Chagh Kabab

Chagh Kabab is an authentic Turkish grill restaurant located in the Khalidiyah Mall of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Since its founding in 2012, the restaurant has made a name for itself by focusing on the rich, charcoal-grilled flavors of traditional Turkish cuisine. The philosophy at Chagh Kabab is straightforward: let the ingredients speak for themselves. By using only the freshest quality ingredients—daily-supplied fresh meats, fresh herbs, and high-quality spices—and elevating them through the use of a charcoal grill, the kitchen creates dishes that are both simple and deeply flavorful.

The restaurant's story began with founder Ahmad, who spent 12 years traveling across the Gulf and Europe in search of the true taste of kababs. Inspired by the cooking of his Kurdish mother and the flavors of the Diyarbakir mountains in southern Turkey, Ahmad developed the recipes that now form the backbone of Chagh Kabab's menu. This personal touch is evident in every plate, making a visit to Chagh Kabab not just a meal, but an introduction to a cherished family culinary tradition.

Signature Culinary Difference

At Chagh Kabab, the difference begins long before the food meets the grill. The kitchen adheres to a daily preparation rhythm that starts with the arrival of fresh red and white meats, which are immediately stored according to strict food standards. Expert chefs then hand-cut and marinate every portion using a proprietary blend of whole and powdered spices, fresh herbs, and time-honored techniques. This meticulous preparation guarantees that every skewer—whether it is the restaurant’s famed Adana Kabab, the tender Shish Tavuk, or the richly spiced Tikka—carries a depth of flavor that only hours of marination can provide. The charcoal grill itself is central to the entire experience, imparting a delicate smokiness that elevates the natural taste of the ingredients without masking them.

The menu is built around a philosophy of simplicity and authenticity. While the offerings are varied, the consistent thread is a refusal to rely on shortcuts or artificial enhancers. Instead, the chefs let the quality of each ingredient tell the story. From the robust bulgur and fluffy rice served as traditional accompaniments, to the house-made garlic sauce, grilled green peppers, and tangy pickles that complete each plate, every element is deliberately chosen to complement the main protein. This approach has not gone unnoticed: with a remarkable rating of 4.8 from over 1,600 Google reviews, guests consistently praise the food as “super lecker” and the preparation as nothing short of excellent.

Inspired Menu Selection

Chagh Kabab’s menu is a curated journey through the grill traditions of southern Turkey. At the heart of the selection are the individual kabab plates, each presenting a distinct texture and spice profile. The Adana Kabab, a hand-minced meat skewer seasoned with bold red pepper and local spices, is both a customer favorite and a testament to the restaurant’s Kurdish roots. The Shish Tavuk showcases tender chunks of marinated chicken breast, charred to perfection and juicy inside, while the Tikka Chagh Kabab offers succulent grilled meat chunks that highlight the purity of the beef or lamb. For those who find it impossible to choose, the Chagh Kabab Special delivers a mixed grill platter that combines Shish Tavuk, Adana Kabab, Tikka, and Izgara Kufta, all served with bulgur or rice, creamy hummus, and a colorful array of grilled onion, grilled green pepper, and fresh onion with parsley.

Beyond the individual plates, the restaurant caters to larger groups and families with generous family platters that turn a meal into a shared celebration. The menu also expands to include a selection of Mezze and Salads, offering fresh, vibrant starters that perfectly counterpoint the richness of the grill. Crisp salads dressed lightly with herbs and citrus, along with classic mezze like creamy dips and stuffed grape leaves, prepare the palate for what is to come. For a quicker but equally satisfying option, Chagh Kabab’s Sandwiches wrap the same high-quality grilled meats in fresh bread, providing a casual yet uncompromising taste of Turkish street food. The beverage selection, naturally, features traditional Turkish tea, a ritual in itself that rounds out the meal with warmth and hospitality.

Freshness Without Compromise

The foundation of every dish at Chagh Kabab is a commitment to freshness that borders on obsession. The restaurant operates on a daily supply model, meaning that the meats used in the kababs are never frozen and never held over beyond their peak. This guarantees a texture and taste that is immediately perceptible: the lamb is supple, the chicken is juicy, and the beef is robust. The same principle applies to the fresh herbs—parsley, mint, and dill—that are brought in every morning and chopped by hand, and to the whole and powdered spices that are sourced for their potency. Nothing languishes in storage; instead, the kitchen is a constant cycle of preparation, marination, and grilling.

This dedication to freshness also extends to the marination process, which is never rushed. The meats rest for hours in their carefully measured coatings of spice paste, yogurt, and aromatics, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply while the ingredients remain stored at perfect refrigeration temperatures. When an order is placed, the marinated pieces are threaded onto skewers and moved to the charcoal grill, where the high heat sears the exterior and locks in the juices. The result is a series of dishes that need no heavy sauces or elaborate presentations to impress—they stand confidently on their own, as the philosophy demands.

Experience and Dedication

The story of Chagh Kabab is inseparable from the journey of its founder, Ahmad. A Kurdish man from southern Turkey, Ahmad grew up in the Diyarbakir mountains, where a deep fondness for meat and the craft of open-fire grilling are woven into daily life. The flavors he experienced in his mother’s kitchen—her particular way of blending spices, her patience with the fire, her instinct for balance—stayed with him even as he became a successful businessman and moved to the UAE in the year 2000. For the next 12 years, Ahmad traveled extensively across the Gulf and Europe, always searching for a kabab that could match the memory of that first, definitive taste. When he repeatedly fell short, he decided to recreate it himself.

