There’s no shortage of fancy restaurants, cosy cafes and outstanding bars in the capital of the UAE. Whether you prefer an a la carte menu or a buffet featuring a wide variety of cuisines, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking to move to a neighbourhood with plenty of dining options, here’s the list of the best places to start your search. Read on to know more about the top five residential communities for food lovers in Abu Dhabi.
TOP RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES FOR FOOD LOVERS IN ABU DHABI
UAE is the melting pot of diverse cultures. This has resulted in the opening of a variety of restaurants across the country to cater to different tastes and preferences. Here, we have listed the best residential communities for food lovers in Abu Dhabi. These neighbourhoods are known for being home to diverse range of restaurants, cafes and food trucks!
AL BATEEN
Lush green landscapes, beautiful views of the ocean and some of the best restaurants in the city, Al Bateen has a lot to offer. As for properties, you can find luxurious villas, townhouses and apartments in Al Bateen. The properties in the coastal area offer great value for money.
One of the standout features is definitely the abundance of restaurants in the area. There is only one place to start – the Art House Cafe. Located in Etihad Modern Art Gallery, it is one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Alba Terrace is also a particular favourite of foodies in town. Boasting handcrafted beverages, light lunches and an exquisite outdoor setting, this restaurant is certainly worth the hype.
In addition to Alba Terrace, there are other top restaurants in Al Bateen Marina. This list includes Tasha, Watermelon Restaurant and Cafe, Ozo Restaurant and Bu Tafish Sea Food. If you are looking for light snacks and a cup of coffee, you can visit Casablanca Moroccan Bar, No. Fifty-Seven Boutique Cafe, Belgian Café and Robusta Coffee.
Al Bateen is certainly one of the top residential communities for foodies in Abu Dhabi. Food connoisseurs looking to rent a studio in Al Bateen will have to pay AED 38k, on average. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Al Bateen is AED 69k. Rental prices increase to an average of AED 123k for a 2-bedroom apartment in Al Bateen.
On the other hand, if you are looking to rent a 3-bed villa in Al Bateen, the average spend would be AED 144k. Expect to pay an average of AED 218k and AED 231k for a 4 and 5-bedroom villa in Al Bateen, respectively.

AL KHALIDIYA
Al Khalidiya is known as the cultural hub of the capital and it’s certainly the preferred destination for young professionals. Housing a mix of commercial and residential towers, residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options.
A wide range of fast food options is present in Khalidiyah Mall. Jones the Grocer is a favourite with residents while Al Afiya is a delightful Turkish restaurant serving all the favourite delicacies. Sushi Story is ideal for sushi lovers whereas for Mexican food, Cantina Laredo is the place to go.
Among the residential communities for food lovers in Abu Dhabi, Al Khalidyah offers relatively lower rental prices. You can sign a yearly rental lease for a studio in Al Khalidyah for around AED 35k. The average asking rents go up to AED 57k and AED 63k for 2 and 3-bedroom flats respectively.
You can also rent villas in this neighbourhood, with rents for a 4-bedroom villa in Al Khalidiya averaging at AED 170k. For a 5-bedroom villa in Al Khalidiya, the rent is AED 184k.

CORNICHE AREA
Properties in Corniche Area are highly sought-after for their central location and proximity to landmarks. The neighbourhood has an edge over other areas in Abu Dhabi as it offers a wide range of waterfront properties. It is a highly impressive locality with world-class amenities and facilities.
In terms of restaurants, Villa Toscana is a popular Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Their buffet is something every foodie should try. Other popular restaurants in the Corniche Area include La Fontana Restaurant and Jones the Grocer.
That’s not all. The InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi, located in the Corniche Area is home to the Brazilian steakhouse Chamas Churrascaria & Bar, Authentic Lebanese restaurant, Byblos Sur Mer and a seafood restaurant, Fishmarket. For top fast-food chains, you can head to Zayed the First Street. With a plethora of dining options available, Corniche Area is certainly one of the best residential communities for foodies in Abu Dhabi.
Those who want to live in Corniche Area have the choice of renting villas or apartments. For a studio flat in Corniche Area, you will be paying AED 56k on average. The average rent goes up to AED 85k for a 1-bedroom flat in Corniche Area while a 2-bedroom apartment can be rented for AED 109k.
If you prefer a villa, the average rent for a 3-bedroom villa in Corniche Area is AED 168k.

