The corniche
A riverside path.
Mustafa Nader — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nawar GJ — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Abdulrzaq1 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY 2.5 · Mohammmed jaleel Al-khazraji — CC BY-SA 4.0
Abu Nuwas Street is a long street along the east bank of the Tigris on the Rusafa side of Baghdad, lined by riverside corniche gardens. It is named after the Abbasid poet Abu Nuwas, one of the most famous poets of Baghdad's golden age. For decades the street has been known for its masgouf restaurants, serving fish grilled over wood in the Baghdadi way. It has two well-known statues: Abu Nuwas seated with his cup, and Shahrazad and Shahryar, inspired by the Thousand and One Nights, both the work of well-known Iraqi sculptors. You walk under rows of trees and lamps along the corniche path, with the river beside you and the bridges ahead. The gardens fill with families in the evenings, when the air cools after the heat of the day, and restaurants and cafés light up along the street. The best time for a walk is after sunset. Mutanabbi Street is about 5 km away in a straight line. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.
A riverside path.
Abu Nuwas and Shahrazad.
Fish over wood.
East bank of the Tigris, Rusafa side, Baghdad, Iraq
River fish split open and grilled over a wood fire, a classic Baghdad dish.
After sunset, when it cools and the gardens light up.