Pazhamkanji
The Pazhamkanji is repeatedly described as homely, authentic and comforting, with traditional sides.
MALABAR PEARL Restaurant
Al Qusais
Malabar Pearl is a Kerala-focused restaurant in Al Qusais, with South Indian and other Indian dishes on the menu. Reviews point especially to its comforting kanji and generous seafood bucket, alongside traditional meals, biriyani and mandi.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
571 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Seafood Bucket
The seafood bucket is praised for fresh seafood, generous portions and good value; one serving for 2–3 fed four.
Fresh Fish
The Pacha kurumulaku tawa fry karimeen was reported as spicy, tasty and made with very fresh fish.
Dinner Meals
Traditional meals or thali are available at dinner, which one reviewer found unusually useful.
Clean Setting
Several reviews describe the restaurant as neat and comfortable, with a pleasant atmosphere after its renovation.
Party Orders
A party order of 44 meals was prepared well and delivered on time in one customer’s experience.
Tips for a Better Visit
Avoid Rushes. Visit outside busy Sunday dinner periods if timing matters; one evening had too few staff for the crowd.
Ask Menus. If you receive only the specials menu, ask specifically for the regular menu before ordering.
Check Extras. Ask the price and portion of small fish sides before adding them; separate fish plates raised one bill to 32 AED.
Plan Parking. Allow extra time for parking, especially at weekends, when finding a space in the area can be difficult.
Confirm Catering. For large group orders, confirm quantities and serving logistics in advance rather than assuming the standard setup will scale.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Mansoor Building - 401 Damascus Street
Al Qusais 2, Dubai
| Mon | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Rush Delays
Busy periods can mean slow service, with reviews mentioning understaffing, delayed food and occasional wrong-table deliveries.
Hygiene Concerns
One visit reported unwashed drinking glasses, while another mentioned flies around the table and food.
Small Portions
The Netholi Fry was criticised for offering only five small fish pieces for 10 AED.
Uneven Service
A customer reported being asked to wait outside despite apparently available seats, while another guest was seated.
Large Orders
One 44-person Iftar order arrived cold and lacked several basics, including salads, desserts, juice, fruit and water.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
10 AED
Pazhankanji
“We ordered the "Pazhankanji," which was priced at 10 AED”Google review · June 2026
AED 138
seafood bucket for 4 persons
“We ordered the seafood bucket for 4 persons (AED 138), but it was easily sufficient for 6 people”Google review · January 2026
32AED
two plates small fishes
“We billed 32AED for two plates small fishes with one plate 4 pieces natholli and 5 another fishes”Google review · June 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Malabar Pearl is a Kerala-focused restaurant in Al Qusais where the most distinctive choices are Pazhamkanji, traditional meals served at dinner, and the seafood bucket. The kanji attracts plenty of praise for its homemade, nostalgic character, while the seafood bucket is described as fresh and unusually generous: a portion labelled for two to three people was said to feed four, with crab, prawns, calamari, oysters and shrimp alongside paal kappa, Kerala parathas and ghee rice. The menu also reaches beyond those headline dishes.
Reviews mention Mampazha Pulissery, chatti chor, fish biriyani, Bellari Chicken Mandi and spicy tawa-fried fish. Prices are often described as reasonable, but value can vary sharply: Pazhankanji was reported at 10 AED, while five small Netholi pieces also cost 10 AED. Ask about portions before adding small-fish sides.
Service and cleanliness are generally praised, but busy periods have exposed understaffing, long waits, missed items and wrong-table deliveries. One large Iftar order arrived cold with missing basics, so group bookings deserve extra confirmation. Parking can be difficult on weekends.
For a first visit, go outside the rush and start with the kanji or seafood bucket.