< PreviousMINA ZAYED GUIDE 40 November 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Our ultimate guide to the port district and its many hidden gems MINA Z MARVELLOUSMINA ZAYED GUIDE timeoutabudhabi.com November 2023 41 ZAYED First MarketMINA ZAYED GUIDE 42 November 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com First established back in 1968, Mina Zayed has long been an important area of the city. Home to a number of souks, it’s a must for visitors looking to experience a slice of UAE culture, and a great place for residents on the hunt for a bargain. While some parts of Mina Zayed feel as though they’ve barely changed over the decades, there have been major redevelopment works here in recent years, and it’s now home to some of the coolest homegrown restaurants and shops around. Feeling overwhelmed about where to start? we’ve got you covered, with our ultimate guide to Mina Zayed. TO THE MARKETS AL MINA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SOUK If you’re looking for the freshest fruit and veg in town (and at prices you’ll love), pay a visit to the Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk. There are lots of different stalls to buy from, so be sure to look around, and don’t forget to haggle for a bargain. O Open daily 8am-10pm. Mina Zayed. FISH MARKET The new Mina Zayed Fish Market opened back in July 2022, with more than 100 stalls selling fresh Àsh and over 40 Àsh cleaning stations, as well as a number of restaurants. You can select your Àsh and have it cleaned for cooking at home, or take it to one of the restaurants. Al Shader is our top pick (it was Highly Commended for Best Seafood Restaurant at our Restaurant Awards earlier this year), but we’re also fans of GandoÁy. O Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat-Sun 7am-10pm. Mina Zayed. MINA FLOWER MARKET New in town and trying to make your apartment feel more like a home? Make sure to swing by the Mina Flower Market. Here, you’ll Ànd more than 20 stalls selling indoor and outdoor plants, as well as clay pots and other decorative accessories. O Open daily 8am-10pm. Mina Zayed. CULTURE DISTRICT 421 Formerly known as Warehouse 421, this independent cultural space Àrst launched in 2015. There are two exhibitions now on amongst fewMINA ZAYED GUIDE timeoutabudhabi.com November 2023 43 display as part of the autumn programme: Asma Belhamar: Solid Void and Nine Nodes of Non-Being. The former is a solo exhibition from Asma Belhamar, who has been taking part in the 421 Artistic Development Programme, which has been inspired by the UAE’s architectural history. The latter is a group exhibition focusing on the idea of climate-related extinction. Aside from thought- provoking exhibitions, 421 organises outdoor Àlm screenings, guided tours of cultural spaces throughout the UAE, and workshops. Find the full programme on 421.online. O Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Mina Zayed, 421.online (02 676 8803). MIZA Regenerative project MiZa is transforming part of Mina Zayed into a distinct neighbourhood for creatives and entrepreneurs. Warehouses are currently under renovation and will be rented out to small and medium size businesses. You’ll Ànd there are pop-up events held at MiZa Library and The Alley with talks and workshops, as well as retail stores and food and beverage stalls. This month, you can head there for the UAE’s Àrst sustainable fashion show presented by Hello&GoodBuy on Thursday November 9. Keep up to date with @mizaabudhabi on Instagram. O Mina Zayed, miza.ae. SOUQ AL MINA AMONGST FEW Clothing-store-slash-café and Dubai-export amongst few opened at Souq Al Mina back in May. Here, you’ll be able to browse premium sneakers and streetwear, or grab a light bite to eat. O Open daily 10am-10pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, amongstfew.com (02 633 0080). FLAVORS GRILL Cult-favourite Flavors Grill is the place for meat lovers. With cuts sourced fresh from the port and cooked on the open-Àre grill, the burgers and steaks are as Áavourful as they come. Reserve in advance, because this spot is popular. O Open 7am-midnight. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, Áavorslc.com (04 379 7666). HUBEL CERAMICS Over at Hubel Ceramics, you can get handmade plates, bowls, cups and more. Looking to give pottery a spin yourself? You can sign up for workshops which are available for both kids and adults.MINA ZAYED GUIDE 44 November 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com O Open daily 10am-8pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, @hubelceramics (054 360 4097). J.LATO If you’ve been on Instagram at any point this summer, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of J.Lato, which went viral for its affogato. Aside from affogato, you can scoop up freshly made gelato in Áavours such as pistachio, lemon, peanut butter and avocado. O Open Mon 2pm-10pm; Tue-Sun noon-midnight. