8 Must-Try Dishes at El Chef El Lubnany
El Chef El Lubnany bridges the gap between an elite gourmet butchery and a traditional Lebanese kitchen. It offers an elevated take on traditional Lebanese dishes in Abu Dhabi by utilizing premium meat grades (like Wagyu and farm-fresh local meats).
Key Takeaways:
- The Luxury Levantine Hybrid: The menu uniquely bridges the gap between an elite gourmet butchery and a traditional Lebanese kitchen, replacing standard commercial meats with premium, never-frozen alternatives like high-marbling Australian Wagyu and fresh grass-fed New Zealand lamb
- Ready-to-Grill Home Convenience: Operating as a boutique butcher-to-table service, the Al Nahyan venue provides home cooks and hosts with expertly trimmed, pre-marinated, or custom-ground raw meat packages (like Shish Taouk and specialty Kibbeh mince) that eliminate hours of kitchen preparation
- Ancestral Heritage with Modern Adaptations: While utilizing traditional Middle Eastern 7-spice blends, charcoal grilling frameworks, and legacy slow-braising methods, the menu introduces contemporary adaptations to the Abu Dhabi market, such as a lean poultry-based Makanek and fusion Wagyu burgers
The menu in El Chef El Lubnany remains deeply tied to legacy through a variety of specific, traditional cooking methods, including open-flame grilling, slow roasting, and relying on classic Middle Eastern blends.
8 Culinary Masterpieces from El Chef El Lubnany
Are you looking for the best Lebanese food in Abu Dhabi? Discover the best traditional Lebanese dishes at El Chef El Lubnany, featuring premium Wagyu beef, house-made chicken sausage, and tender lamb shank.
1. Wagyu Kafta: The Lebanese Kebab Reimagined with Premium Marbling
Wagyu changes everything about kafta (also spelled kofta or kofte). Most kafta is made from standard ground beef. The fat does not just add richness; it carries the spices deeper into the meat. So, every bite is as flavorful as the last.
- El Chef El Lubnany elevates this with Australian wagyu ground beef; the marbling creates a kafta that is noticeably juicier, more tender, and carries flavor deeper into every bite.
- Chef Ousman’s butchery prep: meat is ground fresh daily, never pre-packaged.
Serving suggestion: Grilled over charcoal, served with Lebanese flatbread, pickled turnips, toum, and a fresh tomato-parsley salad.
2. Lebanese Lamb Shank: The Slow-Cooked Centerpiece That Earns Its Place at Any Table
The quality of the shank determines the final dish.
- El Chef El Lubnany sources grass-fed lamb, cut fresh (not frozen). Our team prepares shanks to specification, trimmed, cleaned, and ready for the slow cooker or oven.
Serving suggestion: Braised in tomato and onion with 7 spices, served over Lebanese rice with toasted vermicelli and topped with pine nuts and almonds. Include laban (yogurt) on the side.
3. Kibbeh: The Dish Lebanon Calls Its Own
Kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon, is a dish of ultra-lean ground lamb or beef, bulgur, spices, and onion puree.
- Authentic kibbeh requires ultra-lean, finely ground meat. The ratio of lean-to-fat and the freshness of the grind determine whether kibbeh holds together and tastes clean vs. greasy.
- El Chef El Lubnany provides Kibbeh-grade ground meat, finely processed on the day, to the specifications of Chef Ousman.
- For home cooks, the butchery can prepare the kibbeh mince to the correct leanness, saving preparation time.
Serving suggestion: Fried kibbeh balls served with laban and mint, baked kibbeh with a side of Lebanese salad (fattoush or tabbouleh). Raw kibbeh nayyeh served with olive oil and fresh mint for the adventurous.
4. Makanek: Lebanon’s Legendary Little Sausage
For those who prefer poultry, our chicken sausage is spiced in the Lebanese tradition, with aromatic, lean, and equally at home in a mezze spread.
