Burj Khalifa views
Terrace and rooftop seating give diners views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa.
Derwandi
Jumeirah
Derwandi is a Lebanese restaurant in Jumeirah with a contemporary setting, terrace and rooftop seating overlooking Burj Khalifa. Reviews point to generous mezze and grill portions, a dedicated kids’ play area, and breakfast spreads that suit both family meals and relaxed mornings.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
1,195 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Grilled dishes
The mixed platter includes tender, well-seasoned grilled meats and shish tawook, while the Kabab Halabi was served hot off the grill.
Family friendly
A dedicated kids’ play area can keep children entertained while parents eat.
Generous portions
Several diners describe the portions as generous, including for family iftar meals and traditional Lebanese dishes.
Breakfast value
The breakfast spread is reported at 80 AED, with another review describing the breakfast tray as large enough for two.
Warm setting
The spacious indoor design, outdoor areas and relaxed atmosphere work for casual lunches or longer dinners.
What to Eat at Derwandi 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 Derwandi, 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 Derwandi, 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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Fries Net +2
“The fries were perfectly golden, crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, served hot and generously.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The fries were perfectly golden, crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, served hot and generously.”January 2026
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill. The hummus was creamy and rich, a great companion to the warm bread. The cheese rolls were golden and crispy, and the fries were a hit with the kids.”June 2025
Honorable mentions (15)
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Authentic lebanese meal Net +1
“Had a lovely dinner at Derwandi. Everything from the staff’s warm welcome to the ambiance, space, and food were incredible! Even better was the fact that they had a well-stocked play area for kids to keep them entertained so the parents could enjoy an authentic Lebanese meal. Would recommend to anyone wanting to try good food at a prime establishment with amazing Burj Khalifa views ♥️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a lovely dinner at Derwandi. Everything from the staff’s warm welcome to the ambiance, space, and food were incredible! Even better was the fact that they had a well-stocked play area for kids to keep them entertained so the parents could enjoy an authentic Lebanese meal. Would recommend to anyone wanting to try good food at a prime establishment with amazing Burj Khalifa views ♥️”May 2026
-
Business lunch Net +1
“A delicious business lunch! Moheb was very professional and helpful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A delicious business lunch! Moheb was very professional and helpful.”October 2025
-
Chocolate custard with oreo Net +1
“The Moroccan tea was very good, and I would also recommend the chocolate custard with oreo. I think these two items were the best.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Moroccan tea was very good, and I would also recommend the chocolate custard with oreo. I think these two items were the best.”October 2024
-
Derwandi breakfast Net +1
“The Derwandi breakfast was what we had. It was good a spread for 80 AED”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Derwandi breakfast was what we had. It was good a spread for 80 AED”June 2026
-
Derwandi breakfast tray Net +1
“I tried the Derwandi breakfast tray, and it was both tasty and reasonably priced. The portion easily serves two and includes a nice variety of fresh and flavorful options—perfect to start your day.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried the Derwandi breakfast tray, and it was both tasty and reasonably priced. The portion easily serves two and includes a nice variety of fresh and flavorful options—perfect to start your day.”May 2025
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Fried garlic potato’s Net +1
“Amazing food. Tried meat, salads and fried garlic potato’s. Yamen served us really well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing food. Tried meat, salads and fried garlic potato’s. Yamen served us really well.”September 2025
-
Hummus Net +1
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill. The hummus was creamy and rich, a great companion to the warm bread.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill. The hummus was creamy and rich, a great companion to the warm bread.”June 2025
-
Kabab halabi Net +1
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill.”June 2025
-
Kafta bel tahina Net +1
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”April 2026
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Kharouf mehchi Net +1
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”April 2026
-
Mafrouke Net +1
“What truly set Derwandi apart was their outstanding customer service. They noticed that we didn’t fully enjoy the cheese rolls and, without hesitation, prepared a fresh batch to ensure we had the best experience.🥹 To our surprise, they also treated us to a complimentary mafrouke, which was absolutely delicious. 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“What truly set Derwandi apart was their outstanding customer service. They noticed that we didn’t fully enjoy the cheese rolls and, without hesitation, prepared a fresh batch to ensure we had the best experience.🥹 To our surprise, they also treated us to a complimentary mafrouke, which was absolutely delicious. 😋”February 2025
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Mhalbya alf layali Net +1
“You feel like it’s your grandmothers house , the kindest people and most generous I’m so lucky to have found this restaurant:( they are even so generous and genuine when you order through talbat they melt my heart of their generosity 😔♥️( also best mhalbya called Alf layali I have ever tried in my life it’s sooo creamy and cold 😋)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You feel like it’s your grandmothers house , the kindest people and most generous I’m so lucky to have found this restaurant:( they are even so generous and genuine when you order through talbat they melt my heart of their generosity 😔♥️( also best mhalbya called Alf layali I have ever tried in my life it’s sooo creamy and cold 😋)”March 2026
