Al Raha Garden in Abu Dhabi: Where to Eat, Shop, Dine, and More
Al Raha Gardens is a residential community located in the eastern part of Abu Dhabi. Developed by Aldar Properties, it covers over 665,000 square metres and features modern villas and townhouses with landscaped surroundings. Al Raha Gardens in Abu Dhabi is a gated neighbourhood known for its family-friendly environment, with schools, parks, and daily essentials all within walking distance.
The community is well-connected and lies just 15 to 20 minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport. It also offers easy access to nearby areas such as Khalifa City A, Masdar City, and Yas Island, home to popular attractions like Yas Mall and Yas Beach.
This blog will guide you through the key lifestyle features of Al Raha Gardens in Abu Dhabi, focusing on where residents and visitors can eat, shop, and enjoy recreational activities.
Dining in Al Raha Gardens
If you're living in or visiting Al Raha Gardens, you’ll find that dining is convenient and relaxed, with several spots right inside the community and many more just a short drive away. Whether you want a quick coffee, a light meal, or something more filling, there are decent options available without needing to travel far.
Popular Restaurants within the Community
There are a few well-known places inside the Gardens Plaza that most residents go to regularly.
Circle Café is a casual dining spot located within the community. It serves a mix of light meals, including sandwiches, salads, and breakfast options. The café is popular for its relaxed setting and is often visited by residents during the day.
Jones the Grocer is a well-known restaurant chain that offers fresh and made-to-order meals. Located in the Gardens Plaza, it has a wide menu including burgers, pasta, salads, and desserts. The restaurant also sells grocery items like cheese, bread, and sauces.
Eighteen Sixty Eight Restaurant is another dining choice within the community. It serves a mix of international dishes in a simple and family-friendly space. The restaurant is known for its balanced menu and regular service hours.
These restaurants are all within walking distance for most residents, especially those living in the Sidra, Qattouf, or Khannour sub-communities.
Nearby Food Truck Park (Khalifa City Truck Park)
Just outside the main gates of Al Raha Gardens, in Khalifa City A, there’s a food truck park that adds more variety. It’s a casual outdoor space, especially popular in the evenings and on weekends. The setting is very relaxed with open air, string lights, and picnic-style seating.
Honors Burger – serving fresh burgers and fries.
Sushi Express – offering sushi and Japanese meals.
Emirati 21 Café – focusing on local snacks and beverages.
Other trucks in the park serve pizza, wraps, fried chicken, and international snacks. This location is suitable for casual meals and takeaway food, especially in the evening.
Other Nearby Dining Options
In Khalifa City A, which borders Al Raha Gardens, there are several restaurants offering a wider food selection. These include:
Castle Restaurant, which serves Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.
Seashell Restaurant, known for grilled seafood and rice meals.
Shish Shawerma, offering Arabic-style shawarma and quick bites.
These options are within a 10-minute drive and are commonly used by Al Raha Gardens residents for affordable meals outside the community.
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Shopping in Al Raha Gardens
Residents have access to both local shopping facilities within the community and larger malls nearby. These locations provide essential services, everyday shopping, and a selection of retail stores.
Gardens Plaza (Community Mall)
Gardens Plaza is the main retail centre inside Al Raha Gardens. It is a small community mall designed to meet daily needs. It includes a number of shops and services, such as:
Mothercare – offering clothing and products for babies, children, and expectant mothers.
Claire’s Accessories – a store selling jewellery, hair accessories, and fashion items for young customers.
Grand Optical – providing eyewear, sunglasses, and eye testing services.
Boots Pharmacy – offering health and beauty products, prescription services, and over-the-counter medicine.
For groceries, Safa Express Supermarket is located in the plaza and supplies everyday food items, cleaning products, and household basics. Additional services in Gardens Plaza include a pet supply shop (Pets Delight), a laundry service (Modern National Laundry), and beauty salons for both men and women.
Al Raha Mall (Nearby Full-Service Mall)
Located just a few minutes’ drive from the community, Al Raha Mall is a larger shopping centre that offers more variety. It includes:
High-street and brand-name retail shops – selling clothing, electronics, home items, and personal care products.
A hypermarket – providing a full selection of groceries, fresh produce, and household goods.
Oscar Cinema – a small movie theatre inside the mall showing popular films.
Al Raha Mall is often used by residents for bulk shopping, weekend outings, and access to services not available inside Gardens Plaza.
Fitness and Wellness
Al Raha Gardens in Abu Dhabi provides several options for fitness and personal care. Residents have access to gyms, wellness centres, and grooming services either within the community or in nearby areas.
Gyms and Fitness Studios
Blue Power Fitness Gym is located inside Al Raha Gardens. It is a basic facility suitable for general workouts. The gym offers strength training and cardio equipment. It is mainly used by residents for daily fitness routines.
Nearby, there are more specialised fitness centres that can be reached in under 10 minutes by car:
Beyond Health Club – a mixed-use fitness facility with personal training and group exercise classes.
CrossFit Abu Dhabi – a centre offering CrossFit programmes focused on strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Cobra Fitness – known for boxing and high-intensity training, suitable for both adults and teenagers.
These gyms provide a wider range of programmes for those seeking guided workouts or structured classes.
Salons and Spas
Pace e Luce has separate branches for men and women located in Gardens Plaza. These salons offer haircuts, styling, shaving, beard care, and general grooming services. They are commonly used by local residents for regular personal care.
