Terminal A’s The Forge brings steakhouse formality to AUH
The Forge sits airside in Terminal A at Zayed International Airport (AUH), so this is an option only after security. Expect a proper sit-down restaurant rather than a grab-and-go counter, with table service and a slower pace than the terminal food court. Build at least a 75–90 minute buffer between landing in AUH and boarding if you plan a full meal here.
This spot runs on a steakhouse template: think premium cuts and plated mains instead of sandwiches. Prices track with hotel-restaurant numbers rather than fast food; plan on a main dish running significantly higher than a food court meal in Terminal A. That makes The Forge better matched to a long layover or a pre-overnight dinner than a quick refuel before a 45-minute regional hop.
Service operates on standard restaurant timing, not airport-fast timing, so appetizers plus mains can easily stretch to 45–60 minutes from sit-down to bill. Terminal A’s boarding gates can be a 5–10 minute walk depending on your pier, so don’t cut it close. If your flight starts boarding 40 minutes before departure, you want to ask for the check as soon as mains land.
There’s a full bar setup, and in Terminal A that puts it in the more premium tier of dining options. Drinks at a steakhouse like this typically run above what you’d pay at a generic terminal bar, so factor in the cost if you’re ordering cocktails or wine by the glass. If you only have time or budget for one thing, prioritize a main course over multiple drinks.
Practical tip: check your gate number on the AUH screens before sitting down at The Forge in Terminal A, and set a phone alarm for 45 minutes before departure to prompt you to ask for the bill.