Fresh seafood
Customers highlight fresh fish and seafood, including fish selected from the restaurant’s fresh fish market.
Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant - Al Barsha
Al Barsha
Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant in Al Barsha is a traditional Emirati seafood restaurant with a 1960s-Dubai setting beside Al Barsha Pond Park. Reviews highlight all-day Emirati breakfast, fresh fish chosen from the market, and a family-friendly atmosphere filled with heritage-style décor.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
7,790 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Heritage setting
Antiques, traditional objects and old-Dubai décor give the dining room a distinctive cultural feel.
Generous portions
Sharing platters and other dishes are described as substantial enough to leave diners with doggy bags.
All-day breakfast
Traditional Emirati breakfast is available throughout the day, making it an option beyond the morning.
Family friendly
A playground beside the park makes the setting practical for families with children.
Park setting
Outdoor seating beside the park adds a calm option for a meal followed by a walk.
Helpful guidance
Reviewers say staff can help first-time diners choose dishes and select fish from the market.
What to Eat at Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant - Al Barsha 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 Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant - Al Barsha, 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.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant - Al Barsha, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 1
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Mussels bbq Net +2
“But the Mussels BBQ was perfect for me.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“But the Mussels BBQ was perfect for me.”October 2025
“Also enjoyed the Naghar Mashwi and BBQ mussels—fresh and well-seasoned.”April 2025
Honorable mentions (16)
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Al fanar tray Net +1
“We tried the Al Fanar Tray, and the Jesheed in it was especially memorable.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Al Fanar Tray, and the Jesheed in it was especially memorable.”June 2026
-
Al fanta salad Net +1
“We ordered the Al Fanta Salad — it was fresh, and the dressing was very appetizing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Al Fanta Salad — it was fresh, and the dressing was very appetizing.”November 2025
-
Breakfast tray Net +1
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”October 2025
-
Calamari Net +1
“The calamari was also very good, fresh, and perfectly cooked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The calamari was also very good, fresh, and perfectly cooked.”June 2026
-
Garlic butter shrimp Net +1
“We had the creamy seafood soup was good, and the garlic butter shrimp was delicious and deep-fried fish roe.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the creamy seafood soup was good, and the garlic butter shrimp was delicious and deep-fried fish roe.”April 2025
-
Iftar Net +1
“Amazing Iftar experience at this restaurant, since you enter to this stunning place, takes u back many years ago, great service from all but especially from Janet, so sweet, kind and professional, she helped us to order since it was our first time and her recommendation was excellent. Tasty food, very nice ambiance and so comfortable place for families and friends.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing Iftar experience at this restaurant, since you enter to this stunning place, takes u back many years ago, great service from all but especially from Janet, so sweet, kind and professional, she helped us to order since it was our first time and her recommendation was excellent. Tasty food, very nice ambiance and so comfortable place for families and friends.”March 2026
-
Jesheed Net +1
“We tried the Al Fanar Tray, and the Jesheed in it was especially memorable. It was my first time trying Jesheed, and I really enjoyed it—it was rich, flavorful, and a great introduction to a traditional dish.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Al Fanar Tray, and the Jesheed in it was especially memorable. It was my first time trying Jesheed, and I really enjoyed it—it was rich, flavorful, and a great introduction to a traditional dish.”June 2026
-
Legaimat Net +1
“We also tried Legaimat for the first time, and we loved it — the sweetness was just right, and the texture was pleasantly chewy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also tried Legaimat for the first time, and we loved it — the sweetness was just right, and the texture was pleasantly chewy.”November 2025
-
Luqaimat Net +1
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”October 2025
-
Mix grill of bbqs Net +1
“- The atmosphere is nice , we had a mix grill of seafood and rice “ the taste was really normal” , and we had another mix grill of BBQs also “ this was nice and delicious””
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- The atmosphere is nice , we had a mix grill of seafood and rice “ the taste was really normal” , and we had another mix grill of BBQs also “ this was nice and delicious””March 2026
-
Mixed seafood bbq Net +1
“I ordered one mixed seafood BBQ, the sauce is tasty and seafood is fresh. Very satisfied with all seafood, including 🦐, mussels, and 🦀.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered one mixed seafood BBQ, the sauce is tasty and seafood is fresh. Very satisfied with all seafood, including 🦐, mussels, and 🦀.”January 2026
-
Naghar mashwi Net +1
“Also enjoyed the Naghar Mashwi and BBQ mussels—fresh and well-seasoned.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also enjoyed the Naghar Mashwi and BBQ mussels—fresh and well-seasoned.”April 2025
