Iraqi classics
Masgouf is a standout, with reviewers describing the fish as smoky outside, tender inside and well-seasoned.
Deira
Bestoon Samad is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Deira focused on Iraqi cooking, with familiar favourites alongside global staples. Reviews especially point first-time diners towards the masgouf and quzi, served in generous portions that suit sharing.
Source: Google Maps
Masgouf is a standout, with reviewers describing the fish as smoky outside, tender inside and well-seasoned.
Large plates often leave enough for leftovers, and several reviews say one dish can serve two or three people.
Many diners mention complimentary lentil soup, salad, pickles, fresh bread, tea and date sweets.
Big tables and shareable platters make it practical for family meals and larger groups.
Freshly baked bread is repeatedly mentioned, with one diner saying it was replaced every few minutes.
Guests can use Al Ghurair Mall parking, while one review also mentions free restaurant valet service.
These items at Bestoon Samad Iraqi Food Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
“I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the attentive staff plus the food was nothing less than perfect. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to experience Iraqi cuisine and hospitality. Ah the masgouf, I love you.”
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“I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the attentive staff plus the food was nothing less than perfect. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to experience Iraqi cuisine and hospitality. Ah the masgouf, I love you.”April 2025
“Then came the masgouf, and that was the moment the table went quiet. The fish was beautifully grilled, slightly smoky on the outside and tender inside. Every bite tasted fresh and well-seasoned without being heavy.”February 2026
“Try the Kebab and the quzi it’s the best ever and don’t forget the tea.”
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“Try the Kebab and the quzi it’s the best ever and don’t forget the tea.”February 2026
“The restaurant’s food is served with so much care and delight,the meals were totally worth it! I would recommend the Quzi with rice! The decoration was stunning, I would definitely recommend this place for family dinners!”December 2023
“Every dish was a hit. The dolma was perfectly juicy, and both the kebab and shawarma were bursting with flavor.”
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“Every dish was a hit. The dolma was perfectly juicy, and both the kebab and shawarma were bursting with flavor.”July 2025
“The food is so delicious rich in tastes Service is very good starting from the moment the valet parking until you leave Atmosphere is okk We ordered Masgoof fish , dulma and iraqi grill plate”November 2025
“The menu is a celebration of Iraqi culinary traditions, with standout dishes like the perfectly grilled masgouf (Iraqi-style fish), tender kebabs, and fragrant biryani that transport your taste buds straight to Baghdad. The portions are generous, and the flavors are impeccable — you can tell that everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients.”
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“The menu is a celebration of Iraqi culinary traditions, with standout dishes like the perfectly grilled masgouf (Iraqi-style fish), tender kebabs, and fragrant biryani that transport your taste buds straight to Baghdad. The portions are generous, and the flavors are impeccable — you can tell that everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients.”November 2024
“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”February 2026
“The mix grill is equally impressive, with juicy kebabs and well-marinated meats grilled to perfection. The balance of spices, smokiness, and freshness really stands out and shows the quality of their cooking.”
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“The mix grill is equally impressive, with juicy kebabs and well-marinated meats grilled to perfection. The balance of spices, smokiness, and freshness really stands out and shows the quality of their cooking.”January 2026
“Authentic Iraqi. Worth trying the mix grill, the shawerma plate, the neck and rice.”March 2026
“The dolma had a balanced filling and a pleasant tang, while the tashrib was rich and hearty.”
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“The dolma had a balanced filling and a pleasant tang, while the tashrib was rich and hearty.”February 2026
“Meat Thashreeb, Iraqi or Kurdish Kebab, Quzi with Rice, all are good.”January 2025
“One of our favorite is the Arayes!”
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“One of our favorite is the Arayes!”April 2024
“We also had the baked cheese for dessert and it was amazing.”
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“We also had the baked cheese for dessert and it was amazing.”January 2026
“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”
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“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”February 2026
“What I like the most is Thier best kebab. It so soft till it so easy split up the meat.”
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“What I like the most is Thier best kebab. It so soft till it so easy split up the meat.”January 2023
“To top it all off, after dinner, we were served delicious tea with date sweets, which had a unique flavor from being rolled in tahini.”
