Healthy choices
Reviewers mention healthy meals, including options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and special dietary requests.
Common Grounds - Mall of the Emirates
Al Barsha
Common Grounds in Al Barsha is a Mall of the Emirates restaurant built around all-day breakfast, health-focused bowls and freshly made coffee. Reviews particularly point to the acai bowl, Turkish eggs and a relaxed setting that also works for a quiet work session.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
3,716 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Acai bowl
The acai bowl is praised for its generous fruit and granola topping.
Fresh bowls
The Mediterranean Bowl combines roasted eggplant, hummus, pomegranate and other fresh ingredients.
Quiet setting
The relaxed atmosphere suits a peaceful breakfast, a few hours of work or a casual meeting.
Turkish eggs
Turkish eggs were described as a standout breakfast dish, alongside lotus choux.
Generous portions
One review specifically calls the salads and pancakes generous, making them useful picks when portion size matters.
Dietary care
Staff were described as accommodating when customers had special dietary requirements or allergies.
What to Eat at Common Grounds - Mall of the Emirates 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 Common Grounds - Mall of the Emirates, 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.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Common Grounds - Mall of the Emirates, 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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Acai bowl Net +2
“I also love their acai bowl and low fat Smoothies- ideal for my diet.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also love their acai bowl and low fat Smoothies- ideal for my diet.”April 2026
“Went in this place just for the Acai bowl! It was amaziiing, with lots of fruits and granola on it, highly recommended :) also the waiters were very kind and helpful”May 2026
Honorable mentions (12)
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Avocado dip Net +1
“LoLs the avocado dip was good and the matcha Latte was good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“LoLs the avocado dip was good and the matcha Latte was good.”April 2025
-
Banana cake Net +1
“The banana cake was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The banana cake was delicious.”April 2026
-
Breakfast bowl Net +1
“The food was delicious and beautifully presented, especially the pancakes and breakfast bowl.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was delicious and beautifully presented, especially the pancakes and breakfast bowl.”March 2026
-
Croissant Net +1
“This time we had Mocha and Croissant. Both were very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This time we had Mocha and Croissant. Both were very good.”December 2025
-
Egg omelette Net +1
“I had a great healthy breakfast! egg omelette is cooked perfectly, I love my decaf coffee. All 10/10 perfect! will come back again.. thanks to Harry for his good service & very kind.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had a great healthy breakfast! egg omelette is cooked perfectly, I love my decaf coffee. All 10/10 perfect! will come back again.. thanks to Harry for his good service & very kind.”April 2026
-
Lotus choux Net +1
“Turkish eggs were absolutely gorgeous, as were lotus choux 💝 yum!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Turkish eggs were absolutely gorgeous, as were lotus choux 💝 yum!”June 2026
-
Mediterranean bowl Net +1
“I recently visited Common Grounds and had a truly fantastic experience thanks to two stellar menu items: the Mediterranean Bowl and a side of their fresh guacamole. The bowl was a vibrant masterpiece, clearly made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. I especially appreciated the balanced combination of textures and flavors, from the perfectly roasted eggplant and creamy hummus to the sweet bursts of pomegranate. It was an incredibly satisfying and healthy lunch option that definitely stood out, proving that healthy food can be absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recently visited Common Grounds and had a truly fantastic experience thanks to two stellar menu items: the Mediterranean Bowl and a side of their fresh guacamole. The bowl was a vibrant masterpiece, clearly made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. I especially appreciated the balanced combination of textures and flavors, from the perfectly roasted eggplant and creamy hummus to the sweet bursts of pomegranate. It was an incredibly satisfying and healthy lunch option that definitely stood out, proving that healthy food can be absolutely delicious.”October 2025
-
Side salad Net +1
“The side salad is a generous bowl well dressed and with fresh pesto sauce.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The side salad is a generous bowl well dressed and with fresh pesto sauce.”August 2021
-
Steak and eggs Net +1
“Had an amazing brunch at Common Grounds! The food was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully served — from the perfectly cooked steak and eggs to the vibrant salad and rice bowl. The ambiance was cozy and relaxing, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Special thanks to Manager Rhex for being so accommodating and friendly, and to Apple, our server, for the excellent service and warm hospitality. Truly a wonderful dining experience — highly recommended!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had an amazing brunch at Common Grounds! The food was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully served — from the perfectly cooked steak and eggs to the vibrant salad and rice bowl. The ambiance was cozy and relaxing, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Special thanks to Manager Rhex for being so accommodating and friendly, and to Apple, our server, for the excellent service and warm hospitality. Truly a wonderful dining experience — highly recommended!”October 2025