- El Chef El Lubnany prepares makanek fresh, using traditional Lebanese spice blends under the supervision of Chef Ousman.
Serving suggestion: Pan-fried with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses, served hot with Lebanese flatbread and fresh tomatoes.
Perfect as a mezze dish or a standalone breakfast/brunch item.
5. Lebanese Lamb Chops: The Cut That Defines a Culture of Grilling
In Lebanese food culture, the quality of the chop (how it is cut, trimmed, and how fresh the lamb is) is discussed by guests as eagerly as the cooking itself.
- El Chef El Lubnany sources New Zealand grass-fed frenched lamb (grass-fed lamb has a cleaner, sweeter flavor profile) cutlets, a provenance choice that matters.
Serving suggestion: Marinated in lemon, garlic, and Lebanese 7 spice for 2-4 hours, grilled over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve with fattoush, hummus, and grilled vegetables.
Order our AUS fresh lamb chops- 1 KG packs, fresh daily.
6. Shish Taouk: Lebanon’s Most-Loved Chicken Skewer
In Lebanon, shish taouk is found at every grill restaurant, on every mezze table, and in every home kitchen. It is the dish that Lebanese expats crave most when living abroad.
- Pre-marinated shish taouk chicken strips are available ready for grilling in El Chef El Lubnany- Chef Ousman’s marinade recipe, applied fresh in-store.
- El Chef El Lubnany uses premium fresh poultry (the quality of the chicken affects the final dish), not frozen portions.
- Home cooks can also purchase fresh chicken strips and marinate at home; the butchery will cut to precision.
Serving suggestion: Grilled on skewers, served with toum (Lebanese garlic sauce), pickled vegetables, Lebanese flatbread, and a green salad. A classic shawarma-style wrap is equally popular.
7. Wagyu Beef Burgers: When Lebanese Butchery Craft Meets Gourmet Grilling
Lebanese spice traditions, hand-formed patties, and the quality obsession of the neighbourhood butcher transform the humble burger into a premium experience.
- El Chef El Lubnany offers Australian Wagyu ground beef and pre-formed burger patties, sourced from premium Australian stock.
- Chef Ousman’s team can form patties to custom weight and thickness, a boutique service not available in supermarkets.
- The marbling in wagyu ground beef makes for a patty that stays juicy through the entire cooking process, even on well-done preference (common in the UAE market).
Serving suggestion: Season with Lebanese 7 spice, garlic, and fresh parsley, and grill to medium. Served on toasted brioche or Lebanese flatbread with toum, pickles, sliced tomato, and fresh arugula.
8. The Lebanese Mixed Grill: One Platter. Every Tradition. The Best Lebanese Food in Abu Dhabi
In Lebanon, a mixed grill is the centerpiece of group meals, celebrations, and hospitality. Ordering a mixed grill communicates both generosity and confidence- you are inviting your guests to experience the full range of what a kitchen and a butcher can do.
In Abu Dhabi, the mixed grill has become a Friday tradition for expat families and Emirati households alike.
- Chef Ousman’s mixed grill selection represents his entire culinary philosophy: Lebanese heritage, premium sourcing, and the belief that the best meals begin at the butcher counter.
- Everything on a mixed grill platter, including wagyu kafta, lamb chops, and chicken sausage, is available from El Chef El Lubnany in a single order.
