Zahrat Lebnan - Defence St — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

This used to be the go-to destination for a casual iftar... Nice atmosphere generous service and a warm welcome. On our last (and final) visit two weeks ago we drove a distance for some of the same. As I was parking, and maghrib prayer was imminent I dispatched my fasting family to get a table. When I arrived my wife was miffed. No more Ramadan buffet, no atmosphere, empty tables and she was told to order off the menu. No water was offered, never mind dates and she had to sternly request it. She ordered a selection of dishes from the menu, while the waiter played word games with her (like they don't have roast chicken???) and oh... roast chicken? Nonsense) slowly the food arrived including three glasses of Ayran/Laban which tasted peculiar, like furniture cleaner was used to clean the glasses. Nobody drank it. During our meal we witnessed neighbouring tables being shown an Iftar set menu despite us being told to order off the menu. At the end we ordered three teas which after 20 mins did not arrive. I went to pay at the counter where I had to insist that the teas had not arrived therefore to be removed from the bill. I also requested that the Ayran not be changed. They could see that they had not been barely touched. This was refused point blank. I enquired as to why we were not offered the iftar menu and received nothing... NOTHING by was if explanation. I delivered the 3 glasses of Ayran to the counter and left. After years of patronage I am saddened by the whole experience. One of the family restaurant institutions of the city reduced to this den of rudeness....

Just a 10-minute wander from Abu Dhabi’s main bus terminal, and you’ll stumble upon Zahrat Lebnan — a spot filled with high rating among locals and tourists that we basically had to check what all the shawarma-fueled hype was about.

First impression? The place greets you like an old friend at a party — Arabic tunes blasting, grill smoke wafting through the air. The vibe was lively, casual, and somewhat chaotic but in the best possible way - they are just busy clearing tables for newcomers. You can choose between al fresco dining under fairy lights or escape the heat in an conditioned indoor zone. Tourists are never a new sight here.

Now, onto the real stars of the show: 🌯 Mexican Chicken Shawarma Sandwich – Tender, spiced chicken tucked in a soft wrap with a creamy, tangy sauce that hits all the right notes. Basically, a simple mini flavor fiesta.

🥗 Al Raheb Salad – A smoky (perhaps a little over charred), silky mash of grilled eggplant with onions, peppers, and a surprise pop of pomegranate. It’s earthy, zesty and served as a cold appetiser — I’d prefer its hot baba ganoush cousin but I guess pomegranates dont go exploring too much in heat.

🥙 Shawarma Meat Pita – Juicy sliced meat with veggies stuffed into warm pita bread. A little heavy-handed on the salt, but still managed to disappear mysteriously from the plate.

All in all, Zahrat Lebnan Perfect for an impromptu meal after a bus ride, we had it before so we weren’t able to handle the heavier servings. Theres also a lebanon bakery right next door if you dont mind taking away some...

Zahrat Lebanon is one of the busiest and most authentic Labanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi. They have beautifully designed and curated their space in a sense to give more the look of a restaurant opened in the streets of Lebanon. They have both indoor and outdoor seating arrangement as well as upstairs sitting space is available too. Elaborated menu, tasty food, open ambiance with television connections to keep football or sports lover alive in the space. They are very particular about their hygiene standards and cleanliness. It’s a fantastic fit for families with young or older kids alike. The best part is they have kids menu as well and toys in the meal to keep the kids busy. We got to order their grilled prawns, mixed grill, tabuleh salad, fattousch, chicken and cheese shawarma, hummus, garlic paste and fresh orange juice. We loved each and every single dish we ordered from them. Their food is beyond delish and so fresh. No wonder they’re the leading restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Their staff was exceptionally polite and careful about everybody’s needs and orders. It’s quite a chirpy restaurant as it’s always full with customers. We loved the lovely environment, value of money, delicious food and hospitable staff. Everything was so on point. They have more branches in Abu Dhabi. One in Shahama, khalidiya, Muroor, and Defense Road. We visited their Defense Road branch which is biggest one and indeed the busiest one. Take away food and deliveries are also possible with them. It’s a highly recommended restaurant. Do...