-
Triple chocolate brownie Net +1
“Harry had an exceptional customer service as his recommendation was really superb. It was my first time to have the V60 coffee and it really complemented on the triple chocolate brownie that he had offered and served me.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Harry had an exceptional customer service as his recommendation was really superb. It was my first time to have the V60 coffee and it really complemented on the triple chocolate brownie that he had offered and served me.”July 2026
-
Turkish eggs Net +1
“Turkish eggs were absolutely gorgeous, as were lotus choux 💝 yum!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Turkish eggs were absolutely gorgeous, as were lotus choux 💝 yum!”June 2026
-
Wrap Net +1
“The wrap was generously filled with all the ingredients that are chosen very precisely; well marinated chicken, feta for sourness and beetroot hummus, along with greens for the crunch.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The wrap was generously filled with all the ingredients that are chosen very precisely; well marinated chicken, feta for sourness and beetroot hummus, along with greens for the crunch.”August 2021
Drinks 5
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Decaf coffee Net +1
“I had a great healthy breakfast! egg omelette is cooked perfectly, I love my decaf coffee. All 10/10 perfect! will come back again.. thanks to Harry for his good service & very kind.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had a great healthy breakfast! egg omelette is cooked perfectly, I love my decaf coffee. All 10/10 perfect! will come back again.. thanks to Harry for his good service & very kind.”April 2026
-
Immunity juice Net +1
“Additionally, the immunity juice was fantastic!! Thanks for no ice suggestion Apple… 😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Additionally, the immunity juice was fantastic!! Thanks for no ice suggestion Apple… 😍”April 2025
-
Matcha latte Net +1
“LoLs the avocado dip was good and the matcha Latte was good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“LoLs the avocado dip was good and the matcha Latte was good.”April 2025
-
Mocha Net +1
“This time we had Mocha and Croissant. Both were very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This time we had Mocha and Croissant. Both were very good.”December 2025
-
Winky pop protein shake Net +1
“My personal favorite was the Winky Pop protein shake… it was amazing 🤍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My personal favorite was the Winky Pop protein shake… it was amazing 🤍”April 2026
Honorable mentions (1)
-
V60 coffee Net 0
Mixed feedback
“Harry had an exceptional customer service as his recommendation was really superb. It was my first time to have the V60 coffee and it really complemented on the triple chocolate brownie that he had offered and served me.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Harry had an exceptional customer service as his recommendation was really superb. It was my first time to have the V60 coffee and it really complemented on the triple chocolate brownie that he had offered and served me.”July 2026
What to Avoid (7)
Food 5
-
Beef burger Net −1
“The overall experience was just okay, food choices perhaps are not the right combination… I have to say Beef Burger is not that satisfying as it lacks texture little bland for me but I guess that makes it healthier?”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The overall experience was just okay, food choices perhaps are not the right combination… I have to say Beef Burger is not that satisfying as it lacks texture little bland for me but I guess that makes it healthier?”April 2025
-
Dark chocolate cookie Net −1
“Had a V60 coffee with Colombian beans and a cookie in this place. The atmosphere also wasn’t pleasant to sit in. The coffee was tasteless and didn’t feel like Colombian beans. The dark chocolate cookie was extremely sweet. I asked for a scoop of Greek yogurt — I was charged 6 AED, which is fine, but the portion was very small, hardly 2 teaspoons. Service also wasn’t friendly or warm, especially waiter who greet us. Needs definitely improvements. Unfortunately feels not fresh, not healthy at all and not delicious.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Had a V60 coffee with Colombian beans and a cookie in this place. The atmosphere also wasn’t pleasant to sit in. The coffee was tasteless and didn’t feel like Colombian beans. The dark chocolate cookie was extremely sweet. I asked for a scoop of Greek yogurt — I was charged 6 AED, which is fine, but the portion was very small, hardly 2 teaspoons. Service also wasn’t friendly or warm, especially waiter who greet us. Needs definitely improvements. Unfortunately feels not fresh, not healthy at all and not delicious.”May 2026
-
Iced chocolate Net −1
“Ordering an iced chocolate and a latte for a meeting with my brother, sadly the iced chocolate wasn't what I expected. It's more likely like a split milk and whatever it is. The taste is horrible, and get me wonder maybe that's why the place is always quiet. The standard isn't up to par.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ordering an iced chocolate and a latte for a meeting with my brother, sadly the iced chocolate wasn't what I expected. It's more likely like a split milk and whatever it is. The taste is horrible, and get me wonder maybe that's why the place is always quiet. The standard isn't up to par.”April 2026
-
Scrambled egg toast Net −1
