Karak tea
Karak is the main draw, with reviewers calling it consistent and better than many Dubai spots.
Koukh Al Shay Cafeteria
Al Hudaiba
Koukh Al Shay Cafeteria is a tea-and-quick-bites stop in Al Hudaiba, known in reviews for karak and Kashmiri tea alongside filling paratha sandwiches. It suits a late-night chai run or a casual takeaway breakfast, though parking and service can be unpredictable.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
950 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Paratha favourites
The chilli chicken and Oman Chips parathas are regular weekend orders, while the PUBG Paratha gets a separate recommendation.
Tea variety
The Kashmiri tea has loyal repeat customers, and one reviewer regularly visits this branch specifically for it.
Late opening
The cafeteria is open 24 hours, making it useful for an after-hours karak or quick bite.
Budget combo
A samosa combo was reported at around 8 AED and was enough for two people to share comfortably.
Quick takeaway
It works well for a grab-and-go stop, with some customers also enjoying food from their cars.
Friendly service
Some visits include clean service, a friendly team and good care from staff.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try karak. Start with karak if it is your first visit; it is the most consistently praised item, while tea opinions are more mixed.
Order paratha. For food, try the Chilli Chicken Paratha or Oman Chips Paratha; the latter is also described as a cheap favourite breakfast sandwich.
Order ahead. Pre-order before arriving if you are short on time, as one review says service can take a while.
Expect takeaway. Plan this as a takeaway stop: reviewers mention little or no seating and difficult parking around the branch.
Skip noodles. If choosing from the hot-food menu, one reviewer specifically preferred the dynamite chicken or chicken popcorn and disliked the noodles.
Mind the spice. The Chicken Chilli Paratha is described as spicy, so choose another sandwich if you do not handle heat well.
Plan the visit
Practical details
41 2C St
Al Hudaiba, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Rude service
Several reviews describe staff as rude or argumentative, including a disputed fresh-milk-chai order and poor treatment of riders.
Inconsistent food
Food quality appears uneven: reviewers mention hard porotta, disappointing sandwiches and a decline at the Al Hudaiba branch.
Long waits
One customer waited 30 minutes for a WhatsApp order despite saying the cafeteria was not busy; another advised ordering ahead.
Parking trouble
Parking can be difficult, with cars blocking the lane and frequent honking around the busy street.
Quantity concerns
A reviewer felt portions were too small for the prices, while another reported a mini samosa that tasted off and not fresh.
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Koukh Al Shay Cafeteria is a casual tea-and-snacks stop in Al Hudaiba, with karak as its clearest reason to visit. Reviews also point to Kashmiri tea, Chilli Chicken Paratha, Oman Chips Paratha and the unusual PUBG Paratha. It is the sort of place that works for a late-night chai, a quick breakfast sandwich or takeaway snacks rather than a sit-down meal.
The tea gets unusually strong praise: one regular calls the karak “consistent and always right”, while another says the Kashmiri tea keeps bringing them back. The paratha sandwiches have a loyal following too, although the Chicken Chilli Paratha is spicy. A samosa combo was reported at around 8 AED and enough for two people to share, but another customer felt portions were too small for the prices.
Keep expectations practical. Parking can be difficult, cars may block the lane, and one reviewer says there is nowhere to sit. Service is also inconsistent: some customers mention friendly staff and clean service, while others describe rude behaviour and a 30-minute WhatsApp-order wait.
Ordering ahead makes sense if you are in a hurry. Food quality has likewise varied between visits, so the tea may be the safer first order than an experimental sandwich.