French Restaurants in Abu Dhabi: Paul, La Brioche & More

French food is globally renowned for the finesse and burst of flavours it offers. Finding authenticity however, is an entirely different ball game. French restaurants in Abu Dhabi offer original flavours blending traditional and modern techniques to deliver nothing but delicious French fare for foodies out there.

Best French Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

There are a bunch of different French eateries in Abu Dhabi that you can consider if you are craving for some fine French cuisine. We have shortlisted the top French restaurants in Abu Dhabi to save you the trouble. Let’s have a look.

Le Beaujolais

First on our list of French restaurants in Abu Dhabi is Le Beaujolais. Recreating the inside of a cosy French Bistro in Paris, Le Beaujolais has red checkered tablecloths, large mirrors and signature Parisian décor. This hidden gem is located in the Al Markaziya area of the capital. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. The flavours are kept simple to take you on a unique journey through the world of French food in Abu Dhabi. Their beef bourguignon and French onion soup are definitely worth ordering.

Average price for 2: AED 275
Location: Novel Hotel City Center, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street – Al Markaziya
Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Contact: +971-2-633-3555

Le Pain Quotidien

Brioche French toast — Start your day with the sweetness of some brioche french toast

Designed like a French bakery, Le Pain Quotidien serves an all-day menu from breakfast to dinner. With its rustic interiors and warm lighting, this French restaurant in Abu Dhabi is a great place to enjoy a laidback meal with friends and family. All the food here is sourced from organic ingredients that amplify the overall taste and flavour of everything you order. You can also enjoy a decadent brunch at Le Pain Quotidien from the three distinguished brunch platters available on the menu. Popular items on the menu include their croque monsieur, caprese frittata and the brioche French toast.

Average price for 2: AED 170
Location: Ground Level, Yas Mall – Yas Island
Timings: 07:30 am to 12:00 am
Contact: +971-2-492-6645

Bord Eau

Ideally located for those living in Al Maqtaa, Bord Eau is a multiple award-winning French restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Promising a unique experience for its patrons, the restaurant re-creates traditional French dishes with a contemporary twist. The Bord Eau menu consists of a premium selection of French favourites and carefully curated desserts. Bord Eau is specifically popular for its prime cut beef steaks, like the chateaubriand classique.

Average price for 2: AED 510
Location: Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al Maqta – Al Maqtaa
Timings: 06:30 pm to 11:30 pm | Closed on Saturdays
Contact: +971-2-418-2521

La Petite Maison

Lamb chops — Enjoy, sumptuous lamb chops cooked to perfection

One of the more expensive French restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Le Petite Maison offer luxury dining at its best. Choose between the indoor and terrace seating to experience French gastronomy at its finest. While the terrace offers stunning vistas of the surroundings, the indoor seating is kept cosy and elegant. Whether you order burrata, carpaccio, lamb chops or gratin – you will not be disappointed. The star on the menu, however, is the crème brûlée.

Average price for 2: AED 780
Location: The Galleria – Al Maryah Island
Timings: 12:00 pm to 03:30 pm and 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Weekends 12:30 pm to 04:00 pm and 06:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Contact: +971-2-692-9600

Alouette Creperie

If we were to rank French eateries in Abu Dhabi for their aesthetic appeal, Alouette Creperie would definitely take the crown. This cute little restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor terrace created to resemble the small, cosy eateries on the streets of Paris. The food consists of a small selection of appetisers, while the mains are distinctly divided into regular French meals and the speciality crepe meals of Alouette Creperie. Things you should try include steak au poivre, carbonara a la Alouette and the mashed potatoes. There is a separate kids’ menu as well.

Average price for 2: AED 215
Location: 2nd Floor, After Passport Control, Terminal 1, Abu Dhabi International Airport – Masdar City
Timings: Open 24 hours
Contact: +971-2-505-5555

Brioche Doree

Cheesy and delicious – a lasagna is sure to lift your spirits on any given day

French food at the airport – Brioche Doree can be a lifesaver when hunger pangs strike when you’re stuck at the airport. The eatery brings you a limited but delicious variety of soups, entrées, salads, sandwiches and other savoury meals. While most of the food is good for a quick bite, ordering a quiche, lasagna or sandwich will prove great for an in-transit meal. There is a special kids’ menu too and they offer some great mac and cheese for the little ones.

Average price for 2: AED 170
Location: 2nd Floor, After Passport Control, Terminal 1, Abu Dhabi International Airport – Masdar City
Timings: Open 24 hours
Contact: +971-2-505-5555

Paul

Our list of best French restaurants in Abu Dhabi would be incomplete without the mention of Paul. This popular French eatery in the capital deserves a spot on the list for its prompt service, friendly staff and delicious food. The restaurant’s vast menu includes traditional French food in addition to some modified for the health-conscious ones. This is definitely the place for you if you love French desserts – macarons, éclairs and cheesecakes are just the start. Besides desserts, Paul is especially popular for its breakfast and the delectable French Onion Soup.

Average price for 2: AED 170
Location: Ground Level, Al Wahda Mall – Al Wahda
Timings: 09:00 am to 11:00 pm
Contact: +971-2-444-6188

La Brioche

Counted among the top restaurants on Al Reem Island, La Brioche is one of the cheap French restaurants in Abu Dhabi. The staff is super friendly and always ready to help you pick the right meal for yourself. La Brioche serves an all-day breakfast that makes is popular among both early and late risers. From delicious French breads to creamy soups, small plates and traditional favourites, the restaurant has you covered. La Brioche has 22 other branches in Abu Dhabi including the ones in Khalifa City, Embassies District, Yas Island and Najda Street.

Average price for 2: AED 150
Location: Ground Level, Amaya Towers – Al Reem Island
Timings: 06:00 am to 11:00 pm
Contact: +971-2-642-1152

Entrecote Café de Paris

If you’re in search of more options for good French restaurants in Abu Dhabi near your Al Maqtaa rental villa, check out Entrecote Café de Paris. The restaurant offers you a no-fuss menu with their steaks being the specialty. This French eatery in the capital is an absolute haven for beef lovers, but it also offers an extensive dessert menu to sweeten your palate after a wholesome meal of steak and fries with assorted salads. From the menu, order the black wagyu beef steak (subject to availability) or go for the simple wagyu steak. And don’t miss fondant au chocolat for dessert.

Average price for 2: AED 400
Location: Level 1, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain – Al Maqtaa
Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Contact: +971-2-557-6508

Manuel

Located in Marina Mall, this small French café in Abu Dhabi is famous for its coffee and desserts. Elegantly decorated, Manuel restaurant has chic, upscale vibes that complement its style. Head over to the restaurant for a lavish breakfast, enjoy a business lunch or share a good time over coffee with friends – the café is open all day. Plus the staff is super friendly and helpful. Try their Chilean Sea Bass or order the creamy burrata if you find yourself in a fix over what to eat.

Average price for 2: AED 400
Location: Marina Mall – Marina Village
Timings: 09:00 am to 11:00 pm | Thursdays and Fridays 09:00 am to 12:00 am
Contact: +971-2-633-3383

With that, we end this list of French restaurants in Abu Dhabi – the best ones you’ll find. The UAE capital has transformed into a top culinary destination. If you love trying out new cuisines, the Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi are a great place to start. You can even check out Abu Dhabi’s popular Chinese restaurants for a taste of Asian zing.

It’s not unusual for people living in Abu Dhabi to frequently travel to Dubai. In case your French food cravings kick in while you’re in travelling between the two emirates, these French restaurants in Dubai should have you covered.

For more information on restaurants and new foodie havens in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.