Shaquille O’Neal Swaps the Court for Cuisine in Abu Dhabi’s Street Food Series

Shaquille O’Neal Swaps the Court for Cuisine in Abu Dhabi’s Street Food Series

The NBA legend takes a light-hearted look around the city’s culinary gems on a thrilling tasting tour

Abu Dhabi 29 August 2024: If you’ve been thinking of exploring some of the diverse flavours of Abu Dhabi’s delicious street food culture, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has already done the footwork for you.

The sporting legend swaps the court for cuisine in a series of films that sees Shaq discovering Abu Dhabi’s diverse street food scene while leaving his own food reviews as he explores the flavours and characters behind Emirati and Middle Eastern Street food.

Embark on a culinary adventure with Shaq through a series of films as he explores the heart and soul of Abu Dhabi’s street food scene. From traditional Emirati dishes to Middle Eastern favourites, he’s savouring every bite and sharing his discoveries through Google reviews.

Diving headfirst into the heart of Abu Dhabi’s foodie-favourite street food spots, each episode of “Shaq’s Abu Dhabi Street Food Journey,” sees the larger-than-life personality immersed in the city as he explores eight different foodie hotspots. 

Shaq first visits Al Dhafra restaurant, an authentic Emirati cuisine spot, with a group of locals, where he’s introduced to lamb ghouzi (a traditional Emirati rice dish). Shaq marvels at the mix of meat, rice and spices, and attributes the ingredient’s “teamwork” to making this a highlight dish. In upcoming episodes, he likens the tasty, sweet luqaimat (sweet dough balls with date syrup) at Luqaimat and Chebab to “mini basketballs” and gives his taste buds a more familiar treat at Mo’s Joint with their takeaway Classic Burger, giving a shout-out to its special Abu Dhabi sauce as “the MVP.”

But Shaq doesn’t just eat the food – he gets in on the action! Inspired by the city’s culinary creativity, he heads to Beit El Khetyar and creates a giant shawarma, a limited edition “Shaqwarma” that’s sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites. 

Shaq’s infectious enthusiasm and adventurous spirit match the melting pot of flavours that define Abu Dhabi’s street food scene. With each bite, he uncovers different cultural influences that make this city’s street food scene so unique.

Shaq also shares humorous and insightful commentary about his culinary adventures in Al Sultan Sweets (a crowd favourite Arabic sweets shop), India Palace Restaurant. (authentic Indian cuisine), Bu Tafish (a traditional seafood dining establishment since 1968) and Seashell (Abu Dhabi’s unique twist on fast food favourites).

A supersized NBA superstar partnered with a city steeped in a rich culinary street food heritage. Together, Shaquille O’Neal and Abu Dhabi make a truly unbeatable team.

-ENDS- 

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. 

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries. 

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. 

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae