These winners have spent decades serving communities across the emirate
Every city has its landmarks, but some of the places that leave the biggest mark aren’t the flashy attractions or record-breaking buildings.
They’re the neighbourhood cafeterias that remember your order, the tailor you’ve trusted for years, the small family-run shop you’ve been visiting since childhood, and the businesses that have quietly become part of everyday life.
Now, 15 of Abu Dhabi’s longest-standing establishments have been recognised as part of the fifth edition of the Urban Treasures initiative, celebrating the local businesses that have helped shape the emirate’s identity over the decades.
Launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) five years ago, the programme shines a spotlight on businesses that have been serving the community for more than 20 years.
Since its launch, a total of 75 establishments have earned the Urban Treasures title, becoming part of a growing list of places that hold a special place in Abu Dhabi’s story.
What makes Urban Treasures so special is that it celebrates something many residents already know: heritage isn’t only found in museums, forts and historic buildings.
Sometimes it’s found in the tiny cafeteria that’s served generations of families. Or the neighbourhood salon where everyone knows everyone. Or the tailor who’s altered everything from school uniforms to wedding suits.
This year’s winners reflect exactly that mix of everyday places that have become community institutions.
The 2026 Urban Treasures include healthcare providers, cafeterias, tailors, fashion stores, supermarkets, beauty businesses and family-run traders that have remained part of Abu Dhabi life through decades of growth and change.
This year’s Urban Treasures winners span a wide range of sectors and include Alamal Medical Centre, Shahbaz Traders, Miss J Café, Restaurant Dubai Special Kabab Grills LLC, Kanaan Gents Saloon LLC, Zubaid Tailors & Textile Exhibition, Ghandour Cafeteria, Al Bahri Dental & Orthodontic Center, Husam Cafeteria, Abid Trading Store, Syria Cafeteria, Al Qusoor Tailoring & Garments, SeaShell Cafeterias, ADCOOP Hypermarket and Top Man Gents Garments.
Unlike many awards programmes, Urban Treasures relies heavily on community involvement.
Residents are invited to nominate businesses they believe deserve recognition, helping identify the places that continue to matter most to people who live in the emirate.
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The result is a list that feels genuinely local, filled with businesses that may not always appear in travel guides but have become part of the routines and traditions of countless Abu Dhabi residents.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the important role these businesses play in everyday life across the emirate.
“Abu Dhabi is home to countless longstanding institutions that continue to serve people from all walks of life across the emirate,” he said.
He added that the initiative recognises businesses that have become “anchors within communities”, helping create a shared sense of connection while contributing to the vibrancy of everyday life across generations.
The initiative forms part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s wider Modern Heritage Initiative, which focuses on preserving not only the emirate’s ancient history but also the more recent stories that have shaped modern Abu Dhabi.
Al Mubarak said the programme reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to recognising the businesses that have played “an integral role in shaping our social and cultural fabric.”
And while skyscrapers continue to rise and new neighbourhoods emerge, Urban Treasures serves as a reminder that some of the city’s most valuable landmarks are the ones built on relationships, loyalty and decades of service.
In a city that continues to evolve at remarkable speed, these businesses offer something increasingly rare: continuity.
They’re the places that have witnessed Abu Dhabi’s transformation first-hand, serving generations of residents while remaining woven into the fabric of everyday life.
As Al Mubarak noted, heritage is about more than historic buildings. It’s also about the businesses, relationships and shared experiences that create a sense of belonging and help define the character of a city.
So next time you stop by a favourite cafeteria, tailor or neighbourhood shop, remember, you might just be visiting one of Abu Dhabi’s living treasures.
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