Crispy cheese
The crispy cheese kunafa is praised for its golden crunch, stretchy filling and restrained sweetness.
كنافة عمر عديلي - Knafeh Omar Odali
Nad Al Sheba
Knafeh Omar Odali is a dessert shop specialising in charcoal-prepared Palestinian-style kunafa in Nad Al Sheba. Visitors come for fresh crispy cheese kunafa, Turkish coffee and a relaxed outdoor setting with cacti, winter seating and space to linger.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
1,034 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Charcoal cooking
Reviews say the kunafa is prepared fresh on charcoal, adding a distinctive flavour and keeping it hot when served promptly.
Outdoor setting
The spacious outdoor seating, cacti and winter atmosphere make this more of a sit-down dessert outing than a quick takeaway.
Coffee pairing
Turkish coffee is repeatedly mentioned as a strong companion to the kunafa, alongside tea and other coffee drinks.
Family friendly
The surrounding area includes indoor and outdoor play areas, giving families another reason to stay after dessert.
Free parking
One review reports free parking just outside the square, which is useful for an evening visit.
Tips for a Better Visit
Visit early. Go earlier in the evening if you want a full choice: one customer found both kunafa types sold out at 9 PM.
Eat hot. Eat the kunafa while it is hot; a review notes that the texture and flavours become less enjoyable as it cools.
Check takeaway. If taking food home, open or inspect the box before leaving to avoid repeating the reported empty-box problem.
Expect counter service. Plan to order and pay at the start rather than expecting traditional table ordering; this can create a queue.
Try coffee. Add Turkish coffee to the order if you want a drink pairing that several reviews specifically enjoyed.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Gardens, The Square
Nad Al Sheba - Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai
Common Concerns
Small portions
Several reviews feel the portions are small relative to the price, with one customer saying a kunafa and coffee can approach AED 100.
Service delays
Waiting times have ranged from a bit long to over 45 minutes, including delays with a coffee order.
Prepayment queue
You may need to order and pay before entering or before taking a table, which some diners found uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Temperature issues
A few customers received kunafa cold or less warm than expected, despite being told to handle it because it was hot.
Takeaway check
One customer opened a sealed takeaway box at home and found it empty, so collection orders need a quick check before leaving.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
35 AED
matcha
“The matcha was served in a very small cup (around 150–200 ml), which felt disappointing for a price of 35 AED”Google review · January 2026
AED37/person
share a cheese kunefe and hot tea
“For AED37/person to share a cheese kunefe and hot tea you get what you pay for”Google review · January 2025
almost 100 aed
kunafa with coffee
“Price wise I believe it’s very pricy and you can be spending almost 100 aed for just a kunafa with coffee”Google review · April 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Knafeh Omar Odali is a charcoal-kunafa specialist in Nad Al Sheba, with a setting that encourages you to stay rather than simply collect dessert. The main draws are crispy cheese kunafa, Kunafa Kheshneh, and the creamy Kunafa Naeima; Turkish coffee is also repeatedly recommended. Reviews often describe the kunafa as fresh, hot, crisp and balanced rather than overly sweet.
The outdoor area is a big part of the appeal. Cacti, winter seating, open space, music and nearby play areas make it suitable for an evening with friends or family, while some reviews mention free parking outside the square. The live preparation adds interest, too.
It is worth checking the wider setting when planning your visit, since one older review mentioned a parking fee at Keturah Reserve while another reported free parking outside the square. Set expectations around service and value. Ordering and paying before sitting down can feel queue-like, and waits have reached 45 minutes; portions are also described as small for the price.
Eat the kunafa promptly while hot, arrive before late evening sell-outs, and inspect takeaway boxes before leaving after one serious packing mistake. Prices vary by order, but customers have reported AED 35 for a small matcha and AED 37 per person to share cheese kunefe and hot tea.