Abu Dhabi's Al Reef area guide: where to eat, shop and visit

Al Reef is a residential area that’s super-popular with families, dog lovers and – due to its proximity to Abu Dhabi International Airport – anyone who flies regularly. Cookie-cutter villas dot Al Reef’s four villages – namely Arabian, Contemporary, Mediterranean and Desert – while Downtown Al Reef is all about apartment living. Rez B Haleeb is a popular haunt for last-minute takeaways – it does a good selection of pizzas, burgers, salads and more. Baithak, in Downtown, has tasty Indian eats, and the new Wakumi offers delicious Japanese fare. If it's proper date-night dining you're after, you'll have to head out of Al Reef. About 10 minutes away, Yas Marina is home to Aquarium, which serves good sushi; The Scene by Simon Rimmer for gastropub classics; and Diablito for Spanish tapas. All of the restaurants come with sparkling views of the marina. While it's no shopping metropolis, Al Reef covers the basics. Get your groceries at the huge Select Market supermarket in Downtown, or pick up daily essentials at the Select express stores in each of the villages. Pet-owners will love The Pet Shack in Contemporary village. Owned by Emirati sisters, it's a one-stop shop for everything animal-related and also has an excellent grooming centre. There's not much in the way of sightseeing, unless you count popping in to see your neighbours, which happens frequently in this tight-knit community. Drive 10 minutes towards Dubai to visit Emirates Park Zoo or head to Yas Island for a day out at Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld – to name a few of the island's attractions. Back in Al Reef, get fit by joining boot camp or cardio classes at the European Sports Club or head to Impact Karate , where you can try martial arts, kick-boxing and yoga. Creative types should check out Art & Craft Stationery in Contemporary village, which sells art and office supplies and offers sessions in charcoal painting, calligraphy, clay moulding, decoupage and more. An eight-minute drive from Al Reef is Al Ghazal Golf Club , where there's an 18-hole sand golf course, tennis courts, cycling routes, a spa and a family-friendly Brazilian restaurant. There are no hotels in Al Reef, but there are a few options nearby. For ultimate travel convenience, the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport is only a 10-minute drive from the neighbourhood. Otherwise, head over to Yas Island once again, where you can find all manner of hotels. Do your bit for the feline community by getting involved with Al Reef Cat Crusaders. This group feeds all of the stray cats in the area via several feeding stations dotted around the villages. They also organise TNR – trap, neuter and release – drives. Join the Facebook page to find out mor e.

Abu Dhabi's Al Reef area guide: where to eat, shop and visit

This tight-knit Abu Dhabi residential area is perfect for families, dog-lovers and frequent flyers