Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant — Restaurant in Dubai

They served the mixed grill cold, on its own that would've not been a big deal as mistakes happen sometimes. It's what happened afterwards that was the issue.

We asked for it to be returned and cancelled as by the time a new one would come we would have finished our other dishes.

The head waiter commenced to argue that the food was delivered hot. Group of 8 of us all agreed every price of meat was cold (we started eating as soon as it was brought to the table).

The same guy said he'll bring a replacement dish, we declined. He brought it regardless and then stated in a confrontational manner that the bill would have to be paid for, even if we had to take it as a takeaway!

At this point voices were raised and the manager was called over who immediately apologised and returned the dish. Then a polite waiter came across to the table and off his own back apologised and said they were unusually busy this time of year. We appreciated the apology and were going to leave it at that.

Then the bill came, which was double checked by the head waiter who brought it himself. He took some time checking the bill, as initially he stopped the bill from reaching out table as he spotted an error, then took the bill back and brought it again.

Guess what was on the bill? The mixed grill.

We called him over and told him to remove it. He then took over 20min, to the point that we started to leave. The manager had to bring the bill himself as clearly the head waiter, hiding behind his mask, could not bare to remove it from the bill.

When you go to a restaurant you go for the experience, not just the food. We left with a bad taste. Not...

The restaurant is well decorated and it’s located on a nice part of the complex of the Dubai mall and the Burj Khalifa. You have a fantastic view of the tower and it has great ambiance at night. That’s where the good ended. It was my first time trying Iraqi food, and while the food was good the service was not. I was clearly rushed from the restaurant where they were cleaning my table and getting it set up for the next customer and I had not even payed for my meal yet. I noticed how everyone around me was getting better service. I had to request to get some of the complementary tea they were offering to the other patrons and tables next to me . When I order I mentioned that I have a food allergy to nuts, if there is anything that has nuts then to remove them. I ordered their special drink based on server recommendations, however the drink had pistachios which is a nut. I informed him that I could not drink it since my throat will close due to the allergic reaction. They gave me a new one but there was little effort made in the new on compared to the one they game me before, also I asked for the left over to please have them in a take out container and I saw how the food I was going to take being placed with the other dirty dishes and trash. It is in my opinion that I did not fit what they considere their ideal customer, which it’s fine since it’s their establishment, however I would have appreciated to be told no than to be rushed and treated differently from the other patrons. I won’t be coming back and if you are a tourist I would pay attention to how you...

Their food is okay and their customer service is awful. Their Jumeirah location is top notch in comparison to this. They don't have any interpersonal skills at all. I went out with my family for dinner as my brother was visiting us. We ordered some food, then decided to order one more entree. They assured us it would be out in 15 - 20 minutes max, but 35+ minutes later and no food showed up. We asked them to cancel as it was too late and we wanted to go grab some coffee and sweets. They ended up bringing the order and saying they can't cancel as the waiter will have to pay for the canceled item. They were very defensive and shouting, so I completely ignored them and said okay, since we had guests with us. I ended up following them and tried to speak with the manager, but to no avail. No apologies were given until I said I will speak with the owner not because of anything other than their disrespect and lack of customer service skills. Unfortunately, having a manager and staff that are not Iraqi is the restaurant's biggest mistake as they don't understand the culture, hospitality and generosity of Iraqi people. They definitely lost us as customers and left an unwelcoming impression on us and the customers that were there. I hope the restaurant management takes this review into consideration and better trains...