Special chicken
The Special Chicken Mandi combines mandi rice with a butter-chicken-style topping, and several reviews describe portions large enough for two.
Mandi Man
Al Jaddaf
Mandi Man is a Yemeni restaurant in Al Jaddaf with a traditional-meets-modern setting. Reviews point first-time visitors toward the Special Chicken Mandi, while floor seating, family rooms and glove-assisted hand-eating add a distinctly traditional dining experience.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
6,901 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Tender meat
Chicken is often described as soft and easy to separate from the bone, while the Haneeth Shoulder/Ribs remain a standout for repeat visitors.
Floor seating
Ground-level seating and family sections make the meal feel more traditional, with some guests using gloves to eat with their hands.
Family rooms
Separate sitting rooms and private cabins give families a quieter alternative to regular tables.
Fast service
Multiple diners report quick food delivery, including during busy visits, though service quality is not completely consistent.
Generous sharing
Several reviews say a mandi platter can cover two adults, or even two adults and three children when paired with rice.
Affordable meals
One diner paid AED 43 for Special Chicken Mandi and a drink for two people sharing, describing the portion as generous.
What to Eat at Mandi Man 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 Mandi Man, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. 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 Mandi Man, 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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Butter chicken mandi Net +7
“After coming across several viral reels featuring the "Butter Chicken Mandi" at Mandi Man, Al Jadaf, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant is very spacious, with regular table seating as well as separate sitting rooms, which is great for families. Interestingly, we couldn’t find “Butter Chicken Mandi” listed on the menu. After showing the reel to the waitress, we learned that it’s actually called "Special Chicken Mandi".”
Positive 8Negative 1
Review excerpts
“After coming across several viral reels featuring the "Butter Chicken Mandi" at Mandi Man, Al Jadaf, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant is very spacious, with regular table seating as well as separate sitting rooms, which is great for families. Interestingly, we couldn’t find “Butter Chicken Mandi” listed on the menu. After showing the reel to the waitress, we learned that it’s actually called "Special Chicken Mandi".”January 2026
“Butter Chicken Mandi is also worth trying.”July 2024
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Kunafah Net +3
“We ordered the Special Chicken, Chicken Mandi, Arabic salad and Kunafah, and honestly everything was excellent. The chicken was super tender, the rice had a really nice flavor, and the kunafah was amazing.”
Positive 3Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Special Chicken, Chicken Mandi, Arabic salad and Kunafah, and honestly everything was excellent. The chicken was super tender, the rice had a really nice flavor, and the kunafah was amazing.”May 2026
“Owner is very humble person and he made sure that we enjoyed the food and offered a complimentary kunafa which is a must try!!”September 2024
Honorable mentions (26)
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Arabic salad Net +1
“We also tried the Arabian salad, which was super fresh and came with a delicious tomato sauce on the side.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also tried the Arabian salad, which was super fresh and came with a delicious tomato sauce on the side.”February 2026
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Cheese kunafa Net +1
“The best part which overpowered was cheese kunafa.... delicious. Must try their kunafa!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The best part which overpowered was cheese kunafa.... delicious. Must try their kunafa!!”November 2025
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Chicken mathbi Net +1
“Mandi Man serves perhaps the best chicken Mathbi I have ever had in my life.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Mandi Man serves perhaps the best chicken Mathbi I have ever had in my life.”May 2025
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Fatoush salad Net +1
“I would 100% recommend getting the green chutney. The fattoush salad was lovely!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I would 100% recommend getting the green chutney. The fattoush salad was lovely!”May 2025
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Fattoush Net +1
“We tried their special chicken and fattoush, not bad for a first time customer. Overall food is good and staff is friendly and accommodating.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried their special chicken and fattoush, not bad for a first time customer. Overall food is good and staff is friendly and accommodating.”March 2026
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Hamour fish Net +1
“We ordered one Special chicken and one Hamour fish along with one Fatoosh. Both the Mandi were delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered one Special chicken and one Hamour fish along with one Fatoosh. Both the Mandi were delicious.”October 2023