| Dish Name | Premium Twist/Sourcing | Key Traditional Elements | El Chef El Lubnany Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagyu Kafta | Premium Australian Wagyu (high marbling) | Charcoal grilling, Lebanese flatbread, toum, pickled turnips | Ready-to-grill raw mix or pre-formed skewers |
| Lebanese Lamb Shank | Fresh, grass-fed lamb (never frozen) | Braised with tomato, onion, and Lebanese 7-spice over vermicelli rice | Raw cut trimmed to specification for home slow-cooking |
| Kibbeh | Ultra-lean, finely processed specialty grind | Bulgur wheat, onion puree, Lebanese spices | Raw minced meat base (options for fried, baked, or raw Nayyeh) |
| Makanek | Chicken-based poultry variant | Traditional Lebanese warm spice blend, pomegranate molasses | Freshly prepared house sausage for pan-frying |
| Lebanese Lamb Chops | New Zealand grass-fed Frenched cutlets | Lemon, garlic, and Lebanese 7-spice marinade | 1 KG fresh packs ready for high-heat home grilling |
| Shish Taouk | Premium fresh poultry (never frozen) | Chef Ousman’s proprietary garlic-and-spice marinade | Pre-marinated chicken portions or custom butchery cuts |
| Wagyu Beef Burgers | Premium Australian Wagyu ground beef | Infused with Lebanese 7-spice, garlic, and fresh parsley | Pre-formed custom weight patties for gourmet grilling |
| Lebanese Mixed Grill | Hybrid platter combining luxury & traditional meats | Includes Wagyu Kafta, Lamb Chops, and Chicken Makanek | All-in-one butchery order for family gatherings/BBQs |
To Summarize
Traditional Lebanese dishes usually lean on local beef, but El Chef El Lubnany infuses a modern luxury spin by using high-grade Wagyu Beef with marbling. El Chef El Lubnany provides the ultimate solution by operating as both a premium butchery and a kitchen.
Located in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, they offer ready-to-grill traditional Lebanese dishes like Kafta, marinated Shawarma, and house-made chicken sausages.
More Than A Butchery- El Chef El Lubnany Is Where Lebanese Food Lives In Abu Dhabi
Great Lebanese food starts with great cuts, not great restaurants. With Chef Ousman, you will get the highest quality meat for your authentic Lebanese cuisine. From the wagyu kafta to the lamb chops and chicken sausage, you will get the best traditional Lebanese dishes here. Download the full menu!
Frequently Asked Questions
I love making authentic Lebanese BBQ at home, but prepping the meat and getting the marinades right takes hours. How can I speed this up?
El Chef El Lubnany eliminates your prep time entirely by providing professional, ready-to-grill (RTG) meats pre-marinated with Chef Ousman’s authentic recipes. You get restaurant-quality, perfectly seasoned cuts like Shish Taouk and Wagyu Kafta delivered straight from the butcher counter to your grill in minutes.
Standard supermarket meats always turn out tough, dry, or flavorless when I cook them at home. What am I doing wrong?
The issue is commercial processing and freezing, which destroys the meat’s moisture retention. We solve this by using premium, never-frozen meat grades, like highly marbled Australian Wagyu and fresh grass-fed lamb, ground fresh daily to ensure your home-cooked meals stay incredibly juicy and tender.
I am hosting a large Friday family gathering in Abu Dhabi. What if I overcook the expensive meat and ruin the meal?
Our premium Australian Wagyu cuts feature a high intra-muscular fat marbling score that acts as a natural safety net. This rich marbling ensures that even if the meat is cooked to a well-done preference, it inherently retains its moisture, tenderness, and rich flavor without drying out.
If I buy pre-packaged or pre-marinated meat from a butcher, how can I be sure it is actually fresh and not just masking old stock?
At El Chef El Lubnany, we operate with absolute transparency under the direct supervision of Chef Ousman. All of our specialized grinds, like our ultra-lean Kibbeh mince and house-made sausages, are processed fresh on the exact day of your order, with zero pre-packaging or hidden fillers.
I want to serve a traditional Lebanese meal to my guests, but I am worried it will not taste genuinely authentic. How can I guarantee that heritage flavor?
True Lebanese flavor relies on precise, traditional meat-to-fat ratios and regional spices that commercial butcheries simply do not understand. Our kitchen bridges this exact gap, utilizing ancestral blending techniques and custom butchery cuts that guarantee your dishes taste exactly like a traditional kitchen in Beirut.