Abu Dhabi International Airport

Exclusively in the Emirates

With its endless sunshine, spotless beaches, thriving cosmopolitan lifestyle and world-class infrastructure, Abu Dhabi, the modern Arabian capital of the United Arab Emirates, is quickly becoming the destination du jour of business and tourist travelers alike.  And the welcome mat at Abu Dhabi International Airport couldn’t be more inviting.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is the second largest airport in the United Arab Emirates, and one of the fastest growing airports in the world.  Winner of numerous accolades, including the more recent Business Destinations Travel Awards’ “Best Airport in the Middle East” for 2011 and, Skytrax’s 2011 “Best Premium Service Airport”, AUH connects to over 80 destinations in 46 counties worldwide.  Passenger traffic throughput reached an all-time high in 2011 with 12.4 million travelers.

With its increasingly diverse passenger profile and unyielding commitment to “create the world’s best airport environments,” airport operator, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), worked in partnership with SSP Emirates as the exclusive provider of food and beverage in the airport’s Terminal 3.  Here, distinctive Arabian hospitality abounds.

Opened in January 2009 and home to national flag carrier Etihad Airlines, Terminal 3 boosted the airport’s capacity to 12 million passengers a year adding 10 new gates, two of which are Airbus A380 compliant.  The terminal needed a robustly diverse dining portfolio to meet the needs of its growing, multi-cultural passenger traffic and SSP Emirates created the perfect blend of international and local dining concepts combining sit-down and quick service options that meet every costumer’s needs.

Arranged in two, clearly defined sections of Terminal 3’s Mezzanine Level airside, passengers can choose between sitting down to table service and a relaxing meal or, option for a less formal, grab and go snack from the quick service Food Village.

For travelers with time to linger between flights, SSP’s original brand concept, Bill Bentley Pub, offers travelers an easy choice for respite.  With its longstanding tradition of welcoming weary travelers, the quintessential English pub is ideally placed in the airport.

Rich, dark wood paneled walls, warm-toned brass railings and spacious, green leather booths offer ample room for a posse of travel companions.  Flat screen televisions hang on the walls for watching a football match or catching up on the news.  A classic table football game is available for some friendly competition.  All features are emblematic of a warmly inviting, comfortable place to rest before departure.

Menu items include traditional pub fare like steak and mushroom pie, fish and chips, a hearty beef stew or flawlessly grilled lamb chops.  A full English breakfast is served daily from 6am to noon complete with eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, mushroom and toast.

Stella, Carlsberg, Foster’s and Kilkenny are all on draught.  Wines are served by the bottle or glass, and the full service bar includes an ample supply of premium whiskeys.

Family friendly Hippopotamus invites travelers to sit down comfortably and prepare for one of the best moments of the day because at Hippopotamus, a good mood, happiness and relaxation are specialties of the house.

Inspired by the American steak house, Hippopotamus made its first appearance in Paris in 1968. Today, Hippopotamus serves over 30,000 people every day in over 100 restaurants across France and SSP operates eight Hippos in travel locations across the Middle East and Europe.

Sleek, contemporary décor with black and red leather chairs, dark wood tables and natural hardwood flooring invite passengers to sit down and relax to a full steak house menu.  Rotund pendant lights dangle from the ceiling.  Red brick walls adorned with whimsical hippo caricatures nod to a playful philosophy.  Floor to ceiling windows look out onto the runway and add entertainment for Hippo’s youngest guests.

Grill is king of the menu with cuts of steak ranging from sirloin strip lined with just enough fat to guarantee succulence, to lean healthy-option fillets and generously portioned T-bones.  Hefty 250 gram burgers are hand-patted in house daily and made with pure, all natural beef.   Desserts span the globe with French crème brûlée, American brownies served with chocolate sauce and freshly whipped cream, and, small platters of oriental sweets garnished with finely chopped pistachios.

Generous portions, a child-friendly menu and complimentary balloons make youngest passengers and parents alike more than happy to return.

For passengers with a little less dwell time, SSP’s Terminal 3 “Food Village” offers international and local brands with quick service and ample grab and go options.

Founded in 1954, Burger King is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world.  Operating 12,400 locations, serving over 11 million guests daily in 79 countries and territories worldwide, Burger King’s world famous Whoppers and fries are synonymous with quality, taste and guaranteed freshness.

Additional Food Village options include: a taste of the region with Sahten’s authentic Arabic cuisine.  Freshly prepared hot dishes of chicken shawarma, beef with yoghurt sauce and lamb curry as well as regional fatoush bread salad and perfectly textured houmous all make Sahten hard to resist; and, Yum Cha, providing a wide range of high quality Asian dishes all prepared to order, including boxes of assorted sushi and maki, fried noodles, multiple chicken, beef and seafood entrees as well as grilled kebabs and a range of mixed rice dishes.  Yum Cha serves the “best Asian dishes, freshly prepared on the spot.”

Thoughtfully placed near Terminal 3’s departure gates, SSP Emirates also offers two additional quick service options for travelers in a hurry:  Using only the highest quality hand-picked coffee beans from around the globe, Caffè Ritazza espresso bar offers the traveler premium coffee at its best.  Top quality grinders and imported Italian espresso machines ensure superior brews – but it’s the highly trained baristas that turn every cup into an addictive work of drinkable art.  And, popular in European travel locations for over 25 years, Upper Crust bakery serves authentic French baguettes baked on the premises throughout the day. Slid into a long paper sleeve and stamped with 3 hour life span, Upper Crust’s baguettes ensure that ease of portability and absolute freshness are guaranteed every time. Eaten warm and crisp on their own or filled with freshly sliced meats, cheeses and salad options, Upper Crust’s famously fresh baguettes are worth stopping for.

In Abu Dhabi’s Terminal 3 and across the globe, SSP is committed to bringing the very best dining experiences to wherever travelers eat and drink.