During our visit we tried 3 of the 6 dishes which honestly left us wanting to try them all.

The first one was Morgh-e-torsh Kebab (AED 38) that featured chargrilled boneless chicken tikka marinated with a very unique mix of pomegranate juice and walnut paste. What I really loved in this dish were the little pieces of walnut that added a gritty texture to every bite.

Next, we had Balochi Rosh (AED 36). This dish is traditionally cooked with mutton and is simply eaten during occasions, especially farewells. This one at Sthan came with chicken tossed in a homemade gravy made with onions, green chilis, coriander and mint. This was perfect with the tandoori roti.

Our third dish was Gosht Kofte (AED 42) which was my favorite of the evening. Juicy mutton mince kebabs doused in a rich red chili and garam masala gravy made an ideal pair with lachcha paratha. The ginger and chili garnish on top was bliss but truly ot was the kofte (kebab) that stole my heart. Definitely going back for this.

We paired the Balochi dishes with a mint lemonade and Punjabi style namkeen lassi (salty) flavored with Himalayan pink salt and peppered with jeera (cumin seeds). Plus, being ardent tea lovers, we ended our meal with a hot cup of Punjabi karak served in a traditional kullhad.

Sthan

Location: Shop 2 & 3, Al Wasl Building, Opposite Civil Defense Station, Zabeel Road, Al Karama, Dubai
Contact: +97143997775

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Located at Dubailand, the name of this eatery literally translates to common man in hindi/urdu, highlighting how they’ve taken everyday dishes and made them so delectable, you’ll want to keep going back for more.

While it’s difficult to decide which one was my favourite, I can definitely vouch for their Sindhi Chicken Biryani, Aloo Samosas, Stuffed Parathas, Chapli Kebab, and Kebab Karahi. If you’re a fan of Nihari, then you’ll love it too. Make sure you order enough of those soft roghni naans to soak up all the goodness.

And please don’t forget to try out their mango dessert! Diced Pakistani mangoes topped with Peshawari ice cream make it the perfect finisher.

Mango People

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But that’s not it. There are so many more things about this place that make it such a must visit. The food is supremely affordable. I mean really really affordable. A (lipsmackingly good) chicken biryani will set you back by AED 13! Yeah, really! And if you’re into snacks then their samosas (which tbh look so so tempting) at AED 1.5 per piece are faaaaar from burning a hole in your pocket. In fact, be a sweetheart and buy them for your entire squad! What’s more, they are open 24 hours and offer delivery too. Read on to find out about all the things we tried.

We started with a portion of green salad and raita. This spicy raita is something you’ll get in all Pakistani restaurants, and it is brilliant. If you’re like me and love spicy raita, then you’ll definitely end up asking for a second portion. We munched on the greens while waiting for the food, and were soon presented with a myriad of flavors in the form of our starters and mains. The mixed grills included chicken and mutton seekh kababs along with a few pieces of tikkas and botis. I loved the seekh kebabs but the tikkas could’ve been slightly juicier. Our gravy dishes included boneless chicken handi and mutton bbq kadai. I loved the handi for that creamy texture. The kadai had a distinct bbq flavor and is a great one for bbq lovers. These gravies were paired with their special roghni naans and they were so good omg! Even if you’re not in the mood for heavy food, just pair the naan with a cup or karak and you’ll be happy you made that choice. Finally it was time for my all time favorite – chicken biryani. I mean how could I say no to it right? At just AED 13, this one was a total steal and that spicy flavor made it so so good. A definite must have! Alongside our mains we enjoyed a can of chilled Pakola. Yes, Des Pardes serves Pakola which I know for a fact a lot of people love, so drink up! And since we were so stuffed with the food, we decided to skip dessert and have a cup of karak instead. Great brew!

Des Pardes

Location: Ground Floor, Lahej Building, Street 10, Oud Metha, Dubai
Contact: 04 3795701 | 04 3795702

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While I’ve visited BBQ Delights on several occasions, this was my first visit to their newly opened Ibn Battuta branch. The interiors are as chic and colorful, as the vibrancy of their food. And talking about food, read on to find out what we tried.

Their new chaat menu at the counter instantly caught my eye, and I knew I had to begin my dinner with this before I dove into the BBQ. Our first choice was the classic pani puri that featured a lovely mashed potato stuffing and the usuals of sweet chutney and spicy water on the side. Pani puri alone is no fun, so our server suggested we take up the chaat quotient by adding some papdi chaat to our table. A mish mash of papdi with potatoes, yogurt, sev, chutney and LOTS of different spices, this was a explosion of flavors. I would have liked it slightly spicier though.

