The famed restaurant lands in the capital and it’s remarkable
Scroll through NAC’s Instagram stories and you’ll quickly realise that almost every customer seems to post photos of the same dessert…
A chic and modern French bistro, NAC has gone viral for its iconic crushed milk, cookies and Frosties soft serve, and this reviewer can confirm that the nostalgic, childhood-inspired creation is absolutely worth the hype.
However, NAC is not just a place for a sugar fix. Offering a tempting menu of premium quality sharing plates, hearty main courses, mammoth salads, and delicate sides, it’s perfect for leisurely lunches and special dinners, too
The Venue
Founded in Mayfair, London, NAC opened its Dubai branch in 2023, and it expanded to Abu Dhabi late last year.
Nestled within the capital’s freshly revamped Marina Mall, the venue is filled with comfy booths and pretty art-nouveau details.
Cosy, welcoming, and oozing elegant retro vibes, the friendly team make us feel immediately at home when we visit for a Friday lunchtime treat, and the place is pleasantly busy with people starting the weekend early.
While there’s no outdoor area, it’s still a pretty place to dine and relax. We’re immediately impressed by the selection of zero percent bellinis, sparkling wines, and other alcohol-free cocktails, and we’re delighted to find that they taste just as good as they look, too.
The Food
Served on dainty blue and white porcelain plates, we start with a spread of light nibbles.
The beetroot hummus and feta is gloriously vibrant in both colour and taste, while the flamed aubergine with miso and Greek yoghurt is delightfully different and interesting.
Always helpless to resist a good burrata, we order a portion topped with sweet cherry tomatoes and smoked sea salt, and it all pairs beautifully with the warm flat breads, served in cute pastel-coloured striped paper bags.
For our main course, we opt for a French classic and try the steak frites with black peppercorn sauce. The steak is delightfully juicy and tender, while our huge bowl of kale and cabbage salad adds some pleasant greenery and crunch.
Topped with honey za’atar dressing and sumac chicken, we really like how it brings a local twist to the European experience, and it’s easily big enough to feed at least two hungry people.
Of course, we make sure to save room for the famous cookies and soft serve. Although we normally prefer savoury over sweet, we’re forced to admit that it’s absolutely exceptional, and we somehow almost finish the whole portion along with fabulously rich cups of coffee.
The Verdict
Striking the perfect balance between casual and fine dining, NAC Abu Dhabi is an exciting new edition to the city’s dining scene. We’ll be back very soon.
Visit: @nacdubai.
