Arabic Flavours
Distinctive choices include Meghli, Wild Zaatar, dates, Halawa kamr AlDin and Jallab.
Minus Eighteen
Al Safa
Minus Eighteen is an ice cream shop in Al Safa where you can explore unusual Middle Eastern flavours alongside familiar favourites. Reviews especially point to the zaatar ice cream, refreshing sorbets, and a relaxed, attractive setting for families or a casual dessert stop.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
531 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Zaatar Pairings
The zaatar ice cream works especially well with olive oil, extra zaatar and sumac.
Fresh Sorbets
Reviewers describe the sorbets as refreshing and vibrant, with lemon sorbet receiving a specific mention.
Sugar-Free Option
A reviewer found the sugar-free ice cream delicious, useful for guests looking for a lower-sugar choice.
Family Setting
Comfortable seating, board games and a child-friendly atmosphere make it easy to linger with family.
Patient Service
Staff have been praised for explaining flavours and allowing extensive tasting before customers choose.
Coffee Pairing
The shop also serves coffee, including a Spanish latte that one reviewer recommended with dessert.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try Zaatar. Start with zaatar ice cream; olive oil, extra zaatar and sumac are the recommended finishing touches.
Order Combos. Try dark chocolate with pistachio, or lemon mint with strawberry for tested flavour combinations.
Ask About Sugar-Free. If you are avoiding sugar, ask about the sugar-free ice cream rather than assuming every flavour qualifies.
Leave Room. The shop has more than scoops, including ice cream-based sweets, so arrive with space if you want to sample several.
Plan the visit
Practical details
106 - Unit 36 Al Hadiqa Rd
Al Safa 1 - Al Safa, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Popular Mentions
za’atar ice cream croissant
A buttery croissant filled with za’atar ice cream and topped with olive oil, creating a savoury-sweet combination.
Tart Mafroukeh
A named speciality that one reviewer called the most mouth-watering flavour they tried.
dark choc and pistachio
A classic pairing recommended by a reviewer who tested several combinations.
Common Concerns
Pineapple Sorbet
One reviewer felt the pineapple sorbet still needed some fine tuning.
Oreo Sandwich
The Oreo sandwich was let down by hard biscuit and vanilla or cream ice cream the reviewer disliked.
Tart Texture
The mango raspberry tart’s filling was liked more than its very hard tart shell.
Coffee Roast
The coffee may suit fans of darker, bitter roasts better than those who prefer lighter coffee.
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The Bottom Line
Minus Eighteen is an Al Safa ice cream shop for people who enjoy both familiar scoops and flavours that take a more adventurous turn. Reviews mention Meghli, Wild Zaatar, dates, Jallab and Halawa kamr AlDin, while the zaatar ice cream has become a standout rather than a novelty. The shop also serves ice cream-based desserts, sorbets, coffee and a sugar-free option.
For a first order, zaatar ice cream is the obvious experiment: one reviewer loved it with olive oil, extra zaatar and sumac, while another enjoyed it in a croissant. If you prefer something brighter, the lemon sorbet was singled out as delightful, and lemon mint with strawberry was compared to a very cold strawberry lemonade. Dark chocolate with pistachio is the safer classic pairing.
The room is consistently described as attractive, calm and comfortable, with pink décor, seating and even board games. Families are well catered for; one parent said staff were playful with a toddler and allowed plenty of tasting. Service is another strong point, especially when choosing from the wide selection.
A few desserts are less consistent. Pineapple sorbet needs refinement, and one reviewer found the Oreo sandwich biscuit and mango raspberry tart shell too hard. Coffee leans toward a darker, more bitter roast, so lighter-roast drinkers may want to stick with the ice cream.