01-05-2025
- General
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill in Abu Dhabi
It's safe to say that once Abu Dhabi diners find a place they love, they become a whole new level of loyal customers. They visit year in and year out, meaning many of the capital's best restaurants have truly stood the test of time.
But it's not every day, however, that you come across a restaurant that's almost as old as the nation itself.
Enter Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill, a casual eatery that's been operating for over 50 years in one of the capital's OG neighbourhoods, Al Danah. Serving up Middle Eastern far since 1975, Al Sultan's reason for success is simple: delicious grills at a very (very) competitive price.
(Credit: Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill)
This place is as old-school as it gets, but that's what gives it a certain charm. Here, you're getting no frills and a simple setup of wooden chairs and tables spread across the entire restaurant, which means your focus is on the food – and rightly so.
Start by getting your hands on the usual dips, from hummus to muhamara and a wonderfully garlicky fattah laban topped with plenty of crunch. All salads and starters are priced under Dhs25, so order a few to share and keep your bank account full. But your best bet is not to sweat any of the small stuff and go straight for the meat – sorry, veggies.
Al Sultan is particularly celebrated for its arayes, priced at Dhs33 for a plate of three. Spiced ground lamb is tucked into Arabic bread, then grilled until the exterior crisps and the filling sizzles. Each bite offers meat infused with delicious spices that are enhanced by the smoky char of the pita. You'll find hundreds of these flying out the kitchen on the daily.
(Credit: Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill)
Another star dish at Al Sultan is the kabab keshkash, which features cracked wheat cooked down in a rich, spiced tomato sauce and topped with lamb skewers before it's finished with a drizzle of olive oil. It's pure comfort on a plate and all for a price that will make you smile (like, really smile). Meanwhile, the mixed grill platters are a nice selection of Levantine and Persian-style meats, which are great to order for a large group.
While service is friendly, it can sometimes feel a little rushed (so many people want to have what you're having, after all).
It's easy to see why Al Sultan has hordes of people dining all day, every day. It's an OG for a reason, and an entire nation of people (clearly) agree.
