Plant-Based Restaurant, Nabati, Takes United Arab Emirates by Storm

Founded by entrepreneur Ahmed Ah Qasimi–who has links to the Sharjah ruling family–plant-based restaurant Nabati has taken the United Arab Emirates by storm. With locations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the takeaway-style restaurant aims to educate people about how varied and delicious a vegan diet can be. Indeed, most of the people who dine at Nabati are not plant-based. Instead, the restaurant caters to people who may be interested in plant-based eating. 

Ahmed Ah Qasimi went vegan seven years ago thanks to his wife, who educated him about the horrific reality of factory farming. After he ceased to eat animal products, he began to look for ways to share his new lifestyle with others. From this desire, Nabati was born. The first location opened in July of 2022.

Nabati serves a variety of cuisines, showcasing how vegan offerings can be adopted throughout different cultures. From burgers to burritos to arayes, the menu is entirely plant-based. Ah Qasimi also aims to ensure that Nabati’s menu remains affordable so that a wide range of people can enjoy the restaurant’s offerings. Ah Qasimi enjoys talking with diners at Nabati about veganism and sharing his knowledge. 

In addition to their regular takeaway offerings, Nabati also puts on monthly dinners that feature plant-based versions of different culture’s cuisines. The monthly dinners showcase Nabati’s range. They also highlight how vegan food can become more of a fine dining affair. The first of these dinners was a Levantine dinner which raised funds for Gaza. Al Qasimi’s mother is Palestinian, making the cause particularly close to his heart. February’s dinner will focus on Japanese food.

Eventually, Ah Qasimi aims to open a cafeteria that serves veganized versions of traditional Emirati foods. He would also like to open a restaurant in Sharjah. For now, though, he is working on perfecting Nabati’s menu.

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