Syrian flavours
Customers describe the Syrian and Arabic food as authentic, fresh and full of flavour, with generous portions that can taste homemade.
Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe
Dubai Marina
Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe is a Syrian and Arabic restaurant in Dubai Marina with indoor and outdoor seating, including shisha areas. Reviews point to generous traditional dishes such as kibbeh, shawarma and grilled options, alongside a relaxed terrace setting for long meals or coffee.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
3,517 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Outdoor seating
The terrace is a recurring draw, with outdoor seating and a floral setting that several visitors found especially attractive.
Shisha care
Several reviews praise the shisha, including attentive coal changes and smooth, flavourful preparation, though other visits report the opposite.
Late opening
A review reports the restaurant is open 24 hours, making it an option for late-night meals or outings.
Breakfast choice
Breakfast reviews mention abundant Arabic, Mediterranean and continental options, including chicken fatah, beef manakish and fresh breads.
What to Eat at Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe 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 Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. 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 Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
-
Kunaafah Net +2
“Tried kunaafah in desserts and it was full of cheese and perfectly sweet. Presentation of the dessert was very enchanting.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried kunaafah in desserts and it was full of cheese and perfectly sweet. Presentation of the dessert was very enchanting.”August 2023
“Also we had try some starter & kunafa dessert is my favorite!”September 2022
Honorable mentions (17)
-
Arabic breakfast Net +1
“i enjoyed the arabic breakfast with a breezy morning view on sides.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“i enjoyed the arabic breakfast with a breezy morning view on sides.”August 2021
-
Arabic open shawarma Net +1
“Tried arabic open shawarma which was full of flavours and tasted delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried arabic open shawarma which was full of flavours and tasted delicious.”August 2023
-
Arabic salad platter Net +1
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”December 2021
-
Baba gonoush Net +1
“Food was delicious. We ending up going there twice! Must try their Baba gonoush and grill options.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was delicious. We ending up going there twice! Must try their Baba gonoush and grill options.”August 2024
-
Beef manakish Net +1
“Along side with Beef manakish very nice thin and light on the stomach served with a cinnamon latte which was definitely worth it!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Along side with Beef manakish very nice thin and light on the stomach served with a cinnamon latte which was definitely worth it!”August 2021
-
Chicken fatah Net +1
“The Mediterranean breakfast we ordered chicken fatah very very creamy and so good!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Mediterranean breakfast we ordered chicken fatah very very creamy and so good!”August 2021
-
Continental breakfast Net +1
“Went for breakfast and absolutely loved the Mediterranean and continental breakfast options there. The continental was the classic beef Salami grilled with eggs and Breads very fresh and super yumm.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Went for breakfast and absolutely loved the Mediterranean and continental breakfast options there. The continental was the classic beef Salami grilled with eggs and Breads very fresh and super yumm.”August 2021
-
Greek salad Net +1
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”December 2021
-
Hamour with grilled vegetables on the side Net +1
“The dinner was great, loved the Hamour with grilled vegetables on the side .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The dinner was great, loved the Hamour with grilled vegetables on the side .”July 2022
-
Izmerli kebab Net +1
“Their Izmerli Kebab is also great which is yet another kebab stuffed with pistachios and cheese.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their Izmerli Kebab is also great which is yet another kebab stuffed with pistachios and cheese.”December 2022
-
Lamb chops Net +1
“By far the best lamb chops I've had in a while. Soft, tender and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“By far the best lamb chops I've had in a while. Soft, tender and full of flavor.”October 2021
-
Ma'joo'a Net +1
“The good is amazing! You must try their Ma'joo'a which is a little mutton triangle stuffed with cheese, pistachios and mushrooms and capsicum, it's mouth watering!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The good is amazing! You must try their Ma'joo'a which is a little mutton triangle stuffed with cheese, pistachios and mushrooms and capsicum, it's mouth watering!”December 2022
-
Mediterranean breakfast Net +1
“The Mediterranean breakfast we ordered chicken fatah very very creamy and so good!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Mediterranean breakfast we ordered chicken fatah very very creamy and so good!”August 2021
-
Mixed grill Net +1
“This picture contains a mixed grill covered with bread.It tastes so nice, feels soft and just warm enough to devour the pleasant flavored. I recommend others to try it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This picture contains a mixed grill covered with bread.It tastes so nice, feels soft and just warm enough to devour the pleasant flavored. I recommend others to try it.”April 2019
-
