Al Ain guide · Where to eat
Places to eat in Al Ain, with what to order and how comfortable each is for families and older travellers.
Updated
Al Ain's restaurants are mostly Emirati, Lebanese and Indian, with a strong South Asian presence in the city centre. Arabic coffee with dates is the standard welcome. Wikipedia and local guides point to many Indian restaurants in malls such as Jimi Mall, Al Bawadi Mall and Hili Mall.
Vegetarian eating needs planning. We could confirm only Bhavana Veg Corner, which a guide lists as pure veg, and tagged it pure-veg and Indian. Super Restaurant is tagged Indian only, since it serves meat. We found no restaurant with evidence of Jain-only or fully vegan menus, so we have tagged none.
In practice, most Indian restaurants have a vegetarian section; ask about meat stock and shared fryers. Lebanese mezze such as hummus, moutabal and falafel are good vegetarian choices. Ask your hotel in advance for Jain-style meals, and carry staples for long days.
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Ain Al Faydah, behind Bint Al Nour Centre, Al Ain
A family restaurant and cafe at Ain Al Faydah, behind Bint Al Nour Centre, known for Syrian dishes, a green indoor hall and a terrace over the cliff. It has a kids' play area.
Al Jimi, near Souq Al Zafarana and Al Khabisi Wedding Hall
A sit-down restaurant in Al Jimi built around a 1960s Emirati home theme, serving traditional Emirati recipes. A good way to meet local food in a calm, family-friendly setting.
Zayed bin Sultan Street (Main Road), central Al Ain, near Murabba Fort
A long-listed, low-priced vegetarian Indian eatery on Zayed bin Sultan Street, one of the few places in Al Ain that advertises itself as pure veg. Useful for plain curries, parathas and chaat between sights.
Al Bawadi Mall, Sultan Bin Zayed Street (Zayed Bin Sultan Street), Al Ain
A North Indian restaurant inside Al Bawadi Mall on Sultan Bin Zayed Street, with tandoor cooking, Punjabi dishes and biryani. Convenient for a meal during a shopping stop.
Salahuddin Ayub Street, Town Centre, near Sheikha Salama Mosque
An Indian restaurant in the Town Centre area near Sheikha Salama Mosque, known for biryani, Indian breads and butter chicken. A familiar, sit-down option for Indian families.
Behind Al Jimi Mall, near ADIB, Al Jimi, Al Ain
A Levantine and Mediterranean restaurant and cafe behind Al Jimi Mall, listed by several Al Ain guides. A sit-down option for Arabic mezze and grills away from the main sights.
Near Khalifa Road, opposite ACDB, Al Ain
A long-standing Indian and Chinese restaurant near Khalifa Road with a vegetarian menu of more than 30 items. It serves meat too, so it suits mixed groups rather than strict vegetarians.
Danat Al Ain Resort, Nyadat Street (Al Sarooj), Al Ain
The Indian restaurant at Danat Al Ain Resort, known for tandoor cooking and a menu that includes many vegetarian dishes. A smart-casual, sit-down choice for a calmer dinner.