After the chaat, our first choice in starters, without a doubt, had to be their Lahori Fried Fish. I’m a little biased to this dish because I had tried it at one of their other branches before, and I couldn’t help but start drooling as soon as I saw this on the menu. Crispy fried fish fillet marinated with a truck load of unique spices, this one reminded a little of Amritsari machli (since it hails from the similar region), but had it’s own unique aftertaste of garlic, cumin, coriander and carom seeds.

And then came the blast of kebabs! We were dining at a restaurant that has the very word barbecue in its name, so trying out at least 3 different options from their grills section was mandatory. Bihari kebabs have always been my fav, so when I found out these were one of their signature dishes, I knew I had to try these. Wrapped in a spicy marinade and supremely tender inside, these had that melt-in-your-mouth texture. A must have if you like spicy food, else go for the next option of malai tikkas. Who doesn’t like malai tikkas? I mean come on, who has never said no to a malai tikka? Right? Mini morsels of absolutely juicy chicken cooked in a creamy yogurt and cheese marinade, and then grilled to perfection, always has my heart. These are not spicy, but are packed with lots of
flavor, and certainly worth a try (especially if you’ve never had these before). Seekh kebabs have been my weakness ever since I was little. Something about Friday lunches with mom and dad, how mom used to wrap these up in roti so nicely and the whole nostalgia related to that experience pushes me towards ordering these every time I’m at a bbq restaurant. These too were a signature item on the menu and rightly so, with all that juiciness of minced mutton engulfed with spices and char-grilled to give it that smoky flavor. While I had these as is, you should definitely try them as a wrap with tandoori or roomali roti.

We were hardly done digesting the grills, when we were brought our mains. A specialty, not only at this restaurant, but in the whole of Pakistan, the Mutton Karahi was brilliant. Tender mutton chunks paired with a spicy gravy garnished with ginger and green chilies couldn’t have gotten any better. And the fact that it’s served in an authentic karahi wok takes the cake. We loved the roghni and garlic naan this gravy was paired with. You didn’t think I would leave without trying the Chicken Biryani, did you? A very humble preparation, their biryani was full of flavor and fragrance. I did miss the aloo though.

Classics can never go wrong, which is why we opted for the classic Pakistani kheer for dessert. Very rich, very creamy and very silky, this rice pudding was simply brilliant. Must have! Oh trust me, we were full. Really really full. But when the staff insisted we try the kulfi too, we couldn’t refuse. I loved loved loved this. My only regret was it was too heavy and I had no space left for any more food, and the fact that we couldn’t pack this up for later. If you’re a kulfi fan, just blindly order this dessert and you will thank me later.

To end our experience on a warm note, and to pay an ode to their warm hospitality, we had a warm cup of karak tea.

Barbecue Delights

Location: China Court, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali Village, Dubai
Contact: 04 5668479

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Right from their rich orange and black color theme to the low lighting, classy ambiance and sleek finishes, everything about this place spelt modern.

Welcome Drinks & Crackers

As soon as we were seated, we were offered these refreshing welcome drinks made from a blend of rose syrup and topped with basil seeds.
Did you know? Basil seeds are known for their cooling properties that help soothe the stomach.

And instead of a typical papad basket, that you would usually expect from a desi restaurant, we were served prawn crackers with chili sauce!

Drinks

Highly recommended by our server Rameez, these two were certainly thirst quenchers.

Dubai Surprise: Sweet blend of raspberries and strawberries with a touch of lemon and Pick Me Up: Spicy pineapple based drink with sweet chili bits inside

Dal Chawal Bites

This was definitely something different. So simple, yet so unique, they were basically arancini styled dal chawal balls deep fried and topped with mint chutney + pickle. The papad crisps on the side added the right finishing touch to this fusion marvel.

Murgh Tikka Chaat

Imagine a chana chaat. Now replace the chana with chicken! That’s exactly what this is. One thing I specifically liked in this salad were the tortilla styled papad crisps.

Mango Chili Seekh Kebab

These were your classic mutton seekh kebabs covered with a slightly sweet mango and chili mix. While the mutton was perfect and the quantity brilliant, I missed that spicy kick you usually expect from these.

Hyderabadi Handi + Naan Basket

This combination was beyond perfect! So much so, that all the leftovers came back home with me. The boneless chicken pieces in the spicy handi gravy were beyond delicious, and the curry itself fulfilled my spicy cravings. The naan, well, I’d be happy even eating them on their own with a hot cuppa.

