Looking for family dining options on your visit to Abu Dhabi?
Are your little ones only happy with nuggets and fries? Or perhaps they are more adventurous and long to try something a bit different? Perhaps your tiny adventurers have trouble sitting still, or maybe they long for a new and immersive dining experience.
Abu Dhabi might have grown quite a reputation for its fine dining scene, but families and casual dining are certainly not forgotten!
Whether youโre looking for a good old faithful that you know will fill your bellies or are willing to try something new, we will take you through some of the best places to eat with kids in Abu Dhabi.
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Where To Eat as a Family in Abu Dhabi
Travelling with children can make eating out difficult, especially when you are travelling to a country that you are unfamiliar with. The good news is that the UAE is an extremely family-friendly place. Children are welcomed almost everywhere in Abu Dhabi, although some places are definitely more family-friendly than others.
With fussy eaters and restrictive eating disorders on the increase, itโs important to know that you can travel as a family without worrying about what the kids will eat. The good news is that most restaurants in the UAE have childrenโs menus or are willing to adapt adult meals to suit smaller and less adventurous appetites.
Whilst your hotel will likely have a buffet restaurant with a range of child-friendly goodies, youโll probably want to eat out occasionally.
Most shopping malls have food courts containing all the major fast food chains (including Burger King, KFC, and McDonaldโs), as well as some healthier and more unusual options. There are also many international chain restaurants in Abu Dhabi, such as P.F. Changโs, Pizza Express, and Nandoโs, as well as local chains and stand-alone, family-run restaurants.
Family Dining on Yas Island
In this Abu Dhabi dining guide, we will take you through our favourite family-friendly places to eat in different parts of the city. To find out the best places for families to eat in Abu Dhabi, keep reading!
Central โ Yas Bay
Yas Islandโs newest family hangout, Central, has something for everyone and has quickly catapulted itself to the best family dining spot in Abu Dhabi! Not only does it serve up some amazing grub, but thereโs loads to keep the whole family busy, from arcade games to a bowling alley.
As well as grown-up drinks and a nice, long happy hour, they are the soft drink experts, too, with some seriously colourful shakes, lemonades and mocktails on the menu.
The weekend lineup often includes live entertainment, and they are known for their efficient and speedy service if you are catching a show after dinner at Etihad Arean in Yas Bay.
TOP TIP! If you sign up to become a member of the local foodieโs group Best Bites, you can get a specially priced menu, including gaming credits. A BB+ 3 month membership will pay itself back instantly.
Open Monday to Thursday 4.00 pm until 12.00 am and Friday to Sunday from 12.00 noon until 2.00 am.
Central, Yas Bay, Yas Island, (tel: + 971 4 423 8311)
Rainforest Cafe โ Yas Mall
A great treat for little animal lovers, Rainforest Cafe is all about the experience. Enjoy a stack of fajitas whilst listening to the sound of animals coming to life in the jungle around you. Whilst there is a childrenโs menu, the adult menu is varied with lots of child-friendly options. Colouring packs are provided, and thereโs also a small play area,
Open daily from 12.00 noon until 10.00 pm
Cascade Dining Area, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 566 1999)
Texas Roadhouse
This American chain restaurant is a family favourite in Yas Mall. There are some great lunchtime deals; even an evening steak wonโt set you back an arm and a leg. The general ambience is relaxed and fun and steps up a gear when the staff do a bit of rodeo dancing. Complimentary bread and peanuts keep you going whilst you wait for your starters.
Whilst this is a great family choice, the restaurant is best avoided by peanut allergy sufferers.
Open daily from 11.00 am until 10.00 pm, 12.00 Midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Texas Roadhouse, Cascade Dining Area, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 492 6650)
Al Fanar
A great place if you want to sample Emirati cuisine, Al Fanar is a large restaurant decorated in traditional style with family at its heart. Whilst thereโs no childrenโs menu per se, there are plenty of children-friendly options as well as larger dishes that can be enjoyed family style.
