Buffet Range
Christmas Eve’s buffet covered Western, Indian, Filipino and Arabic options, with fresh seafood and desserts also praised.
Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf
Barcelo Al Jaddaf
Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf is a hotel restaurant in Barcelo Al Jaddaf serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Arabic and international dishes. It is particularly suited to buffet dining, including themed buffets on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunches.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
144 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Breakfast
Breakfast is a reliable choice for hotel guests, with reviewers highlighting satisfying food, variety and attentive service across several mornings.
Special Dishes
One dinner review singled out the Mixed Seafood Salad, Pumpkin Moutabel and Crema De Pomodoro among the buffet’s memorable dishes.
Celebrations
A birthday booking received complimentary sautéed prawns, Waldorf salad and cake, with the chef personally delivering food to the celebrant.
Valet Parking
Valet parking was specifically mentioned as an available convenience for diners.
Calm Setting
A reviewer found the dining room neat and calm, with different seating arrangements and warm lighting.
What to Eat at Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf 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 Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf, 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 Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Waldorf salad Net +2
“Two complimentary dishes on a plate were served to the birthday person; they were nicely cooked prawns sautéed in vegetables. The Waldorf salad simple to look at but incredibly flavourful. Chef Virgilio, thank you for the delicious dinner. You added a personal touch to the celebration by bringing the food to the celebrant's table yourself. There was also a complimentary cake for the celebrant. It was a positive experience overall. We will definitely comeback.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Two complimentary dishes on a plate were served to the birthday person; they were nicely cooked prawns sautéed in vegetables. The Waldorf salad simple to look at but incredibly flavourful. Chef Virgilio, thank you for the delicious dinner. You added a personal touch to the celebration by bringing the food to the celebrant's table yourself. There was also a complimentary cake for the celebrant. It was a positive experience overall. We will definitely comeback.”September 2025
“Ms. Laura who's in-charged, Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Rohit on the service and the Chef, Chef Virgilio our fellow Kabayan...who personally interact with us, prepared and delivered special seafood dish which is really delicious, artfully arranged fruit platter and waldorf salad on my table both appetizing and tasty and the cake for the birthday greetings..wow all complimentary and it realky surprised me...”September 2025
Honorable mentions (18)
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Apple and pineapple crumble Net +1
“The Apple and Pineapple Crumble was another tangy-sweet delight, served warm and it was yum(wish they had ice cream to scoop into this dessert).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Apple and Pineapple Crumble was another tangy-sweet delight, served warm and it was yum(wish they had ice cream to scoop into this dessert).”January 2024
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Artfully arranged fruit platter Net +1
“Ms. Laura who's in-charged, Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Rohit on the service and the Chef, Chef Virgilio our fellow Kabayan...who personally interact with us, prepared and delivered special seafood dish which is really delicious, artfully arranged fruit platter and waldorf salad on my table both appetizing and tasty and the cake for the birthday greetings..wow all complimentary and it realky surprised me...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Ms. Laura who's in-charged, Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Rohit on the service and the Chef, Chef Virgilio our fellow Kabayan...who personally interact with us, prepared and delivered special seafood dish which is really delicious, artfully arranged fruit platter and waldorf salad on my table both appetizing and tasty and the cake for the birthday greetings..wow all complimentary and it realky surprised me...”September 2025
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Beef broccoli Net +1
“Even though there weren't many food selections, everyone enjoyed the buffet table's offerings, particularly the beef broccoli. The fish were also delicious as well as the chicken. There are some delicious alternatives at the salad stations. For an extra alternative, I would like to recommend two dishes more as an extra choice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Even though there weren't many food selections, everyone enjoyed the buffet table's offerings, particularly the beef broccoli. The fish were also delicious as well as the chicken. There are some delicious alternatives at the salad stations. For an extra alternative, I would like to recommend two dishes more as an extra choice.”September 2025
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Chicken tangine Net +1
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”January 2024
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Crema de pomodoro Net +1
“I’ve never had Tomato soup and oh wow the first time was a good time, because this Crema De Pomodoro was just, rich broth full of flavour- I just wanted to have it with pasta too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I’ve never had Tomato soup and oh wow the first time was a good time, because this Crema De Pomodoro was just, rich broth full of flavour- I just wanted to have it with pasta too.”January 2024
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Fish cooked in tomato gravy Net +1
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”January 2024
