Lamb Neck
Slow-cooked lamb neck is the standout; one reviewer rated it 5/5 and said it melts in the mouth.
Cando Restaurant
Al Rigga
Cando Restaurant is a Persian restaurant in Al Rigga, a short walk from Baniyas Metro. Customers come for dishes such as lamb neck and koobideh, while the relaxed setting also accommodates shisha and separate smoking and non-smoking areas.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
395 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Persian Specials
Mahiche and chelo gardan are praised for exceptionally tender meat, rich gravy and a good match with barberry rice.
Generous Portions
Portions are large enough that a couple may find one main dish plus sides sufficient.
Separate Sections
The smoking and non-smoking sections are described as genuinely well separated by one repeat customer.
Warm Service
Reviews repeatedly describe the staff as friendly, attentive and welcoming, including during family dinners.
Fresh Coffee
A quick double espresso came with a freshly baked, warm shortbread biscuit.
What to Eat at Cando Restaurant 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 Cando Restaurant, 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 Cando Restaurant, 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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Chelo gardan Net +5
“- The Lamb Neck (Chelo Gardan) was amazing.”
Positive 5Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- The Lamb Neck (Chelo Gardan) was amazing.”October 2021
“Possibly the best Iranian food in the city. Come here for the lamb neck, you'll crave it for a very long time and you will not find it anywhere else. Simply outstanding. Do not come here if you're on a diet because you can't keep the diet!”September 2023
Honorable mentions (25)
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Ayran Net +1
“The ayran was especially memorable—smooth, creamy, and pure buttermilk, just the way it should be.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The ayran was especially memorable—smooth, creamy, and pure buttermilk, just the way it should be.”November 2024
-
Baba ghanoush Net +1
“The muttaboul and baba ghanoush were equally amazing, bursting with deep, smoky flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The muttaboul and baba ghanoush were equally amazing, bursting with deep, smoky flavors.”October 2025
-
Baghali polo with gardan Net +1
“It's one of my favorite Iranian restaurants in Dubai. Strongly recommend baghali polo with gardan or mahiche in this restaurant. You can not find a better one even in Iran”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It's one of my favorite Iranian restaurants in Dubai. Strongly recommend baghali polo with gardan or mahiche in this restaurant. You can not find a better one even in Iran”May 2025
-
Baghali polo with mahiche Net +1
“It's one of my favorite Iranian restaurants in Dubai. Strongly recommend baghali polo with gardan or mahiche in this restaurant. You can not find a better one even in Iran”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It's one of my favorite Iranian restaurants in Dubai. Strongly recommend baghali polo with gardan or mahiche in this restaurant. You can not find a better one even in Iran”May 2025
-
Baklava dessert with vanilla ice cream Net +1
“Every dish was a delight, but we particularly loved the baklava dessert with vanilla ice cream—a true treat for the taste buds!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Every dish was a delight, but we particularly loved the baklava dessert with vanilla ice cream—a true treat for the taste buds!”June 2024
-
Carrot cake Net +1
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”July 2022
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Chicken shawarma Net +1
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”July 2022
-
Chicken zafran rice Net +1
“Chicken and zafran rice AED49. Taste sophisticated. Good to invite your customers.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken and zafran rice AED49. Taste sophisticated. Good to invite your customers.”May 2022
-
Dill rice with fava beans Net +1
“First time trying Iranian food that is not kebab... the lamb shank and neck melts in your mouth. The dill rice with fava beans is quit interesting.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“First time trying Iranian food that is not kebab... the lamb shank and neck melts in your mouth. The dill rice with fava beans is quit interesting.”July 2022
-
Gormeh sabzi Net +1
“We also tried the gormeh sabzi with saffron rice, my first time having this dish, and it was exceptionally well prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also tried the gormeh sabzi with saffron rice, my first time having this dish, and it was exceptionally well prepared.”October 2025
-
Hummus Net +1
“We started with the mixed starters, and I have to say, the hummus was the smoothest I’ve ever had.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We started with the mixed starters, and I have to say, the hummus was the smoothest I’ve ever had.”October 2025
-
Jujeh kabab Net +1
“- The Jujeh Kabab was also very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- The Jujeh Kabab was also very good.”October 2021
-
Lamb stew with rice Net +1
“I tried the most iconic lamb stew with rice, and it was very impressive. The portion is a bit too big for me though.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried the most iconic lamb stew with rice, and it was very impressive. The portion is a bit too big for me though.”January 2023
-
Mahiche Net +1
“The Persian speciality dishes mahiche and chelo gardan are fantastic. The most tender meat I have ever tried. Simply falls of the bones!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Persian speciality dishes mahiche and chelo gardan are fantastic. The most tender meat I have ever tried. Simply falls of the bones!”February 2022
-
Meat shawarma Net +1
“I only tried the meat shawarma it was good but not great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I only tried the meat shawarma it was good but not great.”October 2024
-
Mirza ghassemi Net +1
“The Mirza Ghassemi looked very red, a lot redder than it should be, but tastewise it was nice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Mirza Ghassemi looked very red, a lot redder than it should be, but tastewise it was nice.”July 2022
-
Mix grill Net +1
“We tried Lamb shank + Mix grill Recommendation: Recommend for at least once”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried Lamb shank + Mix grill Recommendation: Recommend for at least once”August 2023