Tip Top Nail Bar is also based in the community and offers nail treatments, including manicures, pedicures, and nail art. The salon is suitable for quick visits and scheduled appointments.
Hair Concept is a full-service salon located at Al Raha Gardens Plaza. It provides haircuts, colouring, and hair treatment services.
For relaxation and massage, Oriental Wellness Spa offers services such as body massages, facials, and basic spa treatments. These are designed for stress relief and general wellness.
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Family and Leisure Activities
Al Raha Gardens is close to several leisure and recreational facilities. These include indoor play areas, sports centres, and beach access, all located within a short driving distance from the community.
Recreation
Sparkys Digital Land is a family entertainment centre located inside Al Raha Mall. It offers arcade games, small rides, and interactive activities suitable for children of different age groups. The venue is also used for birthday parties and short play visits.
Just 10 minutes away, the Al Forsan International Sports Resort provides a wide range of outdoor and indoor sports. These include swimming, shooting, horse riding, karting, and wakeboarding. The facility is suitable for adults and children and offers both casual and membership-based access.
Outdoor and Beach Access
Yas Beach is the nearest public beach, located about 16 minutes from Al Raha Gardens. It has shaded seating, water sports facilities, and food kiosks. Entry requires a paid ticket unless included with certain hotel bookings.
The Al Raha Beach Marina is closer and mainly used for walking, relaxing by the water, and limited boating activities. While there is no public beach access at the marina, it is often used for short visits and quiet outdoor time.
Golf and Sports
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is located nearby, within a 15-minute drive. It is a large golf course with an 18-hole championship course and training facilities. The club is open to members and paying guests and includes a restaurant and event space. It is commonly used by residents for weekend leisure and sporting events.
Essentials and Daily Conveniences
Al Raha Gardens in Abu Dhabi is planned to give residents easy access to everyday services. These include supermarkets, healthcare centres, and schools located within or close to the community.
Supermarkets
Safa Express Supermarket is located in Gardens Plaza within Al Raha Gardens. It offers groceries, household products, and daily-use items. It is suitable for quick shopping and day-to-day needs.
Nearby, there are several larger supermarkets:
Lulu Express in Al Raha Mall – a compact version of Lulu Hypermarket, offering food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items.
Carrefour in Al Muneera – a mid-sized supermarket with a full selection of groceries, fresh produce, frozen items, and non-food goods.
Spinneys in Al Bandar – a premium supermarket known for imported goods, bakery items, and fresh meat.
These stores are all located within a 10-minute drive and are used by residents for weekly or bulk shopping.
Healthcare
There are no hospitals located inside Al Raha Gardens, but several facilities are nearby:
Mediclinic Khalifa City – a multi-specialty clinic with general practice, dental care, and diagnostic services.
NMC Royal Hospital – a full-service hospital offering emergency care, specialist consultations, and inpatient services.
Amana Healthcare – focused on long-term and rehabilitation care. It serves patients needing continuous medical support.
These healthcare centres are located in Khalifa City A, about 5 to 10 minutes away by car.
Schools
Al Raha Gardens is home to two well-known schools:
Raha International School – offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. It is rated highly by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
Al Yasmina Academy – a British curriculum school offering education from early years to secondary level.
There are also several nurseries and early learning centres located nearby in Khalifa City A, providing options for younger children. These schools are commonly chosen by families living in Al Raha Gardens due to their close location and recognised academic standards.
Transportation and Connectivity
Al Raha Gardens offers good transport access both for drivers and those using public transport. The community is connected to key roads and is positioned close to major areas in Abu Dhabi.
Easy Access to Public Transport
Residents in Al Raha Gardens can use public buses that run through or near the community. The following bus routes serve the area:
Bus 160
Bus 161
Bus 163
Bus 218
Bus stops are located near main roads within or around the community, especially close to Street 3, Street 18, Street 30, and Al Yasmina School. These stops are within walking distance from many villas and townhouses, making it convenient for residents without private vehicles.
While Al Raha Gardens does not have a dedicated bus station or metro service, the available bus routes connect to nearby areas like Khalifa City A, Masdar City, and Al Raha Beach, allowing access to workplaces, schools, and shopping destinations.
Proximity to Major Hubs
Al Raha Gardens is positioned about 15 to 20 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi International Airport, making it ideal for frequent travellers and residents working near the airport zone.
It also has direct access to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10), which connects the area to the city centre of Abu Dhabi and leads towards Dubai. The drive to downtown Abu Dhabi takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes, while Dubai is about an hour and 10 minutes away, depending on traffic.
The community's location also provides quick access to Yas Island, Al Forsan Village, and Masdar City, all of which are within a 10 to 15-minute drive.Transportation and Connectivity
Al Raha Gardens offers good transport access both for drivers and those using public transport. The community is connected to key roads and is positioned close to major areas in Abu Dhabi.
Final Thoughts
Al Raha Gardens is a secure and well-organised residential community ideal for families and professionals looking for a peaceful and convenient place to live. With its secure environment, quiet surroundings, and essential services nearby, it supports a comfortable daily lifestyle.
The community includes all essential services within close reach, make it a practical choice for those who prefer easy access to schools, shops, and transport links. Al Raha Gardens in Dubai offers a balanced setting where residents can live, work, and relax with ease.