Homely kanji
Kanji is the standout for several diners, with one reviewer pairing it with nathole and mathi fry.
Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch
Al Qusais، - Al Qusais 1
Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch serves Kerala and South Indian comfort food in Al Qusais، - Al Qusais 1. Customers especially mention its homely kanji and banana-leaf meals, alongside breakfast dishes, snacks and tea at generally reasonable prices.
Reputation Score
3.8
★★★★☆
1,460 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Banana-leaf meals
The Kerala lunch on banana leaf includes kalyana sambar, pachadi and coconut fish curry.
Fish variety
A reviewer highlighted the wide fish selection, including small sardine fry and other Kerala-style fish dishes.
Breakfast options
Masala dosa, medu vada and other breakfast items are repeatedly described as good or delicious.
Affordable dining
Reviews commonly describe the food as budget-friendly, with reasonable portions, quality and pricing.
Quick service
Some diners report fast serving and quick delivery, though service experiences vary.
Parking available
Parking is available, with RTA spaces in front, although finding a spot can be difficult at peak times.
What to Eat at Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch 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 Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch, 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 Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
-
Kanji Net +3
“This restaurant serves kanji which is the best you can get in whole dubai!!! Truly great pure homely feel !!!”
Positive 4Negative 1
Review excerpts
“This restaurant serves kanji which is the best you can get in whole dubai!!! Truly great pure homely feel !!!”August 2024
“Good food especially Kerala meals n kanji”August 2022
-
Kerala meal Net +3
“I had my first taste of their Kerala Meal here and I liked it. 👍👍”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had my first taste of their Kerala Meal here and I liked it. 👍👍”August 2021
“Nice Kerala restaurant in Damascus street. Their kerala meals is a good try for lunch with decent sidings”March 2022
Honorable mentions (14)
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Authentic coconut fish curry Net +1
“It was very delicious and served with typical kalyana sambar, pachadi and authentic coconut fish curry. Super.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was very delicious and served with typical kalyana sambar, pachadi and authentic coconut fish curry. Super.”January 2026
-
Beef fry Net +1
“Beef Fry and fish - small sardine fry were a good choice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beef Fry and fish - small sardine fry were a good choice.”April 2023
-
Chicken charcoal Net +1
“We tried grilled chicken charcoal , chicken curry and some other things that was awesome 😋.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried grilled chicken charcoal , chicken curry and some other things that was awesome 😋.”June 2022
-
Chicken curry Net +1
“We tried grilled chicken charcoal , chicken curry and some other things that was awesome 😋.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried grilled chicken charcoal , chicken curry and some other things that was awesome 😋.”June 2022
-
Jalebi Net +1
“The jalebi and laddu on the counter are a must try!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The jalebi and laddu on the counter are a must try!”September 2019
-
Kanniyum payarum Net +1
“Kanniyum payarum,Kerala porotta, Chicken curry, Beef pothi parotta, motta roast, puttu biriyani, pazhampori, coffee, tea, ela ada on three different visits. Kanniyum payarum was a huge hit.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kanniyum payarum,Kerala porotta, Chicken curry, Beef pothi parotta, motta roast, puttu biriyani, pazhampori, coffee, tea, ela ada on three different visits. Kanniyum payarum was a huge hit.”September 2019
-
Kerala luch on banana leaf Net +1
“One of best budget friendly kerala luch on banana leaf in dubai. It was very delicious and served with typical kalyana sambar, pachadi and authentic coconut fish curry. Super.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of best budget friendly kerala luch on banana leaf in dubai. It was very delicious and served with typical kalyana sambar, pachadi and authentic coconut fish curry. Super.”January 2026
-
Laddu Net +1
“The jalebi and laddu on the counter are a must try!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The jalebi and laddu on the counter are a must try!”September 2019
-
Masala dosa Net +1
“Also I have tried their Masala dosa, which is very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Also I have tried their Masala dosa, which is very good.”May 2025
-
Mathi fry Net +1
“One of the best Kanji places in Dubai no polished show off nothing fancy just authentic food... Kanji here feels like home.. I'm from mysore married to malayali ! This is the first place made me feel Kanji is awesome .. ❤️👌😋Add on with there nathole and mathi fry 😋heavenly...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of the best Kanji places in Dubai no polished show off nothing fancy just authentic food... Kanji here feels like home.. I'm from mysore married to malayali ! This is the first place made me feel Kanji is awesome .. ❤️👌😋Add on with there nathole and mathi fry 😋heavenly...”February 2026