“Ordered scrambled egg toast and got one small sized piece of toast, with around 2 eggs worth of scrambled eggs, and it costed 46 AED... it tasted flat as well, i also ordered a Spanish latte that it is below average in the amount and taste and somehow costed 33 AED which is above average, all around the place is way too overpriced for absolutely no reason, I still can't believe i paid around 80 dirhams for one piece of toast and some egg and 5 sips of latte honestly, I don't recommend 4/10”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ordered scrambled egg toast and got one small sized piece of toast, with around 2 eggs worth of scrambled eggs, and it costed 46 AED... it tasted flat as well, i also ordered a Spanish latte that it is below average in the amount and taste and somehow costed 33 AED which is above average, all around the place is way too overpriced for absolutely no reason, I still can't believe i paid around 80 dirhams for one piece of toast and some egg and 5 sips of latte honestly, I don't recommend 4/10”February 2026
-
Steak bowl Net −1
“I unfortunately had a disappointing experience. I had ordered the steak bowl, I could not eat the meat, not only it tasted terrible it was also extremely chewy, bite after bite I had to spit out. If you are going to charge 100+ aed for a steak bowl, please use fresh and good quality meat.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I unfortunately had a disappointing experience. I had ordered the steak bowl, I could not eat the meat, not only it tasted terrible it was also extremely chewy, bite after bite I had to spit out. If you are going to charge 100+ aed for a steak bowl, please use fresh and good quality meat.”January 2026
Drinks 2
-
Latte Net −1
“The latte, however, was below expectations and slightly cold.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The latte, however, was below expectations and slightly cold.”April 2026
-
Spanish latte Net −1
“Ordered scrambled egg toast and got one small sized piece of toast, with around 2 eggs worth of scrambled eggs, and it costed 46 AED... it tasted flat as well, i also ordered a Spanish latte that it is below average in the amount and taste and somehow costed 33 AED which is above average, all around the place is way too overpriced for absolutely no reason, I still can't believe i paid around 80 dirhams for one piece of toast and some egg and 5 sips of latte honestly, I don't recommend 4/10”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ordered scrambled egg toast and got one small sized piece of toast, with around 2 eggs worth of scrambled eggs, and it costed 46 AED... it tasted flat as well, i also ordered a Spanish latte that it is below average in the amount and taste and somehow costed 33 AED which is above average, all around the place is way too overpriced for absolutely no reason, I still can't believe i paid around 80 dirhams for one piece of toast and some egg and 5 sips of latte honestly, I don't recommend 4/10”February 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose breakfast. Breakfast has the strongest specific feedback; consider the Turkish eggs, pancakes, omelette or breakfast bowl.
Check seating. Seating is limited, so check availability before settling in for a longer work session.
Try V60. For a coffee-and-dessert pairing, one reviewer enjoyed Colombian-bean V60 coffee with a triple chocolate brownie.
Watch extras. Ask about add-on charges: one guest was quoted AED 10 for bread with an egg dish and AED 6 for Greek yogurt.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Mall of Level 2
Al Barsha First - Al Barsha, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Tough steak
Two reviews report chewy, rubbery steak, including a steak bowl that cost over AED 100.
Coffee inconsistency
Coffee feedback is mixed: some visitors enjoyed it, while others found it tasteless, badly made or served cold.
Limited seating
Seating is limited, and another visitor found the chairs uncomfortable for sitting.
Poor value
A reviewer felt AED 46 for scrambled egg toast and AED 33 for a Spanish latte was too expensive for the portions.
Small extras
A requested scoop of Greek yogurt cost AED 6 but was described as roughly two teaspoons.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
46 AED
scrambled egg toast
“Ordered scrambled egg toast and got one small sized piece of toast, with around 2 eggs worth of scrambled eggs, and it costed 46 AED”Google review · February 2026
10aed
bread
“On asking for some bread to dip and enjoy the egg, we were told it will cost 10aed… a slice appeared on our table… a slice …”Google review · March 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Common Grounds at Mall of the Emirates is a useful stop for breakfast, brunch or a lighter meal, with a menu that leans towards health-focused bowls, salads and all-day breakfast. The clearest review-backed picks are the acai bowl, Turkish eggs, Mediterranean Bowl and Winky Pop protein shake. The setting is often described as relaxed and welcoming, and one visitor stayed for several hours to work while another enjoyed a peaceful breakfast with a sleeping baby.
Food feedback is strongest around fresh, colourful dishes. The Mediterranean Bowl was praised for roasted eggplant, hummus and bursts of pomegranate, while the acai bowl comes with plenty of fruit and granola. The restaurant also handles dietary questions well in some visits, including vegan, gluten-free and special-request meals.
Coffee is less consistent: V60 coffee and some other drinks received warm praise, but separate reviews describe badly made, tasteless or cold coffee. There are a few practical cautions. Seating is limited, and one guest found the chairs uncomfortable.
Steak has drawn particularly poor feedback for being rubbery or extremely chewy, so breakfast or bowls may be safer choices. Prices can feel high for small portions: one review cites AED 46 for scrambled egg toast and AED 33 for a Spanish latte, while extras such as bread and Greek yogurt were charged separately.