Shawarma Net +1
“Had the shawarma from here and was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had the shawarma from here and was delicious.”July 2022
-
Sheesh-tawouk Net +1
“Sheesh-tawouk and other dishes also tasted great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sheesh-tawouk and other dishes also tasted great.”August 2023
-
Zaatar mankish Net +1
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I love the Arabic Salad platter , Greek salad & Zaatar Mankish , Must Try place !”December 2021
Drinks 5
-
Cappuccino Net +1
“i loved their fresh orange juice & cappuccino”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“i loved their fresh orange juice & cappuccino”August 2021
-
Cinnamon latte Net +1
“Along side with Beef manakish very nice thin and light on the stomach served with a cinnamon latte which was definitely worth it!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Along side with Beef manakish very nice thin and light on the stomach served with a cinnamon latte which was definitely worth it!”August 2021
-
Fresh orange juice Net +1
“i loved their fresh orange juice & cappuccino”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“i loved their fresh orange juice & cappuccino”August 2021
-
Ginger lemon honey tea Net +1
“Had the ginger lemon honey tea 👌🏼”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had the ginger lemon honey tea 👌🏼”January 2025
-
Hazelnut milkshake Net +1
“I recommend their hazelnut milkshake!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recommend their hazelnut milkshake!”July 2022
What to Avoid (4)
Food 4
-
Banana chocolate crepe Net −1
“The banana chocolate crepe tastes okay but looks unappealing.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The banana chocolate crepe tastes okay but looks unappealing.”March 2025
-
Chicken cordon bleu Net −1
“We Tried their chicken cordon bleu however the chicken is undercooked.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We Tried their chicken cordon bleu however the chicken is undercooked.”September 2022
-
Jordanian mansaf Net −1
“Do NOT try their Jordanian Mansaf, they give you very little meat and it's no where near as good as the authentic mansaf in Jordanian restaurants.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Do NOT try their Jordanian Mansaf, they give you very little meat and it's no where near as good as the authentic mansaf in Jordanian restaurants.”December 2022
-
Muttabel Net −1
“Food is not good its so sour the soup and muttabel. You cannot eat it Waiter is so rude and unfriendly we will Never come back again!”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food is not good its so sour the soup and muttabel. You cannot eat it Waiter is so rude and unfriendly we will Never come back again!”May 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Book music. If you want the Arabic band and singer on a weekend, book ahead; a review says advance booking is needed to avoid disappointment.
Check availability. Ask whether your chosen dish is available before ordering, since a review found some menu items unavailable on a Friday night.
Choose seating. If you prefer non-smoking seating, request the outdoor non-smoking section; the review says the outdoor area is divided between smoking and non-smoking.
Plan parking. If using valet parking, budget the separately reported AED15 fee mentioned by a visitor.
Try breakfast. Breakfast is worth considering for the abundant Arabic or Mediterranean options, including creamy chicken fatah and thin beef manakish.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Trident Grand Residence Tower, Opp. Le Royal Meridien Hotel، JBR
Marsa Dubai - Dubai Marina, Dubai
Common Concerns
Service delays
One recent visit involved a 45-minute wait for the main order, another 30 minutes for Moroccan tea, and an unavailable menu item that staff had not flagged.
Shisha inconsistency
Shisha quality varies sharply: one review says it was weak for AED75–120, while another reports poor charcoal causing a burnt taste within 15 minutes.
Food complaints
A reviewer found the soup and muttabel excessively sour and said the muttabel did not seem fresh; another reported undercooked chicken.
Menu availability
Some reviews mention dishes being unavailable during busy periods, with one customer learning only after ordering that an item was not available.
Decor change
A recent reviewer felt the venue had lost its earlier floral charm and now looked cheap and badly designed.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe is a Dubai Marina spot for Syrian and Arabic food, with enough seating for a proper meal or a slower coffee-and-shisha visit. Reviews specifically mention Arabic open shawarma, baba ghanoush, grilled dishes, kibbeh and generous portions. Breakfast is another reason to come, with Arabic, Mediterranean and continental choices such as chicken fatah and beef manakish.
The setting has changed over time: older reviews describe a striking floral ceiling and garden-like terrace, while a recent visitor felt the redesign looked cheap. Outdoor seating remains useful, and one review notes separate smoking and non-smoking outdoor sections. The restaurant has also been described as open 24 hours, with Arabic music performances on some weekends.
Service is not entirely predictable. Many guests describe attentive, friendly staff, but a recent account reports a 45-minute wait for one order, another 30 minutes for Moroccan tea, and a menu item that was unavailable without warning. Shisha reviews are similarly mixed: some call it smooth and carefully maintained, while others found it weak, overpriced or quick to burn.
Check dish availability, book ahead for weekend music, and ask for the non-smoking outdoor area if that matters to you. A review also reported valet parking at 15 dirham.