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Haneeth shoulder/ribs Net +1
“I used to be a huge fan of Mandi Man. Especially their Haneeth Shoulder/Ribs. It hands down still remains one of the best rice meals I have ever had.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I used to be a huge fan of Mandi Man. Especially their Haneeth Shoulder/Ribs. It hands down still remains one of the best rice meals I have ever had.”May 2026
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Lamb mandi Net +1
“I tried lamb Mandi it is good”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried lamb Mandi it is good”November 2024
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Mandi chicken Net +1
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”October 2025
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Mandi with both shrimp and chicken Net +1
“We ordered their best-seller, the Mandi, with both shrimp and chicken. It was huge—plenty of food for two adults and three children.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered their best-seller, the Mandi, with both shrimp and chicken. It was huge—plenty of food for two adults and three children.”February 2026
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Matbhi with fried onions and tomato sauce Net +1
“The matbhi with fried onions and tomato sauce is a must. It is also incredibly affordable.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The matbhi with fried onions and tomato sauce is a must. It is also incredibly affordable.”February 2026
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Meat zurbain Net +1
“I suggest you to have a meat zurbain the juicy meat with lots of taste will blow your mind 🤤💞”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I suggest you to have a meat zurbain the juicy meat with lots of taste will blow your mind 🤤💞”September 2024
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Mint ayran Net +1
“Tip. Pair it with mint ayran! Perfect combo.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tip. Pair it with mint ayran! Perfect combo.”May 2026
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Mutton ribs mandi Net +1
“Last Friday, we tried the Butter Chicken Mandi and Mutton Ribs Mandi. The Mutton Ribs Mandi was exceptional—truly one of the best I’ve had recently. The service was excellent, and the staff were very kind and attentive. Highly recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Last Friday, we tried the Butter Chicken Mandi and Mutton Ribs Mandi. The Mutton Ribs Mandi was exceptional—truly one of the best I’ve had recently. The service was excellent, and the staff were very kind and attentive. Highly recommended.”November 2025
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Peri peri mandi Net +1
“Best special chicken and peri peri mandi in Dubai. Mamdouh brother is the one who keeps in check everyone is happy and satisfied.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best special chicken and peri peri mandi in Dubai. Mamdouh brother is the one who keeps in check everyone is happy and satisfied.”August 2026
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Red chutney Net +1
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”October 2025
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Rice Net +1
“Ordered 1 Special Chicken Mandi and a coke for 2 person sharing. Rice is delicious & came with generous portion.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Ordered 1 Special Chicken Mandi and a coke for 2 person sharing. Rice is delicious & came with generous portion.”November 2024
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Sharieh Net +1
“The dessert of Sharieh was also excellent, crispy and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The dessert of Sharieh was also excellent, crispy and tasty.”March 2025
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Shrimp sauce with rice Net +1
“The food is delicious finished the whole plate. I’d recommend the shrimp sauce with rice. My only complaint would be the food portions specifically the salad otherwise it is a great place for lunch. From what I noticed the food is consistent as this wasn’t my first time visiting.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is delicious finished the whole plate. I’d recommend the shrimp sauce with rice. My only complaint would be the food portions specifically the salad otherwise it is a great place for lunch. From what I noticed the food is consistent as this wasn’t my first time visiting.”May 2026
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Shrimps only Net +1
“The "Shrimps only" and the "Special Chicken" were amazing. Incredibly tasty and good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The "Shrimps only" and the "Special Chicken" were amazing. Incredibly tasty and good.”June 2024
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Special lamb mandi Net +1
“The delicacies of this place are worth trying especially the Special Lamb Mandi. Which stands out tall. Tender and juicy lamb leg was so yummy 😋.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The delicacies of this place are worth trying especially the Special Lamb Mandi. Which stands out tall. Tender and juicy lamb leg was so yummy 😋.”July 2024
