Abu Dhabi is home to several cuisines, ranging from Indian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Thai, Chinese, and Italian foods.
Among so many well-known cuisines, one peculiar one stays hidden behind the curtains. And that is Afghan cuisine. Only if you’ve tasted Afghan dishes, will you be able to tell the following that Afghan cuisine has.
However, even many obsessive food lovers may need to be made aware of the magic and hold of Afghan cuisine. Many people might have not even tasted Afghan dishes.
One of the reasons for this is the scarcity of Afghan restaurants. Afghan restaurants are known only to those who have laboured to search for them.
Afghan restaurants are hard to find not only in Abu Dhabi but all over the world.
That is why not many people know about Afghan restaurants. And even those who know might have many questions about Afghan cuisine and particularly Afghan restaurants.
This article covers all the details about Afghan restaurants. In the end, you will also get the name of the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
What Is Afghan Cuisine?
Before we reveal which is the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi, we want to introduce first-timers to Afghan cuisine. Even if you are a foodie and know a thing or two about cuisines, this portion will be worth the read.
Afghanistan has been a region that was at a crossroads. It connected three continents, i.e., Asia, Africa, and Europe. We can see this diversity of influence in Afghan cuisine.
Apart from external diversity, Afghanistan has a rich and diverse internal composition. Pashtun, Baloch, Uzbeq and Tajik are some of the well-known ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
This rich internal diversity has also influenced Afghan cuisine very intricately.
One of the major misconceptions about Afghan cuisine is since it comes from an Asian continent and is close to India, a lot of spices will be involved. However, the original Afghan cuisine consisted of fewer spices before the influx of Pakistani and Indian spices in Afghanistan.
Rice is at the centre of most Afghan dishes, and this is evident in the variety of Pulao that can be found in the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Sabzi Pulao, Narenji Pulao, Mandi Pulao, Kabuli Pulao, and Uzbek Pulao are some of the types of Pulao in Afghan cuisine.
Afghan cuisine is served on a cloth or a carpet. Traditionally, Afghan cuisine is set on the floor rather than on a dining table.
They used ceramic bowls or plates instead of silverware crockery.
Afghan cuisine is a bundle of abundance, as you will see everything served in enormous quantities.
Afghan food is prepared by shallow frying, deep frying, paper-wrapped deep-frying, steaming, roasting, and stewing. Apart from these, there are other cooking methods used in Afghan cuisine, but these are the most commonly used cooking methods.
Afghanistan has a tradition of hospitality and the same can be seen in the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Hospitality is the greatest code of honour in Afghanistan.
Best Afghan Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Nolu’s Cafe
Hidden like a gem in the streets of Al Bandar, Nolu’s Cafe has some of the best traditional Afghan delicacies that are rarely found in other Afghan restaurants, especially in the UAE.
The restaurant has hosted famous people like Bill Gates, the emir of Qatar and the king of Jordan. The best dish on the restaurant’s menu is Kabuli Pulao.
Nolu’s Cafe is the most authentic Afghan restaurant with an Afghan founder, Afghan chefs, and Afghan cuisine.
Sarhad Restaurant
Sarhad Restaurant is an Afghan restaurant that is situated on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most traditionally authentic Afghan restaurants.
The ambience of this restaurant will give you a teaser into Afghanistan. It also has an additional dining room that is more family-friendly as compared to the one below.
Afghanistan Restaurant
Afghanistan Restaurant is located on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the few restaurants that stay open till late midnight.
It offers dine-in as well as takeaway options. As per its patrons, it has very reasonable pricing and immaculately priceless taste.
Although it is a small restaurant, it also has additional seating upstairs for those who need more privacy. Mutton Peshawari, daal chena, kabuli pulao, namkeen meat and yakhni soup are some of the most enjoyed dishes in this eatery.
Kabul Afghanistan Restaurant
Kabul Afghanistan Restaurant is situated in Mussafah in Abu Dhabi and is a traditional Afghan restaurant. The restaurant offers large servings so that you will be satisfied before you leave this eatery.
The visitors of this restaurant report that the owner and staff hospitably suggest Afghan dishes if you are new to the cuisine. Naan shorba, mixed grill, and kabuli pulao are some of the best dishes served here.
Sofra Baniyas Restaurant
Sofra Baniyas Restaurant is located in Baniyas East in Abu Dhabi. It is a restaurant that serves ethnic Afghani cuisine with rich quality and royal quantity.
Often those who dine in also take away so that they can enjoy the taste of this restaurant’s dishes even after they leave the place. The place has a friendly staff, has reasonable prices, and is well-maintained.
Chicken peshawari, bukhari rice, mandi and madfoon are some of the specialities of this Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Top 5 Famous Afghan Dishes
Let us take a look at the top Afghan dishes that can be found in the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Kabuli Pulao
Kabuli Pulao is the crown of Afghan cuisine. It was predominantly a dish cooked and found in the rich and elite classes of Afghanistan.
The word ‘Kabuli’ itself shows the pride of the Afghan capital, after which the dish is named.
The dish consists of steamed rice married with rich dry fruits and sweet spices. The dish is also served with lamb meat.
Tukhum Bonjan
Tukhum Bonjan is one of the best ways to begin your day. It tops the list of best breakfasts in Afghan cuisine.
Afghans believe that the first meal of the day should be high in nutrition and hence, Tukhum Bonjan is also highly nutritious.
It is an aromatic dish that is cooked with eggs and tomatoes. They are best served with milk-based tea and also taste great when flatbreads are served alongside them.
Aush
Aush is an Afghan noodle soup and one of the most famous Afghan dishes. If you visit any Afghani restaurant in Abu Dhabi, then this is one dish that you have to taste.
This is one of the dishes that both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can enjoy, as Aush is served in both variants. The first variant consists of vegetables, while the second one consists of lamb or beef meatballs.
The tomato broth that serves as the base of this delicacy adds to its richness, making it one of the top dishes in Afghan cuisine.
Chopan Kabob
Chopan Kabob or Roasted Lamb Racks is an ancient dish that has made its way into modern Afghan cuisine.
This dish is said to have been cooked in the olden days when shepherds discovered that lamb meat can be seasoned with salt and grilled. Thanks to those shepherds, we can enjoy Chopan Kabob at any Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Sheer Yakh
To end this list, we have the Sheer Yakh. Sheer Yakh is a traditional dessert that means cold milk. Made with milk, rosewater, sugar, and other ingredients, the Sheer Yakh is a cold delight for ice cream lovers.
Sheer Yakh will be served with nuts and thick cream in the best Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Which Is The Best Afghan Restaurant In Abu Dhabi?
Well, it is difficult to find an Afghan restaurant in Abu Dhabi, but we have done the hard work so that you don’t have to.
Hidden like a gem in the streets of Al Bandar, Nolu’s Cafe is a delightful eatery that also doubles as a Western Restaurant.
Nolu’s Cafe has some of the best traditional Afghan delicacies that are rarely found in other Afghan restaurants, especially in the UAE.
Although the restaurant has hosted famous people like Bill Gates, the emir of Qatar, and the king of Jordan, it is a buzzing spot where adults and kids alike can enjoy the best Afghan cuisines.
Marjon Ajami, who was born in the United States but was rooted in Kabul, started Nolu’s Cafe. Her hospitality is unmatched and her dishes taste heavenly.
The best dish on the restaurant’s menu is Kabuli Pulao. It would excite you to know that the chefs in Nolu’s Cafe are Afghan natives.
Nolu’s Cafe is the most authentic Afghan restaurant with an Afghan founder, Afghan chefs, and Afghan cuisine.
