Portuguese dishes
Reviews describe the food as true Portuguese cuisine, a less common find in Dubai, with tasty dishes at reasonable prices.
Da Gama Lounge & Restaurant
Al Garhoud
Da Gama Lounge & Restaurant in Al Garhoud combines Portuguese cooking with Mexican favourites in a lively lounge setting. Reviews highlight the generously filled chicken quesadillas, outdoor seating, shisha and sports screenings, making it a flexible choice for a relaxed meal or match night.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
108 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Quesadillas
The chicken quesadillas are described as crispy, filling and served in four large pieces; vegetable quesadillas come with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
Outdoor seating
The outdoor area is repeatedly praised for its pleasant atmosphere, including one review calling it peaceful and relaxing.
Match nights
A huge screen and TVs support sports-bar visits, with one cricket screening creating an electric crowd atmosphere.
Shisha
Customers specifically mention well-made shisha alongside the food, drinks and lounge atmosphere.
Fast service
Several reviews mention quick food service, including a detailed visit where dishes arrived very quickly.
Parking
A detailed review notes ample parking, a useful advantage when visiting the Century Village area.
Family friendly
One reviewer specifically found the restaurant child-friendly, adding flexibility for family meals.
What to Eat at Da Gama Lounge & 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 Da Gama Lounge & 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 Da Gama Lounge & 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 6
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Panko fish Net +3
“Panko Fish - fried in bread crumbs. This starter is just too good and soft on the inside. The tar tar dip along with it is added deliciousness.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Panko Fish - fried in bread crumbs. This starter is just too good and soft on the inside. The tar tar dip along with it is added deliciousness.”February 2019
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS.”June 2021
-
Chicken quesadilla Net +2
“Chicken Quesadilla The filling was so so delicious. 4 huge yummy pieces of chicken quesadillas with loads of filling. 😍Must try!”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken Quesadilla The filling was so so delicious. 4 huge yummy pieces of chicken quesadillas with loads of filling. 😍Must try!”February 2019
“Mains served were chicken quesadillas, herb crusted lamb chops and chicken diane. Among the mains ,lamb chops was my favorite. It was soft, tender and juicy with creamy dijon mustard ,sprinkled with herbs. Quesadilla was crispy and filling too.”February 2019
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Mushroom soup Net +2
“For starters, we had mushroom soup , smoked paprika calamari and wasabi prawns. Soup was very creamy and yum with a tinch of oregano flavor and soup was served along with some crunchy and cheesy garlic bread”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For starters, we had mushroom soup , smoked paprika calamari and wasabi prawns. Soup was very creamy and yum with a tinch of oregano flavor and soup was served along with some crunchy and cheesy garlic bread”February 2019
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS.”June 2021
-
Sizzling brownie Net +2
“For dessert we ordered the sizzling brownie which was just too good. A huge brownie with a huge scoop of vanilla. Easily shared by 2. The brownie was baked to perfection.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For dessert we ordered the sizzling brownie which was just too good. A huge brownie with a huge scoop of vanilla. Easily shared by 2. The brownie was baked to perfection.”February 2019
“I had delicious sizzling brownie and blue berry cheese cake ,perfect balance of sweetness and light on stomach .”December 2018
-
Stuffed jalapeno poppers Net +2
“Baked Nachos, and Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers from the starter menu is worth trying.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Baked Nachos, and Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers from the starter menu is worth trying.”May 2019
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS.”June 2021
-
Wasabi prawns Net +2
“The starters were surely a hit for me starting with the 'Wasabi Prawns' so good flavoursome it was with right amount of sauce in it .”
