Special Karahi
The special karahi is a standout for at least one reviewer and was strong enough to outweigh disappointing seekh kebab.
Punjabi Dera Restaurant Dubai
Hor Al Anz
Punjabi Dera is a full Pakistani desi restaurant in Hor Al Anz, with a menu that reviewers associate with Gujranwala-style food. It is worth considering for dishes such as special karahi and aloo paratha with chana masala, though service and pricing can be uneven.
Reputation Score
3.8
★★★★☆
312 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Pakistani Taste
Several customers describe the food as recognisably Pakistani, with one calling both its quality and taste fully Pakistani.
Breakfast Paratha
The aloo paratha was reported fresh, flavourful and satisfying, with warm, well-brewed tea served alongside.
Family Seating
A reviewer specifically noted proper family seating and a comfortable atmosphere, making the layout useful for family meals.
Custom Taste
One customer says the restaurant can customise the food’s taste to suit the diner’s preference.
What to Eat at Punjabi Dera Restaurant Dubai 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 Punjabi Dera Restaurant Dubai, 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.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Punjabi Dera Restaurant Dubai, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 9
-
Aloo paratha Net +2
“I ordered the aloo paratha, and it was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the aloo paratha, and it was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.”June 2025
“We had aalu paratha here, it's same as home made paratha, but the taste doubled when you have it with chana masala(white big peas). It is really awesome combination.”October 2024
-
Chana masala Net +1
“We had aalu paratha here, it's same as home made paratha, but the taste doubled when you have it with chana masala(white big peas). It is really awesome combination.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had aalu paratha here, it's same as home made paratha, but the taste doubled when you have it with chana masala(white big peas). It is really awesome combination.”October 2024
-
Fried rice Net +1
“I ordered fried rice, and the taste was absolutely delicious—perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered fried rice, and the taste was absolutely delicious—perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”April 2026
-
Halwa Net +1
“And don't forget taste the halwa here, amazing halwa😋😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And don't forget taste the halwa here, amazing halwa😋😋”October 2024
-
Mixed grill Net +1
“Food was good. But the mixed grill had only chicken items. Venue was dusty. The staff need to keep tables and dishes maintained and free of dust. Rest was reasonable given the type of venue.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was good. But the mixed grill had only chicken items. Venue was dusty. The staff need to keep tables and dishes maintained and free of dust. Rest was reasonable given the type of venue.”April 2026
-
Paratha Net +1
“Nice deal of paratha made with Chakki Wheat Atta........a recommended place for Karahi Lovers!!! There speciality is the Sulaimani Karahi 😍😍😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice deal of paratha made with Chakki Wheat Atta........a recommended place for Karahi Lovers!!! There speciality is the Sulaimani Karahi 😍😍😍”June 2023
-
Pizza Net +1
“I haven't tried alot but the PIZZAAAAA OMG everyone has to try the pizza it's amazing so rich and creamy and full of meat and veggies this is officially the best pizza in all of Dubai”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I haven't tried alot but the PIZZAAAAA OMG everyone has to try the pizza it's amazing so rich and creamy and full of meat and veggies this is officially the best pizza in all of Dubai”April 2026
-
Special karahi Net +1
“Food was very nice specially their special karahi. Seekh Kebab were not nice though but karahi made it up. Highly recommend”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was very nice specially their special karahi. Seekh Kebab were not nice though but karahi made it up. Highly recommend”June 2026
-
Sulaimani karahi Net +1
“Nice deal of paratha made with Chakki Wheat Atta........a recommended place for Karahi Lovers!!! There speciality is the Sulaimani Karahi 😍😍😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice deal of paratha made with Chakki Wheat Atta........a recommended place for Karahi Lovers!!! There speciality is the Sulaimani Karahi 😍😍😍”June 2023
Drinks 1
-
Tea Net 0
Mixed feedback
“The tea ☕ they served alongside was also really nice — warm and perfectly brewed.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The tea ☕ they served alongside was also really nice — warm and perfectly brewed.”June 2025
What to Avoid (9)
Food 9
-
Paya Net −1
“They served us uncooked paya, and the channa was full of water just to increase the quantity.”
