The 15 Best Lebanese Restaurants in Abu Dhabi Right Now

Abu Dhabi runs on Lebanese food more than it would ever admit. It is the Friday lunch that stretches to four hours, the 11pm shawarma after a long week and the manakeesh you grab on the way to school drop-off. It is also, conveniently, the one cuisine where the city does both ends brilliantly: hotel dining rooms with harbour views and arak on ice, and fluorescent-lit counters where a chicken sandwich still costs less than your parking.

This guide covers the best Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi across both of those worlds. Every spot below is open and verified for September 2026, with the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2026 picks flagged, what to order at each one, rough budgets and which places actually pour a glass of Ksara with your mezze.

Quick picks: the best Lebanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi for…

• A special occasion with a view: Li Beirut at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
• Wine and arak with your mezze: Lebanese Terrace at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
• Seafood the Beirut way: Em Sherif Sea Café at Rosewood Abu Dhabi
• MICHELIN value (Bib Gourmand): Almayass at The Galleria and Beirut Sur Mer on Saadiyat
• A big family feast after a museum: Beirut Sur Mer at Mamsha Al Saadiyat
• Late-night shawarma: Bait El Khetyar or Allo Beirut in Al Danah
• Manakeesh for breakfast: Al Farah in Al Khalidiyah
• Old-school Abu Dhabi institution: Zahrat Lebnan, feeding the city since 1983

Dressed-up Lebanese: hotel and fine dining

These are the places you book, not the places you stumble into. Expect linen, live oud on some nights, valet at the door and a bill that reflects the view. Several of them sit in the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2026 selection, which is worth knowing because the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi has a habit of rewarding Lebanese kitchens more generously than almost any other cuisine in the capital.

1. Li Beirut, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

Li Beirut has been the city’s go-to for a polished Lebanese dinner for years, and it has survived the hotel’s switch from Jumeirah to Conrad with its standards intact. The kitchen keeps the classics recognisable but plates them with real finesse, and the dining room looks straight over the harbour towards the Corniche. MICHELIN inspectors single out the contemporary styling, well-choreographed service and good food, and the restaurant sits in the 2026 selection. Order the hot and cold mezze first, then the Li Beirut sharing board if you cannot decide between shish taouk, kofta and lamb.

• Where: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, West Corniche
• Book: +971 2 811 5666 or online via the Conrad Abu Dhabi dining page
• Hours: Daily 12pm to 11pm (last order 10.30pm)
• Budget: Roughly AED 250 to 400 per person with mezze and grills
• MICHELIN: Selected, 2026 guide

Vibe check: The food and the harbour view are both genuinely worth dressing up for, just know that on busy holiday nights the service can wobble, so book early and go in patient enough to watch a waiter juggle six sharing boards like it is an Olympic event.

2. Lebanese Terrace, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

Olive trees, stained-glass windows and a terrace over the palace gardens: Lebanese Terrace leans all the way into the fantasy of a long lunch in the mountains above Beirut. Chef Gilber Sakr’s menu covers charcoal grills, seafood platters and mezze made fresh daily, with signatures such as hummus bel habak, cabbage rolls with castaletta and kafta bel habak. This is also one of the few Lebanese dining rooms in the city with a proper list of Lebanese wines, arak and cocktails. Save room for the gazleyah, a candyfloss-topped dessert reviewers still talk about.

• Where: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road
• Book: +971 2 690 7999 or moauh-restaurants@mohg.com
• Hours: Daily 12.30pm to 11pm
• Budget: Roughly AED 300 to 450 per person, more with wine
• Drinks: Licensed, with Lebanese wines and arak

Vibe check: The fattoush, grills and hospitality land beautifully every time, just pick a busier evening if you want atmosphere, because on a quiet night you will be the only table in a very large, very gilded room wondering if the olive trees can hear you.

3. Em Sherif Sea Café, Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Em Sherif is one of Beirut’s most famous restaurant names, and its Abu Dhabi outpost takes the seafood route. You are invited to browse the fish counter on arrival, then build a table of sharing plates around your pick of the catch. Portuguese hand-painted tiles and wide water views set the mood, and the 2026 MICHELIN Guide praises its vibrant, well-balanced Lebanese dishes made for sharing. Order a round of cold mezze while your fish is being prepared, and let the team steer you on how to have it cooked.

• Where: Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Zayed the First Street, Al Maryah Island
• Book: +971 2 626 2895 or via SevenRooms on the Rosewood website
• Hours: Daily 12.30pm to midnight
• Budget: Roughly AED 300 to 500 per person, depending on the fish
• Extras: Live entertainment and shisha

Vibe check: The seafood is refined enough to justify the trip across the bridge, just watch the extras on the bill, since your bottle of still water can cost roughly what a whole shawarma dinner does in Al Danah.

