TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

 

As he prepares to welcome art and design lovers to NOMAD ABU DHABI 2025 (19-22 November), co-founder of the art fair, Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, shares some of his favorite spots in the UAE capital. They include a hotel deep in the desert, an atmospheric underground bar and a gallery that's an architectural masterclass.

 

BY NICOLAS BELLAVANCE-LECOMPTE | CABANA TRAVEL | 18 NOVEMBER 2025

 

My Favorite Places to Stay

Is always in Saadiyat! I stay at Jumeirah Saadiyat Hotel for its flawless service, proximity to the museums, and that uninterrupted view of the sea. If I need a small getaway then definitely Qasr Al Sarab — built deep in the desert, it’s less a hotel than an encounter with silence. The architecture feels inevitable, carved by wind and time.

My Favorite Restaurants

Em Sherif Sea Cafe at Rosewood — a Beirut classic translated to the Gulf. Honest flavors, precise service, and the sense that everyone at the table has a story.

If I’m craving a pizza, Marmellata Bakery is my go-to.

My Favorite Cafés

The Daily Press in Al Maryah Island or Bayn Coffee in Al Ain – strong coffee, minimal design, and a quiet collection of objects that speak of taste without trying too hard.

 

 

My Favorite Cozy Pub or Bar

La Cava, an underground bar that has the best wine menu in town! I also love Library Bar at the Edition; I always meet the most interesting people there. You go for one drink and end up staying through the night.

My Favorite Museum

For now, Louvre Abu Dhabi - a masterclass in how architecture and light can shift perception. It’s impossible to walk through without slowing down.

My Favorite Shops

The shop at Warehouse421, Mina Zayed – a small, serious space for real conversations about art and the region. They have the most amazing publications on the UAE and supply lovely gifts made by local designers. I also love Fount Concept Store at Erth – a design shrine in the middle of the city.

 

 

My Favorite Thing to Do in Abu Dhabi

Run along the Corniche, or take a boat into the archipelago before sunset — the light, the blue, and the pure white sands feel otherworldly.

My Favorite Garden or Green Space

The Jubail Mangrove Park — a rare intersection of wilderness and skyline, where the city dissolves into water and silence.

My Favorite ‘Hidden Gem’

Iris Project is a new gallery presenting some of the most compelling emerging artists from the region, beautifully curated and full of promise.

 

 

NOMAD in Abu Dhabi 19-22 November 2025 

Terminal 1, Zayed International Airport

info@nomad-circle.com | www.nomad-circle.com

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