Open daily from 9.00 am until 10.00 pm
Al Fanar Restaurant, Cascade Dining Area, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 877 2272)
Family Dining on Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island is home to multiple luxury family resorts that line Saadiyat Beach, as well as a modern dining and lifestyle venue, Mamsha, which opens up multiple dining venues, many with fabulous ocean views.
Hamiltonโs at the Saadiyat Rotana
A great place for families with older children and teenagers, Hamiltonโs has a British pub-like feel. You can catch your favourite sports teams here while dining on meter-long hot dogs and gourmet burgers. There are also sharing plates of tasty nibbles and carefully curated charcuterie boards on offer, not to mention a range of delicious desserts.
Open Monday to Friday from 4.00 pm until 2.00 am and Saturdays and Sundays from 1.00 pm until 2.00 am.
Hamiltonโs, Saadiyat Rotana Resort, Saadiyat Island, (tel: + 971 2 697 0125)
Black Tap
Whether itโs a juicy tower of a burger or a fully loaded shake that youโre after, then Black Tap is the place to be. With its popping playlist and award-winning eats, this is a great place for tweens and teens.
Open daily from 12.00 noon until 12.00 midnight.
Black Tap Restaurant, Al Mamsha, Saadiyat Island, (tel: + 971 2 446 5128)
Alkalime Healthy Restaurant
A great little spot by Soul Beach in the Al Mamsha Development, Alkalime specialises in healthy, tasty organic food. Thereโs plenty for vegans and people with lactose and gluten intolerances. The childrenโs menu is small and comprises almond-crusted chicken nuggets and healthy chicken noodles, but these are two great dishes that seem to go down well with younger guests.
Thereโs a range of milks on offer, including almond, coconut and soya, to complement a variety of lovingly crafted hot drinks. The cakes and desserts are delicious without being too sweet, and the views across the beach are simply gorgeous.
Open 8.00 am until 10.00 pm Sunday to Thursday and 9.00 am until 10.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Alkalime Healthy Restaurant, Al Mamsha, Saadiyat Island, (tel: + 971 54 449 1547)
Family Dining in Downtown Abu Dhabi
Wagamama
British Japanese/Korean-inspired chain restaurant Wagamama tries hard to please families. Its dedicated kidsโ menu is designed to get children used to more than nuggets and French fries, and it also provides activity packs and childrenโs chopsticks.
They are well known for their quick service, meaning that nobody gets whingey while they wait.
Occasionally, Wagamama also runs childrenโs cookery classes. These must be booked in advance, so donโt forget to check the Wagamama website before you visit.
Wagamamas is also an excellent choice if youโre concerned about food allergies and intolerances; these are clearly marked on their menu, and the staff are well-trained. Gluten-free noodles, for example, are available.
Open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Wagamama, level 3, Abu Dhabi Mall, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 679 7466) โ new branches also just opened in Khalifa City and Reem Mall
The Cheesecake Factory
A fantastic family dining restaurant with an extensive menu and large portions. This American chain is very popular with residents. Donโt feel bad for sharing dishes at the Cheesecake Factory; they are enormous.
The childrenโs menu is large and varied if kids would like their own plates. Whatever you do, ensure you have enough room to share at least one slice of the venueโs signature cheesecake. Slurp!
Open Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 am until 11.00 pm and from 10.00 am until 12.00 Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Cheesecake Factory, Galleria Mall. Al Maryah Island. Also located in Yas Mall, Yas Island.
Dinoโs Bistro Italiano
An authentic Italian restaurant in the middle of Abu Dhabi thatโs family-friendly too! The restaurant is relaxed, yet lively, and the food is of good quality. Thereโs a range of pasta and pizza to choose from, some delicious main courses, and lots of yummy desserts, including some excellent gelato.
Open daily from 12.00 noon until 3.30 pm and from 6.00 pm until 11.00 pm.
