Abu Dhabi just got its own slice of ANA. The contemporary Emirati food spot, ANA, already a fixture at The Dubai Mall, has quietly opened a second home at Dalma Mall this July, its first-ever spot in the capital.
From Burj Khalifa Views To A Cosier Capital Setting, ANA Debuts In Abu Dhabi
View this post on Instagram
The Dubai original built its name on that hand-brushed “ANA” signature, warm sun-washed food styling, and a dining room that looks straight out at the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. Abu Dhabi trades the skyline for something more tucked away in an indoor space built for a slower, more intimate kind of sitting.
The Idea Behind ANA
The concept started with a fairly simple question: where does one cuisine really end and another begin? In the Emirates, a nation built on trade and travel, the answer’s never been a straight line – and that’s exactly what ANA leans into. Nothing here is treated as untouchable heritage sitting behind glass. Traditional Emirati recipes get pulled into contemporary technique, local ingredients meet outside influences, and what lands on the table feels familiar and new at once. ANA is the brainchild of Mohamed Hilal, Founder and CEO of Mohamed Hilal Group, an Emirati lifestyle company. The bigger goal, by his own account, is putting Emirati culture on the table in a way that feels current: heritage without the nostalgia trap.
What’s On The Table
Two dishes are already doing the talking. The Mubahar Chicken comes with ANA’s own signature sauce, saffron rice, toasted nuts and a scattering of crisp shallots- a dish built for sharing, if you’re willing to share it. Then there’s the Machbous, slow-cooked lamb layered over fragrant hessa rice, the kind of dish that rewards patience in the kitchen and shows it on the plate.
ANA runs all-day dining, seven days a week, from 10 am to midnight. So, whether it’s a leisurely breakfast, a working lunch, or a proper sit-down dinner, there’s a version of the menu built for it.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
FAQs
Where is ANA's new Abu Dhabi location?
It's situated in Dalma Mall & is the brand's first outpost in the capital, following its flagship at The Dubai Mall.
What are ANA Abu Dhabi's opening hours?
Open daily from 10am to midnight, offering all-day dining.
