Desert setting
The clear desert setting, stars and Arabian Nights styling create a memorable evening away from the city.
Ninive Bab Al Shams
Mugatrah
Ninive Bab Al Shams is a restaurant in Mugatrah built around a desert escape, Arabian-inspired outdoor setting and evening dining. Reviews point to the atmosphere, shisha and Moroccan tea as major draws, while dishes such as lamb shoulder give food-focused visitors something distinctive to try.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
140 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Outdoor ambience
Outdoor seating under the stars and a calm, romantic atmosphere make the venue well suited to date nights.
Lamb shoulder
One reviewer described the lamb shoulder as massive, perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
Shisha
Shisha is a recurring reason to visit, especially alongside the music, views and relaxed evening setting.
Warm service
Several reviews describe attentive, friendly service that helps make the evening feel welcoming.
Named dishes
Reviewers have also praised the ribs, baklava with ice cream and Moroccan-style dishes.
What to Eat at Ninive Bab Al Shams 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 Ninive Bab Al Shams, 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.
These items at Ninive Bab Al Shams got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Lamb shoulder Net +2
“**Food**: The food was great! We ordered the lamb shoulder, and it was massive! Seriously, the portion sizes here are huge. The lamb was cooked perfectly and was packed with flavor. We couldn't finish everything, but it was definitely worth it.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“**Food**: The food was great! We ordered the lamb shoulder, and it was massive! Seriously, the portion sizes here are huge. The lamb was cooked perfectly and was packed with flavor. We couldn't finish everything, but it was definitely worth it.”January 2024
“There were some dishes which were out of this world and very good (i.e. Baby Chicken, Lamb Shoulder & Chicken Starter). The meats were juicy and tender and very top quality.”December 2023
Honorable mentions (12)
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Baby chicken Net +1
“There were some dishes which were out of this world and very good (i.e. Baby Chicken, Lamb Shoulder & Chicken Starter). The meats were juicy and tender and very top quality.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“There were some dishes which were out of this world and very good (i.e. Baby Chicken, Lamb Shoulder & Chicken Starter). The meats were juicy and tender and very top quality.”December 2023
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Baklava with ice cream Net +1
“Amazing restaurant with great lunch food, nice rooftop vibe and a truly divine baklava with ice cream!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing restaurant with great lunch food, nice rooftop vibe and a truly divine baklava with ice cream!”January 2026
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Beetroot salad Net +1
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”October 2025
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Chicken starter Net +1
“There were some dishes which were out of this world and very good (i.e. Baby Chicken, Lamb Shoulder & Chicken Starter). The meats were juicy and tender and very top quality.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“There were some dishes which were out of this world and very good (i.e. Baby Chicken, Lamb Shoulder & Chicken Starter). The meats were juicy and tender and very top quality.”December 2023
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Crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate Net +1
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”October 2025
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Feta salad Net +1
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”February 2024
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Kiss from a rose Net +1
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”February 2024
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Lamb meatballs in cherry sauce Net +1
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and the beetroot salad — each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.”October 2025
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Mix grill Net +1
“Some of the courses with liked (Goat) Cheese briwat Tamarind Chicken Mix Grill & the complementary fresh bread”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Some of the courses with liked (Goat) Cheese briwat Tamarind Chicken Mix Grill & the complementary fresh bread”December 2023
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Ribs Net +1
“The food is amazing—especially the ribs, which are a must-try.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is amazing—especially the ribs, which are a must-try.”December 2024
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Tamarind chicken Net +1
“Some of the courses with liked (Goat) Cheese briwat Tamarind Chicken Mix Grill & the complementary fresh bread”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Some of the courses with liked (Goat) Cheese briwat Tamarind Chicken Mix Grill & the complementary fresh bread”December 2023
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Wagyu grade 9 tenderloin Net +1
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I specifically loved their wagyu grade 9 tenderloin, the feta salad, and the best selling mocktail "kiss from a rose".”February 2024
Drinks 1
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Moroccan tea Net +1
“You should also try the Moroccan tea , it’s such a special part of the experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You should also try the Moroccan tea , it’s such a special part of the experience.”December 2024
What to Avoid (8)
Food 6
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Aubergine starter Net −1
“Additionally, the aubergine starter did not taste particularly pleasant.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Additionally, the aubergine starter did not taste particularly pleasant.”March 2026
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Chicken tagine Net −1
