Canal Views
The cafe sits beside the canal, with reviewers highlighting water views, a terrace and a relaxing evening setting.
Business Bay
Midhat Pasha Cafe is a canal-side Business Bay cafe serving traditional Levantine and Syrian-style food alongside shisha, coffee and desserts. Reviews make it especially appealing for relaxed evening meet-ups, with canal views, Arabic ambience and dishes such as shish tawook and beef shawarma.
Source: Google Maps
The cafe sits beside the canal, with reviewers highlighting water views, a terrace and a relaxing evening setting.
Customers describe the shisha as smooth and flavorful, with a varied selection that suits a long, relaxed gathering.
Reviews point to fresh, traditional Syrian and Middle Eastern cooking, including grills, yabrak and hummus.
Shish tawook is a reliable choice, praised both as a platter and alongside fresh salad.
The mood is described as calm, cozy and informal rather than flashy, with Arabic music and Turkish decorations.
One lunch review found the grilled chicken, potatoes and fattoush portion more than enough for one diner.
Several reviews mention fast service, including a first visit where food came out quickly and staff were friendly.
A reviewer noted a big parking area nearby, which can make arriving by car easier in Business Bay.
Request Canal. Ask for a canal-side table if available; one diner said staff accommodated that specific request.
Go Evening. Evening visits suit the cafe’s canal walk, relaxed Arabic-music atmosphere and shisha-focused social setting.
Share Starters. For a group, consider sharing salads and starters before ordering mains; one reviewer found them suited to talking over food.
Try Dessert. Leave room for dessert: pistachio ice cream was singled out as a standout, while another review praised the milk cake.
Allow Time. This is geared toward lingering rather than a quick meal, especially if you plan to combine food, tea, shisha and conversation.
Check Service. Service is usually described as attentive, but one notably negative review suggests checking that the welcome and table service are on form.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
Milk cake is praised as soft and rich, making it a dessert worth leaving room for.
Pistachio ice cream was a standout dessert for one reviewer.
Turkish coffee appears as part of a simple cafe order alongside manakeesh and Moroccan tea.
One review reported a rude hostess and unfriendly waiters, although the shisha staff were described as cheerful.
The Bottom Line
Midhat Pasha Cafe is a canal-side Business Bay spot for Syrian and Levantine food, shisha and unhurried social evenings. You can come for lunch or dinner, order dishes such as shish tawook, beef shawarma, yabrak or hummus, then stay for Turkish coffee, tea or dessert. The canal views and terrace are a major part of the appeal, especially after sunset.
The atmosphere leans cozy and informal, with Arabic music and Turkish decorations rather than a glossy, corporate feel. Reviews describe it as a comfortable place to meet friends, smoke shisha and play a game of Uno. Food is often reported as fresh and generously portioned; one diner found grilled chicken with potatoes and fattoush more than enough.
Pistachio ice cream and milk cake also get specific praise. If you are driving, one reviewer mentioned a big parking area nearby. Asking for a canal-facing table is worthwhile if seating allows, since a guest said staff accommodated that request.
Service is commonly described as quick, friendly and attentive, though one October review reported a rude hostess and unfriendly waiters. That inconsistency is worth bearing in mind, particularly if polished service is central to your visit.