Down To Erth: Modernity and Tradition Collide at This Award-Winning Abu Dhabi Dining Destination
There aren’t many restaurants that give you an immediate, authentic, sense of place – which is why Erth Restaurant in Abu Dhabi has become such a destination; it feeds the soul and encapsulates the best of its host country
At Erth it’s the details that matter. Ingredients are sourced from farms across the UAE, from Al Ain to Hatta, ensuring local provenance is at the forefront of every dish from the salmon in the ponzu crudo to the ghee in the Casuella hot pot. And although dishes have been devised by the kitchen, they take inspiration from the eclectic flavours that together form this diverse melting pot. Traditional accents are made with modern know-how and techniques.
You may think you know these dishes, but you’ve never tried them in this interpretation. From a tender slow-cooked lamb machboos with surprising teriyaki elements, to mini Emirati shrimp taquitos and cauliflower tabbouleh with green loumi dessing, dishes have been innovatively reimagined. Don’t miss the luqaimat, topped with Liwa date syrup or the sphere Batheeta. The latter is made for sharing on social media.
Start your day on the right note by stepping in here for breakfast on the weekend. There are few places that serve specialities like balaleet, spiked with cardamom and saffron, chebab and paper-thin khubz rigag bread alongside egg and cheese. There is also spiced eggs benedict and avocado toast on offer, with karak and chai haleeb completing the offering.
Its location, in the heart of the Qasr Al Hosn cultural centre, adds yet another dimension to a visit. Fitting in with its surroundings, its strong architecture – all its furniture has been fashioned bespoke – echoes its ethos of combining tradition with modernity.
Interior design firm Bone Studio collaborated with regional names like Al Joud Lootah, Khalid Shafar, Zuleya, plus Toru and Bahraini Danish to produce pieces that showcase artisanal flourish and Emirati motifs, but look distinctly forward when it comes to form and usage.
One thing is for sure, there’s a reason Erth has cemented its place at the forefront of restaurants in the region that trumpet locality, authenticity and have carved their own distinct identity.
For more information visit erthrestaurant.ae
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2024 issue.