Positive 2Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“The starters were surely a hit for me starting with the 'Wasabi Prawns' so good flavoursome it was with right amount of sauce in it .”December 2018
“Wasabi prawns - So buttery and amazing. Loved it. The serving is quite a handful.”February 2019
Honorable mentions (17)
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Baked fish Net +1
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS. Even ordered for Vegetable Quesadillas, this was served with sour cream, guacamole & spiced salsa. Baked Fish, its a Grilled Hammour fish served with tomato sauce, veggies & baked potatoes. Amazing Food. Taste & quality both are impressive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS. Even ordered for Vegetable Quesadillas, this was served with sour cream, guacamole & spiced salsa. Baked Fish, its a Grilled Hammour fish served with tomato sauce, veggies & baked potatoes. Amazing Food. Taste & quality both are impressive.”June 2021
-
Baked nachos Net +1
“Baked Nachos, and Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers from the starter menu is worth trying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Baked Nachos, and Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers from the starter menu is worth trying.”May 2019
-
Blue berry cheese cake Net +1
“I had delicious sizzling brownie and blue berry cheese cake ,perfect balance of sweetness and light on stomach .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had delicious sizzling brownie and blue berry cheese cake ,perfect balance of sweetness and light on stomach .”December 2018
-
Chicken peri peri Net +1
“I loved the colored tacos it was very tasty and also the chicken peri peri 😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I loved the colored tacos it was very tasty and also the chicken peri peri 😍”November 2024
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Colored tacos Net +1
“I loved the colored tacos it was very tasty and also the chicken peri peri 😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I loved the colored tacos it was very tasty and also the chicken peri peri 😍”November 2024
-
Herb crusted lamb chops Net +1
“Mains served were chicken quesadillas, herb crusted lamb chops and chicken diane. Among the mains ,lamb chops was my favorite. It was soft, tender and juicy with creamy dijon mustard ,sprinkled with herbs.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Mains served were chicken quesadillas, herb crusted lamb chops and chicken diane. Among the mains ,lamb chops was my favorite. It was soft, tender and juicy with creamy dijon mustard ,sprinkled with herbs.”February 2019
-
Mash potatoes Net +1
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried Mushroom soup, Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers, Panko Fish & Baked Fish, it was a Grilled Hammour served with tomato sauce, grilled veggies & mashed potatoes. All the dishes were extremely flavoursome & DELICIOUS.”June 2021
-
Naked colada Net +1
“We started our dinner with some refreshing cocktails, and my choice was naked colada which was a mix of pineapple juice and coconut milk .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We started our dinner with some refreshing cocktails, and my choice was naked colada which was a mix of pineapple juice and coconut milk .”February 2019
-
Quesedillas Net +1
“We came here because we had great quesedillas from here on delivery so we decided to dine in.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We came here because we had great quesedillas from here on delivery so we decided to dine in.”August 2019
-
Red rush Net +1
“Red Rush - a refreshing drink made out of berries and 7up. Loved every sip of this.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Red Rush - a refreshing drink made out of berries and 7up. Loved every sip of this.”February 2019
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Smoked paprika calamari Net +1
“For starters, we had mushroom soup , smoked paprika calamari and wasabi prawns. Soup was very creamy and yum with a tinch of oregano flavor and soup was served along with some crunchy and cheesy garlic bread Calamari was crispy but feels like paprika flavor was a little excess . Wasabi prawns were not crispy as given in the menu but was having a unique taste .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For starters, we had mushroom soup , smoked paprika calamari and wasabi prawns. Soup was very creamy and yum with a tinch of oregano flavor and soup was served along with some crunchy and cheesy garlic bread Calamari was crispy but feels like paprika flavor was a little excess . Wasabi prawns were not crispy as given in the menu but was having a unique taste .”February 2019
-
Thai chicken curry Net +1
“Thai Chicken Curry A well made green Thai curry with loads of chicken. The flavoring was so amazing. Loved it and it went well with the jasmine rice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Thai Chicken Curry A well made green Thai curry with loads of chicken. The flavoring was so amazing. Loved it and it went well with the jasmine rice.”February 2019
-
Veg. thai curry Net +1
“For mains, I opted for a Veg. Thai curry which was a red curry as opposed to the Thai green curry and it was served with steamed rice. It did look very simple but it was loaded with flavours.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For mains, I opted for a Veg. Thai curry which was a red curry as opposed to the Thai green curry and it was served with steamed rice. It did look very simple but it was loaded with flavours.”May 2019