Positive 1Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“They served us uncooked paya, and the channa was full of water just to increase the quantity.”May 2026
“Rates expensive also food quality not good . Paya rate is 20 aed but they give it like a 5 aed we paid . 15 aed is cost of a paya and they earn 150 from one by serving small small piece in 20 aed . You should maintain it which customer paying at least serve them . Its cost should be 10 to 12 aed instead of 20”August 2025
-
Biryani Net −1
“I just ordered biryani and they delivered immediately. It was not tasty at all. I dint even feel like eating”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I just ordered biryani and they delivered immediately. It was not tasty at all. I dint even feel like eating”August 2025
-
Black chana rice Net −1
“I ordered Black Chana Rice, and not only was the wrong order sent initially, but when I finally received the food, I found pieces of glass in it while eating. This is extremely dangerous and unacceptable.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered Black Chana Rice, and not only was the wrong order sent initially, but when I finally received the food, I found pieces of glass in it while eating. This is extremely dangerous and unacceptable.”July 2025
-
Chicken jinger Net −1
“I ordered chicken jinger.its served a a mash chicken.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered chicken jinger.its served a a mash chicken.”December 2025
-
Naan paya Net −1
“Naan paya it was best once they start this restaurant now its taste less 😔”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Naan paya it was best once they start this restaurant now its taste less 😔”April 2025
-
Roghni special naan Net −1
“I also ordered the Roghni Special Naan, but it was far from what was expected. It felt more like a basic roti with sesame seeds sprinkled on top rather than a proper naan. To make matters worse, it was poorly cooked—burnt in the middle while the edges were still raw dough. It was practically inedible.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I also ordered the Roghni Special Naan, but it was far from what was expected. It felt more like a basic roti with sesame seeds sprinkled on top rather than a proper naan. To make matters worse, it was poorly cooked—burnt in the middle while the edges were still raw dough. It was practically inedible.”April 2026
-
Saag Net −1
“Unprofessional staff ,and prices are to heigh then food , I returned the untasty food saag and they charged us that food also its so bad”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Unprofessional staff ,and prices are to heigh then food , I returned the untasty food saag and they charged us that food also its so bad”February 2026
-
Seekh kebab Net −1
“Food was very nice specially their special karahi. Seekh Kebab were not nice though but karahi made it up. Highly recommend”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food was very nice specially their special karahi. Seekh Kebab were not nice though but karahi made it up. Highly recommend”June 2026
-
Chana Net −2
“The Chana was terrible and unfortunately caused me an upset stomach.”
Positive 0Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“The Chana was terrible and unfortunately caused me an upset stomach.”April 2026
“They served us uncooked paya, and the channa was full of water just to increase the quantity.”May 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Check Prices. Confirm the menu price and ask for a clear bill before paying, as one review says prices did not match the menu.
Allow Time. Avoid visiting when you are in a hurry; a lunch customer reported waiting three hours, and delivery delays are also mentioned.
Try Karahi. If choosing between dishes, the special karahi received a stronger report than the seekh kebab on the same visit.
Inspect Naan. Check the naan when it arrives, since one reviewer received a Roghni Special Naan that was raw at the edges and burnt in the middle.
Plan the visit
Practical details
19 - 2 38A St
Hor Al Anz - Deira, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Common Concerns
High Prices
Multiple reviews say prices have risen or are higher than comparable Pakistani restaurants in the area.
Long Delays
Service can be extremely slow: one customer says lunch took three hours, while delivery reviews also report substantial delays.
Billing Issues
Some customers report being charged more than the menu price or needing to argue over incorrect charges.
Uneven Cooking
Food quality is inconsistent in the reviews, including a report of uncooked paya and a burnt-in-the-middle, raw-edged naan.
Poor Service
Several diners describe rude or unprofessional interactions, while others say staff were friendly, so service appears notably inconsistent.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
20 aed
Paya
“Paya rate is 20 aed but they give it like a 5 aed we paid”Google review · August 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Punjabi Dera is a Pakistani desi restaurant in Hor Al Anz with a broad comfort-food menu. Reviews mention special karahi, paya, chanay, biryani, naan and parathas, so it suits diners looking for familiar Pakistani dishes rather than a polished contemporary setting. The special karahi gets a particularly favourable mention, while breakfast has its own following: one customer enjoyed fresh aloo paratha with warm tea, and another praised aloo paratha with chana masala.
The setting can work for families, with one review noting proper family seating; another found the restaurant clean, comfortable and well air-conditioned. That said, cleanliness and upkeep are not consistently reported, with a separate review describing a dusty venue and tables that needed better maintenance. The main caution is reliability.
Prices are repeatedly described as high, and some customers say the final charge did not match the menu. Service ranges from friendly to openly rude, with reports of poor complaint handling and very long waits, including three hours for lunch. Food quality also varies: alongside praise for the taste are complaints about watery channa, uncooked paya and badly cooked naan.
Check prices, allow extra time and inspect dishes when they arrive.