Berenjak Brings Its Persian Table to Al Bateen Abu Dhabi

Berenjak, the London-born, Dubai-adored, Sharjah-claimed Persian restaurant, has opened its third UAE outpost in Abu Dhabi. Tucked inside a standalone villa called The House in Al Bateen, the space is spread over two floors, with dark oak seating, aged brass tabletops, and timber veneer ceilings hung with Elodie chandeliers.

The open kitchen sits at the heart of it all, giving you a front-row seat to the mangal – that glowing grill where lamb meets flame and something close to magic happens. If you're lucky enough to snag the four-seater chef's table, you'll be sitting atop mosaic tiles, surrounded by mustard olive-green chairs and a brass footrail that feels like it belongs in a 1970s film set. Upstairs, the private dining room seats 16, overlooks a garden, and is layered with Persian carpets and soft linen curtains.

Founder Kian Samyani grew up around a sofreh, legs crossed, a dome of golden tahdig at the centre, arguments turning into laughter, someone always topping up his plate. That sense of gathering is what Berenjak tries to recreate. The menu follows family recipes: hummus with black chickpeas and sunflower seed tahini, Kashk-e Bademjoon with mint oil and walnuts, Koobideh and Jujeh kababs grilled over the mangal, and Ghormeh Sabzi, the deep herb stew that tastes like a long Sunday afternoon.

Then, just when you think you are done, the Persian Tea Ice Cream arrives. Exclusive to this location, it is soft and sweet with quiet notes of Earl Grey, lingering softly just like the night itself.