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Mixed platter Net +1
“The mixed platter offered a good variety of grilled meats and shish tawook, all of which were tender and well-seasoned.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The mixed platter offered a good variety of grilled meats and shish tawook, all of which were tender and well-seasoned.”June 2026
-
Shish tawook Net +1
“The mixed platter offered a good variety of grilled meats and shish tawook, all of which were tender and well-seasoned.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The mixed platter offered a good variety of grilled meats and shish tawook, all of which were tender and well-seasoned.”June 2026
-
Cheese rolls Net 0
Mixed feedback
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill. The hummus was creamy and rich, a great companion to the warm bread. The cheese rolls were golden and crispy, and the fries were a hit with the kids.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We tried the Kabab Halabi, hummus, fries, and cheese rolls — every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The Kabab Halabi, in particular, was juicy and well-seasoned, served hot off the grill. The hummus was creamy and rich, a great companion to the warm bread. The cheese rolls were golden and crispy, and the fries were a hit with the kids.”June 2025
Drinks 2
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Avocado juice Net +1
“Food was yummy. Even the avocado juice was very tasty. Highly recommend the place!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was yummy. Even the avocado juice was very tasty. Highly recommend the place!”November 2024
-
Moroccan tea Net +1
“The Moroccan tea was very good, and I would also recommend the chocolate custard with oreo. I think these two items were the best.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Moroccan tea was very good, and I would also recommend the chocolate custard with oreo. I think these two items were the best.”October 2024
What to Avoid (3)
Food 3
-
Falafel Net −1
“The falafel tasted frozen and it was served cold.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The falafel tasted frozen and it was served cold.”July 2025
-
Liver Net −1
“Horrible food. I ordered liver. Liver is cheap to buy, why does this restaurant serve it like it is going out of style? I could count the pieces. The acidity of the dish was out of the roof. My teeth died just trying to eat it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Horrible food. I ordered liver. Liver is cheap to buy, why does this restaurant serve it like it is going out of style? I could count the pieces. The acidity of the dish was out of the roof. My teeth died just trying to eat it.”July 2025
-
Sambousik lahmeh Net −1
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, the experience was average at best. While the overall decor, ambience including seating, music, cutlery etc. are good, food was a hit and miss, for example while the Kafta bel tahina and the Kharouf Mehchi were rather good, the Sambousik Lahmeh wasn't up to the mark (too much fried dough coating with less inner filling of minced meat and pine nuts).”April 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Use RTA parking. Consider nearby RTA parking: one review says it may be a better option than the 25 AED valet charge.
Try the terrace. Choose the first-floor terrace if you want the clearest Burj Khalifa view while dining.
Bring children. Families can use the dedicated kids’ play area, which reviewers say kept children entertained during dinner.
Check dessert warmth. If ordering the date cake, confirm it is served warm rather than cold from refrigeration.
Consider lunch. The business lunch was reported at 65 AED and includes soup, salad and a main dish.
Try breakfast. For a morning visit, the breakfast spread is reported at 80 AED and the breakfast tray can serve two.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Jumeirah - Jumeirah 2 - Dubai
Jumeirah - Jumeirah 2, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Food consistency
One large group found most dishes neither fresh nor delicious, with only one or two salads standing out.
Parking fees
A review objects to valet parking costing 25 AED even when guests park themselves.
Loud music
Music was occasionally louder than comfortable during one relaxed dinner.
Dessert temperature
One diner received the warm date cake cold from the fridge, which weakened the dessert with ice cream.
Dish quality
A review found the liver overly acidic and the falafel cold with a frozen texture.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 80
breakfast
“🍳🥐 Their breakfast is not only absolutely delicious but also such a steal at just AED 80”Google review · July 2025
65 AED
business lunch
“The business lunch is a great deal at 65 AED, including soup, salad, and a main dish, and the service is truly perfect”Google review · October 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Derwandi is a Lebanese restaurant in Jumeirah that combines classic food with a polished, spacious setting. The terrace and rooftop seating are the main draw for many diners, with views towards Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. It works for a relaxed lunch, social dinner or family meal rather than just a quick bite.
The menu highlights include mezze, grills, mixed platters and Kabab Halabi; one review found the Kabab Halabi juicy, well-seasoned and served hot from the grill. Breakfast is another practical option: a spread was reported at 80 AED, while the breakfast tray was described as serving two. Families also get a dedicated kids’ play area, and iftar reviews mention generous quantities.
Service is widely described as attentive and welcoming, but the experience is not completely uniform. One group found most of its dishes disappointing, another received cold date cake despite it being described as warm, and music was occasionally too loud. Parking deserves a little planning: reviews mention valet at both 25 AED and AED 15, while nearby RTA parking was suggested as an alternative.
For the view, the first-floor terrace is the seating option to ask about.