Pistachio Milk Cake

A suprise pick from our server Rameez, This milk cake was one of the best I’ve had in a while. While I am not very big on pistachios and would’ve otherwise opted for rose or plain, this one was a really pleasant flavor. The cake was as dense and scrumptious as you can expect and the pistachio milk was simply wow!

Karachi Grill

Location: Jumeirah 2, Dubai
Contact: 04 3447000

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A renowned name in Pakistani cuisine, and with a long history of serving up delicious fare to its patrons in D-town, Barbecue Delights really leaves you wanting for more. Although their buffet is a big hit and you will almost always see them buzzing with crowds, especially during the weekend, their a la carte menu is not worth a miss.

We started our dinner with a selection of appetizers that included flavors from around the region. The Mixed Arabic Mezze came with hummus, tabbouleh and baba ganoush, and warm naan bread on the side for those who like dips. Next up was a very creative Hyderabadi eggplant starter Banjan Borani, that featured grilled eggplant discs topped with tangy tomato sauce and placed over a bed of sour herb yogurt. Honestly loved this one to bits! For seafood we went with a half portion of mixed Lahori fried fish and shrimps. Both of these were brilliantly cooked and the spices were about perfect. I wish I had asked for a full portion of these. Wouldn’t have hesitated finishing it all by myself!

For the kebab course, we opted for almost everything Barbecue Delights had to offer. Among these three, my favorite was undoubtedly the Mutton Seekh Kebab. Charred to such tender perfection, these were literally melt-in-your-mouth. The Chicken Malai Tikka, although not spicy, were absolutely creamy and cooked right to the core. The Chicken Achari Tikkas were pleasant, but I am not a very big fan of bone-in grills. Would’ve certainly liked them better if they were boneless.

The mains got us a big portion of freshly baked Afghani naan along with 3 curries. The Mutton Karahi topped with ginger and green chilies was at its classic best. The Butter Chicken, another classic, came with the perfect bite sized pieces of boneless chicken in a rich gravy. The Yellow Dal, although a little less spicy and more thick than what I am used to, went well with the naan due to its density.

For desserts we went all out with 4 of Barbecue Delights bestsellers. My favorite was obviously the Ras Malai. There was something about those creamy dumplings that was just right. The warm Gulab Jamuns were great, but a little too sweet for my liking. Same goes with the Shahi Tukray, that were soaked in an overly sweet milk blend. The Creme Caramel however, was classic. If you have to choose just one, I would definitely recommend the Ras Malai.

Barbecue Delights

Location: 04 5260852
Contact: Clarens 1 Tower, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai

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Breaking stereotypes linked to Indian street food being notoriously unhealthy, Roti Rollers brings about a fresh new approach with a menu that aims at recreating the magic of kathi rolls, chaat, thali, and a lot of other street food, but with a healthy twist. Read on to find out the variety they offer, what works and what doesn’t.

Drinks

Since we visited the restaurant during Ramadan, we started off with a humble serving of dates and two of their bestselling drinks – Mint Lemonade and Mango Lassi.

While I loved the refreshing lemonade, I just tried a sip or two of the lassi because that would have otherwise killed my appetite for the rest of the meal. Having said that, the lassi is quite a cooler, especially during these summer months.

Roti Crisps with Dips

This is probably the most signature item at Roti Rollers. Served with a choice of dips as well as an accompaniment with all their mains, the roti crisps are lightly fried roti pieces that are prepared fresh in-house on a daily basis and mixed with different flavors like beetroot and avocado.

Imagine having an avocado flavored fried roti with burnt bell pepper dip, or maybe the beetroot flavored roti crisp with chimichurri? Yes, these are all in here in addition to the classic roti crisps and multiple dips like indie guacamole, tikka masala, makhani, burnt chilli and fennel, cashew, and many many more! A must must have!

Chaat Trolley

Sporting an actual chaat trolley at the restaurant, Roti Rollers offers a decent selection of some of the chaat favorites from back home. We tried two of these – Pani Puri and Dahi Puri.

The former came with all the basics, albeit with a twist. Instead of small bowls katoris that hold the sweet and spicy accompaniments for the puris, these were instead served in spouted bottles, making the preparation of the puri so convenient. The puris were pre-stuffed with chickpeas and spices, which made nice for a filling.

The latter was a burst of colors and flavors in every way. Combining the flavors and textures of crispy puri, smooth yogurt, mushy potato, sweet and spicy chutney and crunchy sev, the dahi puri was a delight.

These two are certainly worth a try at Roti Rollers. If you try something else from their chaat menu too, let me know how it was in the comments below.

