Momo variety
Steamed, tandoori, Afgani, dynamite and matka momos all receive specific praise.
Mai Chai Cafeteria
Oud Metha
Mai Chai Cafeteria is a small Oud Metha cafe built around chai, Indian fast food and creative street-food combinations. Reviews particularly point to its juicy shawarma and varied momos, including dynamite and matka versions, making it a useful stop for a quick snack or takeaway.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
549 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Juicy shawarma
The shawarma is praised for its flavour, juiciness and generous chicken quantity.
Distinctive chai
Floating chai, masala chai and adraki chai are recurring favourites, with one review praising its three-layer presentation.
Creative dishes
The menu puts unusual twists on familiar street food, including chicken panipuri shawarma and kurkure shawarma.
Budget friendly
Customers repeatedly describe the food as affordable, with one review calling the prices really low.
Friendly service
Several reviews describe the staff as welcoming, patient and courteous.
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating gives customers an alternative to the compact indoor dining area.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try momos. For a first order, consider steamed, tandoori or Afgani momos rather than choosing only by the viral presentation.
Order takeaway. If seating matters less than value, takeaway may suit you better because the dining area is compact.
Check sweetness. If you prefer a less-sweet tea, ask about the sweetness before ordering; one visitor found the chai overly sweet.
Confirm delivery. For online rice orders, confirm exactly what comes with the dish, especially whether gravy is included.
Allow time. Build in extra time for more elaborate items such as kunafeh shawarma, which one customer said took a long time.
Plan the visit
Practical details
ABA RESIDENCE - Shop 27 - 27th St
Oud Metha, Dubai
| Mon | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Slow service
Some visits involved noticeable waits, including a long preparation time for the kunafeh shawarma.
Limited seating
The dining area is small, and one review felt it was too tiny for several groups.
Sweet chai
One customer found the chai overly sweet, so the flavour may not suit everyone.
Kurkure inconsistency
The kurkure coating did not always deliver the expected flavour or balance; one customer found the momos too cheesy.
Order mismatch
An online veg triple rice order arrived without the expected gravy and prompted a complaint about the phone response.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Mai Chai Cafeteria is a compact Oud Metha stop for chai, Indian fast food and inventive street-food combinations. The strongest recurring choices are shawarma, momos and tea: reviewers mention juicy shawarma with a generous chicken quantity, dynamite and matka momos, and distinctive options such as floating or three-layer Mangalore Tea. There is plenty to explore beyond the basics.
Customers have enjoyed chicken panipuri shawarma, chicken tikka rolls, street chowmein, chaat and the Kurkure menu. The menu’s playful twists are a real part of the appeal, although the kurkure items are not completely consistent: one review found the coating missed the expected flavour, while another thought the matka momos were too cheesy. This is more of a quick-bite or takeaway cafe than a spacious dining destination.
The indoor area has been described as tiny, though outdoor seating is available. Service is often called friendly and prompt, but other visits involved slow preparation, including a long wait for kunafeh shawarma. Online orders also deserve a quick check: one customer received only rice instead of the expected veg triple rice accompaniments.
Prices have been described as low and reasonable. A dated review listed matka momo at 24 AED, chicken tikka roll at 12 AED and Schezwan chicken noodles at 17 AED, useful context but not a current price guarantee.