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Fruit custard Net +1
“Fruit Custard was really nice, it wasn’t too sweet, the fruits were perfectly paired with.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Fruit Custard was really nice, it wasn’t too sweet, the fruits were perfectly paired with.”January 2024
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Hawaiian chicken Net +1
“Our favourite salads had to be the Strawberry Pomegranate Quinoa- such a light and unique combination, Hawaiian Chicken- chunks of chicken cubes in cream cheese dressing, tossed with Pineapple pieces. You get the sweetness, and a bit of savoury tones from this.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Our favourite salads had to be the Strawberry Pomegranate Quinoa- such a light and unique combination, Hawaiian Chicken- chunks of chicken cubes in cream cheese dressing, tossed with Pineapple pieces. You get the sweetness, and a bit of savoury tones from this.”January 2024
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Lamb bean stew Net +1
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”January 2024
-
Mixed seafood salad Net +1
“The bestest of them all was their Mixed Seafood Salad- generous amounts of squid, prawns, fish tossed in a tangy herby-vinaigrette and colored peppers.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The bestest of them all was their Mixed Seafood Salad- generous amounts of squid, prawns, fish tossed in a tangy herby-vinaigrette and colored peppers.”January 2024
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Pesto pasta Net +1
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their main dishes were also scrumptious from their marinated grills to chicken tangine, pesto pasta to lamb bean stew and fish cooked in tomato gravy amongst many others, our dinner was a delightful and delicious experience.”January 2024
-
Prawns sautéed in vegetables Net +1
“Two complimentary dishes on a plate were served to the birthday person; they were nicely cooked prawns sautéed in vegetables. The Waldorf salad simple to look at but incredibly flavourful. Chef Virgilio, thank you for the delicious dinner. You added a personal touch to the celebration by bringing the food to the celebrant's table yourself. There was also a complimentary cake for the celebrant. It was a positive experience overall. We will definitely comeback.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Two complimentary dishes on a plate were served to the birthday person; they were nicely cooked prawns sautéed in vegetables. The Waldorf salad simple to look at but incredibly flavourful. Chef Virgilio, thank you for the delicious dinner. You added a personal touch to the celebration by bringing the food to the celebrant's table yourself. There was also a complimentary cake for the celebrant. It was a positive experience overall. We will definitely comeback.”September 2025
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Pumpkin moutabel Net +1
“But…there’s something even better yet simple than this, it was their Pumpkin Moutabel- I loved thiisss so much I had three servings, such a rich, thick and creammyyy combination of the best ingredients, I miss it already.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“But…there’s something even better yet simple than this, it was their Pumpkin Moutabel- I loved thiisss so much I had three servings, such a rich, thick and creammyyy combination of the best ingredients, I miss it already.”January 2024
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Soup of the day Net +1
“Serving variety of international cuisine each day with my favourite 😍 soup of the day this Restaurant is a must include when staying at Occidental Hotel just makes things very convenient 😋.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Serving variety of international cuisine each day with my favourite 😍 soup of the day this Restaurant is a must include when staying at Occidental Hotel just makes things very convenient 😋.”October 2023
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Special seafood dish Net +1
“Ms. Laura who's in-charged, Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Rohit on the service and the Chef, Chef Virgilio our fellow Kabayan...who personally interact with us, prepared and delivered special seafood dish which is really delicious, artfully arranged fruit platter and waldorf salad on my table both appetizing and tasty and the cake for the birthday greetings..wow all complimentary and it realky surprised me...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Ms. Laura who's in-charged, Mr. Rakesh, Mr. Rohit on the service and the Chef, Chef Virgilio our fellow Kabayan...who personally interact with us, prepared and delivered special seafood dish which is really delicious, artfully arranged fruit platter and waldorf salad on my table both appetizing and tasty and the cake for the birthday greetings..wow all complimentary and it realky surprised me...”September 2025
-
Strawberry pomegranate quinoa Net +1
“Our favourite salads had to be the Strawberry Pomegranate Quinoa- such a light and unique combination, Hawaiian Chicken- chunks of chicken cubes in cream cheese dressing, tossed with Pineapple pieces.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Our favourite salads had to be the Strawberry Pomegranate Quinoa- such a light and unique combination, Hawaiian Chicken- chunks of chicken cubes in cream cheese dressing, tossed with Pineapple pieces.”January 2024
-
Tiramisu ice cream cake Net +1
“The bestest ones were the Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake- the layers were so decadent and I didn’t even know it was sandwiched with vanilla ice cream, it tasted light and lovely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The bestest ones were the Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake- the layers were so decadent and I didn’t even know it was sandwiched with vanilla ice cream, it tasted light and lovely.”January 2024
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Umm ali Net +1
“Also, I loved the Umm Ali- it’s such a comfort food for me.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also, I loved the Umm Ali- it’s such a comfort food for me.”January 2024