-
Medu vada Net +1
“The medu vada and evening snacks are delicious, and the meals are satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The medu vada and evening snacks are delicious, and the meals are satisfying.”August 2025
-
Mutton coconut fry Net +1
“We ordered mutton coconut fry, Chicken charcoal and parotta, surprisingly mutton coconut fry wasn't made in coconut oil but it wasn't bad it but missed the authenticity of Kerala dish.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered mutton coconut fry, Chicken charcoal and parotta, surprisingly mutton coconut fry wasn't made in coconut oil but it wasn't bad it but missed the authenticity of Kerala dish.”January 2023
-
Nadan style gravy Net +1
“Nadan style Gravy taste was somehow ok but the meat 🥩 was very worst.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nadan style Gravy taste was somehow ok but the meat 🥩 was very worst.”December 2021
-
Nathole Net +1
“One of the best Kanji places in Dubai no polished show off nothing fancy just authentic food... Kanji here feels like home.. I'm from mysore married to malayali ! This is the first place made me feel Kanji is awesome .. ❤️👌😋Add on with there nathole and mathi fry 😋heavenly...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of the best Kanji places in Dubai no polished show off nothing fancy just authentic food... Kanji here feels like home.. I'm from mysore married to malayali ! This is the first place made me feel Kanji is awesome .. ❤️👌😋Add on with there nathole and mathi fry 😋heavenly...”February 2026
Drinks 2
-
Tea Net +2
“The staff is friendly, and their tea and evening snacks are quite enjoyable.”
Positive 3Negative 1Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“The staff is friendly, and their tea and evening snacks are quite enjoyable.”December 2023
“Their tea and evening snacks also good.”July 2020
-
Fresh milk tea Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Always missed the service road and the restaurant and missed having four this time was cautiously taken the cutting got parking in front had a fresh milk tea and puffs egg not so great the tea and snack average”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
What to Avoid (12)
Food 12
-
Beef pothi parotta Net −1
“Kanniyum payarum,Kerala porotta, Chicken curry, Beef pothi parotta, motta roast, puttu biriyani, pazhampori, coffee, tea, ela ada on three different visits. Kanniyum payarum was a huge hit. The others were good. Can give the beef pothi porotta a miss and instead buy porotta and beef curry seperately.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Kanniyum payarum,Kerala porotta, Chicken curry, Beef pothi parotta, motta roast, puttu biriyani, pazhampori, coffee, tea, ela ada on three different visits. Kanniyum payarum was a huge hit. The others were good. Can give the beef pothi porotta a miss and instead buy porotta and beef curry seperately.”September 2019
-
Biryani Net −1
“We ordered biryani, but the supplier provided norma fridlrice with chicken fry and gravy. It was not biryani.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered biryani, but the supplier provided norma fridlrice with chicken fry and gravy. It was not biryani.”March 2026
-
Fish fry Net −1
“Recently take lunch with fish fries, the taste not feel like previous lunchs.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Recently take lunch with fish fries, the taste not feel like previous lunchs.”July 2020
-
Grilled chicken Net −1
“Tried grilled chicken which was also not good. Particularly, the taste / quality is not at least up to their price range (worthy).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Tried grilled chicken which was also not good. Particularly, the taste / quality is not at least up to their price range (worthy).”December 2021
-
Idly vada set Net −1
“Taste is not good at all, today morning I have ordered idly vada set and I found hair inside idly :( I do not recommend anyone to this hotel.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Taste is not good at all, today morning I have ordered idly vada set and I found hair inside idly :( I do not recommend anyone to this hotel.”July 2019
-
Pathiri Net −1
“Worst service. We brought one pathiri for my child in there found a hair i accept its human error. We inform them normal way to change he enter and just took the hair and serve to my child. Really this make irritated.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Worst service. We brought one pathiri for my child in there found a hair i accept its human error. We inform them normal way to change he enter and just took the hair and serve to my child. Really this make irritated.”October 2023
-
Payar Net −1
“I tried the kanji and payar from this restaurant based on their advertisement, but unfortunately, it was below my expectations. I even found a few stones in the rice, and overall, the quality was disappointing”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I tried the kanji and payar from this restaurant based on their advertisement, but unfortunately, it was below my expectations. I even found a few stones in the rice, and overall, the quality was disappointing”September 2024
