Balkan cooking
Reviews highlight authentic comfort food, from grilled meats and soups to traditional starters and generous mixed platters.
Merak | Restaurant & Grill
Dubai Marina
Merak is a Balkan-inspired restaurant and grill in Dubai Marina, inside DoubleTree by Hilton, where you can eat traditional dishes such as Bosnian cevapi and proper burek. Live music, including tambura and Serbian performances, gives the dining room a lively, distinctly Balkan character.
Reputation Score
4.9
★★★★★
414 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Live music
Tambura bands, Serbian singers and visiting performers turn many evenings into lively dinners with singing and dancing.
Bosnian cevapi
Bosnian cevapi are repeatedly praised, with fresh somun bread making the order especially appealing.
Brunch buffets
Sunday and Saturday brunch reviews mention broad buffets, live grill preparation and rotisserie lamb roasted in front of guests.
Warm service
Many diners describe the welcome as attentive and hospitable, including careful handling of reservations and celebrations.
Breakfast option
Breakfast includes meat, fried eggs, sweets, fresh vegetables, Balkan salads, breads, coffee and juice.
Valet parking
One evening reviewer specifically appreciated the valet parking when arriving for a live-music event.
What to Eat at Merak | Restaurant & Grill 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 Merak | Restaurant & Grill, 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 Merak | Restaurant & Grill, 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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Baklava Net +2
“It was such a joy to experience the warm Balkan atmosphere and enjoy incredibly delicious food — from the perfectly made baklava, just like in the Balkan countries, to the surimi and other mouthwatering dishes, all prepared with the taste and love you’d expect from a family kitchen.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was such a joy to experience the warm Balkan atmosphere and enjoy incredibly delicious food — from the perfectly made baklava, just like in the Balkan countries, to the surimi and other mouthwatering dishes, all prepared with the taste and love you’d expect from a family kitchen.”August 2025
“New in Dubai! Amazing food and service so i added review while eating. Taste, portion size and plates are awesome. Never miss Shopkska salad and cheese borek. And at the end save space for baklava for sure.”December 2024
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Somun bread Net +2
“Just ordered bosnian cevapi and it was the best kebab I ever tried , somun bread was fresh , also you can order raw meat and you cook it home , many options makes it unique”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Just ordered bosnian cevapi and it was the best kebab I ever tried , somun bread was fresh , also you can order raw meat and you cook it home , many options makes it unique”May 2026
“Cevapi yumm, spot on! 🥳 somun also super nice! We did raise problems and the lady apologized, then asked if we’d like a rakija. Then charged us for it 🙈 samo na balkanu”October 2024
Honorable mentions (18)
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Ajvar Net +1
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”May 2026
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Banana crêpe with ice cream and nutella Net +1
“A very special and huge thank you to Chef Roberto Nicolas, who surprised us with the most delicious banana crêpe with ice cream and Nutella — it was absolutely heavenly! He gave us so much attention, personally explaining the dishes and making us feel truly special.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A very special and huge thank you to Chef Roberto Nicolas, who surprised us with the most delicious banana crêpe with ice cream and Nutella — it was absolutely heavenly! He gave us so much attention, personally explaining the dishes and making us feel truly special.”August 2025
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Burek Net +1
“Great food - proper burek full of delicious meat. Better than many burek specialized restaurants in Serbia.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great food - proper burek full of delicious meat. Better than many burek specialized restaurants in Serbia.”October 2025
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Cheese and meat platter Net +1
“We also indulged in a cheese and meat platter that was simply divine. The quality of the ingredients was exceptional, and the flavors were perfectly balanced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also indulged in a cheese and meat platter that was simply divine. The quality of the ingredients was exceptional, and the flavors were perfectly balanced.”January 2025
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Cheese borek Net +1
“New in Dubai! Amazing food and service so i added review while eating. Taste, portion size and plates are awesome. Never miss Shopkska salad and cheese borek. And at the end save space for baklava for sure.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“New in Dubai! Amazing food and service so i added review while eating. Taste, portion size and plates are awesome. Never miss Shopkska salad and cheese borek. And at the end save space for baklava for sure.”December 2024
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Kajmak Net +1
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”May 2026
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Kobasica Net +1
“Had a really good night at Merak. Original balkan food, good kulen, kobasica and soups. The music was impeccable and struck the heart.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a really good night at Merak. Original balkan food, good kulen, kobasica and soups. The music was impeccable and struck the heart.”October 2025
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Kulen Net +1
“Had a really good night at Merak. Original balkan food, good kulen, kobasica and soups. The music was impeccable and struck the heart.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a really good night at Merak. Original balkan food, good kulen, kobasica and soups. The music was impeccable and struck the heart.”October 2025
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Massive mixed platter Net +1
“The food was exceptional and authentic. We started with a soul-warming soup, moved on to the massive mixed platter (a must-try for anyone who wants a tour of Balkan grilled meats), and ended with what can only be described as the BEST Tres Leches cake I have ever had.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was exceptional and authentic. We started with a soul-warming soup, moved on to the massive mixed platter (a must-try for anyone who wants a tour of Balkan grilled meats), and ended with what can only be described as the BEST Tres Leches cake I have ever had.”September 2025
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Moussaka Net +1
“For our main course, we opted for the moussaka, and it did not disappoint. The layers of eggplant, meat, and creamy béchamel sauce were cooked to perfection. It was a truly satisfying dish that left us wanting more.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For our main course, we opted for the moussaka, and it did not disappoint. The layers of eggplant, meat, and creamy béchamel sauce were cooked to perfection. It was a truly satisfying dish that left us wanting more.”January 2025
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Pickled green peppers Net +1