Making a night of it on the island? Our Al Maryah Island guide covers parking, the promenade and where to go for a drink afterwards.

4. Mijana, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

Mijana is the most romantic address on this list. Deep blue interiors give way to a starlit terrace over the Grand Canal, live Arabic music sets the soundtrack and the shisha menu is as long as the mezze list. MICHELIN inspectors describe classical Lebanese cooking in an upscale setting and name the mashawee mshakaleh, a platter of four grilled meats, as the dish to order. Pace yourself on the mezze, because the grills are the main event.

• Where: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta
• Book: +971 2 818 8203 or abudhabi.restaurants@ritzcarlton.com
• Hours: From 1pm (4pm on Sundays) until 1am
• Budget: Roughly AED 250 to 400 per person
• MICHELIN: Selected, 2026 guide

Vibe check: The mezze, the canal-side terrace and the named-and-praised waiters make this a near-perfect date night, just book ahead for weekends and accept that by the third song you will be clapping along to a band you have never heard of.

5. Byblos Sur Mer, InterContinental Abu Dhabi

A long-running marina-side favourite that has now clocked four consecutive years of MICHELIN recognition, Byblos Sur Mer is where plenty of Abu Dhabi families go to celebrate birthdays, graduations and promotions. It spreads across two levels with a terrace facing the marina and Etihad Towers, and the grills are the reason to come: MICHELIN calls the machawi mchakaleh a must for lamb lovers. There is a daily business lunch, live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and a lounge upstairs for shisha afterwards.

• Where: InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street, Al Bateen
• Book: +971 2 666 6888, reservations mobile +971 50 721 1079 or TableCheck via the hotel site
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12.30pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday 12.30pm to 2am
• Budget: Roughly AED 180 to 300 per person, less at the business lunch
• MICHELIN: Selected, 2026 guide

Staying over? Our review of the all-inclusive staycation at InterContinental Abu Dhabi covers the rooms, the beach and whether the package is worth it.

6. Almayass, The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Almayass is the restaurant that proves Lebanese and Armenian food belong on the same table. One of only two Lebanese kitchens to hold a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi, it wins on generous, sharing-sized portions at mid-range prices. Book one of the circular booths, which MICHELIN specifically calls the prized seats, and order the Armenian side of the menu: manti dumplings, kibbeh karaz (sour cherry kebab), itch salad and the meshwi shekaf.

• Where: Level 1, Section D, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
• Book: +971 2 644 0440
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to midnight, Sunday 10am to midnight
• Budget: Roughly AED 150 to 250 per person
• MICHELIN: Bib Gourmand, 2026 guide

7. Beirut Sur Mer, Mamsha Al Saadiyat

The other Bib Gourmand, and the one with sand. Beirut Sur Mer sits on the beachfront at Soul Beach in the Saadiyat Cultural District, a short walk from Louvre Abu Dhabi, with a leafy dining room, an open kitchen and a terrace facing the Gulf. MICHELIN promises all the classics, from mezze to mashawi, in generous portions at fair prices. Order the signature Beirut Sur Mer hummus (topped with citrus crab, avocado and a pickled apricot sauce), arayes and the warak arish, and do not skip dessert. It opens at 9am, so it also makes a strong Lebanese breakfast stop.

• Where: Lilac 5, Jacques Chirac Street, Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
• Book: +971 54 395 4000
• Hours: Daily from 9am, until 11.30pm (12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays)
• Budget: Roughly AED 150 to 250 per person
• MICHELIN: Bib Gourmand, 2026 guide

Vibe check: The beachfront setting and the mezze are exactly what you want after a morning at the Louvre, just expect the odd uneven grill on a packed weekend and a toddler at the next table conducting a full hummus excavation.

WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Pair Beirut Sur Mer with a morning at Louvre Abu Dhabi or teamLab Phenomena and you have an entire Saadiyat Saturday sorted. If you plan to visit more than one museum, check our breakdown of the Saadiyat museum pass first, and see the Saadiyat Island guide for beach and parking tips.

8. Abd El Wahab, Souk Qaryat Al Beri

Abd El Wahab is a name every Lebanese family in the Gulf knows, and the Abu Dhabi branch has one of the best dining views in the city: a creekside terrace at Souk Qaryat Al Beri with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque lit up across the water. The menu is a greatest-hits collection of mezze, raw kibbeh, grills and Lebanese desserts, and the service is famously attentive. Go for sunset and time it so the mosque lights come on while you are halfway through the fattoush.

• Where: Souk Qaryat Al Beri, next to Shangri-La Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta
• Book: +971 2 558 1616
• Hours: Daily 12pm to midnight
• Budget: Roughly AED 180 to 300 per person

Vibe check: The mosque view and the fresh, beautifully presented mezze make this a brilliant one for visiting relatives, just be ready for prices that feel steep for the portions and a waiter so keen on refills that your water glass may never drop below the halfway line.