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“To top it all off, after dinner, we were served delicious tea with date sweets, which had a unique flavor from being rolled in tahini.”September 2024
“At the end, they gave us complimentary Iraqi tea and dessert bites with dates, which we really loved.”
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“At the end, they gave us complimentary Iraqi tea and dessert bites with dates, which we really loved.”December 2025
“They serve very generously! Ofcourse we ordered their famous Iraqi fish and it never disappoints! It’s extremely delicious and can truly get you having a food coma. 😅”
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“They serve very generously! Ofcourse we ordered their famous Iraqi fish and it never disappoints! It’s extremely delicious and can truly get you having a food coma. 😅”June 2023
“The kebabs, hummus, and fattoush salad were simply amazing, and the freshly baked bread that replaced our cold, crispy bread every few minutes was a lovely touch.”
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“The kebabs, hummus, and fattoush salad were simply amazing, and the freshly baked bread that replaced our cold, crispy bread every few minutes was a lovely touch.”September 2024
“The mains were also all very good, specifically the grilled chicken on a skewer stood out to me.”
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“The mains were also all very good, specifically the grilled chicken on a skewer stood out to me.”January 2026
“For the starters the hummus with meat was my personal highlight - a nice add on is that the huge breads also just keep on coming.”
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“For the starters the hummus with meat was my personal highlight - a nice add on is that the huge breads also just keep on coming.”January 2026
“The food is so delicious rich in tastes Service is very good starting from the moment the valet parking until you leave Atmosphere is okk We ordered Masgoof fish , dulma and iraqi grill plate”
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“The food is so delicious rich in tastes Service is very good starting from the moment the valet parking until you leave Atmosphere is okk We ordered Masgoof fish , dulma and iraqi grill plate”November 2025
“Meat Thashreeb, Iraqi or Kurdish Kebab, Quzi with Rice, all are good.”
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“Meat Thashreeb, Iraqi or Kurdish Kebab, Quzi with Rice, all are good.”January 2025
“Meat Thashreeb, Iraqi or Kurdish Kebab, Quzi with Rice, all are good.”
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“Meat Thashreeb, Iraqi or Kurdish Kebab, Quzi with Rice, all are good.”January 2025
“This time we only ordered the Kurdish kebab dish and that was enough for both of us as we got so much extras as soup, salad, their really marvellous bread and tea.”
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“This time we only ordered the Kurdish kebab dish and that was enough for both of us as we got so much extras as soup, salad, their really marvellous bread and tea.”March 2024
“The lamb was cooked to perfection, tender and delicious, and it paired wonderfully with the fragrant rice.”
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“The lamb was cooked to perfection, tender and delicious, and it paired wonderfully with the fragrant rice.”July 2025
“Their Kababs, lamb chops, salads are also very good.”
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“Their Kababs, lamb chops, salads are also very good.”January 2025
“We were welcomed with complimentary Lentel soup, fresh salad, pickles, and traditional bread, which was a thoughtful touch.”
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“We were welcomed with complimentary Lentel soup, fresh salad, pickles, and traditional bread, which was a thoughtful touch.”September 2025
“Started with hummus and lentil soup, which arrived steaming hot and full of earthy flavor. It was simple but deeply comforting.”
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“Started with hummus and lentil soup, which arrived steaming hot and full of earthy flavor. It was simple but deeply comforting.”February 2026
“The mixed rice with mutton is the real highlight — perfectly cooked, fragrant rice paired with incredibly tender, flavorful mutton that just melts in your mouth. Every bite feels rich, traditional, and deeply satisfying.”
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“The mixed rice with mutton is the real highlight — perfectly cooked, fragrant rice paired with incredibly tender, flavorful mutton that just melts in your mouth. Every bite feels rich, traditional, and deeply satisfying.”January 2026
“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”
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“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”February 2026
“Authentic Iraqi. Worth trying the mix grill, the shawerma plate, the neck and rice.”
