A worse-than-bad experience — for the fourth time! I hadn’t visited this branch in a year, so I expected the experience to be better. I placed my order at 8:36 PM. They brought the drinks after 18 minutes, even though it was just a bottle of Coke (no preparation needed). They brought the appetizers after 35 minutes — even though they were cold appetizers (no preparation either): mutabbal and yalanji. They served the bread cold, even though more than half the restaurant was empty. They brought bread again — still cold. They finally brought the main dish after about 55 minutes. By then, I had already told the waiter two minutes earlier that I wanted to cancel my order because I no longer felt like eating after such an unpleasant experience. I didn’t eat my food because they made me angry and disappointed, instead of letting me enjoy my dinner as I had intended.
My experience at the Marina Mall branch was much better in every way. Even the mutabbal appetizer there was served in a generous portion, while here, the same dish was almost empty — just a small circle in the middle of the plate, with most of the plate’s glass showing. It felt stingy and cheap.
In addition, when I ordered my food, I asked to add an extra green chili pepper to the dish. The waiter told me the photo was old and that the dish no longer comes with green chili as shown in the picture. I expected him to say “no problem, we can add it,” but he didn’t even suggest it. When I insisted, he repeated three times that if I wanted to add it, it would be extra, and kept confirming whether I wanted to add it but “as an extra.” Honestly, I found that attitude very strange.
In the end, I asked for the bill just for the appetizers we had. The waiter refused to charge me for them as a way to apologize. But honestly, I don’t care about the cost of appetizers — what matters is that what was supposed to be a pleasant dinner turned into a source of...
Read moreAwani - Dubai Mall: Disappointing Experience We dined at Awani in Dubai Mall, but unfortunately, the payment experience left a lot to be desired. We asked the waitress for separate bills before paying (a request necessary for work purposes), and he confirmed it would be fine. However, when the bill arrived, it was just one. A new waiter explained nicely that it wasn't possible to split it and involved the manager. The manager’s attitude was quite unprofessional. Here’s how the interaction went: Initially, I was blamed for not requesting separate bills upfront, despite having done so before the bill arrived. Even after confirming I had asked for separate bills, the manager said it was my fault for not asking before we ordered. The manager claimed that once a bill is printed, it cannot be canceled or changed. To make matters worse, the bill included a charge for water we didn’t order. The manager insisted we keep the incorrect bill and told us the waiter would have to cover the cost of the mistake. After over 30 minutes of frustrating and highly unpleasant back-and-forth, we had to leave with the wrong bill, as the manager refused to correct it. This experience made our dinner at Awani an unpleasant one, and I will certainly not be returning. It is unacceptable to spend nearly as much time paying as dining, and even more so to deal with a manager who refuses to correct a mistake or shows consideration for...
Read moreAwani in Dubai Mall is an absolute vibe! Whether you're looking for the perfect Insta-worthy view or just trying to enjoy a solid meal with a great atmosphere, this place delivers. You get stunning views of the fountains, Burj Khalifa, and The Address Downtown—basically, the ultimate Dubai experience. The staff is super friendly, and the music is on point—not too loud, just the right ambiance.
The mix platter is a must-try if you want a little bit of everything, and the appetizers? So good. If you're into hookah, they’ve got a solid selection of flavors, and the staff keeps it fresh so you can chill without worrying about it burning out.
Now, let’s talk dessert—Mystika Ice Cream Osmaliya. Hands down, one of the best sweets you can get in Dubai. The contrast of crispy, golden kunafa with rich, creamy ice cream is just next level. It’s perfectly balanced—sweet but not overpowering, with that dreamy texture that keeps you coming back for more. If you’re at Awani, this is a must-order. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Heads up, though—grabbing a patio spot around dinner time can be a mission, but it’s 100% worth it. If you're in Dubai Mall, don’t...
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