CORNICHE ROAD
Top-class hotels, sprawling parks and landscaped pathways, Corniche Road is one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular waterfront localities. Most properties in the area are newly built and have all the modern facilities.
Luckily, it is also one of the best areas to live for foodies! Restaurants in Emirates Palace offer an unparalleled, world-class dining experience. Buffalo Wings and Rings, Zyara and Johnny Rockets are some causal eateries in the area. Catch is ideal for seafood lovers, while Li Beirut is perfect for fresh and delicious Lebanese cuisine. For a royal feast, try the Le Vendome’s dinner buffet. If you’re in a mood to enjoy delicious food and breathtaking beach views, be sure to dine at the Escape Restaurant in Hiltonia Beach Club.
Despite all the extravagance and grandeur, rental properties on Corniche Road are reasonably-priced. You can rent a studio in this neighbourhood for an average price of AED 45k. Similarly, a 1-bedroom flat in Corniche Road is available for AED 84k. Whereas, the average rent for a slightly larger 2-bed apartment on Corniche Road is AED 112K.
For those interested in renting a villa property, a 4-bed villa for rent on Corniche Road would cost you AED 192k on average.

SAADIYAT ISLAND
The island’s scenic location, beautifully designed properties and the world-famous museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, make Saadiyat Island one of the most popular residential areas in Abu Dhabi.
There are some iconic restaurants in Saadiyat Island, making it one of the top residential communities for foodies in Abu Dhabi. St Regis Saadiyat Island has some wonderful, upscale restaurants including Abd El Wahab, the Drawing Room, Olea, Sontaya, Buddha Beach Bar and more. Beach House is another excellent choice in the area for a night out.
To live near these amazing restaurants, you can rent a villa or apartment in Saadiyat Island. A studio flat for rent in Saadiyat Island is available for an average price of AED 47k. Whereas, the average rent goes up to AED 77k and AED 142k for a 1 and 2-bedroom apartment, respectively.
There is an abundance of spacious, high-end villas for rent in Saadiyat Island, although these are significantly more expensive. The average rental price of a 3-bed villa in Saadiyat Island is AED 297K. For a 4-bed villa, it goes up to AED 342k and for a 5-bed villa, tenants can expect to pay 416k.

Here’s a breakdown of the average rents for studio, 1-bed and 2-bed apartments in the top 5 residential areas for foodies.
Neighbourhood | Studio Apartments | 1-Bed Apartments | 2-Bed Apartments |
---|---|---|---|
Neighbourhood Al Bateen | Studio Apartments AED 38,000 | 1-Bed Apartments AED 69,000 | 2-Bed Apartments AED 123,000 |
Neighbourhood Al Khalidiyah | Studio Apartments AED 35,000 | 1-Bed Apartments AED 57,000 | 2-Bed Apartments AED 63,000 |
Neighbourhood Corniche Area | Studio Apartments AED 56,000 | 1-Bed Apartments AED 85,000 | 2-Bed Apartments AED 109,000 |
Neighbourhood Corniche Road | Studio Apartments AED 45,000 | 1-Bed Apartments AED 84,000 | 2-Bed Apartments AED 112,000 |
Neighbourhood Saadiyat Island | Studio Apartments AED 47,000 | 1-Bed Apartments AED 77,000 | 2-Bed Apartments AED 142,000 |
For those interested in renting villas in these notable neighbourhoods, here’s a breakdown of the rental trends for 3, 4 and 5-bed units.
Neighbourhood | 3-Bed Villa | 4-Bed Villa | 5-Bed Villa |
---|---|---|---|
Neighbourhood Al Bateen | 3-Bed Villa AED 144,000 | 4-Bed Villa AED 218,000 | 5-Bed Villa AED 231,000 |
Neighbourhood Al Khalidiyah | 3-Bed Villa N/A | 4-Bed Villa AED 170,000 | 5-Bed Villa AED 184,000 |
Neighbourhood Corniche Area | 3-Bed Villa AED 168,000 | 4-Bed Villa N/A | 5-Bed Villa N/A |
Neighbourhood Corniche Road | 3-Bed Villa N/A | 4-Bed Villa AED 192,000 | 5-Bed Villa N/A |
Neighbourhood Saadiyat Island | 3-Bed Villa AED 297,000 | 4-Bed Villa AED 342,000 | 5-Bed Villa AED 416,000 |
This wraps up our list of top residential communities for food lovers in Abu Dhabi. If you are looking to move to the capital city, you can consider any of these popular areas! Like Abu Dhabi, there are some top residential areas for foodies in Dubai as well. You can also look at some of the top areas for families in Abu Dhabi to rent villas and apartments.
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