Rooftop views
The open terrace looks across the World Trade Center tower, Sama tower and Sheikh Zayed Road.
Caava Dubai
Al Satwa
Caava Dubai is a rooftop restaurant and lounge in Al Satwa, suited to relaxed evening drinks, shisha and open-air dining. Reviews particularly highlight the rooftop views, chicken dumplings and occasional belly dance entertainment.
Reputation Score
4.9
★★★★★
151 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Strong shisha
Customers repeatedly describe the shisha as smooth and well looked after, with flavours such as blueberry mint and vanilla.
Popular dumplings
Chicken dumplings are a recurring favourite, with one review praising them as fresh, hot and better than similar versions abroad.
Weather-friendly terrace
The outdoor tables have AC and air fans, helping make terrace seating more comfortable in warmer weather.
Evening entertainment
Selected nights include belly dancing, while reviews also mention DJs and live football screening on a giant outdoor screen.
Quiet music
One reviewer found the music low enough for easy conversation, making the lounge suitable for an unhurried catch-up.
What to Eat at Caava Dubai 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 Caava Dubai, 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 Caava Dubai got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 7
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Biryani rice Net +2
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”December 2022
“The food is ok with me, the buffet options is mix Indian dishes, such as biryani rice, beef Manchurian, crispy veggie. I wish there were other options as well as I believe some of the guess might like some western or Asian.”December 2022
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Aloo kulca Net +1
“My experience here was exceptional, amazing food loved their chicken tikka kebab, Aloo kulca 🤩🤩 strong long island.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My experience here was exceptional, amazing food loved their chicken tikka kebab, Aloo kulca 🤩🤩 strong long island.”May 2023
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Beef manchurian Net +1
“The food is ok with me, the buffet options is mix Indian dishes, such as biryani rice, beef Manchurian, crispy veggie. I wish there were other options as well as I believe some of the guess might like some western or Asian.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is ok with me, the buffet options is mix Indian dishes, such as biryani rice, beef Manchurian, crispy veggie. I wish there were other options as well as I believe some of the guess might like some western or Asian.”December 2022
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Chicken barbecue Net +1
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”December 2022
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Chicken dumpling Net +1
“Such a cosy place, I love the vibes, food and drinks .Specially love the chicken dumpling was my favorite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Such a cosy place, I love the vibes, food and drinks .Specially love the chicken dumpling was my favorite.”June 2023
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Chicken tikka kebab Net +1
“My experience here was exceptional, amazing food loved their chicken tikka kebab, Aloo kulca 🤩🤩 strong long island.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My experience here was exceptional, amazing food loved their chicken tikka kebab, Aloo kulca 🤩🤩 strong long island.”May 2023
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Dinner buffet Net +1
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It’s a perfect outdoor lounge, they have shisha and different packages for alcoholic beverages or non alcoholic as well as dinner buffet, the food is really amazing especially the biryani and the chicken barbecue.”December 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Check events. Ask which entertainment is scheduled before visiting if you want belly dancing or a live show; Friday was specifically mentioned.
Choose winter. For the most comfortable rooftop experience, consider Dubai’s cooler season; one reviewer especially recommended winter visits.
Ask buffet options. If you prefer Western or Asian food, check the current buffet selection first, as one guest found the choices mainly Indian.
Confirm kitchen. It is worth checking that the kitchen is operating before you go, since one visit coincided with a short closure.
Try terrace seating. Choose the terrace for the rooftop atmosphere; reviews say AC helps keep the outdoor tables comfortable.
Watch matches. If you want sports with your evening, ask about screenings; the venue has shown football on a large outdoor screen.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Hassabi Street, Jumeirah Garden City
Al Satwa, Dubai
Common Concerns
Kitchen closure
The kitchen was not functioning for a couple of days; food was arranged from another café instead.
Limited buffet
One guest found the buffet mainly Indian and wished it included more Western or Asian choices.
Language barrier
A reviewer had difficulty communicating a wine order with one waiter.
Service variance
One review described the service as good but said it could still be improved.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Caava Dubai is an open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge in Al Satwa, with views towards the World Trade Center tower, Sama tower and Sheikh Zayed Road. It suits a relaxed evening built around shisha, drinks and conversation rather than a quick meal. The terrace has been described as comfortable even in warmer weather because of AC and outdoor fans.
Food is a genuine part of the draw. Chicken dumplings appear several times in the reviews, while other guests mention chicken tikka kebab, Aloo kulca, biryani and chicken barbecue. Cocktails, wine and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink packages are also mentioned, alongside dinner buffet options.
The buffet has been described as mainly Indian, so check the current selection if your group wants broader Western or Asian choices. Entertainment can change the feel of the evening: reviews mention belly dancing on Fridays or selected nights, DJs, music and live football screening on a giant outdoor screen. The music was quiet enough for conversation on one visit.
Shisha flavours including blueberry mint and vanilla are popular. Before heading over, check the evening programme and confirm the kitchen is operating, as one guest visited during a short kitchen closure and had food brought in from another café.