Chapli kabab
The chapli kabab is repeatedly praised, with one reviewer calling it soft, juicy and authentic.
Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab Restaurant
International City
Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab Restaurant in International City serves traditional Pakistani food, with Shinwari and Charsi karahi as its core offering. Reviews especially point to the chapli kabab and the freshly made matka chai in a clay pot.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
227 ratings
The Good Stuff
Matka chai
Freshly made, not too sweet and served in a clay pot; regulars return specifically for it.
Pulao
Bannu beef pulao and Kabuli pulao both receive strong mentions, including praise for generous portions.
Mix grill
The mix grill platter is described as inexpensive and huge, making it a practical choice for sharing.
Outdoor seating
There is both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outside area specifically noted during pleasant December weather.
Fresh cooking
One review says dishes are prepared only after ordering, which explains why some meals take around 15 minutes.
What to Eat at Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab 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 Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab 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 Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab 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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Chapli kababs Net +21
“Authentic shinwari restaurant. Theirs chapli kababs are best in town. After food, dont forget to have matka chaye. Restaurant have sitting in and outside”
Positive 22Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Authentic shinwari restaurant. Theirs chapli kababs are best in town. After food, dont forget to have matka chaye. Restaurant have sitting in and outside”July 2022
“Chapli kababs were so soft and juicy and taste was perfect”July 2021
-
Dum bukht Net +4
“Excellent maza hi agya...specially dum bukht🤤”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Excellent maza hi agya...specially dum bukht🤤”May 2021
“Ordered pulao, dumpukht and chapli kabab. Highly recommend 💯”March 2023
-
Charsi karahi Net +3
“10/10 charsi karahi.”
Positive 4Negative 1
Review excerpts
“10/10 charsi karahi.”May 2021
“Found a new place for authentic shinwari cusine. tried their charsi karahi which was very enrich in taste. very neat and clean place and staff is very friendly.”April 2021
-
Kabuli pulao Net +3
“One of the best Kabuli pulao in UAE it was amazing dam pukht was awesome if you wanna enjoy good food i will highly recommend”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of the best Kabuli pulao in UAE it was amazing dam pukht was awesome if you wanna enjoy good food i will highly recommend”October 2021
“Kabuli pulao was also amazing plus quantity was very good”July 2021
-
Bannu beef pulao Net +2
“Bannu beef pulao is one of the best dish of this hotel”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Bannu beef pulao is one of the best dish of this hotel”September 2022
“One of the best restaurant where i found a delicious food after a long time in international city. Must try their chapli kabab and bannu beef pulao.”March 2023
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Chicken tikka Net +2
“Delicious chicken Tikka, must try.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Delicious chicken Tikka, must try.”September 2023
“Chicken Tikka and Chicken shinwari karahi are also a must.”April 2021
Honorable mentions (22)
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Afghani nan Net +1
“Lassi and afghani nan is a best combination of eating”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lassi and afghani nan is a best combination of eating”September 2022
-
Charsi karai Net +1
“The charsi karai in desi karai will make you remember the good old days in PK (nostalgic).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The charsi karai in desi karai will make you remember the good old days in PK (nostalgic).”December 2021
-
Charsi mutton karahi Net +1
“Just had their charsi mutton karahi, chapli kabab and afgani pulao (no boti), tandoori roti and matka chai. Excellent taste, full of flavour yet not spicy! Loved every bite. Very light food. The only issue was that the meat was tough so request for well done meat.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Just had their charsi mutton karahi, chapli kabab and afgani pulao (no boti), tandoori roti and matka chai. Excellent taste, full of flavour yet not spicy! Loved every bite. Very light food. The only issue was that the meat was tough so request for well done meat.”March 2022
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Chicken and rice soup Net +1
“Its very good Resturant affordable and tasty, must visit there small place but good atmosphare, the soup which they serve at start very very tasty and new kind of soup for me chicken and rice soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Its very good Resturant affordable and tasty, must visit there small place but good atmosphare, the soup which they serve at start very very tasty and new kind of soup for me chicken and rice soup.”March 2021
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Chicken charsi kadai Net +1
