Dai Pai Dong, located on the ground floor of Rosewood Abu Dhabi, captures the vibrant spirit of traditional Hong Kong street food with a modern Cantonese twist from Chef Dong. Inspired by classic Chinese tea houses, the restaurant features intricate décor like carved dragons and rich wooden accents, creating an authentic and elegant atmosphere. Guests can enjoy the open kitchen’s live cooking, cozy indoor seating, or a terrace with stunning sunset views of Abu Dhabi’s skyline, plus a hidden bar reminiscent of 1920s Shanghai.

Key highlights:
- Authentic Cantonese food with Chef Dong's special touch
- Cool Chinese decor with dragons and wooden screens
- Awesome dim sum brunches on weekends

PROFILE

Dai Pai Dong sits on the ground floor of the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel. The name comes from the open-air food stalls that are super popular in Hong Kong. Chef Dong brings over 16 years of cooking skills to the kitchen. His food style mixes traditional Cantonese cooking with modern ideas. The restaurant got its look from Chinese tea houses, with lots of cool art on the walls. You can watch the chefs cook in the open kitchen. It's pretty neat to see them flip and fry the food right in front of you.

AMBIENCE

Walking into Dai Pai Dong feels like you've been zapped to China. Beautiful carved dragons show you the way to your table. The place has dark brown wood everywhere with soft lights that make everything look fancy. Chinese art hangs on the walls, and wooden screens give each table some privacy. You can sit inside where it's cozy or go outside on the terrace. The outdoor area gives you amazing views of Abu Dhabi's buildings and the sunset. There's even a hidden bar called Dragon's Tooth that looks like something from 1920s Shanghai.

MUST-TRY

The dim sum here is a total must-eat. They have both steamed and fried kinds, and people go crazy for them. Try the crispy shrimp rice rolls that are crunchy outside but soft inside. The truffle vegetable dumplings smell amazing and taste even better. Don't miss the pan-fried pork soup buns that burst with flavor when you bite them. If you can't decide, just get the all-you-can-eat dim sum lunch.

FOOD

Dai Pai Dong's menu is packed with yummy Cantonese dishes. They make their noodles right in the restaurant. The barbecued meats are super tasty and cooked just right. Traditional soups come in big bowls perfect for sharing. For dessert, try the oolong tea creme brulee topped with lychees and lime zest. It's different from regular creme brulee and super refreshing. They also do special hot pot dinners where you cook your own food in bubbling broth. The Yum Cha brunch on weekends has tons of dim sum, roasted meats, and sweet treats.

SERVICE

The staff at Dai Pai Dong really know their stuff. They can tell you all about each dish and help you pick what to order. Servers like Win Lae get mentioned in reviews for being super nice and helpful. The service is quick but they don't rush you. They're good at making sure your water glass stays full and checking if you need anything else. Some people say the service could be better sometimes. But most folks think the staff does a great job making everyone feel welcome.

PRICING

Dai Pai Dong isn't super cheap, but you get what you pay for. The All You Can Eat Street Style Lunch costs AED 118, which is pretty fair for all that food. The Friday Evening Hot Pot Brunch starts at AED 298, with an option to add drinks for AED 428. The Business Lunch gives you four courses at your table for a good price. For the New Year's Eve Gala Dinner, they charge AED 988 per person for the house package or AED 1288 for the bubbly package. Most people think the prices match the quality of the food and the fancy hotel setting.

SUMMARY

Dai Pai Dong brings a real taste of Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi. The food is mostly authentic with some modern twists. The restaurant looks awesome with its Chinese decorations and comfy seating. Their dim sum and hot pot options make it stand out from other Chinese places in the city. It's a good spot for both quick lunches and long dinners with friends. The prices are on the higher side but worth it for a special meal. If you love Chinese food or want to try something different in Abu Dhabi, Dai Pai Dong should be on your list.

FAQs

What are the opening hours of Dai Pai Dong?
Dai Pai Dong serves lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. Dinner hours are 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Does Dai Pai Dong offer special brunch options?
Yes, they have several brunch options. There's the Yum Cha Dim Sum Brunch on weekends, the Friday Evening Hot Pot Brunch from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.,and the All You Can Eat Street Style Lunch on weekdays.

Is parking available near Dai Pai Dong?
You can park in the Galleria's South Car Park, which is right across from the Rosewood Abu Dhabi where the restaurant is located. They also offer valet parking services if you don't want to park yourself.