Canal views
Outdoor dining beside Dubai Canal is a recurring draw, especially in the evening.
Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe
Business Bay
Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe is a Pakistani and Indian restaurant and shisha lounge in Business Bay, with outdoor seating beside Dubai Canal. Reviews point to the mix grill platter and karak tea, while board games, Bollywood music and late opening make it a relaxed place to linger over food and shisha.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
1,006 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Desi dishes
Customers regularly highlight Pakistani and Indian food, including juicy kebabs, karhai and butter chicken.
Long shisha
Several reviews describe smooth, flavourful shisha that lasts well; one says it can be enjoyed for at least three hours.
Family seating
Separate indoor sections and small cabins let diners choose a food-only setup or a shisha-friendly space.
Late hangouts
The lounge stays open late and has board games for longer, low-key visits with friends.
Helpful service
Many customers describe the team as attentive and welcoming, including regular check-ins without being intrusive.
Free parking
A review specifically reports free parking in the basement, useful for drivers in Business Bay.
What to Eat at Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe 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 Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. 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 Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
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Bbq platter Net +3
“The BBQ platter is delicious and goes well with sheesha and soft drinks.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The BBQ platter is delicious and goes well with sheesha and soft drinks.”October 2023
“Food is really good, enjoyed thier BBQ platter, Karak tea and shisha, which is bit over priced.”January 2022
-
Naan Net +2
“Great atmosphere and got seperate section for Sheesha. Their naan and butter chicken were too good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great atmosphere and got seperate section for Sheesha. Their naan and butter chicken were too good.”July 2024
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks . The food was very much enjoyable .”October 2024
Honorable mentions (13)
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Big grill platter Net +1
“Big Grill platter recommended for family as it contains different flavours & varieties.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Big Grill platter recommended for family as it contains different flavours & varieties.”February 2023
-
Chicken shinwari Net +1
“Chicken shinwari is so perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken shinwari is so perfect.”February 2026
-
Chicken strips Net +1
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks . The food was very much enjoyable .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks . The food was very much enjoyable .”October 2024
-
Combo pack Net +1
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks . The food was very much enjoyable .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks . The food was very much enjoyable .”October 2024
-
Dum pukht mutton Net +1
“Dum pukht mutton is my favourite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Dum pukht mutton is my favourite.”February 2026
-
Iftar buffet Net +1
“Went for Iftar Buffet. Everything was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Went for Iftar Buffet. Everything was delicious.”May 2021
-
Karhai Net +1
“The food is simply mouthwatering. Highest recommendations for the Mix Grill Platter and Karhai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is simply mouthwatering. Highest recommendations for the Mix Grill Platter and Karhai.”September 2020
-
Masala fries Net +1
“Great menu options for food and shisha, we ordered 2 shishas that were suggested by staff and for snacks we ordered Fatoosh and Masala fries. The masala fries were very tasty as they were very nicely coated with the spices to give great taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great menu options for food and shisha, we ordered 2 shishas that were suggested by staff and for snacks we ordered Fatoosh and Masala fries. The masala fries were very tasty as they were very nicely coated with the spices to give great taste.”May 2022
-
Mix grill platter Net +1
“The food is simply mouthwatering. Highest recommendations for the Mix Grill Platter and Karhai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is simply mouthwatering. Highest recommendations for the Mix Grill Platter and Karhai.”September 2020
-
Qahwa Net +1
“Great atmosphere. The taste is authentic. Qahwa is perfect. Lovely view. Staff cooperation and guidance is good. Sheesha also good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great atmosphere. The taste is authentic. Qahwa is perfect. Lovely view. Staff cooperation and guidance is good. Sheesha also good.”March 2024
-
Butter chicken Net 0
Mixed feedback
“Great atmosphere and got seperate section for Sheesha. Their naan and butter chicken were too good.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Great atmosphere and got seperate section for Sheesha. Their naan and butter chicken were too good.”July 2024
-
Beefburgers Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Wanted a quick burger this evening 23rd March before venturing out to some bars, so called in here and we ordered 2 beefburgers @ 34 dirhams each. Food was okay, took forever to arrive considering there were only half a dozen diners,service nothing special.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Chicken charcoal Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Rice quality it’s very low the fast it’s okay 6 of 10. Chicken charcoal was also a 6 of 10!”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Karak tea Net +2