Dinoโs Bistro Italiano, The Pearl Rotana, The Capital Centre, Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Capital Gate Area, (tel: + 971 2 307 5551)
Sandersonโs
Sandersonโs is located in Al Seef Village Mall and serves all sorts of yummy fayre. Thereโs a great kidsโ menu featuring homemade nuggets and fries, ham and cheese toasties, spaghetti bolognese and good old fish and chips, all priced at a reasonable 35 AED. Some great options for adults include homemade pie of the day, poke bowls, and sea bass with tamarind and chilli.
The really great thing about this boutique cafe is its childrenโs outdoor play area. It is great for those cooler winter days, and this is the perfect dining spot to head to in Abu Dhabi with toddlers.
Open daily from 8.00 am until 10.00 pm
Sandersonโs, Al Seef Village Mall, Al Seef Area, (tel: + 971 2 222 1142)
Dolci & Capricci
Okay, the downtown branch of this Abu Dhabi family favourite has closed, but under the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the Souk Al Jami, there is a little-known secretโฆ.Whilst it is much smaller than its downtown predecessor, there is a branch of this simply perfecto pizzeria.
Famous for its homemade ice cream and stupendous bombolini, Dolci and Capricci also serve up authentic pizza and pasta dishes. This is a great place for the family to eat after a visit to Abu Dhabiโs most famous building.
Open Sunday to Wednesday 9.00 am until 10.00 pm and Thursday to Sunday from 9.00 am until 11.00 pm.
Dolci & Capricci, Souk Al Jami, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 546 0755)
Paul
With venues around the city, Paul is a great place to eat any time of day. The casual French bakery atmosphere gives for a relaxed experience. A dedicated childrenโs menu includes all-day dining options like turkey and emmental toasties, chicken fingers and pizza galette.
Itโs also a great place for a quick coffee and cake, with a full range of French-style pastries, tarts and mouth-watering gateaux on offer. Colouring packs are also provided.
Opening hours vary by location, but most outlets are open daily from 9.00 am until 11.00 pm.
You will find Paul in the Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Wahda Mall and Yas Mall.
La Brioche
A home-grown alternative to Paul, many local residents would tell you that they are the โsame, same but differentโ. There are branches across the city and in many residential neighbourhoods, making La Brioche a popular choice for residents.
Thereโs a tempting selection of cakes and pastries, as well as full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The childrenโs menu includes pasta, grilled chicken and chips, burgers, fruit salad, and their signature cute and delicious Bruno bear biscuits.
There are branches across the city, including Abu Dhabi Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Shams Boutik Mall, Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall, and The Galleria Mall.
Opening times vary, but branches outside of malls tend to open at 7.00 am and close at 11.00 pm whilst those inside malls tend to open at 9.00 am and close at 11.00 pm.
Thinking Outside the Box โ Restaurants in Umm Al Emarat Park
The beautiful Umm Al Emarat Park is a great place for family dining. Whilst the park does not allow you to take in your own picnics, there are loads of great food outlets within the park itself.
In addition to the restaurants by the main entrance, including Farmerโs Bistro and Parkerโs, Green for Life by the childrenโs play Park on the far side of the grassed area is a great place to dine al fresco while the kids play. Various other outlets include a Mรถvenpick ice-cream chalet and seasonal food trucks.
Umm Al Emarat Park is located in the Mushrif area of the city. You will find the entrance on 15th Street. Thereโs an AED 10 cover charge per person to enter the park.
Balooโs Social Bar & Grill
This newcomer for summer 2025 is already proving to be a popular choice for families. The South African-themed bar and Grill has opened beside the pool deck at Millennium Al Rahwda, offering unique indoor-outdoor options and a friendly vibe.
From giant screens to catch the sporting action to outdoor playground equipment, pool access, hot tub, indoor soft play, and gaming โ they really have thought of everything here for a complete family day out in the heart of Abu Dhabi island.