“However, we wanted to share a bit of feedback about the food. The chicken tagine was quite average and did not contain any vegetables, which we expected for that dish.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, we wanted to share a bit of feedback about the food. The chicken tagine was quite average and did not contain any vegetables, which we expected for that dish.”March 2026
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Lamp chops Net −1
“Bab Al shams is definitely a go to place, but we were disappointed with the dinner experience. Extremely overpriced for the quality you get - portions are quite small and not up to the standard of 5* hotel. Tajine didn’t have any veggies in it - just chicken and broth. Lamp chops are just okay - too much seasoning which covers the meat taste”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Bab Al shams is definitely a go to place, but we were disappointed with the dinner experience. Extremely overpriced for the quality you get - portions are quite small and not up to the standard of 5* hotel. Tajine didn’t have any veggies in it - just chicken and broth. Lamp chops are just okay - too much seasoning which covers the meat taste”June 2025
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Lobster Net −1
“The lobster was just a small lobster with nothing on the side and when the waiter asked about our opinion and we told him that we are disappointed, he said okay and called the manager who listened to us and said/did nothing as well.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The lobster was just a small lobster with nothing on the side and when the waiter asked about our opinion and we told him that we are disappointed, he said okay and called the manager who listened to us and said/did nothing as well.”April 2024
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Tagine chicken Net −1
“The tagine chicken was overcooked and lacked flavor.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The tagine chicken was overcooked and lacked flavor.”December 2023
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Tajine Net −1
“Bab Al shams is definitely a go to place, but we were disappointed with the dinner experience. Extremely overpriced for the quality you get - portions are quite small and not up to the standard of 5* hotel. Tajine didn’t have any veggies in it - just chicken and broth. Lamp chops are just okay - too much seasoning which covers the meat taste”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Bab Al shams is definitely a go to place, but we were disappointed with the dinner experience. Extremely overpriced for the quality you get - portions are quite small and not up to the standard of 5* hotel. Tajine didn’t have any veggies in it - just chicken and broth. Lamp chops are just okay - too much seasoning which covers the meat taste”June 2025
Drinks 2
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Grapefruit juice Net −1
“From the moment we arrived, after being served the unbearably bitter grapefruit juice, it was evident that our expectations wouldn't be met.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“From the moment we arrived, after being served the unbearably bitter grapefruit juice, it was evident that our expectations wouldn't be met.”March 2024
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Mint tea Net −1
“Even the mint tea was disappointing (they remove it from the bill).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Even the mint tea was disappointing (they remove it from the bill).”December 2023
Tips for a Better Visit
Check tea pricing. Ask how Moroccan tea is charged before ordering: one review reported AED 360 when it was billed per person.
Allow extra time. Build in plenty of time for dinner, as one diner waited over 40 minutes between starters and mains.
Choose winter. If outdoor seating matters, winter is the safer choice; one review said outdoor seating was available only then.
Confirm inclusions. For Suhoor or Ramadan bookings, confirm what is included: a reviewer said water, tea and extras were charged separately.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Qudra Road - opposite Endurance City
Mugatrah, Dubai
| Mon | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Small portions
Multiple diners found portions too small for the prices; one said two mains were not enough for one child.
High prices
Several reviews call the restaurant overpriced, including one report of AED 300 per person.
Food inconsistency
Food feedback ranges from outstanding to bland or average, with repeated criticism of the chicken tagine.
Slow service
Some visits involved long waits, including more than 40 minutes between starters and mains.
Uncomfortable seating
Seating comfort has been criticised, particularly during an Iftar visit.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
360 AED
Moroccan tea
“The food was average and not worth the price but above all they charged us 360 AED = 100 USD for Moroccan tea”Google review · November 2025
AED 440 without VAT
Suhoor food
“A complete rip off charging AED 440 without VAT for food alone, water/ tea and everything else is extra”Google review · March 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Ninive Bab Al Shams is a desert-set restaurant in Mugatrah where the setting can be as important as dinner. People come for Arabian Nights-style outdoor seating, music, shisha and the chance to sit beneath the stars. It works especially well for a romantic evening, visiting guests or a relaxed drink-led outing.
There are some strong food reports. The lamb shoulder was described as massive and perfectly cooked, while other diners enjoyed the ribs, lamb meatballs in cherry sauce, crispy chicken with yogurt and pomegranate, and baklava with ice cream. Moroccan tea is part of the experience for some guests, although its charging method has caused serious complaints.
Food is the inconsistent part of the picture. Some reviews call dishes outstanding; others found the chicken tagine bland, lacking vegetables or overcooked, and several diners thought portions were small for the price. Service has also ranged from attentive to very slow, with one visit involving a 40-minute wait between courses.
Check menu and tea pricing before ordering, confirm Ramadan inclusions, and allow extra time if you are booking during a busy period. The venue is in the desert, so the journey is part of the plan.