Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s bustling capital, is understood for its stunning skyline, expensive inns, and modern landmarks. However, one platform is showing residents and visitors alike that there’s even extra to find out in the city a lens many may not have considered—food. The 421 Arts Campus, an unbiased platform assisting rising artists and innovative specialists inside the UAE, has released a series of food walks, aptly named the Abu Dhabi Food Trails, aimed at connecting people to the city’s hidden gemstones, wealthy cultural history, and vibrant culinary panorama.
Food is often said to be the gateway to information a way of life, and the organizers of these meals walks firmly trust it offers the first-class manner to dive into a community’s heart. Mays Albaik, Programs Manager at 421 Arts Campus, defined, “Food is one of the satisfactory methods to discover a network or region—providing a right away connection to its cultural cloth and history.” The Abu Dhabi Food Trails are a chain of guided walks that concentrate on exploring the metropolis through its numerous and flavorful dishes, at the same time as simultaneously permitting people to connect to fellow meals fanatics and like-minded individuals.
The first meals walk, which occurred final month, introduced individuals to some of the oldest and maximum loved dining spots in Abu Dhabi. Guided by way of food professionals Ayesha and Sanju, the group journeyed through historic eateries that have been serving up flavorful dishes for decades. These food walks promise to carry contributors nearer no longer most effective to Abu Dhabi’s culinary records however also to the memories which have formed the capital metropolis.
The classes are divided into awesome issues, each focused on specific components of Abu Dhabi’s culinary history. The upcoming food walks, set to take place on March 7 and March 22, will dive deeper into lesser-known cuisines and the loved avenue meals that locals have enjoyed for generations. The March 7 session will explore dishes which might be lesser-regarded to the overall public, offering a danger to strive new flavors and dishes that are imperative to the location’s meals subculture. The March 22 consultation, titled “Lunchbox Classics,” will introduce contributors to the road meals that have come to be staples in the UAE, including luqaimat (candy dumplings) and roasted corn.
The inaugural walk started out at Abul Afwal, a small but popular cafeteria recognized for its Sudanese foul (fava beans) and falafel. The creamy, nutty texture of the foul, paired with fresh bread, proved to be a crowd favored. But the actual spotlight of the excursion got here on the Al Dhafra restaurant, considered one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest culinary institutions. Established with the aid of the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, Al Dhafra has turn out to be famend for its seafood, with considered one of its standout dishes being Jesheed, a minced child shark dish served with rice. The eating place additionally provided an assorted platter of grilled seafood, permitting contributors to revel in the high-quality of Emirati seafood traditions. For many, this changed into a as soon as-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appreciate dishes that have lengthy been part of the area’s culinary legacy.
Following the visit to Al Dhafra, the tour stopped through Calicut Paragon, a favourite spot for fanatics of Kerala cuisine. Here, contributors had been dealt with to a traditional Kerala unfold providing porotta, red meat, appam (rice pancakes), and fish mango curry—a delicious multi flavors that highlighted the wealthy have an effect on of Indian cuisine in the UAE.
The ultimate forestall of the day became on the Olive Branch, a fascinating establishment that specialize in Palestinian merchandise. Here, contributors tasted the long-lasting zaatar (a spice blend), Palestinian olive oil, olives, and jams. This stop presented a fresh exchange of tempo and an possibility to discover the rich flavors of Levantine cuisine.
For many participants, the meals walk was approximately extra than simply tasting new dishes—it was a chance to meet new people and bond over shared experiences. Hiba Basheer, one of the participants, shared her mind on the enjoy: “The best part of the tour was being able to connect with like-minded foodies. We began off as strangers, however by way of the end, we had been a lively institution, sharing laughs and memories over desirable food.” She mentioned how the excursion furnished an opportunity to examine no longer simplest approximately food but additionally about Abu Dhabi’s history. “We discovered how the metropolis advanced from a desolate tract with fishing as its primary business into the modern city it’s miles these days. We additionally heard about the baby sharks that had been once caught in abundance with the aid of nearby fishermen, and how it have become a staple in lots of houses.”
The Abu Dhabi Food Trails have correctly brought individuals to the rich, various culinary landscape of the capital. The collection of walks allows citizens to revel in the city in a completely unique and intimate way, celebrating the traditions, flavors, and cultures that have fashioned the UAE. These food walks serve as an invite to rediscover Abu Dhabi beyond its modern structures and skyscrapers, giving each locals and visitors a threat to hook up with the coronary heart and soul of the emirate—its food.
The tours are not just about consuming—they are approximately knowledge how food reflects a community’s history and values. As extra food walks are scheduled, this initiative will keep to focus on the culinary gem stones that are often overlooked, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the city’s wealthy cultural tapestry. Whether you’re a nearby or a traveler, the Abu Dhabi Food Trails provide a delectable adventure that showcases the best of the city, one dish at a time.
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