Generous portions
Portions are often large enough to share, with one main course reportedly serving two to three people.
Mawlana Turkish Cuisine
International City
Mawlana Turkish Cuisine is a Turkish restaurant in International City, inside Dragon Mart 2, with a polished, cozy setting and a menu ranging from charcoal-grilled meats to family-friendly choices. Reviews particularly point to the Iskender Doner and generous portions, while outdoor seating and shisha offer a more relaxed way to linger.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
1,284 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Grilled meats
The lamb kofta was praised for its seasoning, while the lamb chops were charred outside and tender inside.
Iskender Doner
The Iskender Doner combines tender grilled meat with yogurt and tangy tomato sauce.
Cozy setting
Customers describe the restaurant as beautifully decorated, comfortable and more polished than a typical quick meal in a shopping centre.
Family options
The menu includes burgers, nuggets and grilled chicken, giving families alternatives beyond Turkish dishes.
Fresh bread
Fresh bread is served with dips while you wait, and another review described it as hot and freshly baked.
What to Eat at Mawlana Turkish Cuisine 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 Mawlana Turkish Cuisine, 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.
These items at Mawlana Turkish Cuisine got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 10
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Baba ganoush Net +1
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”May 2026
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Beef burger Net +1
“Even the Beef Burger, a surprising addition to the menu, was a standout.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Even the Beef Burger, a surprising addition to the menu, was a standout.”August 2024
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Charcoal-grilled chicken Net +1
“Beyond the Iskender, we also enjoyed the juicy charcoal-grilled chicken, and the cheesy Turkish Cheese Pide.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beyond the Iskender, we also enjoyed the juicy charcoal-grilled chicken, and the cheesy Turkish Cheese Pide.”August 2024
-
Cheddar tenderloin Net +1
“They have outdoor seating, great food, very tasty, the restaurant is family friendly, they also have great shisha, the staff is very friendly, the atmosphere is cosy, the place is also pocket friendly, i ordered the Cheddar Tenderloin it’s one of the best i’ve ever had.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They have outdoor seating, great food, very tasty, the restaurant is family friendly, they also have great shisha, the staff is very friendly, the atmosphere is cosy, the place is also pocket friendly, i ordered the Cheddar Tenderloin it’s one of the best i’ve ever had.”October 2019
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Chicken breast Net +1
“2) Chicken Breast: tender chicken breast with Rice , homemade fries, Lava bread, grilled tomatoes and peppers. This mouth watering and flavors full dish please try this as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“2) Chicken Breast: tender chicken breast with Rice , homemade fries, Lava bread, grilled tomatoes and peppers. This mouth watering and flavors full dish please try this as well.”October 2020
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Chicken sish Net +1
“We ordered shashlik with cheese and chicken sish. First time to tried turkish food. Food was good and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered shashlik with cheese and chicken sish. First time to tried turkish food. Food was good and tasty.”September 2023
-
Chicken soup Net +1
“I am from china today i come dubai international city Lao ma fanxiang restaurant the restaurant food very delicious staff very good staff understand Chinese language today i take chicken soup very good tasty i no forget this restaurant so i think best Chinese restaurant in dubai”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I am from china today i come dubai international city Lao ma fanxiang restaurant the restaurant food very delicious staff very good staff understand Chinese language today i take chicken soup very good tasty i no forget this restaurant so i think best Chinese restaurant in dubai”July 2026
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Cop shish Net +1
“1) Cop Shish: grilled beef skewers, Rice , homemade fries, Lava bread, grilled tomatoes and peppers. Really amazing in taste and good flavors”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“1) Cop Shish: grilled beef skewers, Rice , homemade fries, Lava bread, grilled tomatoes and peppers. Really amazing in taste and good flavors”October 2020
-
Durum doner Net +1
“We also got Durum Doner and that was sooo damn good. The beef is just juice and well done.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also got Durum Doner and that was sooo damn good. The beef is just juice and well done.”September 2021
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Egg with sucuk Net +1
“We have ordered traditional Turkish breakfast, additionally egg with sucuk and menemen. It was just awesome.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We have ordered traditional Turkish breakfast, additionally egg with sucuk and menemen. It was just awesome.”September 2017
