Having spent much longer than anticipated at the Grand Mosque, we were more than ready for lunch. We headed back into the city to Café Arabia. I had read great things about this café in a converted villa and it actually exceeded our expectations.
Café Arabia is a real find, an absolute gem of a place. As soon as you enter, there's a feeling of calm.
One of those charming places where there is so much to admire with photographs of well-known people of Arabia and local art adorning the walls.
Colourful Arabic lanterns dangle from the ceiling...
It's very much a community café which regularly hosts various events including book clubs and there's an Arts and Crafts Souq in December. Such an attractive venue with a relaxed ambiance and I loved this colourful wall .....
Our dishes were delicious and so fresh....shish taouk, traditional marinated chicken skewers and grilled lamb arayes, crispy pita bread filled with spicy minced lamb ....so popular all over the Middle East....
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| One of the best mint lemonades .....ever! |
A tempting display of cakes caught my eye with a huge selection from muffins and red velvet ... to coffee and walnut but we needed to move on to our final destination. (I actually refused cake!)
Time Out Abu Dhabi sums up Café Arabia perfectly.
"It's a safe bet that every person who visits Café Arabia spends a few private moments musing over how they could make their own home a little bit more like this one. The boutique 'concept café' looks like an elegant Arabian house, with expensive sofas, interesting artwork and tasteful bookshelves ......."
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| Café Arabia, Villa No 37, 15th Street (opposite Al Mushruf Children's Park) |
Finally, before heading back to Dubai, we went in search of a very special cappuccino served in the Emirates Palace Hotel. Sprinkled with 24 carat gold flakes!
An even more exotic drink for mr b...a camelccino .... with frothy camel milk topped with date syrup! A little chocolate camel on the side!
A beautiful setting too with the stunning dome above us.
Abu Dhabi impressed us so much. .....not only the breathtakingly beautiful, serene Grand Mosque and the friendly, helpful people but the stunning modern architecture. Two buildings in particular stand out.....but I was disappointed with the quality of my photos taken from a distance. I came across these images which capture the magnificence of these architectural works of art.
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| Hyatt Capital Gate via |
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| HQ 'The Coin' via |
There are more ambitious plans too......Saadiyat Cutural District is set to become an important arts hub with The Louvre, Abu Dhabi due to open in 2015 and the Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi will follow in 2017.
I know we shall return!
If you missed my post about the Grand Mosque you can read it here
Abu Dhabi is for sure an amazing place to visit, not only for the impressive architecture and the culture but even for the food as I see. Café Arabia has been a great choice, the dishes look very good, especially the sweets table :) Also, Emirates Palace hotel must be great, I would have ordered a camelcino as ur husband, looks heavenly!:) Happy weekend Miss B! xo
ReplyDeleteI want that cup of coffee, it looks divine as does the beautiful cafe x
ReplyDeleteOh my, that cappuccino and camelccino look perfect! I really like the 1st place atmosphere. It's important for me the certain place, whether it is a cafeteria or a restaurant, to have the right set-up. I can only imagine how impressed you were by the architecture in Abu Dhabi!
ReplyDeleteReally,breathtaking beautiful time was your vacation,dear Mis B.!:)))
ReplyDeleteSo delish and enjoyable....
All images are beyond invited!!!
Thankyou for share these very pretty moments from your life:)
And Thankyou so very much for your kind visits by me!
Hugs from rainy Amsterdam,
V.
I love little gems like these where there is so much visually going on all around with the decor to capture your attention and then the delicious food to capture your senses. Those drinks certainly look to be quite unique and special.
ReplyDeletewow that looks incredible! Abu Dhabi seems like such a special place. Those lanterns are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLianna
This is my type of post-- filled with great food, and wonderful picturesque views. I loved your post of the Grand Mosque and this just as much. Middle Eastern food is one of my favourites. I must try the mint lemonade now. enjoy your weekend. xx/Madison
ReplyDeleteThe Great Outdoors
Hi Miss B. What an incredible spot for lunch. Love the dangling lanterns. Each is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe food, table setting and desserts look divine!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip.
Have a great weekend.
XO
Wow look at those cappuccinos - amazing and what a lovely, unique touch with the flakes. You just don't see that in Birmingham ha ha. The architecture is so imposing, sorry to hear you were not happy with your photos, it's so annoying when that happens isn't it. I'm sold on Cafe Arabia, I hope I'm fortunate to visit it one day. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteMint lemonade? Well, that's something I've never heard of before - thanks for the introduction! I love to see your photos as you visit some really interesting places that I wouldn't otherwise get to see. Have a fantastic and relaxing weekend! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://aglassofice.blogspot.co.uk
x
Wow, Abu Dhabi looks so grand. They are really developing so fast. The buildings are so modern. I just hope they will retain their own culture in those buildings. The mosque and the lanterns are amazing. I would like to try the mint lemonade.
ReplyDeleteDear Miss b, Love this! You always find the coolest cafes and places. If I get to visit Dubai, I would love to use your blog as my travel guide! That cappuccino with the gold flecks was something.. I cannot believe the buildings too. Beautiful photos too. x Kim
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post! This is one place I probably will not get to myself so glad to have you show me around! Everything looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
www.nycstylelittlecannoli.com
Wow...you always find the best places! I don't know when I will make it to Abu Dhabi or Dubai but they are on my list! Your recommendations in Singapore were very helpful - thank you!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear that you found my recommendations helpful and I'm looking forward to reading all about your trip!
