Since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken over our lives, traveling has become like a distant dream for many. The busy airports, the check-in lines, the aircraft announcements, take-off and landings, and all things travel has been slowed down.

But for the residents of Abu Dhabi, travel has come right before them, even if they can’t book a flight and take off to some destination. Recreating the onboard experience and the feeling of travel, Transit Terminal Food —a new standalone restaurant has arrived in the capital.

The new restaurant located at Defence Street is dedicated to all things aviation. From flights to nowhere and pop-up dining experiences on an Airbus A380 to auctioning off a pair of A380 superjumbo business class seats, the restaurant is fulfilling people’s travel ich.

The latest to Abu Dhabi’s food scene, the interior of the restaurant is exactly like those you’d find on a plane, from the seats to the table trays and even cabin announcements. The external façade of the place mimics a step towards the departures lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and the interior is half check-in counter.

The food served here is like the ones in the aircraft—buckled up into your chair. Luckily, some seats face each other so it’s not entirely a sideways conversation with the ones you are dining with.

The brainchild of Mohamed Basha, Transit Terminal Food aims to bring a taste of the world to the UAE amid the pandemic, especially when travel is like a forbidden fruit.

Even the food menu here has been designed like a boarding pass and has a variety of cuisines to choose from. Most of the food served here is from the famous street food from the countries’ capitals. The dishes served to the customers here are by a waiter or waitress dressed in a cabin crew-style uniform.

Serving food from more than 30 countries, some of them liked items here are Parisian-style shrimp baguette, currywurst from Germany, South African boerewors, Belgian waffles, quesadillas from Mexico, and all manner of burgers on behalf of the US. To make it even more happening, these change monthly and add a new destination every month.