-
Vegetable quesadillas Net +1
“Even ordered for Vegetable Quesadillas, this was served with sour cream, guacamole & spiced salsa. Baked Fish, its a Grilled Hammour fish served with tomato sauce, veggies & baked potatoes. Amazing Food. Taste & quality both are impressive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Even ordered for Vegetable Quesadillas, this was served with sour cream, guacamole & spiced salsa. Baked Fish, its a Grilled Hammour fish served with tomato sauce, veggies & baked potatoes. Amazing Food. Taste & quality both are impressive.”June 2021
-
Wagyu beef burger Net +1
“The 'Wagyu beef burger was another tasty one for beef lovers.Patties were juicy and deliciously fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The 'Wagyu beef burger was another tasty one for beef lovers.Patties were juicy and deliciously fresh.”December 2018
-
Chicken diane Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Mains served were chicken quesadillas, herb crusted lamb chops and chicken diane. Among the mains ,lamb chops was my favorite. It was soft, tender and juicy with creamy dijon mustard ,sprinkled with herbs.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Sea bass Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The sea bass average in the presentation and flavor.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 2
-
Strawberry mojito Net +1
“I had strawberry mojito and strawberry shake which was so refreshing and amazing .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had strawberry mojito and strawberry shake which was so refreshing and amazing .”December 2018
-
Strawberry shake Net +1
“I had strawberry mojito and strawberry shake which was so refreshing and amazing .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had strawberry mojito and strawberry shake which was so refreshing and amazing .”December 2018
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
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Sizzling shrimps Net −1
“The food was not that good and one of our order we didn't eat it was called sizzling shrimps but the other was OK so you can say 4 out of 10”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The food was not that good and one of our order we didn't eat it was called sizzling shrimps but the other was OK so you can say 4 out of 10”January 2021
Tips for a Better Visit
Check ingredients. If ordering vegan or avoiding ingredients, repeat the request when ordering and check the dish before eating.
Confirm protein. Double-check burrito fillings at the table, especially if you do not eat chicken or have allergy concerns.
Choose outdoors. For a calmer visit, ask for outdoor seating; one review found it peaceful and relaxing.
Plan match seating. For sports screenings, ask about seating together: one cricket-match review found group seats arranged in a row.
Visit in winter. Outdoor dining is especially appealing in cooler weather, while winter evenings can also bring music and singers.
Ask about alcohol. If you avoid alcohol, ask about preparation: one review says most Portuguese dishes are cooked with wine.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Century Village - 31A St
Al Garhoud, Dubai
Common Concerns
Dietary errors
Reviews report cilantro left in a dish despite a request and cheese added to fries ordered as vegan.
Order mix-up
A beef burrito order arrived as chicken, a serious concern for anyone avoiding chicken or managing allergies.
Loud music
Night-time music was described as too loud by one reviewer, which may matter if you want a quiet conversation.
Inconsistent cooking
A reviewer sent back a filet mignon twice: first overcooked, then undercooked, and questioned the cut and sauce.
Older decor
One customer felt the place looked a bit old and needed renovation, despite finding the food very good.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Da Gama Lounge & Restaurant is a Portuguese-leaning restaurant and lounge in Al Garhoud, with Mexican favourites and a sports-bar feel. It is worth considering if you want a meal that can stretch into a social evening: reviews mention shisha, football and cricket screenings, outdoor tables, and music during winter visits. Food highlights are specific rather than vague.
Chicken quesadillas arrive as four large, generously filled pieces, while vegetable quesadillas come with sour cream, guacamole and spiced salsa. Portuguese options such as grilled hammour, lamb chops and Thai-influenced dishes also appear in reviews, though the menu’s mix of Portuguese, Mexican and Asian food will not satisfy everyone seeking strictly traditional Portuguese cooking. Sizzling brownie is another recurring dessert mention.
The setting gets strong marks, especially outdoors, and one detailed review noted ample parking. Service is often described as quick and attentive, but experiences are uneven. Music can become loud at night, and group seating during a cricket screening was awkward.
Take extra care with dietary requests: reviews report cilantro left in a no-cilantro order, cheese in vegan fries and a beef burrito arriving with chicken. If you avoid alcohol, ask about preparation, since one reviewer says many Portuguese dishes use wine.