Grilled chicken
Reviews describe the grilled chicken as juicy and tender inside, with a smoky flavour and crisp char outside.
Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria
Al Raffa
Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria is a small barbecue restaurant in Al Raffa known in reviews for smoky, juicy grilled chicken and generously flavoured shawarma. It is a budget-friendly stop, though limited seating and uneven service mean takeaway or an off-peak visit may be easier.
Reputation Score
4.1
★★★★☆
558 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Shawarma flavour
The spicy shawarma is praised for its heat, generous sauce, crunchy vegetables and well-toasted wrap.
Biryani choice
Both mutton biriyani and dum biryani receive strong praise, giving rice lovers a useful alternative to the grills.
Good value
Several reviews call the food affordable, with one customer saying half a chicken was enough for two people.
Side dishes
Fries and onion rings were both described as very good alongside the shawarma.
Quick visits
Some customers report fast delivery, including a regular who usually received orders within 30 minutes.
What to Eat at Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria 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 Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria, 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 Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Shawarma Net +4
“We ate shawarma and charcoal chicken which was just awesome and the taste of the food kept taking us back to this place again and again.”
Positive 5Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We ate shawarma and charcoal chicken which was just awesome and the taste of the food kept taking us back to this place again and again.”October 2022
“Visited Dubai for the first time and almost everyone we met recommended Chacoal Chowk to us for THE BEST SHAWARMA. Nestled in a happening location, it’s serving mind blowing food at extremely reasonable prices, and I must say the young owners are very friendly making sure that their customers are warmly welcomed. Anyone coming to Dubai must visit this spot for THE BEST SHAWARMA. You will definitely thank yourself for making the effort to go there and try their food.”February 2024
Honorable mentions (19)
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Briyani Net +1
“The briyani also is amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The briyani also is amazing.”February 2023
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Chicken tikka Net +1
“We also ordered coconut shake and chicken tikka. I love the coconut shake. Chicken tikka is also good. However, it is too spicy for me for that day. I should have asked it to be less spicy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also ordered coconut shake and chicken tikka. I love the coconut shake. Chicken tikka is also good. However, it is too spicy for me for that day. I should have asked it to be less spicy.”March 2025
-
Combo of chilli chicken with rice Net +1
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”May 2023
-
Dum biryani Net +1
“I tried dum biryani which was too delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried dum biryani which was too delicious.”December 2025
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Egg noodles Net +1
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”May 2023
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Fried chicken Net +1
“Amazing food, Grilled Chicken and fried chicken will always be my go-to option.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing food, Grilled Chicken and fried chicken will always be my go-to option.”October 2024
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Fried rice Net +1
“fried rice also is good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“fried rice also is good.”April 2026
-
Fries Net +1
“We had fries last time and onion rings this time. Both very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had fries last time and onion rings this time. Both very good.”June 2026
-
Green chilli charcoal chicken Net +1
“Recommend weight loss juice, green chilli charcoal chicken.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommend weight loss juice, green chilli charcoal chicken.”June 2022
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Half chicken charcoal Net +1
“I ordered half chicken charcoal less spicy and it was delicious and quantity was enough for two people.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered half chicken charcoal less spicy and it was delicious and quantity was enough for two people.”August 2025
-
Lollypop chicken Net +1
“I picked lollypop chicken as parcel and my family enjoyed a lot they loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I picked lollypop chicken as parcel and my family enjoyed a lot they loved it.”May 2023
-
Mutton biriyani Net +1
“Mutton biriyani is soo good especially mr mishab such a nice person”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Mutton biriyani is soo good especially mr mishab such a nice person”June 2026
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Onion rings Net +1
“We had fries last time and onion rings this time. Both very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had fries last time and onion rings this time. Both very good.”June 2026
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Peri chicken Net +1
“Came to eat here around 2 times , their peri chicken was delicious enough as the spices really marinated well .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Came to eat here around 2 times , their peri chicken was delicious enough as the spices really marinated well .”April 2026
-
Schezwan fried rice Net +1
“Friend ordered Charcoal which was good but the Schezwan fried rice I ordered were brilliant.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Friend ordered Charcoal which was good but the Schezwan fried rice I ordered were brilliant.”May 2023
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Signature mixed grill platter Net +1
“Their signature mixed grill platter is an absolute must-try—it’s a feast that truly highlights their culinary expertise.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their signature mixed grill platter is an absolute must-try—it’s a feast that truly highlights their culinary expertise.”December 2024
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Spicy schwarmas Net +1
“We got spicy schwarmas and they were delicious. Nice heat! Very saucy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We got spicy schwarmas and they were delicious. Nice heat! Very saucy.”June 2026
