TeamLab Phenomena spans 17,000-square-metre and is a multi-sensory experience. Antonie Robertson / The National
TeamLab Phenomena spans 17,000-square-metre and is a multi-sensory experience. Antonie Robertson / The National
TeamLab Phenomena spans 17,000-square-metre and is a multi-sensory experience. Antonie Robertson / The National
TeamLab Phenomena spans 17,000-square-metre and is a multi-sensory experience. Antonie Robertson / The National

Lifestyle

Things to do

Things to do when it rains in Abu Dhabi, from visiting museums to indoor theme parks

Trampoline parks are perfect for adrenaline seekers, while spas and wellness centres are great for relaxation

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

December 17, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

Despite the UAE's reputation for sunshine, it does rain from time to time. There hasn't been much rain this year but, as the dark clouds roll in, Abu Dhabi is expecting some showers.

So, it's good to know where to go and what to do in the capital when outdoor destinations such as the beach are off the cards. Here are some indoor activities to consider when the sun is hiding.

Saadiyat Cultural District

The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi opened on December 3. AFP
The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi opened on December 3. AFP

A trip to Saadiyat Island presents a plethora of indoor activities to choose from. Explore the UAE’s history at the Zayed National Museum, take a journey through time at the Natural History Museum, stroll through the exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi or get your cameras out at teamLab Phenomena. They are quite close to each other, so it is possible, by allowing plenty of time, to visit all four in one day.

Indoor theme parks

  • Inside the Polar realm at SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Inside the Polar realm at SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • California Sea Lions in the Rocky Point realm
    California Sea Lions in the Rocky Point realm
  • In addition to the animals, there is also roaming entertainment
    In addition to the animals, there is also roaming entertainment
  • Bottlenose dolphins can be found in the Tropical Ocean realm
    Bottlenose dolphins can be found in the Tropical Ocean realm
  • The Endless Ocean realm has more than 20 viewing points into its large aquarium, including one that is 20 metres deep
    The Endless Ocean realm has more than 20 viewing points into its large aquarium, including one that is 20 metres deep
  • A Clown Nose Ray in the aquarium in the Endless Ocean realm, which is also home to the world's largest multi-species aquarium
    A Clown Nose Ray in the aquarium in the Endless Ocean realm, which is also home to the world's largest multi-species aquarium
  • Puffins are found in the Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm
    Puffins are found in the Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm
  • The Tropical Ocean realm is the biggest inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
    The Tropical Ocean realm is the biggest inside SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
  • The MicroOcean realm is geared towards children
    The MicroOcean realm is geared towards children
  • Walrus are in the Arctic zone of the Polar Ocean realm
    Walrus are in the Arctic zone of the Polar Ocean realm
  • The entrance into the One Ocean realm
    The entrance into the One Ocean realm
  • Sea Otters in the Arctic zone
    Sea Otters in the Arctic zone
  • An authentic souq recreated at the Abu Dhabi Ocean realm
    An authentic souq recreated at the Abu Dhabi Ocean realm
  • The Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm is much cooler than the other areas
    The Arctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm is much cooler than the other areas
  • Inside a gift shop at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
    Inside a gift shop at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi Ocean is designed to give a traditional feel of the olden days of the UAE capital, yet with a modern touch.
    Abu Dhabi Ocean is designed to give a traditional feel of the olden days of the UAE capital, yet with a modern touch.
  • The seating section inside One Ocean
    The seating section inside One Ocean
  • The Antarctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm will be home to different species of penguins
    The Antarctic zone in the Polar Ocean realm will be home to different species of penguins
  • The centrepiece inside the One Ocean realm
    The centrepiece inside the One Ocean realm
  • Sea Star is a character who roams around the MicroOcean realm
    Sea Star is a character who roams around the MicroOcean realm
  • The Tropical Ocean is home to dolphins
    The Tropical Ocean is home to dolphins
  • The Tropical Ocean has an Amazon rainforest-inspired decor, with giant banyans and palm trees
    The Tropical Ocean has an Amazon rainforest-inspired decor, with giant banyans and palm trees
  • The MicroOcean realm has rides for children as well as play areas
    The MicroOcean realm has rides for children as well as play areas
  • The amphitheatre in the Tropical Ocean realm can seat up to 2,000 people
    The amphitheatre in the Tropical Ocean realm can seat up to 2,000 people
  • Sea Lion cavern theatre in the Rocky Point realm
    Sea Lion cavern theatre in the Rocky Point realm
  • Walrus live in the Arctic zone
    Walrus live in the Arctic zone
  • The MicroOcean section is themed so that visitors feel like the size of plankton in the ocean
    The MicroOcean section is themed so that visitors feel like the size of plankton in the ocean
  • The Rocky Point is themed after the Pacific North-west in the US with its mountains and waves replicated
    The Rocky Point is themed after the Pacific North-west in the US with its mountains and waves replicated
  • The Manta Coaster goes outside the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi building
    The Manta Coaster goes outside the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi building

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the newest theme park on Yas Island. The attraction spans 183,000 square metres and occupies five floors. There are more than 100,000 animals and more than 15 rides and experiences in the park’s eight sections.

