French favourites
The French onion soup is a standout, with one returning diner calling it the best they have had in the UAE.
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant
Al Barsha
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant is a French casual dining bakery and restaurant in Al Barsha, with breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside its pastry counter. Reviews make the French onion soup and almond croissant especially useful starting points, while the relaxed café setting suits coffee, dessert or a full meal.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
6,707 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Fresh bread
A complimentary basket of crispy bread with different butters arrives before the meal, giving you something to enjoy while waiting.
Breakfast choice
Truffle Scrambled on Toast, Triple Avo Toast and Avocado Toast are repeatedly praised as substantial breakfast options.
Flexible service
Reviews describe successful meal customisations for dietary needs, including a sandwich adjustment and a specially modified meal.
Dessert counter
The displayed dessert selection includes popular pastries such as éclairs, chocolate mille-feuille and blueberry rolls.
Takeaway packing
A takeaway order was reported as fresh and carefully packed, with no spills.
Relaxed setting
Customers describe the atmosphere as cosy and suitable for breakfast, working, or spending time with friends.
What to Eat at PAUL Bakery & Restaurant 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 PAUL Bakery & Restaurant, 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 PAUL Bakery & Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 3
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Truffle scrambled on toast Net +3
“Excellent breakfast. Especially the Truffle scrambled on toast was yummy.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Excellent breakfast. Especially the Truffle scrambled on toast was yummy.”May 2026
“The Truffle Scrambled on Toast was outstanding: creamy, aromatic, and beautifully balanced with that rich truffle flavour.”May 2026
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Hot chocolate Net +2
“We also love the coffee and their hot chocolate.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also love the coffee and their hot chocolate.”March 2026
“Always love the food here and specially the hot chocolate - I always come back just for it. Dinner made it extra good aside from its quality because Subash was on point on my preference when he took my order. He is very attentive and kind 👍🏼 Thank you! Will definitely keep coming back.”November 2025
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Mango chia Net +2
“The Mango Chia Pudding was fresh, vibrant, and lightly sweet — the perfect finish to a memorable breakfast.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Mango Chia Pudding was fresh, vibrant, and lightly sweet — the perfect finish to a memorable breakfast.”May 2026
“The food is delicious, especially the Halloumi Sandwich and the Mango Chia. The quality of the bread is excellent and always fresh.”July 2026
Honorable mentions (18)
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Almond croissant Net +1
“Paul Restaurant is a wonderful spot for, coffee and pastries, I enjoyed their great coffee and tasty almond croissant.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Paul Restaurant is a wonderful spot for, coffee and pastries, I enjoyed their great coffee and tasty almond croissant.”June 2026
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Avocado toast Net +1
“If you want to see a live demonstration of flawless supply chain logistics while eating incredible Avocado Toast and coffee, come to PAUL Cafe at Mall of the Emirates.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“If you want to see a live demonstration of flawless supply chain logistics while eating incredible Avocado Toast and coffee, come to PAUL Cafe at Mall of the Emirates.”July 2026
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Beef with fries Net +1
“The beef with fries were amazing, and although the restaurant was busy, we were welcomed by Sonu who delivered an incredible service for us!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The beef with fries were amazing, and although the restaurant was busy, we were welcomed by Sonu who delivered an incredible service for us!”January 2026
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Blueberry rolls Net +1
“Chicken Limone for main and Blueberry rolls fir dessert is a must try.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken Limone for main and Blueberry rolls fir dessert is a must try.”June 2026
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Chicken cordon bleu with pasta in cream Net +1
“I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with pasta in cream and a mango juice, everything was delicious!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with pasta in cream and a mango juice, everything was delicious!”November 2025
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Chicken limone Net +1
“Chicken Limone for main and Blueberry rolls fir dessert is a must try.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken Limone for main and Blueberry rolls fir dessert is a must try.”June 2026
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Cordon bleu Net +1
“This time I ordered the Cordon Bleu, and I have to say it was the best dish I've had there.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This time I ordered the Cordon Bleu, and I have to say it was the best dish I've had there.”July 2026
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Crispy bread Net +1
“Special thanks for the crispy bread with different types of butter for an aperitif—I love that idea; while you're eating this bread, you don't even notice your order being prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Special thanks for the crispy bread with different types of butter for an aperitif—I love that idea; while you're eating this bread, you don't even notice your order being prepared.”July 2026
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Eclairs Net +1
“I often take eclairs home or order delivery.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I often take eclairs home or order delivery.”July 2026
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Fig and apricot bread Net +1
“Also got the fig and apricot bread and vanilla black tea and they were equally lovely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also got the fig and apricot bread and vanilla black tea and they were equally lovely.”February 2026
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French onion soup Net +1
“Their French onion soup is easily the best in the UAE.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their French onion soup is easily the best in the UAE.”July 2026
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Halloumi pesto sandwich Net +1
“From my favourite Signature Almond Vanilla Latte to the Halloumi Pesto Sandwich, Mary Rose, Jane, and Samy always make sure it is perfect every single time — almost like they already know exactly how I love it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“From my favourite Signature Almond Vanilla Latte to the Halloumi Pesto Sandwich, Mary Rose, Jane, and Samy always make sure it is perfect every single time — almost like they already know exactly how I love it.”May 2026
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Halloumi sandwich Net +1