Casual Lebanese: shawarma, manakeesh and local legends

This is where most Abu Dhabi residents actually eat Lebanese food, usually in shorts, often after 10pm. None of these places serve alcohol, most run delivery on the big apps and all of them will feed a family of four for less than one main course at a hotel. For more wallet-friendly ideas, see our list of the best places to eat in Abu Dhabi for under AED 50.

9. Grand Beirut, The Galleria Al Maryah Island

From the same team as Beirut Sur Mer, Grand Beirut is the mall restaurant that does not feel like one. There is a giant sakura tree in the middle of the room, vines with pink flowers climbing the walls and an open kitchen turning out sharing plates that are generous and properly made. It is in the 2026 MICHELIN selection, which is rare for a shopping-mall address. MICHELIN’s advice is to leave room for the kunafa, and we agree. A second branch operates at Al Qana if you are on the mainland side.

• Where: Level 2, Section B, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
• Contact: +971 56 216 1001
• Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm, Thursday and Friday 10am to midnight
• Budget: Roughly AED 100 to 180 per person
• MICHELIN: Selected, 2026 guide (alcohol-free)

10. Al Farah, Al Khalidiyah

If you have ever seen a queue out the door on Khalidiyah Street at 8am, it was probably for Al Farah. The family-run bakery restaurant is famous for manakeesh pulled straight from the oven, and MICHELIN included it in the 2026 selection as a budget pick, praising the bread, the falafel plate and the foul with tahini. Come for breakfast, order a za’atar and a cheese manoushe each plus a mini shawarma for the table, and you will not need lunch.

• Where: Khalidiyah Street, Al Khalidiyah
• Contact: 600 570000
• Hours: From breakfast until late, call ahead for exact times
• Budget: Roughly AED 30 to 70 per person
• MICHELIN: Selected, 2026 guide (alcohol-free)

11. Bait El Khetyar, Al Danah

Bait El Khetyar has a cult following for its shawarma and has somehow stayed good through the hype. The chicken version is creamy, heavily garlicked and comes in regular bread, saj or the house bread, and the place is still busy late into the evening. Beyond the shawarma, the menu runs to fatteh, falafel and hearty shawarma plates for when a sandwich will not cut it.

• Where: Al Najda Street, next to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Danah
• Contact: +971 2 633 3200 (also on Talabat)
• Hours: From 8am until late, call ahead for exact times
• Budget: Shawarma sandwiches from roughly AED 10, plates around AED 36 to 45

Vibe check: The bread is fresh and the shawarma is juicy enough to justify the hype, just park a few streets away, order in one go and do not expect a smile, because the staff are feeding half of Najda and your extra garlic sauce is not their life’s mission.

WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Street parking around Al Najda and Al Danah is paid Mawaqif parking and gets tight after 8pm. Pay by app before you walk to the counter, or read our guide to how Mawaqif parking actually works so a AED 10 shawarma does not end up costing you a fine.

12. Zahrat Lebnan, across the city

Zahrat Lebnan has been an Abu Dhabi landmark since 1983, when it opened its first outlet in the Tourist Club Area. It now runs seven branches around the capital, and it is the kind of place where the waiter remembers your order from three years ago. Breakfast is excellent value, and the falafel and hummus are as reliable as the city’s summer humidity. For dinner, go for the mixed grill or the lamb chops.

• Where: Seven branches including the original in the Tourist Club Area, Hazza Bin Zayed the First Street (Defence Road) in Al Danah and Al Khalidiyah
• Contact: 600 500 502 or +971 2 644 6667, info@zahratlebnan.com, online ordering at zahratlebnan.com
• Hours: From 8am, with the Defence Road branch open until 3am
• Budget: Roughly AED 35 to 80 per person

13. Allo Beirut, Al Danah and Khalifa City

Allo Beirut built its reputation on Lebanese street food in Dubai before crossing the border, and its two Abu Dhabi branches keep the formula tight: fast service, big menus and shawarma that regulars will defend with their lives. The Khalifa City branch is a lifesaver for mainland families who do not want to drive into town for a late dinner. Order the shawarma plates, the batata harra and a fresh juice cocktail.

• Where: 640 Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Otaiba Street, Al Danah (Al Najda) and Sector 32, Khalifa City
• Contact: 800 86234788 (800 TO BEIRUT)
• Hours: Al Danah 8am to 1am, Khalifa City 8am to 12.30am
• Budget: Roughly AED 30 to 70 per person

14. Al Safadi, Al Qana

Dubai’s much-loved Al Safadi brought its Lebanese comfort food to Al Qana, and the canal-side terrace makes it one of the more pleasant casual Lebanese dinners in the city once the weather cools. The menu runs from hot mezze and salads through mixed grills and shawarma, prices are fair and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. It is also handy before or after a visit to The National Aquarium next door.