-
Saffron rice Net +1
“The kebabs were tender and full of flavor, and the saffron rice was heavenly.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The kebabs were tender and full of flavor, and the saffron rice was heavenly.”January 2025
-
Slow cooked lamb neck Net +1
“Slow cooked lamb neck 5/5”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Slow cooked lamb neck 5/5”July 2022
-
Slow cooked lamb shank Net +1
“Slow cooked lamb shank 4/5”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Slow cooked lamb shank 4/5”July 2022
-
Soft meat lamb Net +1
“The food was great soft meat lamb 🤤🤤. Kabab was tasty like a burger patty (but juicy). Service and staff was great even though we didn't book first.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was great soft meat lamb 🤤🤤. Kabab was tasty like a burger patty (but juicy). Service and staff was great even though we didn't book first.”April 2022
-
Tabbouleh Net +1
“We also ordered the tabbouleh, which I can confidently say was one of the best I’ve had in my 21 years in the Middle East.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also ordered the tabbouleh, which I can confidently say was one of the best I’ve had in my 21 years in the Middle East.”October 2025
-
Trail mix grilled Net +1
“Recommended inranian authentic in dubai .. trail mix grilled and cold mazza and lamp meat (nick) .. the food was so good”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommended inranian authentic in dubai .. trail mix grilled and cold mazza and lamp meat (nick) .. the food was so good”January 2025
-
Baklava Net 0
Mixed feedback
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Nice ambiance and friendly staff. Chicken shawarma is so good. Carrot cake and baklava are so good and tasty.”July 2022
-
Gheyme bademjan Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Gheyme bademjan 3/5”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 2
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Double espresso Net +1
“I just stopped for a quick double espresso and was very pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere and service were great. The espresso was artfully served and hit the mark. Even the cookie was a freshly baked warm shortbread biscuit.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I just stopped for a quick double espresso and was very pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere and service were great. The espresso was artfully served and hit the mark. Even the cookie was a freshly baked warm shortbread biscuit.”August 2025
-
Freshly squeezed lemon juice Net +1
“For the dessert they actually brought out freshly squeezed lemon juice which was a nice touch.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For the dessert they actually brought out freshly squeezed lemon juice which was a nice touch.”July 2022
What to Avoid (5)
Food 5
-
Cheese cake Net −1
“Cheese cake 2/5”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Cheese cake 2/5”July 2022
-
Haleem Net −1
“- The Haleem was also disappointing.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“- The Haleem was also disappointing.”October 2021
-
Ice cream Net −1
“Ice cream 1/5”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ice cream 1/5”July 2022
-
Moutabal Net −1
“Moutabal 2/5”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Moutabal 2/5”July 2022
-
Tadig Net −1
“The tadig was a bit of a let down to be honest, it was undercooked and disappointing.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The tadig was a bit of a let down to be honest, it was undercooked and disappointing.”July 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Order Neck. Try the lamb neck with rice; several reviews treat it as the signature order and one calls it a must-try.
Ask Parking. Ask the restaurant about nearby parking rather than assuming you need to park far away.
Check Availability. If you are booking specifically for lamb shank or lamb neck, confirm availability again before setting out.
Share Mains. For two people, consider one main with sides first; reviewers say the portions are generous.
Mind Smoke. If you are sensitive to shisha smoke, ask about seating carefully because smoke has reached the non-smoking section.
Avoid Crowds. Choose a quieter time if conversation matters; the compact room becomes noisy when crowded.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Sheikh Rashid Bldg - Baniyas Rd - behind Twin Tower
Al Rigga - Deira, Dubai
| Mon | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Tue | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Wed | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Thu | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Fri | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Difficult Parking
Parking can be awkward, with one visitor parking far away and walking to the restaurant.
Shisha Smoke
Smoke has drifted into the non-smoking area for some diners, despite the separate sections.
Dish Availability
A booked table was told at 6:30pm that the requested lamb shanks and lamb neck had run out.
Crowded Noise
The small dining room can become very noisy when crowded.
Uneven Kebabs
One diner found the Iranian grills underwhelming, citing lacklustre flavours and meat that lacked tenderness.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Cando Restaurant is a Persian dining spot in Al Rigga where the strongest reason to visit is the slow-cooked lamb. Lamb neck, chelo gardan, mahiche and koobideh all receive especially good mentions, with the lamb neck repeatedly described as tender enough to fall from the bone. Saffron rice and barberry rice are popular accompaniments, while Persian tea makes a fitting finish.
The portions are generous, so couples may want to start with one main and a few sides. Reviews also mention mixed starters, gormeh sabzi, baghali polo and desserts such as baklava with vanilla ice cream. Service is usually friendly and attentive, and the restaurant has both smoking and non-smoking sections.
Shisha is part of the experience, though smoke has bothered some guests even in the non-smoking area. Getting there is easier by metro than by car: one review places it a short walk from Baniyas Metro, while others found parking difficult. A nearby paid multi-storey car park has been mentioned, so ask before parking far away.
It is worth confirming availability if you are visiting specifically for lamb neck or shank, as one booking found both sold out at 6:30pm. The compact dining room can also become noisy when busy.