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Press & awards.

A 47-year file, more or less in chronological order. From a 1980s neighbourhood favourite to a 2023 Zomato award and a business-school case study.

The shelf

Eight things on the wall.

2023 Zomato Best Kebab in Dubai Zomato Restaurant Award
2024 World's 50 Best Discovery — Dubai 50 Best
2024 "A legendary part of Dubai's dining heritage" Visit Dubai
2023 Featured — Emirates Airline Dubai Guide Emirates
2023 "Local Legend" What's On Dubai
2022 "The Dubai restaurant of royals & stars" Harper's Bazaar Arabia
2021 "The Rise of an Iconic Brand" The Case Centre · Business case
2018 "40-Year-Old Kebab House with an Unofficial Wall of Fame" CairoScene
Coverage · 2015 → today

In the press file.

Selected mentions. Click through to read the source piece. Several outlets have covered us repeatedly — only the most recent is listed.

2025 Tripadvisor Top traveller reviews Really friendly staff and the owner was nice. The food was probably the best kebab I've ever had. Read
2024 World's 50 Best Discovery 50 Best · UAE entry A short and sweet à la carte menu of juicy grilled meats served over fragrant, buttery zafran rice and warming flatbreads. Read
2024 Visit Dubai Government tourism authority A legendary part of Dubai's dining heritage. Read
2023 Zomato Restaurant Award · Best Kebab Awarded Best Kebab in Dubai for 2023. Read
2023 What's On Dubai Local Legend No fancy spreads or mind-numbing variety. Just vibes and flavour-packed, meaty goodness. Read
2023 Emirates Airline Dubai Experience Guide Old-school Dubai at its finest — a 40+-year-old institution. Read
2023 Time Out Dubai Restaurant guide A Bur Dubai institution. Worth the queue. Read
2023 Curly Tales Feature Dishing out special kebabs since 1978 — known for melt-in-the-mouth delicacies. Read
2022 Harper's Bazaar Arabia Royal Watch The Dubai restaurant of royals & stars. Read
2022 Halal Xplorer Feature The cult-status Dubai restaurant. Read
2021 The Case Centre Business school case Al Ustad Special Kabab — The Rise of an Iconic Brand. Read
2018 CairoScene Lifestyle feature This 40-year-old kebab house in Dubai has an unofficial wall of fame. Read
2015 Lady & Her Sweet Escapes Travel blog Mint tea and dates with sesame syrup arrive at the end. None of this is on the bill. Read
The reviews — both kinds

What people actually say.

13,210 Google reviews don't all agree. Here's a five-star and a one-star, side by side, and what we'd say to each.

★★★★★ · Google · Hendy Ongkodjojo
This place is a true institution. The kebabs were incredible. The garlic sauce is an absolute must-get.

Verdict: Yes — the garlic sauce is the consensus pick. Order two.

★ · Tripadvisor · April 2025
Excessively crowded. Like a cafeteria atmosphere. Dirty plastic dishes.

Our response: The plastic plates are real and have always been real. The crowding is, regrettably, also real. We're working on neither — see why.

★★★★★ · Tripadvisor · 2025
Simple menu, full of flavour, cooked to perfection.

Verdict: The simple menu is the point. Don't expect a tasting menu.

★★ · Tripadvisor · February 2026
Too many spices. Strong turmeric flavor. Food quality was not good.

Our response: The Iranian palate runs warmer than some. The chicken breast (D10) is the leanest, mildest item on the menu — try that.

The queue is out the door. The kebabs are why.
— Our one-line review of ourselves
Press inquiries

Writing about us? Get in touch.

For interviews, photo permissions, or to confirm a quote: call the main line and ask for Majeed, Abbas or Taleb.