Break from the old routine

Abu Dhabi Week went out to find the capital’s lesser-known outlets

Exploring Abu Dhabi, you never know what you may find. Tucked away down a side-street or hidden in a dilapidated building are some of the city’s most worthwhile establishments. Abu Dhabi Week ventured out to find some of the best-kept secrets around town.

Mirabelle Boutique

Located inside a villa in Bloom Gardens villas, Mirabelle Boutique is a holistic shopping experience. Talk to owner Salma about what you want over a cold drink and she can have you looking like a celebrity in no time. Open since March, this personal shopping experience will help you find the perfect outfit – accessories et al. Open from 4pm until late, appointments are recommended! You can find them on Facebook for contact information.

Livingroom Café

Given that their motto is the ‘Hidden Gem of Abu Dhabi’ we couldn’t leave this one out. Nestled away in a compound in Khalidiya, the ambiance combined with rich and delicious food makes it rightly so. Run by an Australian family, you can get an Aussie classic – meat pie or one of their delicious cakes.

THE One Restaurant

Hidden in the furniture store on Khalidiya, you wouldn’t know there is a café of wonder inside. Don’t let the high-end couches fool you; venture upstairs to the restaurant for a bargain. This lofty venue will cater to your every need, with design-your-own pasta and salad dishes. Fresh ingredients make the dishes delicious… if you know it’s there. The prices are low but the quality sky-high.

Khalifa Centre

A treasure-trove for tourists, just across the road from Abu Dhabi Mall, this building is nothing spectacular from the exterior but is host to all manner of weird and wonderful UAE souvenir trinkets that any tourist will love. Be sure to ask for the best price – bartering is encouraged in these little hidey-holes, obviously the more you buy; the better the price!

Little Russia

Get your own taste of Eastern Europe in this special spot right behind the Russian Embassy. The  small Russian Kitchen House Cafeteria sits hidden in the backstreets of Al Mariah Mall, with authentic cuisine served up daily. Don’t be taken aback by the foreign language blasting from the television, and savour the rustic Soviet vibes and salty, sweet flavours. The interior looks like a traditional cottage and the food is so homely and satisfying it could have been made by Babushka herself. Order classic dishes like the ‘borsch’ soup and beetroot salad. Go for some herring on the side along with your meat ‘blyny’, which is literally a pancake. Finally, wash it down with a glass of a refreshing local drink, or as it’s known by our Slavic friends, ‘kvas’.

Antique Museum Shop

This place is a real gem among the many antique shops found in the Hamdan area. A 12,000 square foot showroom, it exhibits and sells handicrafts and antiques from 27 countries. The shop also boasts its eco-friendly approach of hand-made production by craftsmen employed in the UAE. It’s a great place to look for some more traditional souvenirs such as “khanjars”, which are intricately engraved Arabian daggers, traditional Bedouin jewellery, and other trinkets from all across Asia. If souvenirs aren’t what you’re looking for, the shop also sells some odd trinkets and statuettes to keep you entertained. Look for it behind the Al Rowda Arjaan Rotana hotel in the Tourist Club.

Modern Art Music Institute

The Institute, behind the Capital Hotel, has been a longstanding and friendly venue for jam sessions and the perfect opportunity to learn a new instrument. A wide range of courses are available for whatever captures your fancy, and individual packages can be worked out to suit your schedule. Right around the corner opposite the Smoker’s Centre on Fifth Street is Yamaha Thomsun Electronics, a haven for music enthusiasts, and one of the best stocked instrument and musical equipment shops in the city; all at reasonable prices for the extensive choice.

Barracuda Fishing Equipment

Found in Al Firdous Street in Al Meena, this is a fantastic spot to look for fishing tools and all the equipment you would need for your boat when hunting at sea. You’ll be able to find all sorts of rods, lines, spears and tackles for your every preference, and if you haven’t got that figured out yet, the cheerful staff are always happy to help. For the divers among you, a small shop called Gulf Marine just down the road provides a broad choice of gear. There are all kinds of masks and inexpensive diving equipment such as tubas, fins, and snorkels for those trying out a new hobby, as well as experienced divers.

Al Hamra Bicycles

This humble little store is truly off the beaten track. If you’re looking to get your hands on a durable bicycle for cheap, this is the place. Al Hamra Bicycles, located next to Fatima Supermarket in the backstreets across from Abu Dhabi Mall, offers a whole sweep of bikes of every size with prices generally ranging from AED 500-900. They also do repairs and sell spare parts.

Antique Museum Trading

We were delighted to find this odds-and-ends shop in the Tourist Club. Situated behind the Kia Motors Showroom near Abu Dhabi Mall, this roomy shop is a treasure-hunter’s dream. In addition to a large retail section selling the latest fashions, customers will be treated to a handful of unique antiques and souvenir items from countries such as Indonesia, Nepal, India, Morocco and Turkey. And after a wander upstairs, be sure to check out the treasures downstairs… think Turkish serving ware, Thai fishbone decorations and gorgeous antique furniture. Quality works for reasonable prices; we know we’ll be back!