Chili Omelette Paratha

Who doesn’t like a good ol’ omelet paratha? Roti Rollers takes it a step further with their spicy chilli omelet. Rolled up and served in two pieces, I found the paratha slightly dry and the omelet not fluffy enough to fill up a bite. I would recommend they make the omelets a little more thick so the paratha feels more filling.

The Emiroti

Listed under their signature rolls, The Emiroti came highly recommended by Chef Sameer. Although I don’t like lamb as such, I am more than happy to eat it in the form of kofta, and that’s exactly what this roll had. Flavored with garlic, parsley and a very surprising cinnamon, this one came wrapped in a whole-wheat roti with Middle Eastern elements of Arabic garlic sauce, tahina, sumac and red onions.

I loved how tender and juicy the lamb was, it literally just melted in our mouths. All in all, this was definitely a good choice. We opted for this roll as a combo with a side of roti crisps and masala fries.

Masala Fries

These were quite a delight. I love fries, and if there’s a variation to these, I want to be the one to try it. So this was it for me. Although much like any other masala fries, these sure made a good side to the roll, so a thumbs up from me!

Up All Night To Get Plucky

The concept at Roti Rollers allows you to choose your signature roll featuring a selection of their bestselling combination. Or you can create your own mix by choosing a base from roti, rice or quinoa, followed by a protein and a couple of their signature sauces, and finally some toppings.

We decided to go the “build your own” way with this one. We opted for the quinoa peas biryani with their signature Up All Night To Get Plucky sauce. This featured a quinoa base with chicken tikka pieces along with spicy tikka masala and parsley and coriander sauces. It was topped with loads of onions, red chillies, and red peppers and served as a combo with a side of roti crisps and smash fried okra.

Smash Fried Okra

To add to the crunch, we opted for fried okra on the side. These golden fried okra pieces reminded me of fried bhindi made at home. Really good and definitely worth a try, if you are a fan of bhindi.

Jalebi

Although not a big fan of this sweet, Jalebis move to a whole new level of desirable for me when served along with cream of rabri. At Roti Rollers, it was the latter. I loved how hot and tiny these jalebis were – so easy to eat. And paired with the cooling rabri, they were the food form of a match made in heaven.

Karak Chai

Possibly the most refreshing part of my meal, this Karak Chai was just like you get in street stalls and villages back home. Nothing fancy, but not one to miss!

Good to know

Most of their items are made using no oil at all. And the other few take up extremely little oil to create a remarkably appetizing dish.

Roti Rollers

Location: La Mer, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Contact: 04 3855596

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With big spacious interiors that house a few private dining amenities, as well as cosy corners for big groups, the restaurant offers best-in-class Pakistani cuisine at affordable prices.

Giving you a choice between ala carte and buffet, their menu spans across mixed grills, classic naans, a variety of curries, and of course their signature handi. Needless to say, they pride on their selection of different biryani and pulav preparations, and their buffet menu also showcases quite a few Chinese inclusions like noodles and fried rice.

If you aren’t already tempted, read on as I take you through my experience at this classy restaurant.

Mocktails

One of the best things about Nayaab Haandi is their extensive selection of mocktails. Their drinks counter is lined up with a gazillion bottles of syrups, offering almost any and every flavor you could possible imagine.

We chose to try their Blue Passion and Raspberry Peach flavored mocktails. Presented in mason jars, which has pretty moved on from being a trend to a norm these days, the mocktails were both garnished with slices of lemon, ice cubes and fruit pieces.

Not sure if it’s the syrup itself or added sugar, but I found the drinks to be a little too sweet for my taste. If you prefer them sweet, then go all out with these,. Or else ask the staff if this can be toned down a little.

Cheese Naan

There couldn’t be anything more creamier than this cheese naan from Nayaab Haandi. This isn’t your regular cheese naan though. It’s filled with a velvety mix of diced veggies and cheesy mayo, giving you a sort of coleslaw feel, albeit a creamy one.

Priced at only AED 15 this ‘almost like a mini pizza’ is definitely a steal. And with so much quantity, which I conveniently packed and brought back home with me, my morning tea is totally sorted.

Would you get yourself one of these?

Chapli Kebab

Have you ever seen a Chapli Kebab so beautiful? This one from Nayaab Haandi not only looks tempting but lives up to its classic spicy street styled taste too.

Made with ground minced meat, this portion of Chapli Kebab costs only AED 16, making it quite an affordable choice. And trust me, whether you have it as is or pair it with some hot Afghani naan, it will suffice for an entire meal.

Chicken Handi

There’s always one stand-out dish at every restaurant that is destined to make a mark. The signature Chicken Handi is exactly that. Probably named after the dish, Nayaab Handi offers this spicy curry with three variants – chicken, mutton and fish. We obviously chose chicken.