“The food is delicious, especially the Halloumi Sandwich and the Mango Chia. The quality of the bread is excellent and always fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is delicious, especially the Halloumi Sandwich and the Mango Chia. The quality of the bread is excellent and always fresh.”July 2026
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Onion soup Net +1
“Enjoyed my meal at Paul today. The onion soup was delicious & comforting.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Enjoyed my meal at Paul today. The onion soup was delicious & comforting.”June 2026
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Paul's cake Net +1
“Excellent breakfast. Especially the Truffle scrambled on toast was yummy. Not to mention the coffee and that cute little Paul's cake 😋.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Excellent breakfast. Especially the Truffle scrambled on toast was yummy. Not to mention the coffee and that cute little Paul's cake 😋.”May 2026
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Ramadan set menu Net +1
“Editing my review to add new experience… tried the Ramadan Set Menu and it was divine. It was just wonderfully crafted from start to finish.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Editing my review to add new experience… tried the Ramadan Set Menu and it was divine. It was just wonderfully crafted from start to finish.”February 2026
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Salmon with avocado Net +1
“While the salmon with avocado was fresh and flavourful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“While the salmon with avocado was fresh and flavourful.”June 2026
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Triple avo toast Net +1
“Amazing service, and very ambient staff as always. Best experience with Paul. We had truffle scrambled on toast and triple avo toast, both very delicious. Special mention to Sanjida, Sheila, Ary and Donald for making it the best!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing service, and very ambient staff as always. Best experience with Paul. We had truffle scrambled on toast and triple avo toast, both very delicious. Special mention to Sanjida, Sheila, Ary and Donald for making it the best!!”May 2026
Drinks 5
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Local uae-filtered water Net +1
“I also have to mention how amazing and refreshing it is to see an international brand like Paul serving local UAE-filtered water through Eaula instead of imported bottled water. As an Emirati, this genuinely makes me proud.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also have to mention how amazing and refreshing it is to see an international brand like Paul serving local UAE-filtered water through Eaula instead of imported bottled water. As an Emirati, this genuinely makes me proud.”May 2026
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Mango juice Net +1
“I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with pasta in cream and a mango juice, everything was delicious!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with pasta in cream and a mango juice, everything was delicious!”November 2025
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Orange juice Net +1
“The only decent thing was the orange juice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The only decent thing was the orange juice.”March 2026
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Signature almond vanilla latte Net +1
“From my favourite Signature Almond Vanilla Latte to the Halloumi Pesto Sandwich, Mary Rose, Jane, and Samy always make sure it is perfect every single time — almost like they already know exactly how I love it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“From my favourite Signature Almond Vanilla Latte to the Halloumi Pesto Sandwich, Mary Rose, Jane, and Samy always make sure it is perfect every single time — almost like they already know exactly how I love it.”May 2026
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Vanilla black tea Net +1
“Also got the fig and apricot bread and vanilla black tea and they were equally lovely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also got the fig and apricot bread and vanilla black tea and they were equally lovely.”February 2026
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
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Chocolate pastry Net −1
“The chocolate pastry arrived at the table cold, as if it had just been taken out of the fridge. I had two bites and left it there.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The chocolate pastry arrived at the table cold, as if it had just been taken out of the fridge. I had two bites and left it there.”March 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Avoid rush. Expect a table wait at busy times; visiting outside the Sunday lunchtime rush may make seating easier.
Try bread. Enjoy the complimentary bread, but eat it promptly if ordering a croque monsieur, as one diner specifically advised.
Ask customisations. If you need a meal adjusted, ask directly: reviewers say the team accommodated sandwich and diet-related modifications.
Check allergens. Tell the server about allergies and ask questions before ordering; one review specifically praised the food-allergen knowledge provided.
Use the app. Ask about downloading the PAUL app, as reviewers were told it could provide a discount or cashback.
Pick front tables. For people-watching, a reviewer recommends the first tables on either side as you enter.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Mall of The Emirates - Sheikh Zayed Rd
Al Barsha First - Al Barsha, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Small portions
Two reviews say portions can feel small, with one diner saying the plate did not feel filling without the complimentary bread.
Busy periods
The restaurant can be crowded enough to involve a wait for a table, including a reported 10-minute wait.
Limited bread
Guests avoiding refined flour may struggle because one reviewer found no suitable bread option without white flour.
Limited vegetarian
One customer would like one or two additional vegetarian sandwich choices.
Inconsistent breakfast
One visit had bland eggs, a cold chocolate pastry and a reported 90 AED bill, despite kind waiters.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant in Al Barsha works for more than a pastry stop: you can come for breakfast, settle in with coffee, or order a full lunch or dinner. The reviews point to the French onion soup, Truffle Scrambled on Toast, Halloumi Pesto Sandwich and almond croissant as especially worthwhile choices. Desserts are displayed prominently, with éclairs, chocolate mille-feuille and blueberry rolls among the named treats.
The café’s strongest practical advantage is its accommodating service. Reviewers describe successful sandwich and diet-related modifications, and one diner received confident answers about food allergens. A complimentary basket of bread and spreads arrives before the meal; it is a welcome extra, though one review suggests eating it promptly with a croque monsieur.
Takeaway packing also received a specific thumbs-up for arriving without spills. There are a few cautions. The Mall of the Emirates branch can be crowded, with one 10-minute wait for a table, and some diners find portions small without the bread.
A customer also reported bland eggs and a cold chocolate pastry on one disappointing breakfast, while another found prices high. If you avoid refined flour or want more vegetarian sandwiches, choices may feel limited. Ask about the PAUL app for possible discounts, and consider visiting outside peak periods.