Sababa: A New Chapter for Kosher Dining in Abu Dhabi

Earlier this year, Sababa, a strictly kosher Mediterranean restaurant, opened its doors in Abu Dhabi, bringing a full-fledged kosher dining option to a city that only recently began to embrace this kind of cuisine. Located in the food court of Mushrif Mall in Hadbat Al Za’faranah, Zone 1, Sababa represents more than just another eatery—it’s a milestone in the development of kosher dining in the UAE. While Dubai has led the way with multiple kosher kitchens and restaurants, Abu Dhabi’s kosher offerings have been limited until now, making Sababa a unique and important addition.

A Diverse Mediterranean Menu

Sababa’s dairy and pareve menu is designed to appeal to both locals and visitors by offering a mix of Mediterranean comfort foods and modern kosher adaptations. Diners can start with small plates like falafel in tahini sauce, crispy eggplant, shakshuka topped with poached eggs, and potato latkes. For lighter bites, there’s edamame, calzones filled with tomato and mozzarella, and vegan nuggets served with fries and ketchup.

The restaurant also highlights its hummus options, each served with fresh pitas and homemade pickles. Choices include classic hummus with chickpeas and olive oil, mushroom and onion hummus, vegan hummus, white truffle hummus, and a spicy Sababa purple hummus with garlic and hot peppers. Salads such as mango avocado, baba, and garden salad round out the lighter side of the menu.

For pasta lovers, Sababa offers a variety of plates like penne arrabbiata in a spicy tomato sauce, mushroom fettuccine alfredo, vegan spaghetti Bolognese, pesto spaghetti, and spaghetti aglio e olio with tuna. A children’s option—spaghetti pomodoro—is also available.

The pizza menu provides choices ranging from a classic margarita to vegetable pizza with grilled eggplant and mushrooms, or more creative options like pistachio pesto and a chef’s special topped with fresh rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes, and onions.

Main Courses and Signature Dishes

Sababa’s main courses bring more substantial options. Diners can choose from grilled tuna skewers with rice and vegetables, seabass fillet with white rice, or a hearty tuna steak with garlic, lemon, and fries. Other favorites include traditional fish balls in a spicy tomato sauce, shawarma-style fish served in flatbread, and harami hamor—Mediterranean spiced fish with a challah roll. For those who prefer plant-based meals, there’s a Beyond Burger with fries.

One of the restaurant’s signature items is the Sababa challah sandwich. This hearty dish is made with brioche challah bread filled with specialty spreads and homemade pickles, creating a distinctly Jewish-Mediterranean comfort food fusion. Sandwich lovers can also enjoy options like sabich with eggplant, Tunisian tuna, a Mama’s omelette sandwich, avocado creations, and even a kosher sloppy joe with sautéed mixed peppers.

View and Order from their menu here

Why Sababa Matters

While the dishes are enticing, what makes Sababa truly stand out is its very existence. Kosher restaurants in the UAE are still a new phenomenon. Dubai has taken the lead in building an infrastructure for kosher dining since the Abraham Accords, but Abu Dhabi has been slower to expand. Sababa signals that Abu Dhabi is ready to support not only Jewish travelers but also its growing Jewish community with reliable, certified kosher options.

The presence of Sababa shows the city and UAE’s inclusivity towards Jews and its commitment to building cultural diversity into its hospitality scene – particularly at a time when Europe, by contrast, is moving in the opposite direction. By opening inside a bustling shopping mall, Sababa also makes kosher dining accessible, casual, and part of everyday life rather than a rare, special-order experience.