“That's super tasty place.... Must try chicken charsi kadai and matka tea”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“That's super tasty place.... Must try chicken charsi kadai and matka tea”February 2021
-
Chicken express shanwri Net +1
“Very neat and clean place we try chicken express shanwri and kabab both are outclass but about Naan there is need to be more improvement.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Very neat and clean place we try chicken express shanwri and kabab both are outclass but about Naan there is need to be more improvement.”June 2021
-
Chicken shinwari karahi Net +1
“Chicken Tikka and Chicken shinwari karahi are also a must.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken Tikka and Chicken shinwari karahi are also a must.”April 2021
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Dunba shinwari karahi Net +1
“Best place for Pakistani food. We love Dunba Shinwari Karahi, chapali kabab and Matka chai best yummiest Pakistani food. Whenever we are hungry we go there.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best place for Pakistani food. We love Dunba Shinwari Karahi, chapali kabab and Matka chai best yummiest Pakistani food. Whenever we are hungry we go there.”February 2022
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Garlic naan Net +1
“Chapli kabab was delicious, garlic naan, and Kabli pulao was amazing. Mutton karai and chicken kabab were just OK :)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chapli kabab was delicious, garlic naan, and Kabli pulao was amazing. Mutton karai and chicken kabab were just OK :)”July 2021
-
Kabab Net +1
“Very neat and clean place we try chicken express shanwri and kabab both are outclass but about Naan there is need to be more improvement.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Very neat and clean place we try chicken express shanwri and kabab both are outclass but about Naan there is need to be more improvement.”June 2021
-
Mix grill platter Net +1
“Their mix grill platter is inexpensive and huge.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their mix grill platter is inexpensive and huge.”July 2023
-
Mutton charsi karahi Net +1
“Very new restaurant in town, Chapli kabab is awesome, mutton Charsi Karahi is a must try, Banu pulav is Okk.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Very new restaurant in town, Chapli kabab is awesome, mutton Charsi Karahi is a must try, Banu pulav is Okk.”March 2021
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Paya Net +1
“I had paya in Morning, it was good and different than typical.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had paya in Morning, it was good and different than typical.”September 2021
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Seekh kabab Net +1
“Nice place to eat shinwari dishes....their chapli kabab and seekh kabab are amazing”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice place to eat shinwari dishes....their chapli kabab and seekh kabab are amazing”September 2023
-
Shinwari charai karahi Net +1
“Best chapal kabab I have ever tried in Dubai, shinwari charai karahi was also good but if more time given tu tomato and spices it can be also perfect, prices are bit high ..but overall good experience.keep it up”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best chapal kabab I have ever tried in Dubai, shinwari charai karahi was also good but if more time given tu tomato and spices it can be also perfect, prices are bit high ..but overall good experience.keep it up”October 2022
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Shinwari tikka Net +1
“Shinwari tikka was 90% similar to what we have tasted in Qissa khwani Bazar Peshawar.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Shinwari tikka was 90% similar to what we have tasted in Qissa khwani Bazar Peshawar.”April 2021
-
Shinwari karahi Net 0
Mixed feedback
“This is the best place to try the Shinwari Karahi and charsi Karahi, if you are missing the authentic taste.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“This is the best place to try the Shinwari Karahi and charsi Karahi, if you are missing the authentic taste.”May 2021
-
Chicken kabab Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Chapli kabab was delicious, garlic naan, and Kabli pulao was amazing. Mutton karai and chicken kabab were just OK :)”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Daal chana Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Today daal chana also tried but it was only OK.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Mutton karai Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Chapli kabab was delicious, garlic naan, and Kabli pulao was amazing. Mutton karai and chicken kabab were just OK :)”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Mutton peshawri Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Mutton peshawri was also ok...”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Tandoori roti Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Very neat and clean place we try chicken express shanwri and kabab both are outclass but about Naan there is need to be more improvement. Otherwise it look like normal tandoori roti.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 2
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Matka tea Net +9
“Their matka tea at the end make your experience memorable.”