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, @gelatobyjayousi (02 550 4446). KUZINA 22 You can get a taste of the Balkans at Kuzina 22, which was shortlisted in our Best European Restaurant category earlier this year. Try traditional dishes like lepinja for breakfast or burek, cevapi and pljeskavica for lunch and dinner. O Open Mon-Fri noon-10pm; Sat-Sun 10.30am-10pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, kouzina-restaurant.com (055 145 6663). MARMELLATA If you only have time to visit one place at Souq Al Mina, make it Marmellata. The famed pizzeria, which started out as a small hole-in- the-wall that was open just one night a week, has moved to bigger premises, but the queues are still around the block. Try it ASAP – the pies are more than worth the hype. O Open Wed-Sun 5pm-8pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, @marmellatalove (055 802 9355). MIN’NA For unique gifts, or to upgrade your home with one-of-a-kind pieces, head to Min’na. Here, you’ll Ànd ceramics, jewellery, textiles and more from artists around the globe. O Open Mon-Thu 4pm-9pm; Fri-Sun 4pm-10pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, @minna.ae. ROOF COFFEE SHOP In need of a pick-me-up while shopping? Swing by Roof Coffee Shop for really fantastic cups of Joe – particularly if you’re a fan of matcha drinks. O Open daily 7am-10pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, @roofcoffeeshop (055 690 3532). SACRAL GROUNDS You can feed body and soul at Souq Al Mina thanks to yoga studio Sacral Grounds. The studio offers yoga and pilates classes as well as sound healing. O Open Mon-Fri 8am-10pm; Sat 8am-4pm. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, sacralgrounds.com (02 621 7268). YALA KombuchaMINA ZAYED GUIDE timeoutabudhabi.com November 2023 45 MINA ZAYED GUIDE 46 November 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com YALA KOMBUCHA Lovers of kombucha, this one’s for you, with kombucha brewed on-site and sold on tap in a variety of Áavours including elderÁower and berries at Yala Kombucha. O Open daily 10am-midnight. Souq Al Mina, Mina Zayed, yalabucha.ae (054 477 0847). MARSA MINA KURTOS KALACS Got a bit of a sweet tooth? Then pay a visit to food truck Kurtos Kalacs, which serves up traditional Hungarian chimney cake as well as churros, kunafa and luqaimat. O Open daily 1.30pm-1am. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, @kurtoskalacs.ae (050 771 0721). OLA SPECIALTY COFFEE After a long day of exploring, a relaxing cup of coffee at Ola is just what the doctor ordered. Dig into salads, burgers, pasta and more. O Open daily 9am-3am. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, @olacafe.ae (056 188 1318). PADEL PORT Padel is taking over the city, and you can play it at Marsa Mina, too. The outdoor court can be booked from Dhs180 per hour. O From Dhs180. Open daily noon-midnight. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, @padelport.ae. SENIOR TACO When you’re craving tacos, head to this food truck at Marsa Mina. Fillings include beef, shrimp and chicken, and you can also order fajitas and quesadillas alongside tacos. O Open daily noon-2am. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, @seniortaco.ae (058 633 3150). THE TWELVE SAUCE The humble French fry has been given a serious upgrade at The Twelve Sauce. Choose between sweet potato, wafÁe or regular fries to be paired one of 12 sauces, or opt for the loaded fries, topped with cheetos, buffalo chicken, bacon and cheese and more. O Open daily 4.30pm-1am. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, @thetwelvesauce (050 902 0708). WATER TAXI Once you’re done stufÀng your face, hop aboard the water taxi to Louvre Abu Dhabi where you can absorb some culture. Travel time is just 15 minutes, it costs Dhs15 one- way (or Dhs20 return). It’s a great way to see the spectcular building from a totally different perspective. O Dhs15 (one-way), Dhs20 (return). Tue-Sun 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm. Marsa Mina, Mina Zayed, tickets-booking.admaritime.ae. Water taxiMINA ZAYED GUIDE timeoutabudhabi.com November 2023 47 48 November 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort FAC WOWUNFORGETTABLE EATS timeoutaubudhabi.com November 2023 49 CTOR From caviar on a helipad to dinner in the desert, these are Abu Dhabi’s most unique dining experiencesNext >