Al Mallah

Diyafah Street stalwart and street food favourite 6 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2008

An old stalwart on the bustling Al Diyafah Street scene, Al Mallah is the place to go for simple Arabic fast food. Skip the mezze, which are much better elsewhere (try Sidra across the road), and munch on their winning shawarmas and falafel sandwiches.

The lamb and chicken shawarmas are small, but among the tastiest in the city, while the falafel drips with tahini and isn’t too oily. The Al Mallah special fruit cocktail, which comes with huge quantities of sliced fruit and nuts, is a must-try. It’s a prime people-watching point, especially on weekend evenings, when young men drive in circles around Satwa showing off their cars.

By Jeremy Lawrence

• Previous reviews
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

Posted by: Ahmed on 20 Aug ' 09 at 18:41

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

This place is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. First when I got there, I was seated at a table that was not even cleaned. They asked me to clean it myself. Then I had a cup of juice poured all over me as someone walking with juice tripped and fell on me. As I was waiting for my food I was asked to vacate the table and move to a new one. This table was right near the oven so it was just hotter. I then recieved a plate of kebabs which were not the greatest. I was then asked to eat faster as I was holding up the people waiting outside for a table. WORST PLACE!!

Posted by: Asad on 06 Aug ' 09 at 13:24

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Al Mallah is not the same anymore. First of all, I ordered for one cheese manakish and received two. I told them that I only ordered one, and the waiter turned to his colleague and called me a liar! (they thought i did not understand Arabic) Eventually he took it back. The cheese manakish barely had any cheese! The shawarmas are now a quarter of the original size and they forgot to bring my watermelon juice! And to add insult to injury, they charged me for the second manakish! No wonder the place was empty on a Friday night! To the owner of Al Mallah - I have been a regular customer to your restaurant. If you want me and my family to come back, bring back the original portions! (and decent non-racist non-customer-does-not-understand-arabic-so-i-will-say-whatever-the-hell-i-want-in-front-of-them staff)

Posted by: Carlos on 04 Aug ' 09 at 13:17

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Have eaten there several times. Live in the area. I went when I was new to Dubai.

The restaurant does not bake their own bread (packaged in plastic bags), and most of the food is average.

For a good meal, walk one block further in Al Dhiyafa and check out Beirut, with excellent bread, hamoor, and mezze.

Posted by: Mahesh on 06 May ' 09 at 15:17

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

its not the best lebanese food in town as the matter of fact its YUCK, i would recommend sidra or jdoudna in the walk.

Posted by: B H on 06 May ' 09 at 11:25

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

After reading this review, we went to Al Mallah. it was the most horrible Arabic food I tested on Diyafah road. The meat on the hummous was cold. When we complained, the waiter was being rude.

The grill plate was hardly a plate, only 2 pieces of everything. We paid more to get the Al Mallah grill plate. We were told it includes ribs. Was shocked to see the one thin piece of rib.
If you want good arabic food, go down the road to Sidir or Labneh Wa Zaatar (amazing food). Much much better.

Posted by: Tariq Ali on 20 Mar ' 09 at 23:10

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

We visited this place in March 2009 after reading positive reviews on the internet. We got there about midnight, place was busy and stayed until abuot 1:30am.

Food was best ever especially their shawarmas and falafel sandwiches. Very cheap, highly recommended. Visited again during the afternoon but food was not as good as the section that sells the food at night is closed.

Not all taxi drivers instantly recognise "Al Mallah" when you tell them. Ask to be dropped on Dhiyafa Street and you can have a pleasant walk past the other restaurants and cafes and you cant miss is (it's next to Boots).

Would definately visit again when visiting Dubai.

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