter menu. The barbecue options include an outstanding Cantonese Roasted Duck, while the menu is rounded out with further pork, meat and seafood sections.
Furthermore, this Hong Kong-inspired culinary delight boasts two exceptional brunch offerings on both Saturday and Sunday, while the weekday Business Lunch doesn’t disappoint.
Hakkasan
The only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Abu Dhabi, Hakkasan is located at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental on Corniche Street and offers a range of time-honoured classics.
It’s easy to assume a restaurant with an expansive menu must know what it’s doing, but oftentimes the opposite is true – with many opting for quantity over quality. That is not the case at Hakkasan. With just four soup options on the a la carte menu, it’s obvious that the chefs take pride in their creations, and as such, you can expect some of the best fare in town. The Supreme Dim Sum offers an exceptional nod to tradition, while the highlight of the ‘Small Eat’ menu is undeniably the A5 Wagyu sirloin tartare. A commanding Fish and Seafood category gives way to a refined Poultry and Meat section, where a sophisticated Stone-grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu beef sirloin takes pride of place as the apex. With the Tofu and Vegetable and Rice and Noodle sections rounding out the menu, this elegant restaurant also presents an inviting Signature menu for AED 500.
The restaurant also features a stylish terrace overlooking the grounds of the grand Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental – the ideal location to enjoy a bespoke cocktail while simultaneously drinking in the views of the impressive Abu Dhabi skyline.
New Shanghai
Located on Al Reem Island, this Chinese restaurant boasts a rich assortment of classic Shanghai-style cuisine, with a modern twist.
Following their huge success in Australia, where they have opened no fewer than nine restaurants, this family-owned establishment made its way to the Emirates, and continued to build up a head of steam through ancient family recipes which have been passed down through generations back in Shanghai.
Authentic and delicious, the menu offers all the biggest hits, such as an exceptional Chicken Xiao Long Bao, an incomparable Chicken Wonton Soup and some delectable Prawn Dumplings. With a whole range of sumptuous wok-fried Signature dishes such as the Steamed Fresh Sea Bass and the Kung Pao Chicken, this culinary powerhouse continues to push the envelope when it comes to Chinese food in Abu Dhabi.
New City Palace
While New City Palace represents a more affordable option, the quality on display does not suffer. Located on Al Falah Street in the heart of the city, this charming Chinese is the epitome of a family restaurant. Family-run itself, it caters to many of the neighbourhood's Chinese residents, and the friendly staff will help you pick out the best the menu has to offer to match your tastes.
With a focus on sharing thanks to the sizeable portions, the menu boasts appetisers and soups which hark back to the motherland, while the Seafood menu offers an exceptional Ma La Crayfish dish among other things. A captivating Chicken and Duck section will leave you spoilt for choice, while the Rice, Noodles and Dim Sum categories demand attention.
Whatever you choose during your visit to New City Palace, you won’t be disappointed.
China Friends Restaurant
Offering an authentic Hunan Chinese experience, China Friends presents a charming set up with excellent service. The restaurant is neat and clean and offers something for every palette amid a visually appealing space.
This intriguing gem boasts an extensive menu with a variety of traditional favourites, while the generous portion sizes on offer encourage patrons to share dishes in the time-honoured style of old China. Highlights of the menu include an exquisite sweet and sour shrimp, while the Roast Duck comes highly recommended from the chef himself. Further recommended dishes include the Fragrant Lamb Chops, in addition to the Spicy Chicken Feet. The restaurant also affords an expansive Rice, Noodle and Vegetarian menu, while the Iron Plate Menu presents further Chinese classics.
A place where the essence of Chinese cuisine comes alive, the servers at China Friends Restaurant will ensure your every need is tended to.
Whether it is traditional dim sum you seek, or elevated modern interpretations of classic Chinese fare, these Abu Dhabi restaurants are brimming with both variety and taste. With options to suit every taste, our curated list of Abu Dhabi’s best Chinese showcases the dynamic cultural identity of the city – made all the more evident with the ever-increasing Chinese population. So if you’re a long-time resident or curious visitor, there is an abundance of classic Chinese restaurants for you to choose from.