Cornflakes are not usually something you think about beyond breakfast. But used well, they can bring texture, depth and a surprising edge to a dish. At North Audley Cantine, better known as Nac, they even steal the show.
But more on that later.
The space
Founded in London’s Mayfair, Nac has built its reputation on relaxed, French-leaning comfort food served in spaces that feel polished without tipping into formality. My friends and I recently dined at their Marina Mall branch in Abu Dhabi, its third UAE outpost, and found the formula – along with a few Insta-famous dishes – has translated well to the Emirates.
I’ve always found mall dining slightly awkward. No matter how good the food, the ambient hum and the steady stream of shoppers often work against the immersion a good meal deserves. But Nac works within the setting. Whether it's the considered interiors or careful balance of lighting and layout, it almost makes you forget where you are.
The food
At Nac, the smaller plates are built for easy wins, many of our choices influenced by our server Myominhain who struck the right balance between attentive and unobtrusive, guiding the meal without ever interrupting its flow.
Halloumi fries (Dh55) arrive crisp and salty, while the honey sweet potato (Dh55) is soft and perfectly cooked. The crushed burrata (Dh75), served with cherry tomatoes and smoked sea salt is reliably creamy, if not particularly memorable. Meanwhile, the nicely balanced kale and cabbage salad (Dh72), which comes with Parmigiano, pine nuts and golden raisins, is the perfect introduction to the rich mains to come.
The standout among the starters is the popcorn chicken (Dh65), served with a side of spicy mayo. Sharply fried, lightly spiced and immediately addictive, its cornflake coating gives it a distinct crunch that will make you want more.
From the mains, we pick the rigatoni in pink sauce (Dh92) which was rich and comforting, while not entirely unexpected. And the tenderloin (Dh185) was well-cooked, well-seasoned and spoke well for itself. A must-have here is the Wagyu truffle burger (Dh97), served with melt-in-your-mouth buns. Indulgent and satisfying without tipping into excess, every bite was rich yet balanced, leaving my friends and me wondering whether to order a second.
But cooler heads prevailed – and rightly so, because the dessert that followed turned out to be the crown jewel of the evening. Already popular on social media, the crushed milk chocolate cookies with soft serve (Dh87) more than lived up to the hype. Finished with a drizzle of cornflakes, it lands in that indulgent, playful space – the kind of dessert that feels both addictive and just a little bit guilty.
The verdict
What ultimately sets Nac apart is not innovation, but control. In a setting that could easily feel transient, it manages to create a sense of space that's almost intimate. The food follows the same philosophy, carefully designed to satisfy rather than surprise, with a touch of playfulness.
Contact details
Nac at Marina Mall is open daily from 11am until 11pm. Reservations can be made by calling 02 681 1708.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