Honorable mentions (14)
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Grilled chicken Net +1
“Good variety of food, not only turkish there was nuggets, burger and healthy like grilled chicken. Everything was good and everyone was satisfied.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Good variety of food, not only turkish there was nuggets, burger and healthy like grilled chicken. Everything was good and everyone was satisfied.”August 2024
-
Iskender doner Net +1
“The star of the show was undoubtedly the Iskender Doner, a dish highly recommended by the staff and rightfully so. The grilled meat slices was incredibly tender and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spices. The creamy yogurt and tangy tomato sauce added a delightful contrast to the savory meat.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The star of the show was undoubtedly the Iskender Doner, a dish highly recommended by the staff and rightfully so. The grilled meat slices was incredibly tender and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spices. The creamy yogurt and tangy tomato sauce added a delightful contrast to the savory meat.”August 2024
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Iskender kebab Net +1
“The iskender kebab is also delicious and does justice to traditional Turkish cuisine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The iskender kebab is also delicious and does justice to traditional Turkish cuisine.”October 2018
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Kofte’s Net +1
“One of the best kofte’s in the country. Definitely recommend.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of the best kofte’s in the country. Definitely recommend.”October 2018
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Lamb chops Net +1
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”May 2026
-
Lamb fillet cut Net +1
“the food was prepared well and I enjoyed the lamb fillet cut and prepared with respect to Les meat (AED 65)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“the food was prepared well and I enjoyed the lamb fillet cut and prepared with respect to Les meat (AED 65)”August 2019
-
Lamb kofta Net +1
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The lamb kofta was beautifully spiced and packed with flavour, the lamb chops were perfectly charred on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender within, and the baba ganoush was silky, smoky, and absolutely devine.”May 2026
-
Mawlana steak Net +1
“We ordered mawlana steak and we asked for sauce but they politely explained that it doesnt really come with a sauce but they offered a mushroom sauce if we want it and it was also delicious… the penne pasta was also good and the serving is enough for two people… they have fries, burger and chicken nuggets for our kid so everyone was happy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered mawlana steak and we asked for sauce but they politely explained that it doesnt really come with a sauce but they offered a mushroom sauce if we want it and it was also delicious… the penne pasta was also good and the serving is enough for two people… they have fries, burger and chicken nuggets for our kid so everyone was happy.”December 2025
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Menemen Net +1
“We have ordered traditional Turkish breakfast, additionally egg with sucuk and menemen. It was just awesome.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We have ordered traditional Turkish breakfast, additionally egg with sucuk and menemen. It was just awesome.”September 2017
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One meter long pita with minced beef (etli ekmek) Net +1
“We got the one meter long Pita with minced beef (Etli Ekmek) and it was soooo good so tinder and so crispy on the edges.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We got the one meter long Pita with minced beef (Etli Ekmek) and it was soooo good so tinder and so crispy on the edges.”September 2021
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Penne pasta Net +1
“We ordered mawlana steak and we asked for sauce but they politely explained that it doesnt really come with a sauce but they offered a mushroom sauce if we want it and it was also delicious… the penne pasta was also good and the serving is enough for two people… they have fries, burger and chicken nuggets for our kid so everyone was happy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered mawlana steak and we asked for sauce but they politely explained that it doesnt really come with a sauce but they offered a mushroom sauce if we want it and it was also delicious… the penne pasta was also good and the serving is enough for two people… they have fries, burger and chicken nuggets for our kid so everyone was happy.”December 2025
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Rich, milky ice cream Net +1
“I had the rich, milky ice cream which wasn’t too sweet, and when eaten together, the flavors were perfectly balanced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the rich, milky ice cream which wasn’t too sweet, and when eaten together, the flavors were perfectly balanced.”March 2026
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Shashlik with cheese Net +1
