Reviews ‪cafe Mandarina‬

Name: ‪cafe Mandarina‬
Address: ‪Rahba Farm Plot No. 991‬, أبو ظبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة, I-
Telephone: +971 56 890 5776
Rating: 88

Ghinwa Balouza Saab

My hidden gem, i love this place and i have been going there for few years now but this time i brought my friends along and they fell in love with it. The view the ambiance the service and the food. Unfortunately my favourite 1001 flavour has changed. Thy changed the dispay the pertions of the vegetables compared to the cous cous. The amout of beetroot oranges and nuts has been reduced dramatically. Please bring back my ultimate salad. Az the new one is not as good as the old one. We orde3 few other dishes. Spot on for the keto dishes and the honey chicken. The group also ordered 3 plates of special lamb dish which was very mouthwatering but unfortunately one of the plate was ice cold.

Mandarina will always be my favorite place. Please stay on the same level of taste as always

10 months ago

Biting Around

Cafe mandarina is like a home to me and my family, it’s just so nice and cozy with its beautiful ambience, it’s our usual weekend getaway. Definitely the best hidden gem of abudhabi.

As always, the service was excellent , friendly staff and the food is amazing at decent prices, also THE best long lasting tasty Shisha in town !! Along with the most beautiful view of horses.

Apr 30, 2019

EclairEtLune

Beautiful cafe , food is delicious 😋, we love the raclette and salad 🥗...during winter it is awesome to stay outdoor you can enjoy the cuisine from mandarina while observing equestrians doing their practice...very suitable for families with kids, waiters are friendly and accommodating...

Mar 13, 2019

Douaa.zourhbat

The place is very nice and relaxing stuff friendly, BUT las time i visited the place they gave us a receipt for another table and we paid the bill and all we did not check , i found out when i was home already from the receipt , we ended up paying someones food and drinks while all we ordered me and my friend was 2 cappuccino and one shisha , it was our mistake too because we did not check before paying , but they should be more careful too

Mar 02, 2019

Kristine Natividad

They are Good esp ate Aaliyah she is approachable and The service is Good! ❤ well Done 😊 and the Food is Delicious and the place is too much relaxing i recommend this Cafe Really ❤

Dec 27, 2018

Lina Debs

Beautiful location serving delicious food. We loved the kale salad with strawberry and avocado (winning combination). The baked camembert is a great appetizer to share and the lamb signature was juicy and fragrant. We finished the meal with a strawberry Jawhara and their brownie dessert (forgot the name).

Very friendly staff. We will surely be back!

Dec 19, 2018

Sammon

The food was fresh and amazing, properly prepared and a great value for the price. We enjoyed perfect wait service . We highly recommend it. Staffs were very welcoming and pleasing.

Sep 21, 2018

Mariah Jamil

Good food, great ambience and activity for kids. However, the staff are quite clueless and need to be trained properly to understand basic menu items.

May 08, 2018

Jamal Elghandour

This Cafe Restaurant is absolutely amazing. Delicious healthy food with a delightful family atmosphere. The menu is not huge, but if you factor the equesterian activities, kids playground, billiards table, and shisha; the choice becomes obvious. Try it; you will not regret it. A full thumbs up from me 👍👍👍👍

Apr 08, 2018

Marwa Taha

Hidden gem in Abu Dhabi. My kids are going for horse riding and discovered this gem. Nice & quite restaurant with great ambience with loads of sunlight and open theme to watch the horses. Tried the salad and the lamp both were over the top taste and best ingredients. The Turkish coffee was bit disappointing, also absence of varieties in the menu. The management need to consider this for future improvement. However; the bloody healthy and triple berry are so delicious and fresh. They accept the entertainer and all the prices are affordable. Definitely will visit again.

Mar 22, 2018

Sanjana Sunil

Fancy a weekend getaway not too far from the city, set amidst beautiful stables with farm fresh fruits & vegetable juices, smoothies and great homely food? A visit to Cafe Mandarina must be on your foodie list then!
A family owned restaurant that absolutely pays a lot of attention to the quality of food served. The juices and smoothies and freshly pressed from fruits & vegetables grown organically in their garden. Ju our host and the owner of the cafe was extremely accommodating and suggested a number of signature dishes.
Appetisers: Egg Chakchouka, Kuskus chicken salad, Arabic bread with capsicum, tomato filling, fresh carrot juice & triple berry smoothie. The Egg Chakchouka was my favourite served with Arabic pita bread and topped with fried sausages which added more flavour to the tomatoes and capsicum base, the level of the spice was medium and perfect to my liking. The smoothie and juice were super refreshing and perfect for the summers.
Main Course: we tried the days special which was honey glazed chicken served with pepper sauce alongside a small portion of rice. The chicken was tender and the sauce had pieces of mango which was something I was skeptical about, however after I dug into it I fell in love with the punch of flavours! This was the highlight of my dining experience.
Desserts: Jawahra; means Jewel, consists of thin filo sheets layered with fresh cut strawberries, whipped cream and garnished with almond shavings. Molten Cake with vanilla ice cream. My personal favourite was the Jawahra.
We finally ended our meal with a black & green tea.

