Wakha Restaurant Al Barsha — Restaurant in Dubai

I've visited Wakha Restaurant (Al Barsha Branch) dozens of times, and I can confidently say it's one of the best Afghani restaurants in Dubai. The quality of the meat is outstanding, fresh and on full display. As soon as you walk in, you’ll see it hanging behind the glass kitchen fridge. When you place your order, the chef literally walks over, slices the piece of lamb that will go into your dish, and it’s grilled fresh to perfection. One of the things I really appreciate is the complimentary setup they bring when you’re seated: a small bowl of spicy pickles, a fresh green chili sauce, a lime, and a sharp knife with a plate of vegetables so you can slice and season your own bites to your liking. A small but thoughtful touch that sets the tone. Here’s what we had this time: Bolani Banjoon (2 orders): This eggplant starter is a must (10/10). It’s so good I had to order a second one. Shinwari Lamb Ribs (1 kg) AED 135 (10/10): Perfectly grilled, juicy, and full of flavor. Shinwari Lamb Tikka (1 kg) AED 135 (10/10): This was my first time trying it, and it instantly became a favorite. Plain Rice (Kabuli Pulao) AED 21 (10/10): Fragrant, perfectly cooked Afghan rice topped with carrots and raisins . Fatoush Salad AED 21: Fresh and crisp, a nice contrast to the grilled meats. Afghani Bread (10/10) Fluffy, warm, and just incredible. It pulls the whole meal together.

Previous visits:
I've tried the Shinwari Lamb Karahi (9/10), Shinwari Chicken Karahi (8/10), and the Wakha Platter (10/10) all excellent. The staff are always welcoming, and service is efficient, even when the place is fully packed as usual. Highly, highly recommended. Wakha never disappoints, and I’ll definitely keep...

I’ve been a loyal customer for a long time and have always loved your food, especially your Chicken Shinwari Karahi—it used to be my absolute favorite. But lately, I’ve noticed a big change, and I wanted to share my experience with you.

A while back, I ordered the Shinwari Karahi, and it was so spicy that my entire family felt unwell after eating it. I assumed it was a one-time mistake and decided to give it another shot today because I really wanted to believe in the quality I loved before.

Right after placing my order on Deliveroo, I even called the restaurant to specifically request a less spicy version. I thought that would help avoid any issues, but unfortunately, my request wasn’t listened to. Once again, the dish was unbearably spicy—so much so that we couldn’t eat it, and it just went to waste.

I called your team to explain the situation and requested a replacement, but I was told, “next time it won’t happen.” Honestly, that response felt dismissive and frustrating. It’s not just about the wasted food or the money (60 AED), but about feeling ignored as a loyal customer.

I’ve always recommended Wakha to others, but this experience has really left me disappointed. I don’t think I’ll be ordering again anytime soon. I’m sharing this with the hope that you’ll take this feedback seriously and improve—not just the food but also the customer service.

Best...

To me, Wakha is a bit of a hit-and-miss. When they hit it they nail it (best mixed grills in town), when they miss it, it's still rather decent - and only disappointing to those who actually know the real deal. Basically, always ask for 'juicy'... and if the restaurant isn't too busy, juicy it is!

Especially the lamb buried under the pile of rice - out of this world, and so tender it melts. And for the chicken cubes they have this incredibly tasty marinade of a slightly yellow colour. I can't tell what it is, but it has made it an absolute favourite of some of my friends. Their curries come in metal pots and are always great, but as a non-local person (so, neither Afghani nor Pakistani), I usually just go for them when local friends pick and choose from the menu.

The place serves mostly to the Desi crowd of Al Barsha and neighbouring districts, but you will find more and more GCC and western folks, as obviously the word spreads fast.

After 8pm it's hard to get a table, though they almost push you out once done to keep the crowd moving (and it's not exactly the kind of place where you want to stay after the farewell tea, it's just too noisy to chill). Therefore, many friends actually order (who speak the local language; I tried to call once and didn't get anywhere).

Also, be prepared to wait up to 30min for your food as everything is...