Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant — Restaurant in Dubai

Dining at Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant in Jumeirah was a truly exceptional experience, one that left a lasting impression from the moment we arrived until the very last sip of tea. Nestled in one of Dubai’s most vibrant districts, the restaurant offers not just a meal, but an authentic journey into the heart of Iraqi culinary traditions.

From the outset, the experience was seamless. We were pleased to find that there were dedicated parking spaces available exclusively for the restaurant’s guests — a thoughtful touch that immediately set a positive tone for the evening. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted and quickly seated, with the service staff demonstrating remarkable professionalism, efficiency, and genuine hospitality throughout the night.

We began our meal with the Iraqi mixed grill platter, and it was truly phenomenal. Each piece of meat was perfectly marinated, tender, and masterfully grilled, striking an impeccable balance of flavors that was both rich and aromatic. Every bite reflected a deep respect for authentic preparation methods and a mastery of seasoning that elevated the dish far above our expectations.

The Mosul-style kibbeh, served with beautifully caramelized onions, was another highlight. The kibbeh’s outer shell was perfectly crispy, encasing a flavorful filling that was both hearty and delicately spiced. The addition of the sweet, rich caramelized onions brought a wonderful contrast that made the dish unforgettable.

We also sampled the cheese and meat pastries, and they offered a taste experience unlike anything we’ve encountered elsewhere. The pastry was light yet satisfying, and the fillings were bursting with authentic flavors that felt both traditional and surprisingly unique. It was clear that every item on the menu was crafted with a meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of Iraqi culinary heritage.

Beyond the food, the service continued to impress. Orders were taken promptly, dishes were served swiftly yet thoughtfully, and the staff remained attentive without ever feeling intrusive. Throughout our meal, we were treated to endless servings of authentic Iraqi tea, a tradition that made the evening even more special. The tea was rich, aromatic, and brewed to perfection — truly the best tea I have ever had, without exaggeration. Each cup was a comforting reminder of the warmth and generosity that Iraqi culture embodies.

In every aspect — from the ambiance to the service, from the intricate flavors of the dishes to the small but thoughtful touches like continuous tea service — Samad Al Iraqi succeeded in creating an experience that feels both luxurious and genuinely heartfelt.

Without hesitation, I can say that I will definitely return to Samad Al Iraqi. It is a rare gem where the passion for tradition and culinary excellence shines brightly in every bite. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a truly authentic and memorable dining...

The qualities of a great waiter

Being a great waiter is not about serving well but providing an awesome experience, turning customers into regulars. A great waiter should greet customers with a smile, know the menu, have excellent listening and communication skills, repeat the order back to the customer to guarantee correct orders, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, show courtesy and tact, and apologize for any complaints. A great waiter should earnestly desire to serve people and relate to the customers and regulars. A great waiter in a multicultural environment such as Dubai should naturally be able to communicate in English!

Last night, our waiter at Samad Restaurant in Jumeirah lacked all these qualities. He decided not to explain the menu in English to my non-Arab speaking friend, a first-time Samad goer. A responsibility that landed on my plate. Our waiter’s body language showed nervousness and impatience, and left the table until we figured out whether we ordered lamb or chicken, kebab or tikka. When he returned, we made the order explicit, repeating it three times in basic English to avoid errors, especially the meat wrapping in the correct bread. The desire for today’s wrap was not the usual samoon nor khubz but a thin saj bread. The Arab-speaking friend at our table also repeated the order to our waiter in Arabic. We also wanted an eggplant dish. For this one, I had to explain it in English to my Arab-speaking friend, who had to translate it into Arabic for the waiter. Still, the waiter did not want to bother to understand, explain, or make a recommendation. As a result, we did not order the baadhinjaan.

Albeit the translations, the chicken kebab came wrapped in a huge khubz, making it difficult to bite the disproportionate combination, leading me from the atrium, where we sat inside the restaurant searching for our waiter. He did not bother apologizing, blaming the kitchen for the error, while bringing the new order late, keeping his rude, frustrated, ignorant demeanor. After the incident, he never came back to our table to ensure that everything was to our satisfaction or if we needed anything else. We even had to ask for the usual complimentary tea and sweets.

Samad Al Iraqi is unquestionably a destination restaurant with great food and quality. But with waiters like ours on a Saturday night who lack empathy, communication, language, and social skills, it is a great disappointment to customers, especially to return customers. After all, waiters are the representatives of the establishment they work for, keeping in mind that their goal is to provide a memorable experience to their customers...

Great first hand experience of Iraqi food!

Me and my family decided to go to Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant to try and explore Iraqi food for the first time. As soon as we got in front, we were greeted by a friendly staff who has guided us to our table.

Since we've never been to an Iraqi restaurant, we had no idea what to order and we were busy looking at other tables to see what they were eating. Thankfully, we asked one of the staff to recommend us some dishes that we might enjoy. I must admit, I don't know the names of the dishes but we did order a variety such as Tashrib, lamb Shawarma, Dolma, Quzi, and Masgouf. Once our order was complete, we were served with lentil soups along with a salad dish that we ordered which tasted AMAZING to our tastes. The bread was also very warm and flavourful which I really enjoyed since it kept coming as we finished.

The dish that we particularly enjoyed the most was the Masgouf (fish dish) which had a smokey and grilled taste that hid the fishy smell/taste. However, I found it weird and ridiculous that the staff said it would take an hour for the fish to be ready when it came within 20 minutes of our order. Maybe the staff was trying to sell us more expensive items over the fish? It didn't matter since we got it anyways and was great. The other dishes that we ordered (Tashrib, lamb Shawarma, Dolma, Quzi) tasted very good as well. I think we felt very satisfied with the food in general and did not regret our choices. Once our meal was finished, we were served tea which was also very refreshing after a heavy meal.

As for the environment and atmosphere, we were the only East Asians in the restaurant but still felt very welcomed. The restaurant itself is very big and has a unique interior that gives middle eastern vibes. The sunset was also visible from our table when the staffs opened the windows which was also a pleasant view.

Overall, I've had a great first experience of Iraqi food at Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant and I believe it's a great place to try Iraqi food for people who have never tried before. The warm and welcoming staff will be available to guide you throughout your experience and will take a lot of care.

P.S. The hummus was excellent. Never had such flavourful hummus!!!! It's also inclusive for free along...