The Tables We Return to | Nisreen Bajis

The founder of Mysk shares the restaurants, rituals and flavours that continue to bring her back.

The Tables We Return To continues with Nisreen Bajis, founder of Mysk, the homegrown café located at NYU Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.

Built around food, flowers and community, Mysk brings together wholesome dishes, signature bakes, carefully brewed coffee and expressive floral arrangements within one intentional space. At its heart is a belief in creating connection: somewhere for conversations to unfold, creativity to be shared and moments to linger long after guests leave.

That same appreciation for thoughtful, character-led places runs through Nisreen’s own selection of tables across Abu Dhabi.

SLRP

Inspired by Japanese ramen culture, SLRP brings a playful energy to ramen, hand rolls and Japanese street food. It is the kind of casual table that keeps the focus firmly on flavour.

Yas Mall Food Court | Abu Dhabi

PhoMo

Inspired by Vietnam’s national dish, PhoMo brings fresh, modern Vietnamese cooking to The Galleria Al Maryah Island. Its bowls of pho combine rice noodles, aromatic broth, fresh herbs and chillies, offering the kind of comforting food Nisreen returns to.

The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island | Abu Dhabi

Saikindō

An immersive Japanese hi-fi bar and yakitori grill at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Saikindō brings together vinyl, crafted cocktails and food within a space shaped equally by sound and flavour.

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

Zuma

A long-standing Abu Dhabi favourite, Zuma remains one of the restaurants Nisreen returns to for its contemporary Japanese dining and consistently energetic atmosphere.

The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island | Abu Dhabi

NIRI

Located on Mamsha Al Saadiyat, NIRI offers a more intimate expression of Japanese dining, with sushi, yakitori and carefully considered dishes served in a relaxed setting.

Mamsha Al Saadiyat | Abu Dhabi

Daikan Izakaya

At Yas Bay Waterfront, Daikan combines ramen, sushi and Japanese izakaya dishes with hip-hop, an industrial setting and an easygoing atmosphere.

Yas Bay Waterfront | Abu Dhabi

Together, Nisreen’s choices move between casual counters, intimate neighbourhood restaurants and lively dining rooms. Different in style, but connected by a clear sense of identity, they are the places she returns to across the city.

Watch the full episode of The Tables We Return To with Nisreen Bajis and discover Abu Dhabi through the people helping to shape it.