“Malang Lounge & Cafe is good place for food, sheesha and Karak Tea, I really recommend this place in the heart of Dubai Business Bay canal view, Ms. Riya, Siru and Mr. Umesh is very much cooperative and friendly, ambience is perfect for the families. Food Suggestions by Ms. Riya is really good, I really enjoy and happy to Come again & again...bundle of thanks to Malang team for the warm welcome.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Malang Lounge & Cafe is good place for food, sheesha and Karak Tea, I really recommend this place in the heart of Dubai Business Bay canal view, Ms. Riya, Siru and Mr. Umesh is very much cooperative and friendly, ambience is perfect for the families. Food Suggestions by Ms. Riya is really good, I really enjoy and happy to Come again & again...bundle of thanks to Malang team for the warm welcome.”August 2025
“Food is really good, enjoyed thier BBQ platter, Karak tea and shisha, which is bit over priced.”January 2022
What to Avoid (4)
Food 4
-
Charcoal chicken Net −1
“The Charcoal chicken was tasteless, fried rice was dry and had very less to no chicken it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The Charcoal chicken was tasteless, fried rice was dry and had very less to no chicken it.”December 2025
-
Fried rice Net −1
“The Charcoal chicken was tasteless, fried rice was dry and had very less to no chicken it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The Charcoal chicken was tasteless, fried rice was dry and had very less to no chicken it.”December 2025
-
Mutton kabab Net −1
“Food is tasteless. I ordered mutton kabab totally dry no spicy no juice and Milk shake was too sweet i ask to change they gave same one over priced never recommended .”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food is tasteless. I ordered mutton kabab totally dry no spicy no juice and Milk shake was too sweet i ask to change they gave same one over priced never recommended .”February 2026
-
Paneer chilli Net −1
“Food options were disappointing. The paneer chilli I ordered was not customised the way I clearly asked for, even though they acknowledged the request. It came out bland, poorly prepared, and nothing like what was promised.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food options were disappointing. The paneer chilli I ordered was not customised the way I clearly asked for, even though they acknowledged the request. It came out bland, poorly prepared, and nothing like what was promised.”December 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Request mild. Ask for a milder spice level when ordering; one review says the chef uses a lot of black pepper.
Check bills. Check the total and request a printed receipt before paying, especially if VAT is added separately.
Choose outdoors. For the canal atmosphere, choose outdoor seating; a reviewer preferred it to the indoor area.
Allow time. Allow extra time for food during quieter visits too, as one table reported a long wait with few diners.
Confirm charges. For special screenings or events, confirm any per-person fee before arriving; a World Cup booking revealed an unexpected charge.
Use basement. Drivers can look for the reported free parking in the basement.
Plan the visit
Practical details
ETA Star, Al Manara Tower - G-08 - Marasi Dr
Business Bay, Dubai
| Mon | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Quality swings
Food and shisha quality can vary: one busy-weekend visit found tasteless chicken, dry rice and poor shisha.
Bill concern
One customer disputed a VAT calculation and had to insist on receiving a printed receipt.
Slow service
A quiet visit still involved a long wait for two burgers, despite only around six diners being present.
Loud music
Music has been too loud for some diners, and another review objected to unsuitable videos for families.
Dry kebab
One diner found the mutton kebab dry and the milkshake excessively sweet, even after requesting a change.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 99
combo pack with rice
“We took a combo pack with rice for AED 99 and some chicken strips , naan , sheesha and some drinks”Google review · October 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Malang Lounge Restaurant & Cafe is a Pakistani and Indian food spot with shisha, outdoor seating and a canal-side setting in Business Bay. It suits an unhurried evening rather than a quick meal: customers come for dishes such as the mix grill platter, karhai, butter chicken and BBQ platter, then stay for shisha, karak tea or board games. The strongest theme is the atmosphere.
Outdoor tables overlook Dubai Canal, while the indoor layout includes separate areas and small cabins for diners who want food without shisha. Reviews also mention Bollywood and Pakistani music, late opening, halal food and free basement parking. Families are welcomed, although the music and videos have not always felt family-friendly.
Food feedback is noticeably mixed. Some customers describe authentic, fresh and flavourful desi cooking, particularly the kebabs and karhai; others found charcoal chicken tasteless, rice dry or a mutton kebab dry. Shisha is often praised as smooth and long-lasting, but a busy weekend visit reported harsh, poorly maintained shisha.
Before settling in, ask for your preferred spice level and check the bill carefully. One customer disputed an added VAT amount and had to insist on a printed receipt. If booking a special event screening, confirm any cover charge in advance.