Rating : 5/5

Mar 19, 2018

Bigbitesdxb

This was one of the most memorable experience I cant thank enough the management and the servers for taking good care of us. It was super relaxing and I loved the atmosphere just too much. I would definitely visit them, They offer delicious and healthy salads I recommend their halloumi cheese salad straight from the farm, not to forget they have their own farm therefore most of their veggies are freshly served. tried their - LAMB DISH - and CHICKEN WITH MANGO SAUCE SERVED with PLAIN RICE which was also very healthy and well served, I recommend their Lamb dish, as it was juicy and worth the quantity.
About the dessert don't forget to try out the freshly served cheese cake & one of the highly asked dessert Jawahar with any of your favorite toppings Date or strawberry.

If you are in AD & haven't tried their place make sure you do because it will definitely relax your mood. & if you are in Dubai definitely its worth the drive if you enjoy fresh food and horses & farms. It will get put you on Vacation mood.

I Recommend this place to my amazing followers.

Mar 17, 2018

Sara Khan

🍖SLOW COOKED LEG OF LAMB🍗
.
@cafemandarina is one the best restaurants in @visitabudhabi On Fridays, they serve a decadent brunch which includes the MAIN AFFAIR- leg of lamb infused with spices and slow roasted! Juicy and tender- cooked to perfection! This and the amazing view on their terrace overlooking the horse ranches 🐎 .
What better way to enjoy the weekend? .

THE JAWHARA- 🍓 BERRIES & CREAM - THATS THE DREAM🍓
.
Making it to the list of BEST desserts in @visitabudhabi - this simple dessert of strawberries and creams are amped up by 💯by adding crunchy phylo pastry sheets and caramel sauce! You literally won’t be able to stop once you take a bite- that’s a promise! Also find a version with Mejdool Dates at @cafemandarina .

Feb 03, 2018

Karim8186

Very nice cafe and the food is healthy and testy
The kids enjoy the play ground as well
And the service is perfect
I really enjoy my time in this cafe

Jan 27, 2018

Samer Fawaz

+4.5

So far I have tried the burgers, and the taste was out of this world. The service is great and the ambience is very cozy. A very friendly and calm place. Waiting to try the rest of their food... tbc

Jan 17, 2018

Samia

This is a Very Nice and lovely place with good good. we absolutely love to go to the Mandarina cafe! There is a play Area outside for the kids where they can enjoy while you chill😉

Jan 06, 2018

Hadi Jaber

Great food and great service, loved it. A nice getaway place that is very calm and friendly. Highly recommended! Will definetly be back soon!

Jan 05, 2018

Yasmin Sayyed

What an awesome Cafe Restaurant . The food is like a poetry ...everything well conditioned with fresh herbs .Many of the dishes include organic vegetables grown at the own farm..and for sure you gonna make friends here. Really happy to be here , awesome atmosphere , food ...and the possibility to ride horses or get a horse stable tour .

Jan 05, 2018

Wins Mathew

A true hidden gem off-the-track on the Abu Dhabi - Dubai highway. Found the raving reviews via Zomato and went and tried them today, on the way from Abu Dhabi. Great ambience with loads of sunlight and open theme. Wonderful restaurant with smiling service at all times and great food.

The salads had freshness all the way and the juices were made on order with no sugar. Tried the 1000 flavors and superfood salad. Both were over the top on taste and ingredients used.

For drinks, we tried the Bloody healthy and triple berry smoothie. The berry smoothie was a bit thick, but in rich in taste.

Will definitely be dropping by on future trips to Abu Dhabi.

Dec 02, 2017

I’d wanted to come here for a long time. Everyone raves about how nice it is.
Today was the day! Got my wife and daughter and decided to come over.
The team is fantastic. Very attentive and polite and without being intrusive.
I’d heard the food was nice but didn’t expect it to be THAT nice!
As it is the weekend, they had a buffet. Lots of choices and everything was so incredibly delicious!
After eating we went to look at the beautiful and majestic horses.
We didn’t ride any horses but for a very small fee, you can.
This place isn’t just a restaurant. It’s an experience. We spent over 4 hours here and loved it!
Will be back for sure!

Nov 10, 2017

Dubaibites

+4.5

Skip Texas Roadhouse and come chow down with the real cowboys at Abu Dhabi’s Cafe Mandarina, the only restaurant in the UAE where you can get a side-view of horse with your burger. Mandarina offers a genuine countryside charm that we haven’t seen anywhere else in Abu Dhabi. That’s because it’s nestled right in the middle of an equestrian club deep within Shahama’s bowels. Its location might be a little off-putting to some, but we can confidently say that it’s worth the extra few turns on the road to smoke shisha in the middle of paradise.

Oct 27, 2017

Jette Alt

+3.5

Finally I made my way to this restaurant with my friend but we were a bit disappointed in regards to the menu. Not many options available, so we decided to go for sandwiches "Levantine" and the Kebab sandwich, sandwiches were just normal, nothing really special. Then we ordered the Mandarina's trifle and we had to wait ages for the dessert, more than 25 minutes and we expected something else. There were no layers, crumbled sponge (artificial flavour) just at the bottom of the glass. Dessert had not really a wow factor. Cafe is nicely decorated though and friendly staff.