He returned to his mother’s recipes, adapting them with the knowledge he had gained over a decade of research. With her blessing and support, he opened the first Chagh Kabab in Abu Dhabi in 2012. The restaurant became a vessel for her culinary legacy, bringing the specific spices and herbs of the Kurdish mountains into a modern, accessible setting. Today, the well-trained and experienced chefs who run the kitchen carry forward that legacy daily. Their work is not merely a job; it is a continuation of a familial tradition that treats cooking as a form of hospitality. This human element—the sense that there are generations of knowledge behind every skewer—infuses the atmosphere of the restaurant, whether guests are dining inside the Khalidiyah Mall or taking their meal to go.

Convenient Ways to Enjoy

Chagh Kabab understands that a great meal should be accessible in any format a guest prefers. For those who wish to linger over the charcoal aroma and the buzz of the mall, the restaurant provides a warm and welcoming dine-in space. The décor cleverly uses strategic design elements to create an intimate atmosphere that makes visitors forget they are sitting in a mall corridor, as noted by satisfied patrons. For guests on the move or preferring to eat at home, take-out services are readily available from all branch locations. The kitchen packages each item with the same care given to a plated meal, ensuring that the flavors survive the journey intact.

Furthermore, Chagh Kabab has embraced modern convenience through contactless delivery and a streamlined online ordering system. Guests can place direct delivery orders via the central call center at +971 2 681 8166, or through the restaurant’s partnerships with popular platforms including Zomato, Deliveroo, and Talabat. This multi-channel approach means that whether you are at home in Al Khubeirah, near the Corniche, or anywhere within the delivery radius, you can access the same charcoal-grilled excellence that has built the brand’s reputation. The restaurant also maintains an active presence on social media through Facebook and Instagram, where followers can stay updated on offers, such as the popular “Order 1 Adana Kabab and Get 1 Free” deal, and view freshly photographed dishes.

Our Locations and Reach

While Chagh Kabab’s presence in the Khalidiyah Mall on Al Khalidiyah - W9 serves as a bustling flagship, it is only one node in a growing network designed to bring Turkish grill to more of Abu Dhabi. The Prime Location on Corniche Road in Al Bateen W10 provides a premier dining option for those near the waterfront, complete with the full menu and the same unwavering quality standards. Additionally, Branch One operates on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street, offering a convenient stop for travelers and residents in that busy corridor. Even more exciting is the planned expansion: a new branch on Khalifa A. Al Saray Street is preparing to open its doors soon, further establishing Chagh Kabab as a go-to name for authentic Turkish cuisine across the city.

Each location is united by the same central management office, contactable at the main telephone number and email address info@chaghkabab.com. The operational hours have been designed for accessibility, with the flagship and other venues generally opening daily from late morning until midnight. According to data from Google Maps, the Khalidiyah Mall location observes hours that see it closing by 23:30, accommodating both late lunches and dinners. For the most current hours per branch, however, guests are encouraged to check the restaurant’s official website or call ahead, as they may be subject to slight variations on weekdays versus weekends. Across all sites, one thing remains constant: Chagh Kabab delivers the rich, charcoal-grilled taste of Turkey, plate after plate.

Guest Favorites and Community Voice

The voice of the community is the most telling evidence of Chagh Kabab’s success. Diners consistently point not only to the food but to the overall experience. One Local Guide described their visit as “very nice” and praised the restaurant’s skillful decoration, which makes one forget the mall setting and allows the focus to remain on the meal. The service contributes heavily to this positive atmosphere; reviewers describe the staff as “very friendly and not pushy,” creating an environment that feels respectful and welcoming. Another guest summed up the experience succinctly, stating, “The food simply tastes super. The prices are unbelievably good and the staff is extremely friendly. Always happy to return.” Across 1,644 reviews, the themes of taste, value, and service repeat to create a 4.8-star consensus.

Among the dishes that earn the most repeat praise, the Adana Kabab holds a special place. Its spicy, hand-shaped preparation is often cited as the definitive menu item, with promotions that invite newcomers to try it at an exceptional value. The Baklava and Turkish tea also appear frequently as beloved highlights, offering a sweet and comforting finish to a robust meal. Photos taken by patrons and shared across platforms reveal the strong connection guests feel to what is on their plates; images of perfectly charred meat, vibrant grilled vegetables, and golden bread tell the story long before a caption is read. This organic, word-of-mouth enthusiasm confirms that Chagh Kabab has not only achieved its goal of serving delicious food but has done so in a way that builds genuine loyalty.

Ultimately, Chagh Kabab represents a rare commitment in the fast-casual landscape: it is a restaurant that refused to compromise on its family recipes, its ingredient sourcing, or its cooking methods, and the result is a menu anchored in memory and delivered with contemporary convenience. For the residents of Abu Dhabi and visitors alike, a meal here is a journey from the Khalidiyah Mall to the charcoal-scented kitchens of Diyarbakir—a journey well worth taking.