Em Sherif Café Abu Dhabi: Lebanese Hospitality on the Corniche

The more relaxed face of Em Sherif

Em Sherif Café on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche brings a different register of Lebanese hospitality to the capital: less ceremonial than the original Em Sherif restaurant format, but still rooted in the family recipes and generosity that made the brand famous. The group describes the Café concept as its contemporary all-day expression, where classic recipes are given a modern twist for leisurely gatherings. In Abu Dhabi, the branch sits on Corniche Road in Al Bateen, close to the waterfront, and the format suits the location. It can work as a full Lebanese lunch, a long dinner with sharing plates or a simpler coffee-and-dessert stop without feeling like a compromised version of the brand.

An important Michelin correction

The most important editorial correction is what this venue is not. The 2026 MICHELIN-selected Em Sherif venue in Abu Dhabi is Em Sherif Sea Café at Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island, a separate seafood-focused concept. The Corniche Em Sherif Café should therefore not inherit that Michelin recognition from the database. Its own story is the broader Lebanese café repertoire: mezze, grills, family-style dishes, sweets, coffee and shisha in a polished but relaxed setting. Current 2026 diner feedback is mixed on value and service, yet even critical reviews often acknowledge the ingredient quality, sea-facing setting and strong Lebanese flavours. That makes accuracy more useful than hype here.

A social address rather than an awards exercise

The brand’s official site currently lists the Abu Dhabi Café on Corniche Road, Al Bateen, open every day from noon until 1am, with +971 2 691 9999 and +971 50 223 0243 as contact numbers. For Simply Abu Dhabi, this is best presented as a social Lebanese address rather than an awards-driven destination. Go with enough people to order widely, use mezze to set the rhythm of the table, then move into the restaurant’s larger family-style dishes. The appeal is familiar food delivered with the polished visual language of Em Sherif. Just as importantly, readers should not confuse it with the Michelin-selected Sea Café across town; they are distinct venues with different menus, settings and reasons to visit.

Practical details

Location: Corniche Road, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Lebanese / Mediterranean
Telephone: +971 2 691 9999 | +971 50 223 0243
Hours: Daily, 12:00pm-1:00am
Recognition note: Do not attribute Em Sherif Sea Cafe Michelin recognition to this Corniche branch
Editorial status: Open