Oct 14, 2017

Jyotsna Virwani

Is a beautiful café situated in quite a hide out in Abu Dhabi. One of the best weekend outing I have had in a while. It is quite a drive but not too long from Dubai. Its very close to the Emirates Zoo Hotel and very easy to find on google maps.

The place is an Equestrian club's café with home grown farm and lot of natural vegetables and fruits in house. We also took a round around the stables and were educated on the beautiful horses and the classes people can take there. We were there for breakfast but the terrace was inviting us for shisha as well.

Here is what we had after meeting the lovely owner JU:

Karak Chai: Needed to be slow cooked a little more longer.

The flat White: This one was delicious

French Toast: One of the best I have had, the toast was amazingly soft with caramel sauce and melt in your mouth texture. The most surprising element of this dish was that there was no cream used. It wasn’t too sweet and the salted caramel sauce with the side of yoghurt, honey and walnuts were winning combinations. Yum o meter: 10/5

Avocado Toast: The toast was a bit too hard but the avocado paste and the pesto were the winners for me. I would have given this a 3.5 but the pesto and the poached egg raised the taste bar to 4.5. A must try. Yum o meter: 4.5/5

Vegetable Sandwich: The bread is made fresh everyday at the café, also the health element is maximum here. Even the fries are air fried. That’s quite a wow factor. The bread in the sandwich was a bit too crunchy – not really made for those with weak gums. We loved the stuffing inside and loved this sandwich. Yum o meter: 4/5

Triple Berries smoothie: Delicious and fresh this one had no preservatives. Yum o meter: 5/5

Pineapple smoothie with mint and mango it also had a touch of banana for the sweetness. Yum o meter: 4/5

Carrot Cake: Made fresh everyday this one is a huge chunk. It was fresh and creamy made with natural ingredients and sweetness. This one is a must try. Yum o meter: 5/5

Jawhara: My favorite in all the food tried there, this one is layered with dates and filo pastry, cream and almonds. This one shouldn’t be missed - I loved the crunch and natural dates sweetness. I had an overdose of goodness with this one. Yum o meter: 10/5

P.S: There is no sugar used at all in all ingredients, the natural sugar comes from honey and banana. This one is a real healthy place tucked away in the fields of Abu Dhabi. I loved how they went out of the way to not only be healthy but organic too. Dates are farm fresh, they are big and juicy – do not leave without trying them.

Jul 30, 2017

Myfootprintsinuae

+4.5

Is there a cafe, where I can have my cup of coffee watching horses in UAE?? YES there is, and I am lucky to have explored this unique place along with my family. I am talking about Cafe Mandarina at Al Shahama Abudhabi. Get your GPS and find the place now.. Yes I know it’s showing a bit out of the city limits, but the experience is just as unique. The cafe is located inside “Mandara equestrian club” where horses are maintained groomed and taken care of.

Jun 14, 2017

Stamps And Stubs

+4.5

One of the major highlights of lunching at Café Mandarina is its inimitability, whether in terms of location, ambiance or décor! Once you seek out the bright and spacious restaurant; yes you’ll have to use your GPS, but other than a few quick turns, the restaurant is neither out of the way nor tough to find. We were visiting from Dubai and it took us no more than 50 minutes to an hour to arrive at our destination. And what a pleasant sight awaited us; a properly paved parking lot that led the way to a formal two storey building which further looked out into the stables! Yes, you read it right, the restaurant is surrounded by stables. So, Café Mandarina, is the brainchild of the lovely Juwayryah who, on her own property, has created a cozy eatery with indoor and outdoor seating that offer pleasing views of her stables and a showjumping arena. So you can feast on the food while feasting on the view! Café Mandarina is adorned in elegant chandeliers, pretty furniture, stylish drapes and everything else that gives you the feeling of being sat in a quaint Victorian café. With regard to the food, whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, brunch or just a simple salad, Café Mandarina has got you covered. Here is everything we had at our recent tasting:

May 08, 2017

Edek

I have just had a wonderful avocado and poached egg toast. Place is nice, if you are lucky you can see horses training, food is really tasty, service is exactly as it has to be... the perfect hidden small place to get a peaceful breakfast

Apr 23, 2017

Mays

Had an unforgettable meal with my family at this hidden gem. Everything was fresh and yummy and the service was amazing. The leg of lamb and the boscaiola cream pasta were extremely delicious!

Apr 15, 2017

Laith Albazirgan

Amazing food, great service and a stunning space. This was my first time herand will definitely come back. You will be impressed whether you are a small or large group.

Thank you Cafe Mandarina!

Apr 15, 2017

Shaden_Abudhabi

+4.5

About the place:

Comfortable & cozy interior, terrace with shisha service and excellent service.

They have Indoor & Outdoor Horse Riding Classes.

About the food:

Excellent food & service ✔✔✔

I tried the French Toast, Egg Chahchouka with Soujok, Honey Glazed Chicken, Faisals Fave Salad and Jawhara (with dates) and they were all very delicious.

On other visits I tried other dishes:

Full Leg of Lamb (240 dhs) (3-4people) portion for one person 85 dhs.
Chicken Tagine 55 dhs 👌
1001 Flavours Salad 43 dhs... one of the best salads I have tried.