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Special meat Net +1
“Their special meat is like butter chicken on rice but meat is tender and well cooked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their special meat is like butter chicken on rice but meat is tender and well cooked.”November 2024
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Spicy chutney Net +1
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had Butter chicken Mandi and Mandi chicken. Both tasted delicious especially the chicken was very soft and you could easily separate it from the bones. Their red chutney and spicy chutney was also good..extra rice was also affordable price but we went on weekend and had to wait around 40 mins to get a table..other than that would recommend for a different type of Mandi the butter chicken one is a must try here.”October 2025
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Tomato sauce Net +1
“We also tried the Arabian salad, which was super fresh and came with a delicious tomato sauce on the side.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also tried the Arabian salad, which was super fresh and came with a delicious tomato sauce on the side.”February 2026
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Mandi lamb Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The food taste and quality was normal to any Mandi lamb I ate but they give you more portions of it compared to other places.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
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Mandi rice Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“I'll rate this as 4/5 for Chicken Mandi. As the chicken was super amazing properly roasted but the Mandi rice was average.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Tips for a Better Visit
Ask by name. If you are looking for viral Butter Chicken Mandi, ask for Special Chicken Mandi—the review says that is its menu name.
Try shrimp. The shrimp options are a useful alternative to chicken or lamb; one diner specifically recommended shrimp sauce with rice.
Share portions. For a group, consider sharing: one review found two Special Chicken Mandis plus rice more than enough for two adults and two children.
Avoid peak times. For a better chance of getting a table promptly, avoid busy weekend periods, when one visit involved a 40-minute wait.
Check takeaway. If ordering takeaway, inspect the container or confirm the portion before accepting it, since one customer found sealed boxes only half full.
Order chutney. The green chutney is specifically recommended with the chicken Mathbi, and fattoush was also described positively.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Barajeel Residencey - Al Khail Rd
Al Jadaf, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Inconsistent service
Some diners describe cold or rude interactions, missed complimentary soup and salad, and noticeably slower service than nearby tables.
Cleanliness concerns
One review reported an unpleasant smell, sticky tables and floors, and toilets in poor condition.
Portion complaints
Takeaway portions were reported as only half-filling sealed containers, while another diner felt recent portions no longer matched the price.
Weekend waits
A weekend visit involved roughly 40 minutes waiting for a table, and other reviews also mention queues when the restaurant is crowded.
Parking hassle
Parking can be difficult during busy periods, with one visitor saying they had to consider parking on sand.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
43 AED
the special chicken and a can of Fanta
“Mandi Man is somewhat off the beaten track but it’s well worth a visit if you’re looking for a cheap place to eat in Dubai, seeing as my order of the special chicken and a can of Fanta “only” came to 43 AED or £8”Google review · October 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Mandi Man is a Yemeni restaurant in Al Jaddaf built around generous rice meals and a traditional dining style. The Special Chicken Mandi is the signature order in the reviews: it is described as butter-chicken-style gravy over mandi rice, with several diners saying one portion can feed two. Haneeth Shoulder/Ribs, Mutton Ribs Mandi and shrimp with rice are other well-regarded choices, while kunafa is a recurring dessert recommendation.
The setting gives you options. There are standard tables, floor seating and separate family rooms or cabins. For newcomers, eating the mandi with your hands while wearing gloves can make the meal feel like more than a routine rice-and-meat stop.
Families also appreciated the space and, in one review, a platter that fed two adults and three children. Service is often quick and friendly, but it is uneven. Some guests mention warm, attentive staff; others report cold treatment, missed soup and salad, or slower service than nearby tables.
Cleanliness complaints include sticky tables, an unpleasant smell and poor toilets. Weekend waits can reach about 40 minutes, and parking may be difficult. Takeaway portions also deserve checking before you leave.
Prices can be reasonable: one customer reported AED 43 for Special Chicken Mandi and a drink shared by two.