Emirati Breakfast
The Emirati breakfast is praised for generous portions, with one review saying it was enough for two.
SMAT Resto-Cafe
Dubai Design District
SMAT is an Emirati cuisine restaurant in Dubai Design District, blending traditional dishes with modern influences. Reviews make breakfast, especially the shakshouka and Emirati breakfast, a strong reason to visit, while the calm setting also suits a relaxed coffee or business lunch.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
752 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Modern Dishes
The menu puts a contemporary spin on Emirati food; Wagyu Tikka, Briyani Balls and Qahwa Short Ribs stand out in reviews.
Calm Atmosphere
Several reviews describe the restaurant as cosy, calm and relaxing, with chilled music and a setting suitable for meetings.
Friendly Service
Customers often mention warm, attentive service, including a review praising the staff's detailed knowledge of the menu.
Business Lunch
The business lunch is reported to include varied appetisers, mains, desserts and drinks, with fresh food and good value.
Coffee Selection
Karak and Turkish coffee receive particular praise, with one reviewer calling it the best Turkish coffee in Dubai.
Outdoor Seating
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, giving visitors a choice of setting for meals.
What to Eat at SMAT Resto-Cafe 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 SMAT Resto-Cafe, 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 SMAT Resto-Cafe, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 5
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Emarati breakfast Net +5
“The Emarati breakfast was very good, and the portion is good for 2 already for the likes of me.”
Positive 5Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Emarati breakfast was very good, and the portion is good for 2 already for the likes of me.”May 2023
“Delicious Emirati breakfast, calm and very nice atmosphere.”April 2026
-
Briyani balls Net +2
“Highly recommended ! The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Highly recommended ! The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”October 2025
“The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”September 2024
-
Business lunch menu Net +2
“They offer great variety of appetizers, main course, deserts and drinks on business lunch menu. Food is fresh, tasty and a great value for money. 100% recommended!”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They offer great variety of appetizers, main course, deserts and drinks on business lunch menu. Food is fresh, tasty and a great value for money. 100% recommended!”April 2026
“A yummy business lunch, decent portions, great service and jazz. Loved the experience 🤩”October 2025
-
Qahwa short ribs Net +2
“The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”September 2024
“Highly recommended ! The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”October 2025
-
Wagyu tikka Net +2
“The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”September 2024
“Highly recommended ! The Wagyu Tikka was exceptional, The Briyani Balls, and the Qahwa Short Ribs will make you feel so good.”October 2025
Honorable mentions (18)
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Alçafrao ice cream Net +1
“The food is incredible and delicious. The atmosphere is fantastic. I definitely recommend trying the alçafrao ice cream and karaktea!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is incredible and delicious. The atmosphere is fantastic. I definitely recommend trying the alçafrao ice cream and karaktea!”October 2024
-
Bagela Net +1
“The khameer and the bagela were good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The khameer and the bagela were good.”June 2022
-
Burger slider Net +1
“Burger slider because its really unique "A+" just be careful its hard to eat but it's really worth it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Burger slider because its really unique "A+" just be careful its hard to eat but it's really worth it.”March 2018
-
Calamari dish Net +1
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”January 2024
-
Kameer with cheese and honey Net +1
“I also recommend the kameer with cheese and honey so classic and i love it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also recommend the kameer with cheese and honey so classic and i love it.”March 2018
-
Karaktea Net +1
“The food is incredible and delicious. The atmosphere is fantastic. I definitely recommend trying the alçafrao ice cream and karaktea!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is incredible and delicious. The atmosphere is fantastic. I definitely recommend trying the alçafrao ice cream and karaktea!”October 2024
-
Khameer Net +1
“The khameer and the bagela were good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The khameer and the bagela were good.”June 2022
-
Lomi lamb tikka Net +1
“As usual, I had the most delicious food in here, I would recommend the lomi lamb tikka 👌👌👌”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“As usual, I had the most delicious food in here, I would recommend the lomi lamb tikka 👌👌👌”November 2021
-
Machbous lamb Net +1
“Must try their Machbous Lamb and Tiramisu, not to forget their speciality coffee section”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Must try their Machbous Lamb and Tiramisu, not to forget their speciality coffee section”May 2022
-
Majbos Net +1
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”January 2024
-
Oatsome ice cream Net +1
“Oatsome ice cream and their matcha lemonade are so good. I hope that you will have branch here in Mirdif avenue mall.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Oatsome ice cream and their matcha lemonade are so good. I hope that you will have branch here in Mirdif avenue mall.”October 2023
-
Sea food tacos Net +1
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The restaurant is way better than I thought, Majbos very delicious, sea food tacos were awesome and the calamari dish wwas very good.”January 2024
-
Seafood machbous claypot Net +1
“Our order for dinner was spicy Rebyan linguinie which was normal dish and seafood machbous claypot which was really delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Our order for dinner was spicy Rebyan linguinie which was normal dish and seafood machbous claypot which was really delicious.”February 2025
-
Shakshouka Net +1
“Great breakfast. Service was decent and the Shakshouka is a must when you’re here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great breakfast. Service was decent and the Shakshouka is a must when you’re here.”February 2026
-
Tiramisu Net +1
