The restaurant is reminiscent of a Palestinian home.
Abu Dhabi’s dining scene thrives on diversity, and its latest arrival leans into culture as much as cuisine. Khobzeh w Zaitoneh — Arabic for “bread and olive” — is poised to open on Al Maqta Street, moments from Al Qana and the National Aquarium, bringing Palestinian flavours, stories and rituals to the capital.
The name sets the tone. In Palestine, tearing warm bread and dipping it into olive oil to start the meal is a gesture of welcome, a celebration of land and harvest, and a quiet act of identity. Khobzeh w Zaitoneh embraces that symbolism, placing humble ingredients at the heart of a generous, homespun experience.
The restaurant is styled to evoke a lived-in family home, featuring muted brick walls, vintage wooden windows, and shelves lined with old radios, telephones, and lamps. Tables echo a cosy dining room, with pops of green that nod to veranda life and leafy courtyards. It is intimate and nostalgic yet distinctly contemporary.
While the full menu is still under wraps, the kitchen looks set to honour Palestinian staples. Expect comforting favourites such as Hummus, Labneh, Maqluba, Musakhan Rolls, and salads that showcase herbs and citrus. Naturally, freshly baked bread will be ever-present, served with peppery olive oil and fragrant za’atar.
Khobzeh w Zaitoneh is slated to open very soon, and it feels primed to become a place for leisurely lunches, family feasts and late-evening catch-ups over bread and olive oil. For diners seeking soulful, Palestinian cooking in Abu Dhabi, this story-driven spot should be on the list.
GO: Follow @khobzehwzaitoneh on Instagram for more information.