The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
Al Ras Al Akhdar and Al Bateen
Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, the Etihad Towers, the Breakwater and Al Bateen’s marina.
Neighbourhood guide · Abu Dhabi
Al Ras Al Akhdar and Al Bateen, palaces and the marina
Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, the Etihad Towers, the Breakwater and Al Bateen’s marina and beaches.
What's onThis week in Abu Dhabi
What to see and do
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The palace you can enter
Qasr Al Watan
The working presidential palace, open to visitors: great halls and exhibitions of Arab heritage.
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Kelly’s wave
Surf Abu Dhabi
A man-made wave facility on Hudayriyat Island, with waves for every level.
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Blue Flag, calm water
Al Bateen Beach
An 800-metre Blue Flag beach facing Hudayriyat Island, with a water sports centre.
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Where the city gets moving
Hudayriyat Island
The sports island off Al Bateen: Surf Abu Dhabi, cycle paths, the Marsana waterfront and a beach.
Where to eat
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MICHELIN star · Cantonese
Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
Hakkasan’s Cantonese classics inside Emirates Palace; one MICHELIN star.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al AkhdarExplore View on map
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MICHELIN star · Italian
Talea by Antonio Guida
Antonio Guida’s family-style Italian cooking at Emirates Palace; one MICHELIN star.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al AkhdarExplore View on map
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Manaqeesh from the oven
Al Farah
A bright Middle Eastern restaurant in Al Khalidiyah, popular for breakfast and fresh manaqeesh.
Khalidiyah Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu DhabiExplore View on map
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Lebanese over the harbour
Li Beirut
Contemporary Lebanese cooking with harbour views at the Conrad Etihad Towers.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, West CornicheExplore View on map
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Wood fire on the beach
Sand & Koal
Woodfire cooking in beachside gazebos at Emirates Palace, facing the Gulf at sunset.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche RoadExplore View on map
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An intimate Indian room
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi
An intimate Indian restaurant inside the vast palace; the tasting menu is the way in.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche RoadExplore View on map
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Cooked over burning straw
Strawfire by Ross Shonhan
Warayaki cooking over burning straw at Emirates Palace; winner of MICHELIN’s cocktail award.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche RoadExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand · Opening of the Year
3Fils Abu Dhabi
Contemporary Japanese over three floors at Al Bateen; Bib Gourmand and Opening of the Year.
Al Bateen Marina, Abu DhabiExplore View on map
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The gold-flaked cappuccino
Le Café, Emirates Palace
Afternoon tea and the gold-flaked Palace Cappuccino at Emirates Palace.
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Tea 300 metres up
Observation Deck at 300
Afternoon tea on level 74 of Tower 2 at the Etihad Towers, the city’s highest viewpoint.
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Cakes and ice cream
Cipriani Dolci Abu Dhabi
Cipriani’s all-day café at Marina Mall, for breakfast, cakes and house-made ice cream.
Bars and lounges
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Level 62
Ray’s Bar
The capital’s highest bar, on level 62 of the Conrad Etihad Towers, with DJ sets at sunset.
Shopping
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On the Breakwater
Marina Mall
The waterfront mall on the Breakwater, with Cipriani Dolci on the ground floor.
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Luxury at the towers
Avenue at Etihad Towers
A small luxury shopping avenue at the foot of the Etihad Towers.
Where to stay
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The palace on the Corniche
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
The palace hotel on the Corniche: a private beach and two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
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Ray’s Bar on 62
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
In the Etihad Towers: Ray’s Bar on level 62 and the Observation Deck at 300 above it.
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On Al Bateen Marina
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The EDITION on Al Bateen Marina, with Oak Room and 3Fils, a Bib Gourmand.
Health and wellness
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The palace spa
The Spa at Emirates Palace
A Moroccan and Oriental spa of lanterns and mosaics at Emirates Palace.
Share your Al Ras Al Akhdar & Al Bateen tips
Had tea at the palace or a drink on level 62? Tell other readers.
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