DeleteWonderful post, dear! I've only been to Dubai, but not Abu Dhabi. Looks like a nice place.
ReplyDeleteDo let me know if you're following any of my social media sites & I'll be happy to follow back right away. Enjoy your weekend! xoxo
Luxury Haven
those colors are just so lovely!
ReplyDeleteCamel milk?? How is that?? It looks SO good! Those Arabic lanterns are so fun ~ great colors! You really must right a travel book of some sort:)
ReplyDeleteThe gold flakes are to precious to eat/drink! Wow, I am totally stunned at this capuccino.
ReplyDeleteCafé Arabia looks like a very unique cafe. I love the rich colours. Abu Dhabi is made even more beautiful by the movie SATC. It is definitely a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteJo
Jo's Jumbled Jardinière
I think your photos are great, and it might be such an experience to be in a place where culture and history are so different. I wish one day I could visit this side of the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Miss B,
ReplyDeleteThe cafe looks like a great place to go and the coffee so good. The lanterns are fun and colourful and thanks for sharing.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend
hugs
Carolyn
This looks like a beautiful place to visit with so much character.
ReplyDeleteC'est incroyable l'architecture de cet endroit ! J'imagine que voir un de ce buildings en direct doit être assez impressionnant !
ReplyDeleteJ'ai bien aimé aussi le café, c'est sûre que ça donne très envie de prendre un capuccino dedans ! Le capuccino avec de l'or, stunning !! Merci de me faire voyager ;)
oh my gosh, I love those lanterns! I am really into lanterns right now. miss b, you always try the most delightful drinks. This one looks delicious. And sprinkled with gold flakes! This is place filled with so much color, and I appreciate that because I have to have color in my life as well. It's so nice coming along with you on your trips, miss b.
ReplyDeletelove,
~Sheri
Dear miss b, I'm sure I would also immediately think about how I could decorate our house at least a bit like the Café Arabia as it seems to be a wonderful and dreamy place! And I'm sure I would be sad that I wouldn't be able to test as much as possible of the obviously so delicous food and drinks :) Thanks for sharing again such a beautiful post and a happy new week for you!
ReplyDeleteLovely greetings from Germany/Bavaria, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
Miss B, you always give me the itch to travel! I fell in love with Cafe Arabia based on those hanging lanterns alone - how absolutely lovely. And who could say no to a drink dusted with 24 carat gold flakes? Certainly not me!
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
Simply amazing... Just wonderful. x
ReplyDeleteca a l'air chouette comme endroit et puis toutes ces lanternes suspendues, j'adore!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.letiziabarcelona.com
Those lanterns are so magical. Love!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting life you lead. The coffees look amazing and the cafe is simply gorgeous with so much to look at . We hear so much about Dubai it is lovely to see a new destination which is exciting and new. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteThe mint lemonade looks so so delicious. I love all of your photos so much! x E
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Victoria Clark
Their lighting miss b is so beautiful! I love those lanterns and that chocolate camel is just too cute.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
Miss B it is so fun to visit the interesting places you visit through your eyes. That menu & that coffee...right up my alley!!
ReplyDeleteSuch an exciting and interesting post miss b!!! I really loved the coffees !!! Definitely Dubai is a place to visit more than once and your beautiful post and photos show it with the best way !!! Warm regards and have a beautiful day!!!
ReplyDeletegorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOMG, totally love the coffee art with gold flakes! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLuxury Haven
How does camel milk taste??the coffee is a piece of art!
ReplyDeleteIt tastes quite rich and creamy. I was very impressed with the cappuccino art!
DeleteThat looks like such a darling spot! I'd want to buy everything there :)
ReplyDeletespectacular lanterns
ReplyDeleteWow! Everything looks beautiful and the food looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights
Hi miss b,
ReplyDeleteIt is our Thanksgiving this week, and I just wanted to tell you that I'm thankful for my blog friend in the UK and for all your delightful posts.
Have a wonderful week.
~Sheri
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sheri. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
DeleteLove all these colourful lanterns hunting from the ceiling!
ReplyDeleteThe cinnamon decor on your coffee is really awesome :)
The camelccino looks really amazing especially with the calligraphy. I have yet to visit Saadiyat Island. Recently visited the Etihad Towers and it was impressive despite the purpose of my visit there.
ReplyDeleteThat cafe looks gorgeous and the coffees are presented beautifully! Hope you are having a good week:)
ReplyDelete~Anne
Beautiful collection of photos! I especially love all of the lanterns.. the craftsmanship is stunning. The coffee art is wonderful also. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. xoxo, B
ReplyDeleteLoving the lanterns on mass, looks so effective and that has to be the most elaborate cappuccino I have ever seen, so creative.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your comments. So many of you mentioned those lovely lanterns and the special coffees!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that bohemian style in this post :) I havent seen you for a while on my blog I hope everything is fine with you.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my new post....Divine golden bedroom inspirtation for Christmas :)
have a fab day dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis - inredning it's, Swedish for decor :)