One of the best things about living in a place as diverse as Abu Dhabi is the range of cuisines available, but it is often difficult to find deals that match a student’s budget. Luckily, you can find a number of restaurants offering all-you-can-eat deals featuring amazing food that will not hurt your wallet.

Breakfast deals are the most popular all-you-can-eat deals in Abu Dhabi. In particular, Circle Café is one of the most sacred NYU Abu Dhabi student hotspots, located a five minute drive from campus on Saadiyat Island. The cafe is home to the 65 AED all-you-can-eat breakfast and brunch from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and 8 a.m. to noon on weekdays. The menu includes a wide selection of options, from pancakes and yoghurt to English breakfast and Eggs Benedict. NYUAD students can also walk or bike to Circle Café if they’re willing to brave the heat.

[Café 302] (https://www.zomato.com/abudhabi/cafe-302-al-maha-arjaan-by-rotana-al-markaziya), located in the Al Maha Arjaan Rotana hotel in the city, features a 69 AED all-you-can-eat breakfast deal. This is one of my favorite Instagram aesthetic cafes, featuring sepia tones and modern light fixtures. You can hop onto the 170 public bus from campus for a 20 minute ride to the Hamdan Street/Emirates Tower stop, then take a five minute walk to the café.

Another great option is the [Fifth Street Café] (https://www.diningatcourtyardabudhabi.com/). Located in Courtyard by Marriott on Hamdan Street, it offers a 75 AED all-you-can-eat brunch on weekends between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also use the 170 public bus line to reach Fifth Street Café, getting off at the Hamdan Street/Liwa Center stop and walking for eight minutes to the Marriott. Some of the best avocado toast and pancakes I’ve had in Abu Dhabi have been at a Fifth Street brunch.

Located further away from campus, Viccis, previously known as Coral Restaurant, offers a 68 AED all-you-can-eat breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can reach Viccis through a 25 minute cab ride from campus for approximately 90 AED or take the hour-long public bus route.

Also located near Vicci, Kingston 21 in Al Raha offers an all-you-can-eat Jamaican style breakfast deal for 85 AED. The long drive is worth it for the amazing food and beautiful terrace views of the Al Raha Creek. The Boundary Café at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Zayed City offers an all-you-can-eat-for-90-minutes breakfast on weekends from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for 70 AED. Not only does the café have amazing breakfast, but it’s also a very comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space to work or relax.

You can also use the university shuttle to Al Wahda mall to access many all-you-can-eat deals in the city. The mall itself is home to Barbeque Nation — an all-you-can-eat Indian barbeque restaurant. For 69 AED, enjoy unlimited on and off grill items, drinks and desserts.

Directly across the street from Al Wahda is Seven Hot Pot, another NYUAD student favorite. Seven Hot Pot offers all-you-can-eat meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and more every day for 49 AED per person. If you walk for eight minutes from Al Wahda, you can also try Happiness Grassland, a hotpot and Korean barbeque restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat hotpot and barbeque deal inclusive of some appetizers and desserts for 65 AED. These restaurants are best visited with friends: the endless food and buffet style makes them ideal for group outings and laughter-filled memories.

As much as NYUAD students love Sushi Counter on their home base, there are many other sushi offerings in Abu Dhabi. Samurai Japanese Restaurant near the Corniche has an all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi and maki rolls offering for 99 AED.

Beyond all-you-can-eat deals, students can take the 170 public bus to any stop on Hamdan Street and walk into any cafeteria or small restaurant. They are almost always affordable with something for everyone. All of these restaurants will ask for a green Alhosn pass, so make sure your app is working properly before venturing off campus. Water is not usually included in all-you-can-eat deals, so bring your own bottle to avoid exorbitant prices. Most of these restaurants also require or recommend making a reservation in advance, so remember to call ahead!

For those looking to try a diverse selection of food in one sitting or those wishing to experience the multitude of restaurants Abu Dhabi has to offer, the all-you-can-eat deals provide affordable, exciting options for students to explore.