“Each dish was expertly prepared and beautifully presented. The appetizers were a highlight, especially the pickled green peppers which were tangy and delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Each dish was expertly prepared and beautifully presented. The appetizers were a highlight, especially the pickled green peppers which were tangy and delicious.”January 2025
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Rotisserie lamb Net +1
“We went there from Abu dhabi on Sunday and we were so happy for the variety of the buffet , rich and have alot of different items also the live station of rotisserie lamb impresses us the taste of the meat and the way it's roasted in front of you , we will come back again.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We went there from Abu dhabi on Sunday and we were so happy for the variety of the buffet , rich and have alot of different items also the live station of rotisserie lamb impresses us the taste of the meat and the way it's roasted in front of you , we will come back again.”May 2026
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Sharska Net +1
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Cevapi , sharska , ajvar , kajmak was so tasty and will come back again to try the veal roast , thank you Mohamed for your recommendation”May 2026
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Shtipska pastrmajlija Net +1
“Great ambience and amazing food served by the most welcoming and amazing Maria! I’m from Shtip 🇲🇰 and i can confirm that the Shtipska Pastrmajlija is incredibly good… just as good as at home ! Looking forward to come back soon :)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great ambience and amazing food served by the most welcoming and amazing Maria! I’m from Shtip 🇲🇰 and i can confirm that the Shtipska Pastrmajlija is incredibly good… just as good as at home ! Looking forward to come back soon :)”November 2025
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Spanish tomatoes Net +1
“We were treated to a delightful surprise from the chef - a dish of Spanish tomatoes that was refreshing . It was the perfect way to start our culinary journey.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We were treated to a delightful surprise from the chef - a dish of Spanish tomatoes that was refreshing . It was the perfect way to start our culinary journey.”January 2025
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Tres leches cake Net +1
“The food was exceptional and authentic. We started with a soul-warming soup, moved on to the massive mixed platter (a must-try for anyone who wants a tour of Balkan grilled meats), and ended with what can only be described as the BEST Tres Leches cake I have ever had. It was the perfect, moist, and milky sweet ending to a fantastic meal.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was exceptional and authentic. We started with a soul-warming soup, moved on to the massive mixed platter (a must-try for anyone who wants a tour of Balkan grilled meats), and ended with what can only be described as the BEST Tres Leches cake I have ever had. It was the perfect, moist, and milky sweet ending to a fantastic meal.”September 2025
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Veal roast Net +1
“We just ordered delivery , delivered fast ,Bosnian cevapi is freshly made , try the veal roast is the best I ever tried in my life , we will order again , thank you merak”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We just ordered delivery , delivered fast ,Bosnian cevapi is freshly made , try the veal roast is the best I ever tried in my life , we will order again , thank you merak”May 2026
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Mix grill Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The soup was very nice, the mix grill has some good ones, but the chicken and the sausages were very dry.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
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Shopkska salad Net −1
“The food, honestly, is not the best, but I don't see that as a minus, because even in the Balkans you don't always find the perfect burger or šopska salad. :-)”
Positive 1Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“The food, honestly, is not the best, but I don't see that as a minus, because even in the Balkans you don't always find the perfect burger or šopska salad. :-)”March 2025
“I have asked for a šopska, then when they brought it, it was full of oil, then we have asked for another one less oil, which took 20 minutes to bring, full of oil again, then asked to change, then staff went missing and after me getting up from the table and finding the waitress we finally got it. Though luck we finished the food by then.”October 2024
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Meza platter Net −1
“The grill meat and bread were good, though the meza platter could be better, more authentic Balkan.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The grill meat and bread were good, though the meza platter could be better, more authentic Balkan.”October 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Book brunch. Sunday brunch can include a broad buffet and live grill stations, including rotisserie lamb roasted in front of you.
Expect volume. If conversation matters, check the music schedule or choose a quieter sitting; one Easter buffet was too loud for talking.
Request doneness. If you prefer juicier grilled meat, ask the kitchen to take it off the grill a minute early.
Consider valet. For evening events, valet parking was specifically appreciated by a reviewer arriving for live music.
Check timing. Service has occasionally been slow or absent, so confirm someone has taken your order before settling in.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Double Tree by Hilton -JBR - The Walk
Marsa Dubai - Dubai Marina, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Service gaps
One diner waited 20 minutes without anyone taking an order, while another had to repeatedly request water and a salad.
Loud music
At least one buffet visit became difficult for conversation because the music was exceptionally loud.
Hot AC
A diner found the air conditioning uncomfortably warm during an otherwise pleasant visit.
Washrooms
One review says the washrooms need renovation and better upkeep.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
150 AED
concert tickets
“My wife and I had paid 150 AED for the concert tickets but as she was tired we decided to leave early”Google review · October 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Merak is a Balkan-inspired restaurant and grill in Dubai Marina, inside DoubleTree by Hilton. It is a natural choice when you want traditional comfort food with a strong social atmosphere rather than a quiet, purely food-focused meal. Reviews specifically mention Bosnian cevapi, proper burek, Shtipska Pastrmajlija and mixed grilled-meat platters, while live tambura bands and Serbian performers often bring singing and dancing to the room.
The food has plenty of regional variety. Cevapi with fresh somun bread is one of the safest starting points, and diners also praise the beef signature soup, baklava and Tres Leches cake. Sunday and Saturday brunches have included generous buffets, live grill stations and rotisserie lamb roasted in front of guests.
A breakfast set for four was reported at about 250 AED, though that should not be treated as a current price. Service is often warm and attentive, but the reviews are not completely consistent: one guest waited 20 minutes without being approached, and another received cold food. The music can also become too loud for conversation, while one diner found the AC uncomfortably hot.
Valet parking is a useful arrival detail, especially for busy music nights.