Apr 11, 2017

@TastingGround

We arrived just before sunset. The scenery and nature that surrounds Cafe Mandarine is quite serene, and makes it a wonderful environment to eat. Our waiter suggested the 1001 flavours salad and baked cheese. We also ordered the chicken tagine, a new sandwich with halloumi cheese, bacon and sundried tomatoes and the signature trifle to end our meal. The food was outstanding!Relatively simple in presentation. It is modestly priced, especially for the quality of what you get. A favorite spot for a romantic date off-Island!

Apr 02, 2017

Isabel Millan Rumayor

Beautiful place to chill out and spend the day. The French cottage furniture and decor is so pretty that I wanted to take one of their dining sets back home with me! The choice of 100% halal healthy and tasty food is outstanding with loads of organic produce. The roast turkey, salads and rice dishes where cooked to perfection followed by delicious deserts. We had an amazing dinner with family and friends and were treated like family by super friendly and professional staff.
We toured the equestrian club, saw all the horses, were able to perform our magreb prayers in the nice prayer room located right in the same building as Café Mandarina. We ended the day on the exquisitely decorated rooftop café covered with beautiful blankets (provided by the café on cold evenings) where some of our guests smoked shisha. Definitely we will be back!

Feb 27, 2017

Adam Ali

All in all it was a perfect experience. Nothing was less than expected. Excellent food presentation and taste. Cozy atmosphere and friendly crew (you feel home).

The only thing that bothered me was the weather lol

Feb 03, 2017

Rewa

A cafe with a cozy and family-oriented atmosphere is exactly what I was looking for. Waiters were very friendly and always offers help whenever needed! Food served in the buffet was amazing and rich in taste, including a variety of choices to choose from. After the buffet, scenary outside the cafe was breathtaking. In company with a glass of morrocan tea, what a relaxing combination!💆🏻 Cafe Mandarina is an amazing place for relaxaing and having a peacful time with yourself

Feb 03, 2017

Rijailham

Decent place to go excellent staff and a nice ambiance they provide a wide variety of healthy food must try their creamy & cheesy mashed potatoes loved it

Jan 26, 2017

Ahmad Yousef Alnsour

The location is beautiful, the salads were decent and the variety of healthy food you can have is overwhelming! You should try this place for the coziness and quietness.

Jan 21, 2017

Salma

Nice cafe and not so crowded. The food was good, the service was even better. It is something different to the cafes in malls and hotels in Abu Dhabi. The food is not expensive at all and seeing the horses is a joy. Angie served us; thank you for the great service.

Jan 14, 2017

Saraindubai

My first Abu Dhabi review, and boy was it a great start to my Abu Dhabi food journey. A few months ago I made my way to Cafe Mandarina, which is located in the beautiful Mandara Equestrian Club, and I have to say it is someplace I see myself returning to, both for sake of ambience and food.

The indoors cozy location is family friendly, with an additional rooftop terrace which you should take advantage of if you visit during the breezy season. This spot is basically ideal for one yearning for some fresh air away from the city. The menu keeps visitors spoilt for choice, but before I talk about what is in the menu I want to take a second to rave about the exterior of the menu, which has a hand carved horse on it. Not only do I love heading out to quaint spots, but anywhere where service and intricate details are well presented, definitely wins.

If you have certain food preferences, you can definitely have your pick here. The menu hosts cuisines from around the world including; Moroccan, Persian, Emirati, Levantine and Spanish choices.

It should be noted that vegetarians aren't restricted to just a soup, salad or fries (which my vegetarian sister has to opt for at various locations,) as vegetarians get to have their pick from a big variety as well.

What we had-

- 1001 Flavors Salad- You know those salads that as soon as you dig into, you already feel like a lighter and healthier person who's got their life together? Well, this salad gives you those feels. The salad consists of a refreshing mix of couscous, orange, prunes, apricots, beetroot and dried nuts. The portion is rather generous, so I would recommend you share this as an appetizer.

-Mandarina's Avocado Toast- Two slices of whole wheat bread that are served with a side of home made pesto. You can add eggs, grilled beef bacon, and feta cheese. We just chose to add eggs to our serving. I LOVED something about the bread but couldn't place a finger on what exactly, until the waitress clarified that they oven bake it with butter, which makes it super delicious :)

- Bomba Madness!- A delectable serving of all the bombas in store. Our favorite had to be the cheese loaded bomba.

- Mandarina's & Berry Affair Mocktails- For our drinks we ordered these two mocktails. The Mandarina's mocktail is a mix of pineapple, apple, lime & mint. Where as the Berry Affair is a fusion of three types of berries, lime and a dash of balsamic vinegar. The latter is more of a smoothie, so the winner for this round was Mandarina's for us.

- Wings Fiesta- If you're a wings fan without a certain marination preference, then I would definitely recommend option for the fiesta to mix and match your options. We tried two out of the three options and thoroughly enjoyed them. The Thai Inspired Wings won by a slight difference however ;)

- Persian Chicken Stew- This dish was off the seasonal menu. Firstly I'd like to state that my mind is blown, because I visited Iran a while back and had no idea there was any type of stew as part of their traditional dishes! The stew is served with a delicious side of saffron rice, and it is mixed with walnut paste and pomegranate. Although I really enjoyed this dish, this might not be one for the picky eaters.

