For those who consider the UAE to be home, Ana Restuarant takes comfort food to a new level
Often one of the first Arabic words UAE residents learn, ‘ana’ means ‘I’ or ‘me’. At Ana Restaurant, the concept takes that simple word and turns it into a celebration of what makes the UAE’s food culture so poetically collaborative. The menu features familiar Emirati flavours folded in with influences from the many communities that call the UAE home.
It’s a fitting approach for a restaurant whose name is all about identity: whether it’s you, me or anyone else who has made the UAE home, Ana is for all of us.
The vibe
The art of designing mall restaurants lies in creating a transitional space that allows you to forget you’re dining in a shopping centre. This Dalma Mall eatery does that with effortless flare – its beautifully designed interiors, and arched entranceway provide the most perfect sort of preconception palate cleanse.
The aesthetic is true to Ana’s identity, too, and gives you a taste of the food before you even look at the menu. But the biggest signal that this spot is worth your dirhams is the crowd of locals seated at dinner service – a true stamp of approval that Ana is where you must be for modern Emirati cuisine.
The food
The menu is one of the more interesting takes on Emirati cuisine we’ve come across in Abu Dhabi recently. Ingredients from around the world make their way into regional staples, creating combinations that feel playful without losing sight of where their origin stories begin.
We begin with an order of kibbeh roub, stuffed grape leaves, smoky eggplant and an Arabian Nights salad. The kibbeh benefits from the clever addition of crunchy potato wafers reminiscent of Chips Oman, adding a fun textural element to the popular comfort dish. The Arabian Nights salad comes stacked with hearty ingredients – fried chickpeas, roasted eggplant, lentils and raisins are piled together with a yoghurt dressing and pomegranate molasses. The balance of sweet, sour, creamy and crunchy makes it a standout starter.
For mains, we ordered the Machbous Hessa, Ana’s ode to a Gulf classic, pairing tender lamb with fragrant rice seasoned with the staple baharat spice mix. For those less tied to convention, the Dakkus Risotto marks a worthy excursion, where Italian tradition meets regional flavours including rose water. It’s rich, warm and comforting.
For dessert, we stand by our order of Ana Oum Ali, served here generous shavings of toasted coconut that add an unexpected tropical note to the creamy, crowd-pleasing pudding. Wash it all down with the Vimto mint cooler, a masterful piece of mocktail mixology.
What’s on the bill
Kibbeh Roub (Dhs49), Grape Leaves (Dhs45), Smoky Eggplant (Dhs35), Arabian Nights Salad (Dhs47), Machbous Hessa (Dhs89), Dakkus Risotto (Dhs97), Ana Oum Ali (Dhs59), Vimto Mint (Dhs39).
What’s On verdict
The balance between tradition and experimentation across the menu that makes this one worth a visit. You absolutely can’t leave without getting the Ana Oum Ali.
Where: Ground Floor, Dalma Mall, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 10:30pm | Thursday and Friday 10am to 12am
Contact: 02 565 1329
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