Positive 9Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their matka tea at the end make your experience memorable.”September 2022
“Iftar was amazing with Matka tea.”May 2021
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Lassi Net +1
“Lassi and afghani nan is a best combination of eating”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lassi and afghani nan is a best combination of eating”September 2022
What to Avoid (4)
Food 4
-
Dumba krahi Net −1
“Not a taste I am looking for went to the restaurant based on social media videos but very disappointed by the dunba karhai, the place has no AC and losy service.”
Positive 0Negative 1Neutral 1
Critical review excerpts
“Not a taste I am looking for went to the restaurant based on social media videos but very disappointed by the dunba karhai, the place has no AC and losy service.”July 2021
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Malai boti Net −1
“Malai boti was little hard for us. They took enough time to cook but idk what was the reason. Otherwise great food!!”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Malai boti was little hard for us. They took enough time to cook but idk what was the reason. Otherwise great food!!”July 2021
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Mutton krahi Net −1
“Not clean. Found hair in the mutton krahi and they still want you to pay for that. At the beginning it was good but now just avoid if you can.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Not clean. Found hair in the mutton krahi and they still want you to pay for that. At the beginning it was good but now just avoid if you can.”October 2022
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Paratha Net −1
“Foods are tasty, service is good however they have to improve on their paratha.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Foods are tasty, service is good however they have to improve on their paratha.”April 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Try chapli. Start with the chapli kabab; it is one of the most consistently praised dishes, alongside the matka chai.
Allow 15 minutes. Allow roughly 15 minutes after ordering because one reviewer says food is prepared only on request.
Carry cash. Bring cash or stop at an ATM first; a review says the restaurant accepted cash only.
Ask well-done. If ordering meat, ask for it well done, since one diner found the meat tough.
Dine in. For a better portion check, consider dining in rather than ordering online; one Talabat order arrived spilled and undersized.
Save room. Finish with the matka chai: reviewers describe it as freshly made, not too sweet and served in a clay pot.
Plan the visit
Practical details
France Q09 - Shop 17 & 20
International City - France Cluster, Dubai
Common Concerns
Delivery portions
A Talabat order arrived with spilled food and a much smaller portion than expected, including only four or five tiny meat pieces.
Hygiene concerns
Reviews mention flies, dirty chairs and hair found in mutton karahi, so cleanliness has not been consistent.
Tough meat
Some diners found the karahi or chicken tough, while another specifically requested well-done meat to improve the result.
Slow service
A reviewer reported slow serving, and another said additional rotis never arrived after being requested.
Naan quality
Several reviews say the naan or paratha needs work, including one comparison to an ordinary tandoori roti.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 18
two pieces of seekh kebab
“Chikcen was hard, they charged AED 18 for two pieces of seekh kebab”Google review · September 2021
AED 20
mutton seekh kebab
“Other side mutton seekh kebab AED 20 for 3 pieces”Google review · September 2021
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Express Shinwari & Chapli Kabab Restaurant is a Pakistani restaurant in International City with a menu centred on Shinwari and Charsi karahi. The safest starting points in the reviews are chapli kabab, Bannu beef pulao and matka chai; the mix grill platter is also described as inexpensive and huge, so it suits sharing. The chapli kabab is the clearest draw.
Diners describe it as soft, juicy and authentic, while the pulao receives praise for both taste and portion size. Matka chai is a distinctive finish: it is freshly made, not too sweet and served in a clay pot. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and some reviews mention a clean, friendly atmosphere, though that is not consistent.
Come with a little patience. Food may take about 15 minutes because it is prepared after ordering, and service has sometimes been slow. Meat tenderness is variable, so asking for well-done meat is sensible.
Hygiene feedback ranges from “quite clean” to complaints about flies, dirty chairs and hair in a karahi. Online and phone orders also draw warnings about undersized portions and packing problems. One older review says only cash was accepted, so carrying cash remains a useful precaution.