-
Seabass in lemon butter oil Net +1
“Food is soooooo nice, especially the seabass in lemon butter oil. The service is fast, thanks to Mr. Mahmoud for accommodating us! The ambiance is also great, it takes you back to the olden days of the emirates. Highly recommended for tourists too!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food is soooooo nice, especially the seabass in lemon butter oil. The service is fast, thanks to Mr. Mahmoud for accommodating us! The ambiance is also great, it takes you back to the olden days of the emirates. Highly recommended for tourists too!”June 2026
-
Signature seafood tray Net +1
“The Signature Seafood Tray, which included grilled prawns, grilled seabream, and grilled squid, was all perfectly cooked and very fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Signature Seafood Tray, which included grilled prawns, grilled seabream, and grilled squid, was all perfectly cooked and very fresh.”November 2025
-
Creamy seafood soup Net 0
Mixed feedback
“We had the creamy seafood soup was good, and the garlic butter shrimp was delicious and deep-fried fish roe.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We had the creamy seafood soup was good, and the garlic butter shrimp was delicious and deep-fried fish roe.”April 2025
-
Mix grill of seafood and rice Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“- The atmosphere is nice , we had a mix grill of seafood and rice “ the taste was really normal” , and we had another mix grill of BBQs also “ this was nice and delicious””
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 3
-
Coffee (latte) Net +1
“The food was so amazing, thumps up to the Chef and the Coffee (Latte) ♥️ perfect👏🏻.. Well recommended 😇🙏🏻..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was so amazing, thumps up to the Chef and the Coffee (Latte) ♥️ perfect👏🏻.. Well recommended 😇🙏🏻..”June 2026
-
Karak Net +1
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”October 2025
-
Mint tea Net +1
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the breakfast tray, luqaimat, mint tea and karak. 10/10”October 2025
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
-
Fried fish roe Net −1
“We also tried the fried fish roe. It wasn’t really to our taste, but that may simply be because we aren’t familiar with the flavor of roe rather than any issue with the dish itself.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We also tried the fried fish roe. It wasn’t really to our taste, but that may simply be because we aren’t familiar with the flavor of roe rather than any issue with the dish itself.”June 2026
-
Seafood tray - sea bream Net −1
“The seafood tray - sea bream was over cooked clearly it is not grilled on order, it felt that the fish was grilled before and it was just heated up.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The seafood tray - sea bream was over cooked clearly it is not grilled on order, it felt that the fish was grilled before and it was just heated up.”October 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose fish. Ask about the fresh fish market selection if you want guidance choosing a fish rather than ordering blindly.
Try traditional seating. For the heritage atmosphere, ask to sit in the traditional area; one family rated that setup highly.
Bring children. Families can make use of the playground beside the park, which gives children something to do around the meal.
Consider weekends. Parking was reported as easy on a weekend, though this reflects one visitor’s experience rather than a guarantee.
Watch fish bones. Take care while eating fish: one reviewer specifically warned that small pin bones can become stuck in the throat.
Book a room. If you want a more private meal, consider booking one of the private rooms in advance.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Pond Park
Al Barsha Second - Al Barsha, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sat | 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sun | 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Uneven seafood
One reviewer found a seafood tray’s sea bream overcooked and the prawns dull and not fresh.
Service delay
A review of an Iftar meal mentioned some waiting before the food arrived.
Plain rice
One seafood meal came with white rice that a diner found too plain compared with other rice styles.
Variable flavour
Some diners enjoyed the dishes, while one review found the food alright but missing something.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant in Al Barsha combines Emirati seafood with a deliberately old-Dubai setting beside Al Barsha Pond Park. You can choose fish from the fresh fish market, order a sharing platter, or come for traditional Emirati breakfast, which reviews say is served all day. The antiques and heritage-style décor are a major part of the appeal, not just background decoration.
The menu has plenty for repeat visits. The Al Fanar Tray introduced one diner to Jesheed, while the Signature Seafood Tray was praised for grilled prawns, seabream and squid. Legaimat is another well-liked finish, with a chewy texture and restrained sweetness.
Reviews also mention generous portions, fresh juices and family-friendly touches including a playground beside the park. There are a few useful caveats. One seafood tray was criticised for overcooked sea bream and dull prawns, while another diner found the seafood-and-rice mix ordinary and experienced a delay during Iftar.
White rice was also considered plain by one reviewer. Fish may contain small pin bones, so eat carefully. Parking was reported as easy on one weekend, and the traditional seating area or a private room are worth requesting if the setting matters to you.