Abu Dhabi Mall is one of the capital’s longest-standing and most centrally located shopping destinations, known for its waterfront setting, direct connection to the Beach Rotana hotel, and broad mix of retail and dining. Here’s a complete guide before you visit.
Location of Abu Dhabi Mall
Abu Dhabi Mall is located in central Abu Dhabi, in the Al Zahiyah area, on Al Maiyani Street near 10th Street and Jalboot Pier, close to Reem Island. Opened on May 15, 2001, the mall is owned by the Abu Dhabi Trade Center and houses more than 200 shops, a large food court, and a cinema. It’s directly connected to the 5-star Beach Rotana hotel via an internal entrance, giving guests easy access between the two. In January 2017, Forbes recognized Abu Dhabi Mall as one of the top shopping malls in the capital.
Shops and Stores at Abu Dhabi Mall
Abu Dhabi Mall’s retail mix spans a wide range of categories built up over more than two decades:
Fashion: International names include Mango and Lacoste, alongside a broad range of children’s, women’s, and men’s clothing stores covering different budgets and styles.
Beauty and perfume: Paris Gallery is among the well-known beauty and fragrance retailers, alongside other make-up and perfume outlets.
Accessories and luxury: Michael Kors operates a store here, offering accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, and ready-to-wear for shoppers seeking recognizable international brands.
Books and entertainment retail: Virgin Megastore has historically been one of the mall’s notable tenants for books, media, and entertainment products.
Household and electronics: The mall covers soft furnishings, household furniture, and electrical goods alongside gifts, health-food items, and pharmacies.
Hypermarket: Abu Dhabi Co-op operates as the mall’s grocery anchor, described as the city’s preferred grocer, located for convenient one-stop shopping alongside the retail outlets.
Dining: A large food court features up to 40 different food outlets, alongside sit-down restaurants including Chili’s, Denny’s, P.F. Chang’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Famous Dave’s BBQ, plus cafes like Café Nero and dessert spots such as Cold Stone Creamery and Cinnabon.
Timings
Abu Dhabi Mall’s operating hours are generally reported as:
Retail outlets (Sunday to Thursday): 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Retail outlets (Friday and Saturday): 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (some individual store listings show slightly later closing on Thursdays and Fridays, so it’s worth checking specific stores if timing is critical) Abu Dhabi Co-op Hypermarket: Reported to operate on extended hours, from around 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily
Because individual stores and the hypermarket can vary from the mall’s general hours, and details can change, it’s best to confirm current timings on the mall’s official website before planning a visit.
Connectivity and How to Reach Abu Dhabi Mall
Abu Dhabi does not have an operational metro system, and Abu Dhabi Mall in particular is not close to any bus terminal, so reaching it relies almost entirely on road transport:
By car: If travelling from the direction of National Hospital, take a right turn onto 10th Street from Zayed The First Street. If coming from the direction of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, cross the bridge over the Mangrove National Park water body along Zayed The First Street, then turn left toward 10th Street to reach the mall.
By taxi or ride-hailing: Given the lack of a nearby metro or bus terminal, taxi or ride-hailing apps are generally the most practical way to reach the mall for visitors without a car.
Parking: The mall operates a digital parking payment system, with payments made online or through smart parking machines near the exits; visitors can also link their vehicle plate number to the mall’s system for automatic billing, and showing a shopping receipt at the Customer Service Desk may help redeem free or extended parking hours.
Nearby Areas
Abu Dhabi Mall’s central, waterfront location places it close to several notable spots:
Beach Rotana Hotel: Directly connected to the mall via an internal entrance, useful for hotel guests or anyone combining a stay with a shopping trip. Al Zahiyah: The immediate central Abu Dhabi district the mall is situated in. Reem Island: Located nearby, connected by road and increasingly a hub for its own retail and residential development. Jalboot Pier: A nearby waterfront landmark, reflecting the mall’s location along Abu Dhabi’s coastline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Abu Dhabi Mall located? In the Al Zahiyah area of central Abu Dhabi, on Al Maiyani Street near 10th Street, close to Reem Island and connected directly to the Beach Rotana hotel.
What are Abu Dhabi Mall’s opening hours? Generally 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, though individual stores may vary slightly — check current hours on the mall’s official site.
Is there a metro station near Abu Dhabi Mall? No. Abu Dhabi does not have an operational metro system, and there is no nearby bus terminal either, so the mall is reached mainly by taxi or private car.
Is Abu Dhabi Mall connected to a hotel? Yes, it has a direct internal entrance connecting to the Beach Rotana hotel.
Does Abu Dhabi Mall have a hypermarket? Yes, Abu Dhabi Co-op operates as the mall’s main grocery hypermarket, reported to keep extended hours compared to the rest of the mall.
How many stores does Abu Dhabi Mall have? More than 200 stores, along with a large food court offering around 40 different food outlets.
Is there parking available at Abu Dhabi Mall? Yes, with a digital parking system allowing online payment, smart parking machines, and plate-linked automatic billing.
When did Abu Dhabi Mall open? It opened on May 15, 2001, making it one of the older established malls in the capital.
Final Thoughts
Abu Dhabi Mall’s long-standing central location, waterfront setting, and direct hotel connection have kept it a popular fixture in the capital’s retail scene for more than two decades. Since it isn’t served by a metro station or nearby bus terminal, planning to arrive by car or taxi is essential, and it’s worth checking current store and hypermarket hours on the mall’s official website before your visit, since these can vary by outlet.