Secret sanctuaries: Where to unwind in Abu Dhabi

From serene museums and cultural spaces to cosy cafés and authentic restaurants, Abu Dhabi offers plenty of places to relax and recharge away from the midday sun. We catch up with local resident, urban planner and general manager of Madar_39, Dr Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, about where she goes to cool off…

Cool off from the heat under Louvre Abu Dhabi’s spectacular dome, designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel (Shutterstock)

Dr Alamira Reem

“For me, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a space of stillness and reflection. As an urbanist, I’m fascinated by how it reframes the traditional concept of a cupola into something maritime, on water, yet grounded. The museum offers more than art – it offers a climate-controlled contemplative space where the architecture itself becomes the exhibit. It’s a sanctuary for both the mind and body during the heat.

“As a mother, one of the greatest joys is finding spaces where my daughter and I can discover new things together. Spaces that spark her curiosity while also speaking to me as a creative and urbanist. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is exactly that kind of place.

“It’s immersive and alive. Art that responds to movement, light and even touch. The architecture envelops you. It’s rare to find a cultural space that’s so thoughtfully designed for all ages too. It’s not a museum in the traditional sense; it’s an invitation to play, to reflect and to connect. Something that I carry with me in how I choose to lead at M_39.”

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, pictured bottom left, joined Louvre Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District in April 2025 (Shutterstock)

3 ways to unwind in Abu Dhabi’s cultural and culinary hideaways

1. Dine at authentic restaurants

When visiting the Al Hosn cultural site, home to the historic Qasr Al Hosn fort and the House of Artisans, be sure to call in to Emirati restaurant Erth. Making history as the first Michelin-starred Emirati restaurant, the eatery, which is meant to feel like a sunken majlis inside, offers a modern spin on regional specialities, with braised lamb machboos, ghee chicken salona, and, our favourite, the margooga ravioli. The region’s seafaring history is celebrated in its port district Mina Zayed at Ryba, helmed by Faisal Al Harmoodi, the first Emirati chef to receive the Michelin Bib Gourmand award. His signature sea bass, marinated in dill, ginger and tamarind, is a must. To experience the famed Emirati hospitality in a low-key setting, try Al Mrzab Restaurant on Airport Road, where the walls are lined with photos of the city in days gone by.

(Shutterstock)

2. Join the locals at the cafés

Welcoming guests into the home with coffee is an important part of Emirati culture, harking back to a time when Bedouins roamed the Gulf. Nowadays, that culture has evolved into a city of coffee connoisseurs, and you’re never too far from a superb latte. Local, which has branches in Al Zeina and Mamsha Al Saadiyat, with sister brand Neighborhood on Yas Island, is a popular choice, as is Nowhere, near Yas Marina Circuit, and The Bench, in Al Raha. For a bite to eat with your cup of Joe, try Let’s (also run by Emirati chef Faisal Al Harmoodi), or head to Yas Bay Waterfront for Art Market.

Al Bateen is another hotspot for coffee lovers, with a pop-up from Nowhere at The Abu Dhabi EDITION bringing in the queues when it first opened. The hotel’s own restaurant, Market, is a popular spot for breakfast, and from a quick wander around the neighbourhood you’ll also find Saddle House, Joud Coffee, and %Arabica (which, while technically a Japanese brand, has taken the UAE by storm in recent years).

Coffee is a huge part of Emirati culture (Shutterstock)

3. Admire art and culture inside the museums

Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly the UAE’s arts and culture hub, designed for year-round comfort, with plenty of thoughtfully built, air-conditioned spaces to explore and enjoy. In addition to Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District is also home to Zayed National Museum, National History Museum, and Manarat Al Saadiyat, which, aside from thought-provoking exhibitions, hosts regular workshops and pop-ups. You can also give the pottery wheel a spin at Studio Coe here. Nearby, Bassam Freiha Art Foundation shows works from private collections year-round, including art owned by the eponymous Bassam Freiha himself who has been collecting Orientalist art for more than 50 years. The District is ever-expanding, and will soon also be home to Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

The up-and-coming Mina Zayed is fast becoming the city’s creative district, which is where you’ll find co-working hub M_39 and Make Abu Dhabi, where you can, ahem, make things like jewellery, clothes and other arts and crafts. 421 showcases pieces from up-and-coming contemporary UAE artists, while MiZa hosts talks throughout the summer at its Living Room space.

Over in the Al Ain Region, Al Ain Museum reopened late last year following renovations.

The Al Ain Palace Museum (Shutterstock)