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Veg burger Net +1
“Ordered veg burger and shawarma, awesome taste ❤️ and best service, highly recommended to all❤️🫶🏻”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Ordered veg burger and shawarma, awesome taste ❤️ and best service, highly recommended to all❤️🫶🏻”October 2024
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Veg club sandwich Net +1
“I went there 1:15 am on Tuesday I give order veg club sandwich but he take little bit time but taste is really good I liked it 😋😋😋👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I went there 1:15 am on Tuesday I give order veg club sandwich but he take little bit time but taste is really good I liked it 😋😋😋👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻”April 2023
Drinks 3
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Coconut shake Net +1
“We also ordered coconut shake and chicken tikka. I love the coconut shake.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also ordered coconut shake and chicken tikka. I love the coconut shake.”March 2025
-
Lime soda Net +1
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend further enjoyed their lime soda and parcelled egg noodles and combo of chilli chicken with rice and it was so good she said.”May 2023
-
Weight loss juice Net +1
“Recommend weight loss juice, green chilli charcoal chicken.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommend weight loss juice, green chilli charcoal chicken.”June 2022
What to Avoid (5)
Food 4
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Beef fry Net −1
“We ordered 16 porotta and 7 beef fry,they delivered 14 porotta with one beef fry,second time called again they delivered beef fry with less quantity,no gravy,again called ,time waste.not good”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered 16 porotta and 7 beef fry,they delivered 14 porotta with one beef fry,second time called again they delivered beef fry with less quantity,no gravy,again called ,time waste.not good”March 2026
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Bread Net −1
“I ate grilled chicken and bread, and the food did not taste fresh at all. It seemed like they were using yesterday’s leftover stuff. The quality was poor and not acceptable.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ate grilled chicken and bread, and the food did not taste fresh at all. It seemed like they were using yesterday’s leftover stuff. The quality was poor and not acceptable.”May 2026
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Dry, tasteless leg piece Net −1
“Worst experience and customer service ever! I ordered a quarter charcoal chest piece and even called again to confirm that they would deliver the correct item. However, after an hour, they sent me a dry, tasteless leg piece with just four fries.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Worst experience and customer service ever! I ordered a quarter charcoal chest piece and even called again to confirm that they would deliver the correct item. However, after an hour, they sent me a dry, tasteless leg piece with just four fries.”February 2025
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Malai chicken Net −1
“Dont even try malai chicken in this place. It is like malai water drizzled on top of arabic charcoal”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Dont even try malai chicken in this place. It is like malai water drizzled on top of arabic charcoal”January 2026
Drinks 1
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Tea Net −1
“But the tea is not up to the mark tea is worst they should improve tea.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“But the tea is not up to the mark tea is worst they should improve tea.”December 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Confirm orders. Check takeaway and delivery items carefully before leaving or accepting them; reviews report missing quantities and incorrect chicken orders.
Go off-peak. Choose a quieter time if possible, since the small dining area can push queues outside and busy periods bring delays.
Set spice level. Ask for less spicy preparation if you are sensitive to heat; one customer found the chicken tikka too spicy.
Check delivery. If ordering through an app, verify every paid item on arrival: one juice order arrived missing the peach juice.
Choose carefully. Grilled chicken and shawarma are more consistently praised than malai chicken, which one reviewer found watery.
Plan the visit
Practical details
15 18th St
Al Raffa - Al Fahidi, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Slow service
Multiple reviews report long waits, including 1.5 hours for a simple burger and nearly an hour for undelivered soup.
Rude responses
Customers describe telephone and counter staff as rude, inattentive or unwilling to take responsibility when orders go wrong.
Order mistakes
Reviews mention missing porotta and beef fry, a wrong peri-peri chicken order and a substituted chicken piece.
Freshness concerns
One customer said grilled chicken and bread tasted like leftovers, while another reported finding a dead cockroach in a salad.
Small seating
The restaurant is described as small, with queues outside when it gets busy and limited seating overall.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Charcoal Chowk Cafeteria is a small barbecue restaurant in Al Raffa where the clearest draw is charcoal cooking. Grilled chicken is repeatedly described as juicy, tender and smoky, while shawarma gets praise for crunchy vegetables, a toasted wrap and plenty of sauce. Mutton biriyani and dum biryani give you solid rice-based alternatives.
Prices are described as affordable, and one customer found half a chicken substantial enough for two people. Fries and onion rings are also mentioned positively. The restaurant’s compact size is worth planning around: a review says diners may queue outside when it is busy, and another notes that seating is limited.
Service is the main uncertainty. Some customers report quick delivery, but others waited an hour or more, received incomplete orders or got the wrong chicken preparation. Complaints also describe rude telephone responses and poor handling of delays.
If you order takeaway or delivery, confirm every item and quantity before settling the order. There are also isolated but serious freshness and food-safety complaints, including a report of stale-tasting grilled chicken and bread and another alleging a dead cockroach in salad. Those reports sit alongside many positive food reviews, so the dishes may appeal most when you can check the order promptly and visit at a quieter time.