-The Main Affair- A full lamb baby leg, good to feed 3-4 people according to the menu, however, if you are a hungry couple, this is good for a pair to share. The main affair is infused with spices for several hours and cooked in a way that results in you being served a succulent dish. Definitely one the best dishes here.

-Desserts- For desserts we went all out and had a variety of what was in store. The only thing I am regretting not having tried would have to be the carrot cake since every review on here seems to be raving about it! On the plus side, that definitely means I have something to go back for now :)

Overall, Cafe Mandarina is the place to go if you want a peace of mind, beautiful scenery, if you want to watch over graceful horses or enjoy a shisha on the terrace (when we visited serving shisha was on hold, so make sure you check beforehand to avoid disappointment)

Another thing I really loved about it were the ethics, morals, and kindness displayed by the staff. For example, as someone who eats out often, I hate leaving leftovers. It was great to find out that Cafe Mandarina isn't a fan of food waste either, and that all left over food was put to use one way or another.

I'll end this review by vouching for the cafe. This is one of UAE's best kept secrets.

Jan 12, 2017

Manju Mary Thomas

Hidden gem is the best way to describe this place. But the food, ambiance and service totally makes up for the effort in getting there. I've visited Cafe Mandarina multiple times and had the opportunity to try out a LOT of dishes.
I've sampled their calamari and shrimps starter, the Camembert, their 1001 salad, the Wow burger and the 3 different varieties of chicken wings. My favorite out of all the dishes so far is the honey glazed chicken with mango salsa - it's sooo good. And their avocado toast-I'm obsessed with avo and there are very few places in Abu Dhabi that do a decent avo toast. The one I had here was absolutely perfect, there was a generous helping of avo and it was amazing. Their mint coolers are refreshing and we usually end with Moroccan tea to digest the insane amount of food we ate.
The service is really good as well, staff is super polite and helpful.
This place is beautiful since it's located in an equestrian club. It feels amazing to have a cup of tea and watch the beautiful horses at sunset.
It's an absolute recommended place if you want to take a break from city life and have amazing food.

Dec 17, 2016

Hoshos

This place is terrific for family gatherings and friends. They have an open buffet every Friday with a lovely selection of food salads appetizers and deserts. An indoor seating area with a very unique ambiance, furnished with an English style theme and fabric. They also have an outdoor area next to the horse riding club where people can enjoy their coffee or tea after training. All staff welcome you with a warm smile. This place is highly recommended for families with their children as an escape destination to enjoy some relaxing moments and delicious food. Never miss this place👍🏼

Dec 08, 2016

Samar Al Moukayed

A hidden gem between dubai and Abu Dhabi! A serene place with lovely staff and the food was exceptional ! I definitely recommend the lamb and Abu Ali for dessert ❤️🙌🏻

Dec 03, 2016

Anthony

An unexpected oasis with warm, hospitable and friendly staff, excellent service and food to die for. The flavours in the dishes we tried were incredible and I can't wait to head back and eat there again. I will certainly recommend this place to my friends and others that want to stop for a good feed between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Really excellent!!! 😊

Dec 03, 2016

Luv Bites

We came here for dinner with friends. Our waiter proposed to sit at the roof terrace. Excellent suggestion! Chilled and romantic atmosphere.

We ordered the superfood falafel style starter (must try the beetroot and quinoa), chicken wings combo, the tabboula salad and the meat potato bombas as starters. All were very good, yet the Thai style wings were the the winners. For mains, our waiter suggested the Persian stew (Fesejan) that comes with saffron rice. We also ordered the main affair (a full leg of lamb) and some rice and wedges to go with it. Both chicken and lamb were cooked to perfection. Each dish had a different blend of spices, really delicious. We ended with a carrot cake and their signature dessert abu ali. Probably one of the best meals we have had in a long time.

This place is unique in terms of venue and food quality. Highly recommended!

Dec 03, 2016

Alia Saqqa

I was invited by the management to try out a couple of items and to be honest, this has way exceeded my expectations. Not only was the food excellent, but for myself and my family, this was a perfect location for children and families to sit where kids are not forced to act like adults and for adults to actually enjoy the food and the atmosphere. So WIN for me.

First, this cafe is located in Mandara riding club, and if you live on the island like myself, do not be intimidated by the "Shahama" address, it really is 7-10 min away from Yas mall. The cafe itself is more like a country clubhouse, two floors with a rooftop overlooking the enitre surroundings. You are surrounded by beautiful horse tracks and horses (ofcourse)!. There is an indoor and an outdoor area so i opted to sit outdoors as the weather was beautiful. The place is EXTREMELY kids friendly. Affordable Pony rides (50 per child) for a good 15-20 mins and a playground.

