Emirates Palace, MO Abu Dhabi
As you enter the Emirates Palace, there is a feeling of grandeur and history that overwhelms you. We were only there for one night but the facilities, service, food, history left us feeling wishing we had stayed for a longer time. With it’s own 1.3 km stretch of private beach, 2 large swimming pools with features such as slides and a lazy river, a super cool kids club, 12 restaurants and an extensive spa with Moroccan Hammam, the hotel is built for a week’s long stay.
The Culinary Journey: Where to Eat
Emirates Palace is the Middle East’s leading gastronomic destination. With everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to relaxed beachfront cooking, here are the standout spots we tried and which you cannot miss:
1. The Fine Dining Stars
Talea by Antonio Guida (1 Michelin Star): Helmed by renowned Chef Antonio Guida, Talea brings high-end authentic Italian dining to life through its Cucina di Famiglia (family-style) concept. Expect delicate handmade pastas, exquisite ossobuco, and tiramisu prepared table-side in an airy, elegant room.
Hakkasan (1 Michelin Star): A staple for modern Cantonese cuisine. The mood here is sleek, dimly lit, and stylish, serving world-famous Peking duck with caviar, dim sum platters, and creative cocktails.
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi: An opulent setting celebrating contemporary Indian gastronomy, reimagining classic regional recipes with royal presentation.
2. Live Fire & Modern Dining
Strawfire by Ross Shonhan: A vibrant concept centered around traditional Japanese Warayaki (cooking over straw flames). The theater of the open kitchen, coupled with robata-grilled skewers and sashimi, makes for an electric dinner atmosphere.
Broadway: A modern American-French brasserie that feels straight out of a chic metropolitan boulevard, perfect for gourmet burgers, steaks, craft ales, and live entertainment.
Sand & Koal: Set directly along the sand, this open-fire coastal kitchen offers grilled seafood and skewers with the Arabian Gulf breeze right at your feet, we had dinner there and the food and service was lovely. The girls enjoyed being able to run around the sand while waiting for the food
3. The Palace Signatures
Episodes (The Lobby Lounge): No visit to the Palace is complete without ordering the world-famous 24-Karat Gold Flake Cappuccino or indulging in an exquisite afternoon tea featuring artisanal pastries and house-made gelatos.
Vendôme: The palace's grand, sunlit all-day dining hall with soaring ceilings, serving an international buffet that spans freshly baked Middle Eastern flatbreads to delicate French patisserie.
Cultural Highlight: Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
No luxury itinerary in Abu Dhabi is complete without experiencing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located about a 20-minute drive from Emirates Palace.
As one of the world's largest and most magnificent architectural wonders, it serves as the spiritual heart of the city:
The Architecture: Crafted from pure white Macedonian marble, the mosque features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns adorned with amethyst and jasper, and reflective pools that mirror the arches.
The World Records: Inside the main prayer hall, you will stand before the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet (taking over 1,200 artisans two years to weave) beneath 24-karat gold-plated Swarovski crystal chandeliers.
Best Time to Visit: Head out in the late afternoon (around 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM). You will catch the golden-hour light reflecting across the white marble courtyard and watch as the mosque transitions into a blue and purple light show designed to mirror the phases of the moon.
Visitor Tips: Modest dress is mandatory (loose-fitting, ankle-length clothing with long sleeves, plus a headscarf for women). Booking a complimentary time-slot ticket online in advance ensures seamless entry through the visitor center.
Local Culture on Your Doorstep
Beyond the Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace sits in the prime cultural quarter of Abu Dhabi:
Qasr Al Watan (The Presidential Palace): Located directly adjacent to Emirates Palace. Walk through its Great Hall to marvel at Arabian craftsmanship, intricate mosaics, and vast cultural exhibitions.
The Founder’s Memorial: Just a 5-minute stroll along the Corniche, this tranquil landscaped space offers insight into the history and legacy of the UAE.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Dress Code: Smart casual is the standard throughout public areas. Swimwear is reserved strictly for the beach and pool areas. For fine dining (Talea, Hakkasan) and visiting religious sites, dress respectfully.
Dining & Mosque Reservations: Bookings for dinner, afternoon tea at Episodes, and your Grand Mosque entry passes should all be arranged online in advance. Anything that is needed the hotel will help you in any way possible.
Day Visitors: If you are not staying overnight, you can still book day pool/beach passes or secure restaurant reservations to explore the public palace grounds and grand atrium, highly recommend it if you have kids!