Bab Arabia — Restaurant in Kerala

It’s just OKAY!

Seeing the reviews here, some saying it is authentic, some saying that it’s good food and some others that it is not anywhere near authentic; well, as someone who hasn’t been much to Turkey or the Middle East, I go purely by the taste, variety and the quality of the ingredients.

Now, what the 2 stars are for: 1 Star - the guy at the parking lot, very friendly, knows how to interact and has a very pleasant way of dealing with difficult situations. He deserves a star! Along with him, the guy who took the orders; fantastic fellow and really nice, neat and well behaved. Patient and willing to deal with tough customers, his attitude was also good.

2nd Star - the timeliness of the serving m of the food at the table and the general ambience. Nothing to complain.

Now, the stars that went missing:

1. the food? mediocre at best. If this is Middle Eastern or Turkish delight, I’m done with it. The meat (beef and lamb) was tender, but the taste left a lot to be desired. The rice was the same for all the dishes, be it the mandi or the rest of it. It kind of got boring. We had the beef rib, chicken lollipop (a huge mistake), lamb soup (I liked it much), two lamb dishes with rice, one mandi and the other a mix something, both costing Rs.1250 each. Pricing is reasonable in my opinion.

2. reservation: it was just sheer pathetic, and I wanted to give him a piece of my mind when I met him, but held it aside. I had made a reservation at 6:15 pm, for a table for 8 at 7:30pm. Going from kazhakoottam and getting there at that time was not an easy task. At around 7:15pm, out of courtesy, I called to inform that I would be a touch late, perhaps by 10 min. I’m not naming and shaming that guy, who was not just inhospitable, but lacked any training or knowledge on customer service. He would immediately retort that he cannot wait for more than 10 min. I was stunned at this ridiculous behaviour. Even the LeeLa or Taj would honour a customer who has the courtesy to inform of a delay. Anyhow, my son kept me sober and low, else I’d have asked him when I met him.

3. overall experience: not good!! You can choose to go if you want to try once, but if you love good food, taste and know a bit about the flavours and tastes, you might not...

We visited Bab Arabia today and, unfortunately, had a rather disappointing experience with the food quality, which was not what we had anticipated based on our previous visit when the restaurant had newly opened.

We ordered Kapama Chicken, Bukhari Rice Chicken, Arayees Chicken, Chicken Caesar Salad, and some Crushers along with Lemon Tea. To begin with, the mayonnaise served with the dishes was vegetarian mayo. While this was not mentioned at the time of ordering, we still accepted it. However, the taste of the veg mayo did not complement the Arabian dishes at all. We had expected the usual egg mayo, which typically enhances the flavors of such dishes. Unfortunately, the veg mayo tasted rather flat and did not provide the creamy richness we were looking forward to.

The Chicken Caesar Salad was another major disappointment. The freshness we expect from a good Caesar salad was completely missing. Given that many major restaurants maintain a high standard for such a classic dish, we expected at least comparable quality, but sadly, it fell far short of expectations.

Moving on to the rice dishes — while the taste was acceptable, it felt like the rice had been cooked several hours earlier and lacked the inviting aroma and texture that usually makes such meals crave-worthy. As a result, a good portion of the rice ended up being wasted despite our efforts to finish it.

The saving grace of the evening were the Crushers and the Lemon Tea, which were refreshing and well-prepared.

We visited around 10 PM, and even two hours after the meal, the lingering taste left us quite dissatisfied. Being a food lover, I personally would not recommend Bab Arabia at the moment based on this experience.

That said, I must appreciate the positive aspects as well. The service was excellent — the staff were extremely friendly, attentive, and dedicated, and the ambience of the restaurant remains pleasant and welcoming. I sincerely hope Bab Arabia addresses these food quality issues and returns to the high standards that made our first visit memorable.

Wishing them the best and hoping for better experiences...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bab Arabia, and I must say, the experience left me utterly impressed. The restaurant's Kapama Rice and Lamb Broth Soup were beyond excellent, delivering a delightful burst of flavors that left my taste buds dancing with joy!

The Kapama Rice, cooked to perfection, was a true masterpiece. Each grain was infused with fragrant spices and tender lamb pieces, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The flavors were rich and robust, yet perfectly balanced, offering a truly authentic and satisfying experience. Every mouthful was a journey through the vibrant spices and the expertly prepared ingredients.

Now, let me turn my attention to the Lamb Broth Soup—a true delight for soup lovers! This bowl of goodness was a feast for both the senses and the soul. The broth was rich, warm, and comforting, with tender lamb pieces that melted in my mouth. The aroma alone was enough to whet my appetite, and the taste surpassed all expectations. It was clear that great care and expertise went into crafting this soup, as the flavors were impeccable.

The restaurant itself has a welcoming and cozy ambiance, with attentive staff members who are passionate about their cuisine. The service was impeccable, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure my dining experience was nothing short of perfect.

From start to finish, Bab Arabia showcased their culinary prowess through their Kapama Rice and Lamb Broth Soup. Whether you're a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine or simply looking to indulge in a memorable dining experience, this is the place to be. I cannot recommend Bab Arabia highly enough for their outstanding dishes and exceptional service.

If you're in search of an authentic and delicious meal, make sure to visit Bab Arabia. Trust me; you won't be disappointed! Also very...