“Must try their Machbous Lamb and Tiramisu, not to forget their speciality coffee section”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Must try their Machbous Lamb and Tiramisu, not to forget their speciality coffee section”May 2022
-
Turkish sharing meal Net +1
“Amazing experience! We get the Turkish Sharing Meal for breakfasts and it never disappoints.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing experience! We get the Turkish Sharing Meal for breakfasts and it never disappoints.”August 2021
-
Balaleet Net 0
Mixed feedback
“can't ask for a better breakfast....I finally got the chance to enjoy balaleet in Dubai, after 9 years. I am glad I had the chance to do it in this place. I definitely recommend it for some alone time or with friends or family....”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“can't ask for a better breakfast....I finally got the chance to enjoy balaleet in Dubai, after 9 years. I am glad I had the chance to do it in this place. I definitely recommend it for some alone time or with friends or family....”April 2019
-
Spicy rebyan linguinie Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Our order for dinner was spicy Rebyan linguinie which was normal dish and seafood machbous claypot which was really delicious.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 5
-
Karak Net +4
“Loved their karak.”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Loved their karak.”July 2022
“Good experience, i ordered Emirati breakfast, It was so good , love the Karak , friendly staff, good service.”August 2022
-
Matcha lemonade Net +1
“Oatsome ice cream and their matcha lemonade are so good. I hope that you will have branch here in Mirdif avenue mall.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Oatsome ice cream and their matcha lemonade are so good. I hope that you will have branch here in Mirdif avenue mall.”October 2023
-
Mojito Net +1
“The mojito was good but too much sugar syrup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The mojito was good but too much sugar syrup.”June 2022
-
Moroccan tea Net +1
“Moroccan tea was "B".”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Moroccan tea was "B".”March 2018
-
Rose latte Net +1
“I tried their Rose Latte and I highly recommend it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried their Rose Latte and I highly recommend it.”September 2021
What to Avoid (3)
Food 3
-
Kale salad Net −1
“The staff is kind and the place is nice however I never had such a horrible kale salad in my life, maybe I was just unlucky with my order as my friend ordered pudding and rice and it was nicer. However this salad was so sad, the meat so dry and the avocado almost non existent.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The staff is kind and the place is nice however I never had such a horrible kale salad in my life, maybe I was just unlucky with my order as my friend ordered pudding and rice and it was nicer. However this salad was so sad, the meat so dry and the avocado almost non existent.”February 2026
-
Lamb tikka Net −1
“The lamb tikka is not soft.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The lamb tikka is not soft.”June 2022
-
Sticky date cake Net −1
“Extremely disappointed with my first order from Smat. I ordered a sticky date cake, but what I received was an unrecognizable mess of burnt crumbs.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Extremely disappointed with my first order from Smat. I ordered a sticky date cake, but what I received was an unrecognizable mess of burnt crumbs.”December 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Check Hours. Call before going, especially on Sunday, because one visitor found the restaurant closed despite the listed opening hours.
Allow Time. For breakfast, leave extra time or visit off-peak; multiple reviewers reported waits of more than an hour for small orders.
Share Breakfast. The Emirati breakfast was described as enough for two, so it may work well as a shared order.
Check Menu. Ask what is currently available before settling on dishes, as a recent menu change left many items unavailable.
Use Parking. If you are driving to Dubai Design District, a review reports free parking in the D3 area.
Try Shakshouka. Shakshouka is specifically recommended for breakfast, though service timing has varied considerably.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Design District Building No. 10
Zaa'beel Second - Dubai Design District, 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 – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Long Waits
Breakfast service can break down badly: several reviewers waited over an hour for simple shakshouka, eggs or flatbread.
Hours Issue
One visitor arrived during listed opening hours on a Sunday afternoon and found the restaurant closed.
Menu Changes
A visitor found most menu items unavailable because the restaurant had recently changed its menu.
High Prices
Some customers consider the restaurant expensive or slightly pricey, despite positive comments about the food.
Inconsistent Dishes
One kale salad arrived with dry meat and very little avocado, while another review found a dish unusually salty.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
125 AED
breakfast
“The breakfast is enough for two you have a variety of different local dishes and breads - cost only 125 AED including tea or karak”Google review · July 2022
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
SMAT is an Emirati cuisine restaurant in Dubai Design District, with a menu that combines traditional local food and modern ideas. Breakfast is a major draw: reviewers highlight the Emirati breakfast, shakshouka, flat breads and karak, while the business lunch is noted for its range of appetisers, mains, desserts and drinks. For a more contemporary order, the Wagyu Tikka, Briyani Balls and Qahwa Short Ribs have all received specific praise.
Seafood machbous claypot, majboos and desserts such as luqaimat also appear in recommendations. Coffee is part of the appeal, particularly karak and Turkish coffee. The room is repeatedly described as calm, cosy and nicely designed, with indoor and outdoor seating.
It can suit a quiet coffee, casual meal or business lunch, and one review mentions free parking in the D3 area. Prices are not universally seen as cheap; some diners call them high, although a business-lunch reviewer found good value. Service is the main caution.
Several breakfast visits involved waits of more than an hour, including orders that had not started or items that had run out. Menu availability has also been uneven after a menu change, and listed hours were inaccurate for one Sunday visit. Call ahead, check what is available and allow more time than usual for breakfast.