AL MASKOOF Al IRAQI RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Dubai

Disappointment at Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant the Worst Iftar Experience of My Life

Iftar Experience: I visited Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant for iftar during Ramadan, expecting a peaceful evening and proper hospitality. Unfortunately, the experience turned out to be deeply frustrating from the very start.

Upon arrival, we were told there were no available tables only to be seated a few minutes later. This already reflected poor coordination and disorganized management. At the table, there were dates and water but no glasses. We had to request glasses five times before one was finally brought, and even then, without any courtesy or urgency. You would expect these basics to be prepared in advance, especially during Ramadan.

Then came the soup but no spoons. Again, we waited and reminded the staff. Only after about 10 minutes did they bring cutlery. Meanwhile, guests around us were already finishing their meals. The waitstaff seemed either overwhelmed or simply indifferent ignoring requests or moving around aimlessly without delivering results. It genuinely felt like the staff forgot the meaning of iftar instead of providing comfort after a long day of fasting, they tested our patience.

In the end, we left disappointed. I sarcastically thanked the staff for their “perfect service” and walked out, with frustration instead of food.

Recurring Issues (Based on Other Guests’ Reviews): After checking online reviews, it’s clear that our experience was not an isolated incident. Common complaints include: • Disorganized service and poor management: A recurring pattern of miscommunication and lack of oversight. • Excessive waiting times: Guests often wait an unreasonable amount of time for food, and in some cases even for water. • Unhygienic cutlery: Some customers reported receiving dirty spoons which is unacceptable in any restaurant. • Incorrect and mixed-up orders: Orders are frequently delayed, forgotten, or wrongly delivered. • Overpriced with small portions: Many guests feel the value for money is extremely poor given the high prices and small servings. • Untrained, inattentive staff: Basic service etiquette is lacking; repeated requests are ignored. • Lack of basic politeness: Greetings, smiles, and apologies are almost non existent. • Poor food quality: Dishes are bland, meats are subpar, and even the tea fails to reflect authentic Iraqi taste. • Parking difficulties: Very limited parking adds to the frustration even before entering the restaurant.

Final Verdict: I strongly advise against visiting this restaurant especially during Ramadan. Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant fails to meet basic service standards and falls short of its advertised quality. What should have been a peaceful, spiritual moment turned into a stressful, disappointing evening.

Do yourself a favor: save your time, money, and patience....

My wife and I decided to dine at the restaurant this past Saturday at 5:30 PM, drawn in by its glowing reputation and the positive reviews we had encountered in various media outlets. Eager to experience what all the buzz was about, I ordered the highly touted fish maskouf, featuring a generous 2-kilogram serving, alongside a side of white rice.

To our surprise, the fish arrived at our table just seven minutes after placing our order. However, it was disappointing to find that it was served cold, lacking even a hint of warmth. I held back my initial reaction out of a desire to maintain a pleasant atmosphere for our Saturday evening, especially since I wanted my wife to enjoy the evening as well. To make matters worse, the white rice I had ordered never arrived.

Given the time we visited, the restaurant was not busy, leaving me puzzled by the lack of attentiveness from the staff. With many Iraqi restaurants in Dubai to compare it to, I feel compelled to rate this experience no higher than three stars. Each diner is entitled to their own perspective, and I encourage others to visit and form their own evaluations based on their experiences.

To the management, I would recommend a closer involvement in the operations to ensure food quality is consistently monitored and improved. It’s essential to move beyond an autopilot work mentality and be proactive in creating a memorable dining experience. Observing and understanding the service and food quality should be priorities to enhance the restaurant's overall...

The authenticity of the cuisine is in all honesty very good and that includes the taste as well as presentation and the portion served. Yet as an Iraqi who enjoys and appreciates Iraqi food, I did not come to have a disagreement or an argument with a member of staff concerning the pronunciation of Iraqi dishes with someone who can't pronounce any of our dishes. The owners should educate their staff about Iraqi cuisine and how to pronounce the words and names and not change them which I find very insulting and very disappointing. Watermelon 🍉 رقي in Iraqi is not called Bateekh بطيخ and it's confusing for me as an Iraqi to have it translated to Egyptian inside an Iraqi restaurant and argue with the waiter for 2 minutes as to who is right and who is wrong. Iraqi Amba - عمبة has Mango 🥭the liquid I was served is called شريس - Shirees and has nothing to do with Amba! I Will come again as I enjoy the taste of your dishes and thank you for serving me with Liver cooked Medium Rare it really was very nicely prepared and presented especially with Basil ريحان. Get yourself an ice crushing machine as the Watermelon 🍉 needs to be served...