Other theme parks that are fully or partially indoors include Ferrari World and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. The latter has rides for all ages, and characters from franchises such as DC and Looney Tunes.

Inside Reem Mall, keep cool at Snow Abu Dhabi while enjoying rides, themed attractions and tucking into food at one of the three dining outlets.

Active indoor attractions

If the children have energy to burn, the capital's more active indoor attractions may do the trick.

Families can check out KidZania in Yas Mall, which offers more than 40 role-playing activities for children aged four to 16. There's also Clymb, which is inside Yas Mall, next to Ferrari World. It has the world's tallest indoor skydiving flight chamber.

In Marina Mall and Forsan Central Mall, Bounce Abu Dhabi offers an action-packed experience with more than 100 trampolines.

Escape rooms

Children and adults can stay engaged and entertained at escape rooms, with numerous options around the capital.

Abu Dhabi Mall has Boxed In – Think In, which offers more than 80 challenges and puzzles inside 12 boxes for curious minds to solve. The tasks require concentration, problem-solving skills and logical thinking.

It is also home to Prison Island, an indoor adventure attraction where teams take on a series of physical and mental challenge rooms that test problem-solving skills, agility and teamwork, rather than attempting to escape a single room.

For those who prefer a bit of horror, try BlackOut, near Al Wahda Mall, which has five rooms and eerie challenges that take from 40 minutes to 60 minutes.

VR gaming

Pixoul Gaming at Al Qana is home to virtual reality games, classic arcade machines and other exciting e-sport activities. Zero Latency at The Galleria Al Maryah Island also offers VR fun and is ideal for big groups who want to enter free-roam multiplayer worlds.

The National Aquarium

  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National
  • It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
    It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.
  • Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
    Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.
  • The Red Sea Wreck zone.
    The Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.
  • The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
    The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.
  • Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
    Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.
  • Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
    Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).
  • Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
    Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.
  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.
  • The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
    The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.
  • Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
    Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
  • An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
    An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.
  • Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
    Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.
  • The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
    The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.
  • Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
    Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.
  • At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
    At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.
  • The Frozen Ocean zone.
    The Frozen Ocean zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone.
    The Ocean Magic zone.
  • Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
    Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.
  • The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
    The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.
  • The Flooded Forest zone.
    The Flooded Forest zone.
  • The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.
    The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.

Also in Al Qana, the National Aquarium is home to 46,000 marine creatures and 300 species, spread across 10 zones.

The attraction is the largest aquarium in the Middle East and offers several experiences, including scuba diving, feeding animals, and glass-bottom boat tours.

Spa and wellness centres

A gloomy day can be transformed into a relaxing break at one of the city's spa and wellness hubs.

The wide variety of amenities at The Bridge at Al Qana are worth checking out. The lifestyle hub combines a gym, spa, restaurant, juice bar and other wellness-related concepts in one building. Relaxation spaces, Cryo treatments and infrared saunas are also available.

Many hotels have facilities that are open to non-guests, such as the Upbeat Health Club at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, the Namm Spa at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace, which blends ancient eastern healing techniques with contemporary spa services.

Fun at home

When the weather is extreme, the advice is often not to leave the house unless essential. In those cases, there are plenty of ways to create at-home fun for children, such as hosting an indoor treasure hunt or creating a makeshift laser maze out of strings or crepe paper.

Board games are a fun option for all ages, as well as learning skills such as knitting or cake decorating, with lots of instruction videos available on TikTok and YouTube. If extended screen time isn't an issue, organise a movie marathon, made easier by streaming services such as Netflix, and OSN for more regional programming.

While you're here
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

While you're here
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

SNAPSHOT

While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.

Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

More from Tom Fletcher
Scoreline

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3

  • Agüero 18'
  • Kompany 58'
  • Silva 65'
Tomorrow 2021
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

 

UAE Premiership

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

 

UAE Division One

Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

 

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

Runners up: RAK Rugby

The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
While you're here
Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Updated: December 17, 2025, 1:09 PM
Abu DhabiRain