New Yemeni restaurant, Abu Naji, offers the best tableside experience in Tampa

exterior of a restaurant with an ivy covered awning

Abu Naji, located at 4819 E Busch Blvd, is a culinary hidden gem in the city of Tampa. The menu offers an authentic taste of Yemen.

“With 22 years of experience in the industry, we strive to be the best in our field and put our customers first,” write the owners. “Our team is passionate about building relationships with each and every one of you and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.”

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Yemeni cuisine boasts an ancient heritage, echoing the culinary traditions of nomadic ancestors dating back thousands of years, notes the Abu Naji culinary team. “While influenced by North African and Mediterranean flavors brought by trade and invasions, Yemeni dishes maintain a unique Middle Eastern identity,” the restaurant owners note on the menu.

a chef prepares a huge meal table side in tampa

Abu Naji serves up a full plate of history with each meal

Guests can delight in bubbling stews, and succulent meats slow-roasted in-house. Each meal is accompanied by freshly baked bread, perfect for savoring the savory soups and stews.

With its diverse geography, Yemen offers a spectrum of microenvironments, each contributing distinct foods and customs, writes Abu Naji’s owners. The harmonious complexity of Yemeni cuisine emerges from the slow-cooking process, melding vegetables, meats, and spices into a symphony of flavors. At its essence lies maraq, a fragrant broth of lamb or chicken simmered with onions, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, pepper, and other aromatic spices, showcasing the essence of Yemen’s culinary artistry.

The menu also includes an Arabic salad, giant salmon, chicken and lamb platters, a special shrimp sandwich, rotating desserts and Adeni tea.

Follow Abu Naji on Instagram to see more specials, and whet your appetite for a visit.

a glazed chicken dish covered in rice and veggies with a special orange sauce

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