Balooโs Social Bar & Grill, Millennium Al Radah Hotel, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St (tel: +971 528 393 585
5 Fun Family Cafes To Try in Abu Dhabi
Art House Cafe
This is a great little place in Al Bandar with indoor and outdoor seating. It is a fantastic spot for breakfast or lunch and for you and the kids to get creative. Painting a plate while you wait for your food comes with a small fee if you want to take your creation home, or you can leave it at the cafe for others to enjoy.
Dishes include traditional Arabic shakshuka as well as amazing pancake stacks for breakfast, a variety of salads, healthy bowls, wraps, burgers, and sandwiches for lunch, as well as more substantial main courses. Thereโs also a tempting array of desserts as well as an extensive list of hot drinks, juices, smoothies and milkshakes.
Open daily from 9.00 am until 11.00 pm
The Art House Cafe can be found in two locations: Al Bandar in the Al Raha Beach Area (tel: + 971 2 546 6876) and Al Bateen (tel: + 971 2 666 0175)
Love Vibe Cafe
If you have a girlie girl who adores everything pink, this fun new cafe in Khalifa City could be the answer to their dreams!
From pink burger buns to a sensational range of colourful smoothies, juices, and mocktails, this cafe is an Instagrammerโs delight and a fun way to introduce some dishes with a modern Emirati twist.
Open daily from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm
Love Vive Cafe can be found in Khalifa Community Market (the new Waitrose Mall), Khalifa City (tel: +971 2 622 0393)
Meow Cafe
Attention all cat lovers! If you fancy spending some time with some new feline friends, head to the cat cafe in Al Muneera.
Entry is 45 AED for adults and 35 AED for children for one hour. There is a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes and chocolates on offer but no other food. Still, a great option for little people who simply love cats!
Open daily from 8.00 am until 10.00 pm
Meow Cafe, Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, (tel: + 971 2 681 4088)
Boomah Owl Cafe
A coffee and cake place with a difference, Boomah also gives you a chance to meet its 9 resident owls. The cafe is split into two zones separated by a glass wall. If you would like to meet and pet the owls, a charge 70 AED for adults and 50 AED for children applies.
Open daily from 2.00 pm until 10.00 pm
Boomah Cafe, Al Seef Village Mall, Al Seef Area, (tel: + 971 2 441 9041)
DICE Board Game Cafe
The perfect hot or rainy afternoon retreat with the kids, the DICE Board Game Cafe in Sheikha Fatima Park near the Corniche is a super fun indoor cafe for gamers of all ages.
With over 400+ board games, grab a family classic like Monopoly to settle in for the long haul or try one of their trendy newer games for some fast-paced action and plenty of laughs.
Oh, and the food isnโt too shabby here, either! Order via app, and there are plenty of great finger bites and some seriously delicious specialty coffee on offer with their baristas.
Open daily from 2.00 pm until 1.00 am, Friday and Saturday 2.00 am
Dice Board Game Cafe, Building 3, Sheikha Fatima Park, Abu Dhabi
More than just a lunchโฆ Abu Dhabi Brunch!
In addition to the general service offered by the venues highlighted in our article, numerous family-friendly Saturday brunches are held at hotels and restaurants around the city.
Brunches are a phenomenon with elaborate spreads of every sort of food imaginable and a range of entertainment. Some branches are aimed at adults, whilst others have a more family-friendly focus.
- Or, if you prefer family time on Sunday, weโve been rounding up all the best long Sunday breakfasts, roasts, and brunches across the city.
You will certainly not be short of an amazing meal during your time in Abu Dhabi. It is a very family-focused city with restaurants and cafes all over that cater specifically to families. More and more people are realising the importance of mixing food with family vibes and creating a relaxed social atmosphere.
There are so many more restaurants in Abu Dhabi that we havenโt been able to fit into our list โ let us know in the comments if youโve found another favourite we should include!
Catch all of our Abu Dhabi dining guides over here
Before you goโฆ Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and donโts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
- Donโt forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi.
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