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
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Breakfast buffet Net −1
“We recently stayed at Occidental Jaddaf and had breakfast buffet for five days. While the selection was quite limited, the coffee options were decent, the chefs at the omelet station were rather average & mot so friendly . It’s understandable to have limited salad and fruit options, but the overall food variety was wayyyy too restricted. However, the real highlight of our experience was the exceptional service provided by the restaurant host (whose name I unfortunately forgot) and the waitresses, "Catherine" and "Phyu". They ensured we had everything we needed each day and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Their outstanding service truly enhanced our stay.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We recently stayed at Occidental Jaddaf and had breakfast buffet for five days. While the selection was quite limited, the coffee options were decent, the chefs at the omelet station were rather average & mot so friendly . It’s understandable to have limited salad and fruit options, but the overall food variety was wayyyy too restricted. However, the real highlight of our experience was the exceptional service provided by the restaurant host (whose name I unfortunately forgot) and the waitresses, "Catherine" and "Phyu". They ensured we had everything we needed each day and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Their outstanding service truly enhanced our stay.”June 2024
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Omelet Net −1
“We recently stayed at Occidental Jaddaf and had breakfast buffet for five days. While the selection was quite limited, the coffee options were decent, the chefs at the omelet station were rather average & mot so friendly . It’s understandable to have limited salad and fruit options, but the overall food variety was wayyyy too restricted. However, the real highlight of our experience was the exceptional service provided by the restaurant host (whose name I unfortunately forgot) and the waitresses, "Catherine" and "Phyu". They ensured we had everything we needed each day and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Their outstanding service truly enhanced our stay.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We recently stayed at Occidental Jaddaf and had breakfast buffet for five days. While the selection was quite limited, the coffee options were decent, the chefs at the omelet station were rather average & mot so friendly . It’s understandable to have limited salad and fruit options, but the overall food variety was wayyyy too restricted. However, the real highlight of our experience was the exceptional service provided by the restaurant host (whose name I unfortunately forgot) and the waitresses, "Catherine" and "Phyu". They ensured we had everything we needed each day and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Their outstanding service truly enhanced our stay.”June 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Check Themes. Ask about the current themed buffet before booking, especially for Friday or Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.
Confirm Refill. For a large celebration, confirm how buffet replenishment is handled; one group found several trays empty or nearly depleted.
Use Valet. If you are driving, ask about valet parking, which a diner specifically reported as available.
Ask About Extras. When booking a birthday, ask what celebration extras are included; one celebrant received complimentary prawns, salad and cake.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Barcelo Al Jaddaf - Dubai
Barcelo Al Jaddaf, Dubai
| Mon | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Tue | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Wed | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Thu | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Fri | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Sat | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Sun | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Limited Variety
Some diners found the buffet too restricted, including one report of only one chicken, beef, pasta and rice dish.
Empty Trays
A large birthday booking reported several buffet trays were empty or nearly depleted, affecting the group’s experience.
Warm Room
One birthday group found the restaurant a little warm and suggested checking the air conditioning.
Uneven Desserts
One detailed review enjoyed the tiramisu ice cream cake and crumbles but found some cakes too fruity or lacking their intended flavour.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Souk Restaurant Al Jaddaf is a hotel restaurant in Barcelo Al Jaddaf where you can come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or book a buffet occasion. Reviews point to strong breakfast service and special spreads: Christmas Eve included Western, Indian, Filipino and Arabic dishes, while Ramadan brought Arabic and international Iftar choices. The buffet is the main draw, though expectations should be calibrated.
One diner loved the Mixed Seafood Salad, Pumpkin Moutabel, Crema De Pomodoro and Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake; another found the selection limited, with just one chicken, beef, pasta and rice dish. A separate birthday booking reported empty or nearly empty trays, so large groups may want to confirm replenishment before arriving. The setting is repeatedly described as warm, calm and comfortable, with different seating arrangements and a pleasant atmosphere.
Birthday celebrations have included complimentary prawns, Waldorf salad and cake, although that should not be assumed for every booking. Service is a consistent bright spot, with attentive, smiling staff mentioned across breakfast and dinner reviews. For logistics, one review specifically mentions valet parking.
The restaurant’s stated themed buffets run on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunches; check the current theme and availability when booking.