Tips, tricks, tweaks, quirks and kinks, whatever we’ve stumbled upon in Abu Dhabi, we’ll share with you here. You can do your bit too – fill us in on any city secrets you may be keeping …

Springing to life: Al Ain means ‘Spring’ so their Jebel Hafeet hot springs are a pretty popular stop over for nearby residents, not only because they’re oh-so-soothing for weary bodies, but also because they’re rumoured to have medicinal powers and claim to cure ailments. Can’t hurt to head over, dip neglected feet and legs into their blissfully steamy waters and re-emerge refreshed ...

Falafel frenzy: By far the best falafel we’ve tasted in town to date comes fresh out of the pot at Al Rousha Restaurant behind Al Noor Hospital on Sheikh Khalifa St. On an evening there’s always a long queue for the Lebanese fare offered here, with waiters even running through traffic to take orders from cars parked nearby! You can get around 10 piping hot (and filling) falafel for as little as AED 3 – but it’s also worth chipping in an extra dirham for some tahina, a scrumptious dipping sauce.

The price is right: Costless (located in Mina Centre, Mina Zayed; also at Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Ain Mall) is the largest electronic retail centre in Abu Dhabi boasting a vast and impressive home appliances collection. If you’re looking for name brands like Philips, Hitachi, Akai, LG, Panasonic, Motorola and Sharp, to name but a few, then this is your port of call. Mina Centre Branch: 02 673 4885.

Bird’s eye view: We’ve sat in awe of some impressive views here in Abu Dhabi but one of our current favourite spots is perched at the very top of the newly opened Aloft Abu Dhabi hotel, at stylish bar Relax@12. It’s like the city’s very own watch tower – you can see everything from up there – and we mean everything. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Gulf golf: Al Ghazal Golf Club offers a number of unique teeing off experiences for the golf enthusiast. Do it the desert way and try golfing on a sand course – golfers recommended. The club is also one of only three centres in the world to offer state-of-the-art video system training allowing the student to monitor their movements from three angles. They also have special Durnian frames, steel guides which lead the player’s club through the correct swings – perfect for improving that handicap. Information: 02 575 8040.

Pay it forward: A reader was pleased as pie to discover that you can pay your electricity bills at the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company in Marina Mall, and that Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank stays open
until 10pm.  

We’d love to hear your best kept secrets; write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it