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“Authentic Iraqi. Worth trying the mix grill, the shawerma plate, the neck and rice.”March 2026
“The menu is a celebration of Iraqi culinary traditions, with standout dishes like the perfectly grilled masgouf (Iraqi-style fish), tender kebabs, and fragrant biryani that transport your taste buds straight to Baghdad. The portions are generous, and the flavors are impeccable — you can tell that everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The menu is a celebration of Iraqi culinary traditions, with standout dishes like the perfectly grilled masgouf (Iraqi-style fish), tender kebabs, and fragrant biryani that transport your taste buds straight to Baghdad. The portions are generous, and the flavors are impeccable — you can tell that everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients.”November 2024
“Every dish was a hit. The dolma was perfectly juicy, and both the kebab and shawarma were bursting with flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Every dish was a hit. The dolma was perfectly juicy, and both the kebab and shawarma were bursting with flavor.”July 2025
“Authentic Iraqi. Worth trying the mix grill, the shawerma plate, the neck and rice.”
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Review excerpts
“Authentic Iraqi. Worth trying the mix grill, the shawerma plate, the neck and rice.”March 2026
“We also loved their sujuk, freshly baked bread was addictive, and we enjoyed the rice and salads.”
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“We also loved their sujuk, freshly baked bread was addictive, and we enjoyed the rice and salads.”December 2025
“By the end of your meal, you finish off the experience with sweets and tea that will keep you asking for more !”
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“By the end of your meal, you finish off the experience with sweets and tea that will keep you asking for more !”June 2022
“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”
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“Exceptional food. Kebabs, mutton and beef wagyu kebab are to die for. Biryani was Amazing and raisin juice too.”February 2026
“The taste of the chicken kebab was also unfamiliar, I cannot say that it tasted bad, but my tongue did not accept it naturally.”
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“The taste of the chicken kebab was also unfamiliar, I cannot say that it tasted bad, but my tongue did not accept it naturally.”November 2024
“The grape leaves and hummus are not the most terrifying dishes I have ever eaten in my life, but I want to praise the service in the restaurant, it is fast with friendly treatment from all the workers.”
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Critical review excerpts
“The grape leaves and hummus are not the most terrifying dishes I have ever eaten in my life, but I want to praise the service in the restaurant, it is fast with friendly treatment from all the workers.”November 2024
“I do have to say I didn’t like the intense lamb flavor of the minced lamb skewer but that’s just a personal preference.”
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“I do have to say I didn’t like the intense lamb flavor of the minced lamb skewer but that’s just a personal preference.”January 2026
Book ahead. Reserve if you can: a review says arriving without a reservation may mean waiting, especially when the restaurant is popular.
Try masgouf. For a first Iraqi meal, order the famous masgouf; reviewers repeatedly identify it as a signature dish.
Order quzi. Quzi with rice is another frequently recommended choice, especially alongside kebab for a shared meal.
Ask less sugar. The Iraqi tea is commonly served sweet; ask for no sugar if that is not your preference.
Avoid windows. Choose an interior table rather than a window seat if you are sensitive to cigarette smoke.
Order carefully. Portions are large, so check the serving size before ordering several mains for a small group.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Tue | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Wed | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Thu | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Fri | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sat | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sun | 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM |
Most service comments are positive, but one regular felt ignored after staff supplied wet wipes to another table but refused their request.
A February review reports repeatedly asking for bread, missing dessert and an unexpected separate charge for salad and soup.
Two March reviews describe very slow, disorganised service and an unpleasant interaction with a staff member in a black suit.
One diner warns that the window seats can expose non-smokers to street smoke.
The Bottom Line
Bestoon Samad is a Deira restaurant for Iraqi cooking, with enough variety for diners who want to explore beyond the classics. Start with masgouf, the grilled Iraqi fish that several reviewers call the highlight, or try quzi with rice, whose fragrant rice and tender meat are repeatedly praised. Kebab and mix grill are also reliable choices for meat lovers.
Portions are notably large: one reviewer said a plate for one usually leaves leftovers, while another said a single dish served three people. That makes the big tables and sharing platters useful for families and groups, although it also means ordering cautiously. Complimentary extras commonly mentioned include lentil soup, salad, pickles, huge fresh bread, Iraqi tea and date sweets with tahini.
The interior is described as clean, welcoming and decorated with Iraqi touches, and several diners report quick, attentive service. There are exceptions: reviews mention slow responses, missed bread or dessert, disputed inclusions, and one serious complaint about staff treatment. If you are visiting at a busy time, reserve ahead.
Al Ghurair Mall parking is available, with a review also mentioning free valet; avoid window seating if you are sensitive to smoke. Ask for no sugar if you prefer your tea unsweetened.