The food:
The menu is EXTENSIVE and as informed by the owner, everythibg is made inhouse, which is a plus for freshness and quality. Now the lovely owner has recommended the following for myself and my family,
1. Selecton of spanish Bombas: very tasty potatoes filled with various fillings. Ithought they were great but needed a tiny bit more filling on the inside, but the idea itself and the accopmanying homemade sauces were the real bomb.
2. Selection of chicken wings: usually chicken wings are either a big hit or a big miss. We were recommeded fried wings with bbq sauce, thai style wings and oriental wings. My best favorite were the fried and the thai especially, the oriental was also very good but i like more spiced food so these are based on my personal preferences.
3. Shakshouka dip: excellent dip, very light and can accommodate a group impatiently awaiting their food.
4. Lamb rack: oh my. Very succulent with no lamb-y smell and very nicely spiced. I thought maybe it needed a change of sides, include an oriental starch, maybe oriental rice? But over all it was excellent.
5. Honey glazed chicken: very good flavor and the glazing and carmelosing of the flavors gave it an amazing kick. Was a bit salty for my husband's taste but i found it balanced with the rice and the mango relish.
6. Corn dog and grilled chicken nuggets for the kids: they loved it. I liked the corn dog as it is not a common kids item in most of the restaurants.
7. Mandarines mocktail: fresh and flavors blended in very well.
8. Carrot cake: verrry soft and creamcheese icing was a very well balanced frosting to the cake itself.
9. Moroccan tea and flat white coffee: the tea was served with natural honey which was a plus for me as i dont like sugar and sweetners. The flat white was approved by my caffiene operating husband so plus point!
10. Abu ali dessert: amazing. It has a great additioj of apricot which gives it a crunch and amazing sweetness.
11. Mashed potato: honestly so creamy and cheesy and a huge portion for a side dish.

Most importantly for myself was the patient staff as they put up with my over exhausted children and what really brought everything together was the place itself that was a complete outing where we all had fun. This was one of the rare occasions where the kids didnt have to drag me out to leave as they became bored but the other way around, i had to drag them out to go home.

Finally a place in Abu dhabi with amazing food, broad menu, clean and attentive staff, great outdoor, super kids friendly and management that is actually eager to listen to customers suggestions and willing to improve!

Nov 28, 2016

Momen Taher

this place is a hidden Gem if you are looking to spend sometime away from the busy city with the crowded malls, its located inside Mandara equestrian club, amazing experience to enjoy the fresh air while being served, food quality is really good and different than other normal cafes or diners, service is really good, highly recommended

Nov 27, 2016

Mini Rajendran

+4.5

This is my second visit to this place with my family.. Great place and ambience to relax and enjoy. We were on our way to Abu Dhabi from Dubai thought of having Shisha at this place and some great food and relax. Shisha was not available, they said some renovations happening.

We had our Camembert cheese with some bread. It was awesome and rest of our order was not so great.. But we had a relaxed time over there.

We wish to visit again when the renovation works are over and shisha is available again in their terrace.

Kids enjoy the horse stable behind and was suitable for beginners and children and the trainer was very friendly.

Nov 15, 2016

Saharf

Beautiful set up, peaceful and cosy. Attentive service and well trained staff. Food was fresh, clean and timely! Can't ask for much more. Can't wait to come back. Thank you for such great experience!

Oct 22, 2016

Maryam

+4.5

One of my favorite places to relax and unwind in Abu Dhabi. Great atmosphere, absolutely delicious food and the staff amazingly sweet. We visit at least once a week, and often it is for a lazy breakfast. Choices go from freshly baked butter croissants and French jams or scrumptious egg florentine to the authentic Arabic shakshouka (the best in Abu Dhabi!) or foul and hommos. Super kids friendly too. When the weather is cooler they spend hours in the playground. In summer they can also go for a poney ride in the indoor arena (it has an AC).

We visited last week and were informed that some works will take place in the coming weeks as they are expanding. We can't wait to see what it will look like 😍

Aug 16, 2016

Anju K

Very quiet amazing service .. Has variety of option and all day breakfast which I loved .. Had salad and drink later loved both .. Healthy and yummy ❤

Jul 26, 2016

Dolce

We have been coming to this place for months as we live in the neighborhood. Our best iftar this year was at Café Mandarina. So much better than big hotels, where often the food is not that special. We really enjoyed the warm ambiance with the real spirit of Ramadan here. Delicious buffet and lovely activities for children. We also love having a lazy breakfast here at the weekend when it is not Ramadan. This place is really special and full of charm. We highly recommend it!

Jul 09, 2016

+4.5

We had our iftar here and it was the best decision we made that night. The way going there looks dodgy but it's like a hidden gem. Who would have thought this place exists. The Rustic interiors and attentive staff makes it homey. I did not expect the food will be that great too. I will definitely come back and try their breakfast and I can't wait for the good weather so i could sit outside and enjoy the view of the horses.

Jul 05, 2016

Ahmad Merii

+4.5

I have been to this Café multiple times. Used to go very often since its part of an equestrian club I used to ride at. The decor is really nice though I prefer to sit outside since the weather is usually nice due to its location ( even on relatively hot days in Abu Dhabi).

The menu is rich and is affordable. I really enjoyed the fresh juices they had, especially after an hour on horseback.

The food is equally great, providing interesting flavours with a beautiful presentation.

My overall experience is strongly positive.

