With dining options in Abu Dhabi at an all-time high, restaurants are increasingly trying new ways to stand out from the crowd. A time-honoured crowd favourite is the buffet; usually all-you-can-eat, these offerings encompass a wide variety of cuisines and attract people from all walks of life. And like any other city on earth, buffet restaurants in the UAE’s capital are a big part of the city’s culinary scene. Read on to discover the best dinner buffets in Abu Dhabi.
Al Rimal, Erth Hotel
Meaning ‘sands’ in Arabic, Al Rimal delivers an expansive menu inspired in no small part by Emirati culture. The restaurant features unique dining experiences which come together majestically through the dinner buffet option.
With live show kitchens, the venue provides various delicacies such as freshly made Arabic bread, delightful hummus options and sumptuously grilled favourites, all served in beautiful surroundings. The restaurant also boasts an exceptional range of international foods, so feel free to branch out a little if you’re feeling adventurous.
The dinner buffet runs from 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm. If the weather permits, guests would be advised to request outdoor seating to benefit from the serene terrace overlooking the central garden of the hotel.
Rosewater, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Located on the western edge of the city, the Rosewater presents an award-winning dinner buffet which simply demands attention from the city’s gourmands.
With a fine selection of sushi, the buffet also hosts a range of pastas, in addition to grilled meats and Indian curries. Of course, there is an expansive local menu which reveals favourites such as the Arabian Salad and further Emirati dishes – ideal for those who wish to sample traditional cuisine.
One of the restaurant’s unique selling points is the live cooking station, where you can watch as skilled chefs whip up an array of your favourite dishes. Rosewater also showcases an expansive terrace, perfect for those who wish to indulge in a spot of al fresco dining.
Available daily, the dinner buffet at this elegant restaurant begins at 6.30 pm.
The Foundry, Southern Sun Hotel
Where better to enjoy a dinner buffet than at a fine dining restaurant in one of the city’s most stylish hotels? The Foundry is a multi-award-winning steakhouse set in the Southern Sun Hotel, with meat sourced from global cattle powerhouses such as Australia and Argentina.
While exceptional cuts of meat are the bread and butter of this carnivorous haven, the establishment also presents a bounty from the sea, with crowd pleasers such as oysters and lobster taking pride of place at the dedicated seafood station. Of course, the restaurant offers a wide range of further favourites, such as salads, pastas and vegetable dishes.
In addition to the refined food options, The Foundry employs some of the best mixologists in the city, so why not treat yourself to a cocktail with your dinner? With diligent servers on hand to provide impeccable service, this outstanding restaurant serves as one of the best places in Abu Dhabi to enjoy a dinner buffet.
Jing Asia, Crowne Plaza Hotel – Yas Island
As one might imagine, Jing Asia has a strong focus on seafood, which is where this refined dinner buffet excels.
However, it isn’t all just fish; the restaurant offers a wide range of international cuisine, including salads, grilled options, pastas and even fish and chips – ideal for Abu Dhabi’s strong contingent of British expats. If it’s explicitly seafood you are seeking, then Thursday is the night for you, as this is the dedicated seafood night.
Thanks to its designation as an Asian restaurant, there is also a strong focus on cuisines from various parts of the continent. Think dishes from the subcontinent, such as the Indian Vegetable Curry and traditional Chinese plates like Beef Char Siu. In addition, the restaurant boasts traditional Mongolian cuts, as well as esteemed dishes like the Thai Chicken Curry. Jing Asia also boasts one of the most comprehensive sweet stations in town, with classics such as the Salted Cream Caramel, Chocolate Truffle and of course, a sublime Tiramisu.
Jing Asia dinner buffet is open daily from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm.
Giornotte, Ritz-Carlton
Located in the plush surroundings of the iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Giornotte is an outstanding Italian restaurant which showcases the very best in Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is inspired by an Italian villa and comes equipped with an elegant terrace, the perfect vantage point to enjoy views of the hotel’s gardens.
As one might expect due to its Mediterranean influence, Giornotte boasts a wide range of seafood, from the divine oysters and lobster to the perfectly grilled salmon. There is also a comprehensive grilled meat section, in addition to local Arabian delicacies and a dedicated Indian station.
There is a wide range of other appetiser-style dishes such as soups and sandwiches, but where this sophisticated eatery really excels is through its Italian offerings. A refined range of pastas makes way for some of the best pizza in Abu Dhabi. So good, in fact, that even a proud Neapolitan might be tempted into sampling a slice.
One of the best dinner buffets in Abu Dhabi, Giornotte is open from 6.30 pm until 11.00 pm.
Considering the vast range of choice in the city, Abu Dhabi is replete with fine dinner buffet options. No matter what you are seeking, whether it be seafood, traditional Arabian cuisine, or even just a classic pizza, our curated list of the best dinner buffets in Abu Dhabi will certainly have something for you.
