Al Nafoorah - Jumeirah Al Qasr — Restaurant in Dubai

The food was great, we were impressed by the quality and taste. We tried a wide range of dishes and none disappointed. But overall our experience wasn’t so great.

In fact if the food wasn’t so good, we would have rated this 1-2 stars for the experience overall.

At first, everything was going smoothly, till we said that one in our party would prefer to avoid gluten, made it very clear it’s not an allergy or anything, just a preference. We said that all what’s required is some extra gluten free bread, which they accommodated.

They didn’t get it… more than five times they come and explain how some plate might be prepared in some pan with a gluten based food, … and then again we explain that not worry about it, it’s a preference not an allergy. So much back and forth on this, that it started to ruin our meal.

Then the weirdest thing, they take it another step and bring a legal agreement for the person to sign while we’re in the middle of the meal… it was the most ridiculous thing. 1) we already explain 10 times that it’s not an allergy, so you should have stopped bringing this up; and 2) are you expecting us to stop eating to read a couple of pages long legal agreement?

Luckily they understood when we declined, but it was too much friction already and we weren’t enjoying our experience at this point.

When we were ordering, we took the waiters guidance on how many plates, to sense the portions. Followed their recommendation but it was too much food. Not a problem, it’s all good food and we wanted to take it takeaway. When we asked the waiter, they made the funniest comment, saying “ahh you ordered for 2x your party…” we thought well mate you recommended it?!

Anyhow, not an issue still, we can take the food takeaway (50% or so) and they asked whether we wanted the gluten free bread as well. We said YES sure, and explained that it’s the nicest gluten free bread we had in Dubai and that it’s not easy to find.

While we wait for the food to be packed, the second most ridiculous thing happens, they come back with a legal doc for us to be able to take the food with us… we were baffled at this stage. Thought ok fine, can’t be bothered to argue with those guys any longer.

The surprise was in what they packed, which we discovered when we got home. The gluten free bread they made a whole big deal about and asked specifically if we want it, they didn’t pack it in the end.

It’s a shame, great atmosphere and food, but you should let people eat in peace and when you say you’ll pack something, you do it or apologise that you can’t at the time. And yeah, stop asking people to sign documents while they’re eating, it’s ridiculous.

Worth noting that the attitude of the team was mostly nice still despite the above, they weren’t rude or anything regarding the above, just...

We celebrated my husband’s birthday at Al Nafoorah, and it honestly turned into one of those nights we’ll always remember.

When I booked, I had asked for outdoor seating, but I forgot to mention that I’m pregnant and would need a non-smoking area. When we arrived, the outdoor area was already busy and mainly a smoking zone, but Nia, who welcomed us, immediately noticed and showed such genuine care. She found us a table a little farther from the smokers and even offered to move us inside if I ever felt uncomfortable. It was such a small gesture, but it meant so much to me—it made me feel safe, comfortable, and truly looked after.

Our server, Waleed, was just as wonderful—friendly, warm, and full of good energy. He made sure everything was perfect for us throughout the evening.

The food... it was absolutely incredible. Rich, authentic Lebanese flavors that completely won us over. My husband even said he found his "food heaven" that night—and seeing him that happy made the evening even more special for me.

To top it all off, they surprised us with a complimentary birthday cake, which made the celebration feel even more thoughtful and complete.

It wasn’t just a dinner. It was a night filled with care, laughter, amazing food, and beautiful memories. We’re already looking forward to coming back again.

Thank you, Al Nafoorah, for making this birthday celebration truly...

Al Nafoorah, which means ‘Fountain’, truly lives up to its name as a fountain of taste, joy, and culinary excellence. This restaurant has offered me the best Lebanese dining experience ever, with an array of exquisite starters, mains, and desserts that tantalize the taste buds. Highlights of my meal included Chef Ali’s Tata’s Salad, and the best hummus I have ever tried, enriched with pine seeds and diced beef. The charcoal grill prepared the most tender lamb chops that simply melted in my mouth.

The absolute standout was the dessert, Cheesecake Baklawa—a luxurious blend of cheesecake cream and pistachio paste, layered with filo baklawa dough, and served with Mastika ice cream. It’s a masterpiece of flavor and texture. Complementing the meal, the wine list was impeccable, featuring a wide selection of renowned Lebanese wineries with some rare editions and bottles that were a delight to explore.

Beyond the food, the hospitality at Al Nafoorah was exceptional, thanks to the attentive service crew and the remarkable Chef Elias, whose passion and creativity in the kitchen are evident in every dish served. Each visit to Al Nafoorah is a memorable journey through the rich flavors and warm traditions of Lebanon. I can’t wait...