Jun 16, 2016

Ahmed Hassan

first of all the place is unique & different , ambiance is very familiar & cosy , it gives you a warm feeling & decoration is just perfect where every small detail is being considered , i liked even the small pads under cups . unfortunately we missed the friday brunch as it is stopped for summer months & will start again by winter , i am looking forward to it . the hot weather stopped us from enjoying the outdoor area where the kids area is there & a small camel yard , also there is a horse ride option for kids , actually i think in winter i would give it 5 .

the staff is just perfect and very nice & cooperative , even the restaurant management was very nice & decided to give my 2 little girls an ice cream for free

the food is very delicious & the most important all ingredients seems to be fresh & healthy . their bastarmy is very nice .

for sure i will come again

May 28, 2016

JIJI

+4.5

I wanted to have the brunch today with my family, however I was informed that it wasn't available today over the phone. I still wanted to visit the place as it seemed to be a hidden gem!

We had the à la carte lunch. Baked camembert as a starter, their famous 1001 flavours salad and melting lamb wrap. The kids had lovely milkshakes, mac & cheese, nuggets and fries. The food was lovely and felt like homemade. We had a Moroccan tea as well which was lovely with a molten cake.

I was amazed by this beautiful place set in an equestrian club and mostly by the staff. We had the nicest waiters/staff ever !!! They were extremely friendly, attentive and they catered to all our requests. We felt so comfortable in there we didn't want to leave even the kids. It is cosy and the decor is beautiful.

It is such a friendly place for young children, there is a play area outside and camels!!

After lunch, the kids went for a horse ride in an air-conditioned area (30dhs/15mins).

We'll be definitely going there again 😃

May 27, 2016

Shosha

The food is delicious and there is many choices in the menu.. Good service and nice staff .. The place is a great place .. I love it and i will visit the restaurant more and more

Mar 15, 2016

Rasha1978

Pony rides, a safe outdoor play area, and camels. Family time has a new location!

As if this wasn't enough, they have an amazing cafe that serves up a blend of culinary delights from the Middle East.

The quality of the food was unmatched by any other brunch i've been to in town and the atmosphere is very cozy and welcoming. I think it would be a great place for a big group-but make sure to book in advance if you have a big party coming because the tables fill up fast.

After our wonderful meal we ventured outside for a lovely Moroccan tea and cappuccino...yes...I had to have both...and I would do it again!

I forgot to mention that the restaurant has a view of the horses and pony rides. It feels like you are at a resort, not a cafe!

My family and I really enjoyed our time at the Friday Brunch and look forward to doing it again soon!

Mar 12, 2016

Amru Abbas

+4.5

A rarity in this region... A family owned Equestrian club with a beautiful café and shisha spot! Great food and drink with a very homey atmosphere and the nicest people there, you can even find the owners enjoying themselves! You can go horse riding and even try the locally sourced camel milk! A true hidden gem. Also, Friday brunch buffet is awesome. Will be back again and again.

Mar 10, 2016

Najwan Fares Suleiman

One of my best getaways .. I just love love love this place . When you are sick from the city and its food , the best to go to is Cafe Mandarina. Managed by highly professional personnel , Cafe Mandarina has earned 5 stars from me and from everyone that visits it. Located in a quiet area in Abu Dhabi, serving the best fusion of food. Highly recommended ! If you want to eat , rest and spend quality time with your family , go there and enjoy the weather while it's still cold and pleasant . One of my best drinks is the Chai Karak.. And if you like shisha , that's the place to go to !

Feb 26, 2016

Vishnu

+4.5

City is too mainstream? Looking for something quaint and quiet and an adventure just to reach the place? ..This is the place to be..I suggest all you homeboys (married or planning) to take your sweet and most challenging half there to show her how materialistic you can be..with comfort food that makes you don't want to move a muscle and a spectacular view on the terrace paired with a sheesha..there's nothing more splendid..coming to the food..The menu is pretty simple and easy to get. We went for the camembert cheese with some bread and those grapes, nuts and honey..that gooey bubbly cheese is best when the weather is chilly..then we had "the main affair" lamb leg seasoned with arabic spices which were pretty familiar and it's cooked for soo long that you don't need a knife to discet the leg..The meat was "fall off bone" but I suggest get some mezza just for the food to go down..All in all it was a day we'll spent for us..The food was good the attention from staff was excellent..and I just couldn't find anything wrong with the place..maybe next time I will test the other dishes..PS : The best time to be there is 7 30 pm any day of the week sitting in the terrace in the winter months!!

Feb 11, 2016

Epicurean Curator

This place is a hidden gem. Every time we visit, it makes us feel like being in a resort!

We really enjoy chilling here in the evening, having dinner and shisha. Their menu offers many tasty options to choose from. So we love to come with a group and order several dishes to share. Some of our favorites are their baked camembert cheese (starter to share) and their fattet is amazing too. Their salads are to die for (1001 flavors is a must try!). They serve a delicious tender full leg of lamb (order 1 day ahead) and an excellent honey glazed chicken. They also do delicious Arabic mezza I have never seen in other Arabic restaurants (don't ask me to remember the names).

Cafe Mandarina is our new favourite spot in Abu Dhabi!