-
Pothi parotta Net −1
“2, Pothi Parotta: He brought old one and not even hot. We asked them bring new. He brought again with the same old one. We didn't notice at first then my uncle don't want return.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“2, Pothi Parotta: He brought old one and not even hot. We asked them bring new. He brought again with the same old one. We didn't notice at first then my uncle don't want return.”September 2021
-
Puffs egg Net −1
“Always missed the service road and the restaurant and missed having four this time was cautiously taken the cutting got parking in front had a fresh milk tea and puffs egg not so great the tea and snack average”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Always missed the service road and the restaurant and missed having four this time was cautiously taken the cutting got parking in front had a fresh milk tea and puffs egg not so great the tea and snack average”November 2021
-
Redpepper biriyani Net −1
“Cashier say's, yes sir this is tasty redpepper biriyani”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Cashier say's, yes sir this is tasty redpepper biriyani”March 2026
-
Rice and chiken with masala Net −1
“I ordered 1 biriyani, but they served rice and chiken with masala , look like biriyani but taste malasa curyy and rice .”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered 1 biriyani, but they served rice and chiken with masala , look like biriyani but taste malasa curyy and rice .”March 2026
-
Sardine Net −1
“Ordered sardine there were rotten smell from sardine.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ordered sardine there were rotten smell from sardine.”April 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Try kanji. For a first visit, consider kanji with nathole or mathi fry; these are specifically praised together.
Choose banana leaf. For lunch, try the banana-leaf meal with sambar, pachadi and coconut fish curry.
Check biryani. Confirm the biryani before eating; two reviews say rice with chicken and gravy was served instead.
Plan parking. If driving, allow extra time at busy periods; RTA parking is available in front but peak-hour spaces are tough to get.
Visit earlier. Morning hours are described as family-friendly, while one diner reported a long wait even outside peak time.
Set a budget. A reported meal total was AED 32, while the reviewer says many curries and dining dishes start around AED 15.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Shop # 8,Bin Suwailem Building - 253 Damascus Street - near Grand Hotel
Al Qusais، - Al Qusais 1, Dubai
| Mon | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Tue | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Wed | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Thu | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Fri | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sat | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Rude service
Several reviews describe staff as rude or unprofessional, including poor attention to customers and delivery riders.
Order errors
Two diners said biryani was served as rice with chicken and gravy rather than the biryani they ordered.
Uneven quality
Food quality is inconsistent: some reviews praise it, while others mention oily biryani, average meals or disappointing meat.
Slow service
One customer waited a long time during a non-peak visit and received food that was much spicier than expected.
Food concerns
One review reported a bad smell in the rice and sardines, plus stones in the rice in a separate visit.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 18
Chicken Shawaya (half)
“Chicken Shawaya (half) for AED 18”Google review · July 2025
AED 11
juice
“A juice for AED 11”Google review · July 2025
AED 2
Tea
“Tea for AED 2”Google review · July 2025
AED 2
sweet for my daughter
“A sweet for my daughter for AED 2”Google review · July 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Red Pepper Restaurant - Al Qusais Branch is a Kerala and South Indian restaurant in Al Qusais، - Al Qusais 1, with a menu that suits straightforward breakfasts, lunches and evening snacks. The clearest draw is kanji: several customers describe it as homely, and one recommends adding nathole and mathi fry. Banana-leaf meals are another strong option, with kalyana sambar, pachadi and coconut fish curry mentioned by a diner who also praised the fish selection.
Breakfast choices include masala dosa, medu vada and tea, while evening snacks and coffee also receive favourable mentions. Portions and prices are often described as reasonable, although one detailed review felt Red Pepper was slightly dearer than nearby cafeterias for similar quantities. That reviewer spent AED 32 on half chicken shawaya, juice, tea and a sweet, and suggested budgeting roughly AED 20–50 per meal.
The experience is not completely consistent. Multiple customers report rude or inattentive service, and two say a biryani order arrived as rice with chicken and gravy instead. Other reviews mention slow service, excessive oil, unexpected spice and food-quality concerns.
Parking is available through RTA spaces in front, but finding a spot can be difficult during peak hours.