“We ordered shashlik with cheese and chicken sish. First time to tried turkish food. Food was good and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered shashlik with cheese and chicken sish. First time to tried turkish food. Food was good and tasty.”September 2023
-
Turkish cheese pide Net +1
“Beyond the Iskender, we also enjoyed the juicy charcoal-grilled chicken, and the cheesy Turkish Cheese Pide.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beyond the Iskender, we also enjoyed the juicy charcoal-grilled chicken, and the cheesy Turkish Cheese Pide.”August 2024
Drinks 1
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Latte Net +1
“I haven’t had a latte this good for quite sometime♥️The staff are so friendly and prompt.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I haven’t had a latte this good for quite sometime♥️The staff are so friendly and prompt.”March 2026
What to Avoid (3)
Food 3
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French fries Net −1
“When we said we wanted French fries not wedges they said OK and came back 10mins later with a bowl of wedges. When the waiters both looking much congused agreed this is not French fries they said we don't do French fries even though it says that on the menu”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“When we said we wanted French fries not wedges they said OK and came back 10mins later with a bowl of wedges. When the waiters both looking much congused agreed this is not French fries they said we don't do French fries even though it says that on the menu”October 2020
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Mixed grill Net −1
“An overpriced restaurant with very small portions and non special taste. I don’t know why a small plate if mixed grill costs 115AED!”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“An overpriced restaurant with very small portions and non special taste. I don’t know why a small plate if mixed grill costs 115AED!”January 2023
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Potate wedges Net −1
“So when you order and it says French fries and rice they give no rice and potate wedges not French fries. The smallest portion of wedges I have seen in my entire life of eating out. Should be embaressed.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“So when you order and it says French fries and rice they give no rice and potate wedges not French fries. The smallest portion of wedges I have seen in my entire life of eating out. Should be embaressed.”October 2020
Tips for a Better Visit
Share mains. Consider sharing a main: one reviewer said a single course can serve two to three people.
Outdoor shisha. If you want shisha, use the outdoor seating; a review specifically says it is served outdoors only.
Ask about sauce. If ordering Mawlana steak, ask about sauce: it does not normally include one, but mushroom sauce was available.
Bring children. Families can order burgers, nuggets or grilled chicken for children who do not want Turkish food.
Check sides. Confirm the side dishes when ordering, since one older review reported wedges instead of the listed fries and rice.
Try outdoors. For a more open-air meal, choose the outdoor area, which one repeat visitor especially praised.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Warsan First - Dubai International City - Dubai
Warsan First - Dubai International City, Dubai
| Mon | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Slow requests
One customer said a water order took two hours to arrive.
Price concerns
Some older reviews considered the restaurant expensive for the portion size, and one noted a significant price increase.
Side mismatch
An older review reported receiving wedges instead of the fries and rice described on the menu.
Inconsistent meals
A repeat visitor said a later visit had burnt pita, less impressive food and meat with a lot of fat.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
115AED
mixed grill
“I don’t know why a small plate if mixed grill costs 115AED!”Google review · January 2023
12 aed
Pepsi can
“Basic pepsi can was charged at 12 aed which u can get for 2”Google review · December 2021
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Mawlana Turkish Cuisine is in Dragon Mart 2, International City, and reviews describe it as a polished Turkish restaurant rather than just a quick food-court stop. The menu is strongest around grilled meats and traditional dishes: customers mention the Iskender Doner, lamb kofta, lamb chops and Mawlana steak. Portions are often generous, with one reviewer saying a main course can serve two or three people.
The setting is cozy and decorated in a way several diners felt captured a Turkish atmosphere. Fresh bread with dips may arrive while you wait, and families have useful fallback choices such as burgers, nuggets and grilled chicken. Outdoor seating is another draw, with shisha reported as available outdoors only.
Desserts are described as balanced rather than overly sweet, and one customer singled out the mojito. Service is usually described as attentive, friendly and quick, although one review reported waiting two hours for water. Pricing feedback is mixed: some diners found recent prices less attractive, while older reviews raised concerns about value, including a pricey mixed grill and a AED12 Pepsi.
A few older reviews also mention mismatched side dishes and inconsistent food quality, so it is worth confirming what comes with your order.