Few months down the line:
We decided to try their breakfast too. The perfect venue for a lazy breakfast or brunch in a relaxing atmosphere. The staff is really friendly and makes sure we feel home here. Kids enjoy the play area and watching the horses. Their breakfast menu includes a scrumptious varity of classics (egg benedict & co) to inticing novelties absent in most restaurants around the UAE. Like a Spanish breakfast, egg dishes cooked in clay pots and their 'Arabian melts' (thin bread with melted Arabic cheese, olives and sundried tomatoes!) Every single dish has a special touch, so fresh, and clearly all made in house. Worth every bite!😍

Dec 29, 2015

Yassin Z

Nice country style place very cause and super family friendly from the manager to all staff , lots of activity a definite fun day for the family.
Quality wise is spectacular from food to just everything, didn't know about this place but will definitely come again highly recommended

Dec 25, 2015

RS Al Zaabi

We went there for their Friday brunch with my family. Very nice atmosphere.

The buffet was delicious with a variety of classic Arabic and international dishes, along with some innovative dishes too (especially some salads and appetizers). We sampled the chicken stroganoff, the leg of lamb with rice, the Thai curry and the fish tagine. The kids were delighted with the meat pies and the veggie lasagna, and they kept on visiting the sweet counter. They also have an impressive cheese board. All the dishes had an authentic flavor and tasted as home made.
We stayed over 4 hours as the kids were having so much fun with the outdoor activities.

We will definitely be back!

Dec 11, 2015

Kalid Motya

We loved every bit of it. The atmosphere, the menu, the staff, the setting, the activities, etc. Great family place. Away from the business of the capital. I would haghly recommend it! Special thanks to Sabri for welcoming us. Cant wait to go again! Kalid

Dec 07, 2015

Mohamed Mousa

Excellent food, perfect quality with a delicious variety that keeps you intrigued - highly recommended and I'll certain come here again! Keep up the good work!

Nov 13, 2015

M.M

+3.5

Very rich menu with a lot of variety , cheap prices and delicious food.

Seating spaces are limited and the place closes around 11.

Outdoor seating and shisha are available

Oct 28, 2015

Nikita Gadowska

I organized a baby shower for a friend of mine at Cafe Mandarina few months ago and it was a total hit. The food was amazing, the presentation and service were outstanding. I ordered a cake from them as well and sent them a photo of what I want, and it came out beautiful. Everyone had fun and the location could not be more perfect for such an intimate gathering of friends. I always speak highly of them and recommend them often to anyone who is willing to listen :)

Oct 25, 2015

Yousra Zein

Amazing café, lovely and well trained staff and delicious, fresh food. We love the variety of cheese and the outstanding view on the horses. Feels like a Downton Abbey right in the Middle East. Highly recommended.

Oct 20, 2015

Mohamad

Great food and ambiance!!!
Great for families and parties!!
Healthy and tasty food with a great service. Lovely playground for the kids. 2 thumbs up!!!!!!

Oct 19, 2015

Jarrod Emil Bischoff

+4.5

What a fabulous way to spend the day. On my trip to AD I stumbled upon this gem, and my family and I shared a meal whilst in the company of some of the most beautiful horses. The food is fantastic but the experience was what made the trip all the more worth while.

Oct 17, 2015

Samira

As you enter Cafe Mandarina, you are welcomed by a magnificent and cozy setting! The friendly staff impressed us and the menu offered a great variety of delicious meals. All the products were fresh and the dishes had the warmth of homemade food. Besides the yummy food, we also had the chance to see beautiful horses and watched the riders train. My 16 month old daughter met a horse for the first time at Cafe Mandarina and my friends children who are older have a lovely time riding and taking part in the many activities organized by the restaurant. It has become our favorite destination and we highly recommend it!!

Oct 17, 2015

Ilham

If you're looking a nice place where u can bring kids and family, this is the place to be!! Super tasty food and kids having a great time in a magic atmosphere with horses! I just Love this place!

Oct 16, 2015

Darina Dobreva

Cafe Mandarina is fantastic place where all the family will enjoy great food, riding horses, play area, camels and lovely terrace for shisha. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I recommend the Cafe to everyone. Go and ENJOY🌼

Oct 16, 2015

Eating My Way Around

+4.5

Just came back from a lovely afternoon at Mandarina. We had the buffet which was delish and the babies had a great time seeing the horses and having their faces painted. Friendly service and a delightful experience overall.

Edit: our family had a wonderful afternoon today. Delish buffet lunch for us and the extra activities for the littlies meant everyone was happy. Ultimate family spot for a relaxing and fun time.

Oct 16, 2015

Sandra

Great place... We had an event there, Good set up and planing, all the staff was very friendly and the food deliciuos! Its a great place to spend the afternoon, there is something for everyone.
We really enjoy watching the horses and the sunset.

Oct 16, 2015

Kol.2.2.2015

Great restaurant..we love it.they always have fresh & yummy foods. great stuff & nice & clean place.its wonderful place for family where kids can enjoy the food & the entertainment over there.

Oct 16, 2015

Samia

+4.5

We simply love it! The food is good, fresh and tasty, I never ate as good salad in a restaurant, the salads dressing are amazing!

The atmosphere is friendly. My kids are crazy about this place, they like the play area and specialy to see the horses and even horseriding! We all find our happyness in this place and we always enjoy!

Oct 16, 2015

Ilham

+4.5

In family or between friends it is the place to be. In addition the food is delicious. I would recommend to my friend so don't wait ! Enjoy your meal.

Oct 16, 2015

Reviews ‪cafe Mandarina‬

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