Seafood strengths
Seafood is a recurring highlight, with reviewers praising fresh fish, prawns and the seafood soup.
Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe - Al Garhoud
Al Garhoud
Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe in Al Garhoud serves Egyptian and international cuisine, with seafood, grilled dishes and café-style hospitality. Reviews also point to shisha, football screens and a children’s play area, making it a flexible choice for family meals or relaxed gatherings.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
315 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Strong grills
Grilled fish, lamb chops, ribs, kebabs and mixed grill dishes receive particularly positive mentions.
Family setup
The children’s play area, spacious seating and family-friendly atmosphere make it practical for meals with kids.
Warm hospitality
Many reviewers describe the staff as welcoming, friendly and attentive, with several noting helpful management.
Relaxed setting
Reviews mention a cozy, spacious venue with authentic décor and comfortable zones for gatherings.
Football viewing
Large screens and shisha make the café useful for watching football while dining or relaxing.
Breakfast value
One reviewer found the breakfast fresh and well presented at AED 39.
What to Eat at Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe - Al Garhoud How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe - Al Garhoud, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe - Al Garhoud got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 10
-
Arugula salad with grilled chicken Net +1
“We had the calamari and the arugula salad with grilled chicken. The calamari was a bit tough and the batter was a bit oily. The arugula salad was good, just a bit too much lemon on it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the calamari and the arugula salad with grilled chicken. The calamari was a bit tough and the batter was a bit oily. The arugula salad was good, just a bit too much lemon on it.”September 2025
-
Beef fry Net +1
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”February 2026
-
Fish grilled Net +1
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”February 2026
-
Grilled kebabs Net +1
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”June 2025
-
Hummus Net +1
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Rest all other items are delicious . Stand out was fish grilled and beef fry ..breads and hummus was ok too”February 2026
-
Iftar Net +1
“Food was good but I went for Iftar yesterday and it was very bad experience they didn’t refill most of trays after approaching the staff they said they will but didn’t. unfortunately will not be recommended”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was good but I went for Iftar yesterday and it was very bad experience they didn’t refill most of trays after approaching the staff they said they will but didn’t. unfortunately will not be recommended”March 2026
-
Kharouf mahshi Net +1
“The food was super delicious, i didnt expect that amazing taste, staff are friendly and kind, prices are affordable, We ordered kharouf Mahshi and it was so delicious and yumi”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was super delicious, i didnt expect that amazing taste, staff are friendly and kind, prices are affordable, We ordered kharouf Mahshi and it was so delicious and yumi”March 2026
-
Kunafa Net +1
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”June 2025
-
Lamb chops Net +1
“The food was delicious especially their lamb chops and salad. They serve the orders fast. Everything was clean and neat, I like the place it was cozy. We also received a complimentary dessert and bread.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was delicious especially their lamb chops and salad. They serve the orders fast. Everything was clean and neat, I like the place it was cozy. We also received a complimentary dessert and bread.”April 2025
-
Mixed grill Net +1
“As for the food, it's simply outstanding. From the perfectly seasoned mezze to the juicy mixed grill, every bite is flavorful and fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“As for the food, it's simply outstanding. From the perfectly seasoned mezze to the juicy mixed grill, every bite is flavorful and fresh.”May 2025
Honorable mentions (3)
-
Moutable Net +1
“The moutable ( understand this may be spelt incorrectly ) is the best I have ever eaten.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The moutable ( understand this may be spelt incorrectly ) is the best I have ever eaten.”August 2025
-
Ribs Net +1
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We especially loved the ribs, grilled kebabs, and the delicious kunafa for dessert!”June 2025
-
Seafood soup Net +1
“The seafood soup is a highlight. Very high-quality food and amazing friendly staff.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The seafood soup is a highlight. Very high-quality food and amazing friendly staff.”May 2025
Drinks 1
-
Coffee Net +1
“Highly recommend for anyone looking for a nice place to relax and enjoy good coffee.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Highly recommend for anyone looking for a nice place to relax and enjoy good coffee.”November 2025
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
-
Calamari Net −1
“We had the calamari and the arugula salad with grilled chicken. The calamari was a bit tough and the batter was a bit oily. The arugula salad was good, just a bit too much lemon on it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We had the calamari and the arugula salad with grilled chicken. The calamari was a bit tough and the batter was a bit oily. The arugula salad was good, just a bit too much lemon on it.”September 2025
-
Shawarma Net −2
“Shawarma was not upto the mark . It was dried up a bit.”
Positive 0Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“Shawarma was not upto the mark . It was dried up a bit.”February 2026
“got a takeaway was very tasty and nice -however Shwarma was very dry”December 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Allow time. Build in extra time for service, especially on busy nights; one diner waited almost an hour for food.
Check refills. If choosing a Ramadan or Iftar buffet, ask staff when trays will be refilled before settling in.
Try grills. For a first order, grilled fish, prawns, lamb chops or kebabs have stronger review support than shawarma.
Bring children. Families can make use of the children’s play area, which reviewers describe as a helpful feature.
Choose seating. If you prefer a non-smoking area, ask about the second floor before being seated.
Confirm pricing. Ask about seafood pricing and discounts in advance; one couple paid over AED 300 despite a 50% discount.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Garhoud - Dubai
Al Garhoud, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Uneven service
Several reviews report long waits and difficulty getting staff attention, including a 30-minute wait to place an order.
Buffet refills
Ramadan buffet guests reported slow refills, including trays and sweets not being replenished promptly.
High prices
Some diners consider the pricing high; one paid over AED 300 for seafood for two even after a 50% discount.
Food inconsistency
Shawarma was described as dry, while another diner found calamari tough with oily batter.
Serious hygiene report
One diner reported seeing a rat in the dining area and felt the manager’s response was dismissive.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 39
breakfast
“A Hidden Gem for Breakfast at Just AED 39!”Google review · May 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Abo Ali Restaurant & Cafe is an Egyptian and international restaurant in Al Garhoud with a broad, family-oriented dining setup. The strongest reasons to come are seafood and grilled dishes: reviews call out the seafood soup, grilled fish, prawns, lamb chops, ribs and kebabs. There is also shisha and football screening for more relaxed gatherings.
Families get a children’s play area, spacious seating and a warm atmosphere, while one review notes a second floor designated for non-smoking. Several diners describe the staff as friendly and attentive, and specific visits mention thoughtful birthday table decoration and a complimentary sweet treat. The experience is not completely consistent.
Multiple reviews report slow service, including a 30-minute wait just to place an order and an almost one-hour wait for food. Ramadan and Iftar buffet guests also complained about slow or missing refills. Shawarma was described as dry, and calamari as tough with oily batter.
One serious review reported a rat in the dining area and dissatisfaction with the management response. Prices deserve a check before ordering seafood: one couple paid over AED 300 for two even after a 50% discount. For better value, a breakfast review reported AED 39, though this should not be treated as a full current price list.