• Where: Al Qana, Rabdan (by Maqta Bridge)
• Contact: +971 2 564 6243 or 600 500 601
• Hours: Daily 9am to 1am
• Budget: Roughly AED 60 to 120 per person

15. Zaatar w Zeit, multiple branches

Zaatar w Zeit is the Lebanese chain that has fuelled more late study sessions and post-flight hunger pangs than any other in the UAE. It is not trying to be a hidden gem. It is trying to get a hot, folded manoushe or a chicken sub into your hands fast, and it does that very well. The Abu Dhabi Mall branch is the classic, but there are also outlets on the Corniche, in Salam and at the ADNOC station in Rabdan.

• Where: Abu Dhabi Mall (Level 3), Corniche, Salam and ADNOC Rabdan
• Contact: Hotline 600 522231
• Hours: Varies by branch, several open late
• Budget: Roughly AED 25 to 60 per person

What to order: a quick mezze primer

Lebanese menus can run to 80 items, and the waiter will cheerfully let you order 20 of them. The trick is balance: a couple of dips, one salad, two or three hot mezze, then grills to share. Here is the cheat sheet.

Cold mezze

• Hummus: Chickpea and tahini dip. Order it plain once, then try it topped with lamb or pine nuts (hummus bel lahme).
• Moutabal: Smoky grilled aubergine with tahini. Often confused with baba ghanouj, which is chunkier and made without tahini.
• Muhammara: Roasted red pepper and walnut dip sweetened with pomegranate molasses.
• Tabbouleh and fattoush: Tabbouleh is a parsley salad with a little bulgur; fattoush is a chopped salad with crispy bread and sumac. Get one of each if you are more than four.
• Warak enab or warak arish: Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and pomegranate molasses, served cold with lemon. Some kitchens also do a hot version with minced lamb.
• Kibbeh nayeh: Raw lamb with bulgur and spices, the dish that separates Lebanese food lovers from casual fans.

Hot mezze and grills

• Kibbeh: Fried bulgur shells stuffed with minced lamb and pine nuts.
• Sambousek and fatayer: Pastries filled with cheese, meat or spinach.
• Arayes: Pita stuffed with spiced minced meat and grilled until crisp.
• Batata harra: Spicy potatoes with coriander and garlic. Nobody has ever regretted ordering these.
• Mixed grill (mashawi): Shish taouk (marinated chicken), kafta (minced lamb) and lahm meshwi (lamb cubes), served with garlic toum and grilled vegetables.

Street food and sweets

• Manakeesh: Flatbread baked with za’atar and olive oil, cheese or minced meat (lahm bi ajeen). Breakfast of champions.
• Shawarma: Chicken with garlic toum and pickles is the default; meat shawarma with tahini is the connoisseur’s pick.
• Kunafa: Warm, stretchy cheese under crisp semolina or shredded pastry, soaked in syrup.
• Knefeh and atayef: Seasonal favourites, especially during Ramadan.

WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: At hotel Lebanese restaurants, the complimentary crudites, olives and pickles can be topped up endlessly, and the bread basket keeps coming. Ask for the grills to be fired only once you are halfway through the mezze, otherwise your shish taouk arrives while you are still fighting over the last spoon of muhammara.

Licensed or not? Where you can drink with your mezze

Arak with mezze is a Lebanese tradition, but in Abu Dhabi it depends entirely on where you eat. Here is the short version:

• Licensed and confirmed: Lebanese Terrace at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental lists Lebanese wines, arak and cocktails on its own menus. The MICHELIN Guide also lists alcohol as available at Li Beirut, Mijana and Almayass.
• Check when booking: Em Sherif Sea Café, Byblos Sur Mer and Beirut Sur Mer. Byblos is listed by MICHELIN as alcohol-free in the restaurant, although the Byblos Lounge upstairs runs its own drinks offers, so ask what is available on the night.
• Alcohol-free: Grand Beirut, Al Farah and every casual spot in this guide. Fresh lemon mint, jallab and ayran are the move.

Planning a bigger celebration? Several of these restaurants have private rooms, and our guide to the best private dining rooms in Abu Dhabi covers how to book one. If you prefer your weekend feasting in brunch form, see our pick of the best brunches in Abu Dhabi.

Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi: FAQs

Details, prices and opening hours were checked in September 2026 against official restaurant, hotel and MICHELIN Guide listings. Budgets are approximate per-person estimates. Menus, hours and licensing change often, so call ahead or check the booking page before you go.