What makes it so appealing is they prepare this bestseller in an actual earthen pot – Handi. And this is served hot with a generous garnish of those spicy green chillies on top. The interesting part: the taste of this dish is constant throughout all its branches. Having tried the Handi multiple times at their Sharjah branch, I was really hoping this one would turn out the same way. And it did. I loved it so much, I ate it for dinner that night, lunch next day, and dinner next day too!

And don’t miss that shield-like Afghani naan. Baked fresh and warm, this one makes the perfect accompaniment to the Handi. Tip: Have it while it’s hot!

Mixed Grills

Who doesn’t love a platter full of mixed grills? Well, based on my Insta Story poll, about 13% don’t, but that’s not the point.

This perfectly balanced mixed grill platter Nayaab Haandi is good enough for 4 people. I say balanced because it’s got a little of everything – right from chicken malai boti and seekh kebab to lamb chops and even fish tikka.

Ideally titled Economy meal, this one costs only AED 85. That is certainly economical, whether you share it between 2 or 4.

My favorite from these were the chicken and mutton seekh kebabs. What’s your favorite grill item?

Buffet Spread

Love these mini bites? I do too.

Head over to Nayaab Haandi for their buffet dinner and enjoy these mini samosas and fish fingers. All this along with an extensive variety of Pakistani, Afghani and Chinese dishes.

While we were way too stuffed with the starters, grills and mains to try anything off the buffet spread Nayaab Haandi (except for those mini bites), it wouldn’t be fair to not shed some light on the variety they offer at a very economical price.

For only AED 57 per person on weekdays and AED 68 per person on weekends, you can feast (literally) on a wide selection of Pakistani, Afghani and Chinese dishes.

These include classics like Pulav, Biryani, Nihari and Haleem along with chaat, salads, kebabs. Then there are desi and not so desi desserts like gulab jamoon, gajar halwa, ras malai, kheer, and, ok you get the idea.

Have you tried this restaurant yet? This buffet is not one to be missed.

Nayaab Haandi

Location: Ground Level, Al Ghazal Mall, 2nd of December Street, Satwa, Dubai
Contact: 04 2753052

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If you have even been invited for dinner to a South Asian (especially Pakistani) household, you will know exactly what I am referring to. The homely interiors, colorful accents, majlis styled seating, posters on wall, artifacts, and a guitar! – All these are some of the many highlights that bring out the comfortable atmosphere of this friendly café. And I have not even started talking about the food yet!

This is one of the very few places that will make you feel more like a guest than a customer. Café Aisha maybe tiny in size, but their food and hospitality makes it worth a visit.

These were our first round of delicacies at Cafe Aisha. Pictured here is the spiciest chicken dum biriyani with beef gravy, aloo tikki, shammi kebab and cucumber salad with the signature raita.

Aloo tikki

These comforting cutlets of mashed potato mixed with light masalas are made to homestyle perfection at Café Aisha. Crunchy on the outside, these are shallow fried and feature an absolutely mushy potato stuffing within. Not too spicy, just what you’d expect from home food, these creamy tikkis are served alongside the humble tomato ketchup for a little flavor.

Shammi kebab

One of my all time favorites, these amazing patties pack a punch when it comes to flavor and wholesomeness. Made with minced and grounded mutton mixed with different lentils and lots of spices, these kebabs can be eaten as is or as a burger – commonly known as bun kabab.
I’m hoping to see Café Aisha get these little nuggets of deliciousness sandwiched in bread the next time I’m around. Also lots of hot chutney to accompany that raita please

When it comes to home style food, you can’t miss out on dal and roti. And then some kheema aloo to fill in the non veg counterpart.
We tried out the extremely warm and comforting dal tadka that was topped with hot ghee, red chillies and fresh cilantro, along with some spicy yet homely kheema aloo. The parathas made the perfect carb accompaniment to go with these yummies.

That’s the star of the place! The spiciest biryani I’ve had in a very long time. The chicken dum biryani.
If you love spicy Biryani then Café Aisha is the place to be. They cook this delicacy in the classic Karachi homestyle, layering rice and chicken in the vessel, making sure the chicken gets cooked with all the juices and spices of the marinade. And the best part: there are lots of green chilies too.

The rice is just perfectly cooked and flavored so well with all the biryani spices, it keeps you occupied until the last grain.
Try this. You won’t regret!

We ended this delicious Karachi styled dinner with their specialty – Doodh Patti Chai. This was the epitome of home style and really got me nostalgic about the tea my mom made for me. Perfect for winters, summers, all seasons; and highly recommended.

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