After dining at so many restaurants across the UAE, it’s rare to come across a place that truly surprises you. I had a dinner booked at La Cava, a venue I hadn’t heard of before but soon discovered it has a strong reputation for its wine selection.
With little Instagram presence, I was curious to see what the experience would be like. A quick look at the online menu revealed just a handful of dishes, which is unusual for UAE. But that minimalism actually got me excited – the fewer the dishes, the more focus there tends to be on quality. And in this case, I was right.
La Cava surprises with understated elegance
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The restaurant itself is intimate and atmospheric, with dim lighting, candlelit tables, and a classic, almost old-world charm. The room is quiet, with only a few tables spaced generously apart, giving the space a sense of privacy and calm.
To start, we were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine. While I usually lean towards Champagne, the Freixenet Cordon Negro was a pleasant surprise – dry, crisp, and perfectly refreshing.
I was immediately impressed by the sheer scale of the wine list, with bottles displayed throughout the venue. The sommelier explained that La Cava holds the largest wine collection in Abu Dhabi. Knowing my preference for aromatic whites, I asked to be surprised. He brought over the Pasqua Passione Sentimento Bianco, a textured and expressive wine with depth and a lovely richness that paired beautifully with the food to come.
A confident menu built on quality
Before our first course, we were served a small amuse-bouche: a savoury mix of salami, olives, pickled tomato, anchovy, and a hint of sharp cheese – salty, tangy, and perfectly appetising.
The first starter, Three-Way Tomato, was a standout. A base of charred sourdough was topped with three preparations of tomato, each bringing its own texture and flavour. It was generously dressed with rich olive oil, resulting in a deeply satisfying first bite.
Next came the Scallop Tiradito, featuring Hokkaido scallop in a vibrant leche de tigre amarillo, garnished with pomelo and crisp corn tortilla chips. Bright, citrusy and delicately balanced, it was a highlight of the evening.
Given the concise menu, we opted to try every starter. The Empanada, filled with hand-chopped wagyu chorizo and served with charred aubergine cream, was rustic yet refined. The Patatas Bravas, while not traditional, were presented in a churro-style shape. This reinterpretation wasn’t quite to my taste, but it was an interesting twist nonetheless. We finished the starters with the Calamares Fritos, Patagonian calamari in a light tempura with squid ink aioli; a crunchy, well-seasoned, and satisfying dish.
Flavour, restraint and a memorable finish
For the main course, we shared the Chuletón El Capricho – José Gordón Selection, a dry-aged ox loin steak served with padrón peppers and the aforementioned patatas bravas. The steak was deeply flavourful, with a pronounced beefiness and subtle nutty notes from the dry-ageing. It was cooked medium-rare, in a more traditional Spanish style, which I personally prefer.
To end the meal, there was only one dessert on the menu Basque Cheesecake but honestly, nothing else was needed. It was served with a reduced cherry sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cheesecake was perfectly baked, with a soft, creamy centre and slightly caramelised edges.
La Cava stands out in Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing restaurant scene not for making the most noise, but for quietly exceeding expectations. The unassuming menu pulls out all the stops and gets top marks for its superb simplicity. For vinophiles, it’s an excellent choice, but if you’re coming only for a tasting we recommend to stick around for the food.
