Generous portions
Main dishes are often large enough to share, which helps offset the higher menu prices for groups.
The Cheesecake Factory
Dubai Festival City
The Cheesecake Factory is an American chain restaurant in Dubai Festival City, known for very generous portions, a wide-ranging menu and its signature cheesecakes. Reviews particularly highlight the Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta and rich desserts, making it a practical choice for family meals, group dining or a relaxed dessert stop.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
5,767 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Cheesecake range
The cheesecakes are repeatedly described as rich, creamy and indulgent, with several flavours worth saving room for.
Broad menu
The extensive menu covers hearty meals and lighter choices, useful when a group cannot agree on what to order.
Family friendly
A kids’ menu, large portions and lively seating make the restaurant well suited to family meals and celebrations.
Free bread
Several diners enjoyed the complimentary freshly baked bread with butter before their meal.
Outdoor views
Outdoor seating and views of Dubai add appeal when you want to linger over a meal or dessert.
What to Eat at The Cheesecake Factory 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 The Cheesecake Factory, 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 The Cheesecake Factory, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 1
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Carbonara Net +2
“Everything is delicious. The salmon, the chicken and the carbonara. Drinks were refreshing too.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Everything is delicious. The salmon, the chicken and the carbonara. Drinks were refreshing too.”February 2026
“The food were so good and tasty. We ordered carbonara, salad and avocado 🥑 tacos and the portion were enough for all 4 of us.”October 2025
Honorable mentions (18)
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Baked potato tots Net +1
“🥔 ‘BAKED POTATO TOTS’: these cute sized bites were filled with Cheese, Beef Bacon and Green Onions served with Sour Cream and Sriracha Mayo. These Tots were crispy and soft it just melted as we took a bite, loved the texture and flavours of the dipping sauces too 🤤. It was served hot making it taste even better 👌🏻.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“🥔 ‘BAKED POTATO TOTS’: these cute sized bites were filled with Cheese, Beef Bacon and Green Onions served with Sour Cream and Sriracha Mayo. These Tots were crispy and soft it just melted as we took a bite, loved the texture and flavours of the dipping sauces too 🤤. It was served hot making it taste even better 👌🏻.”April 2026
-
Basque cheesecake Net +1
“The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture.”July 2026
-
Cajun salmon Net +1
“Overall, this dish could be significantly improved. For the price, the food was only average. I didn’t try the Cajun Salmon myself, but my friend enjoyed it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Overall, this dish could be significantly improved. For the price, the food was only average. I didn’t try the Cajun Salmon myself, but my friend enjoyed it.”January 2026
-
Cheesecake Net +1
“The cheesecake was absolutely delicious—rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The cheesecake was absolutely delicious—rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness.”July 2026
-
Evelyn’s pasta Net +1
“+ Evelyn’s Pasta is outstanding and highly recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“+ Evelyn’s Pasta is outstanding and highly recommended.”December 2025
-
Legendary cheesecake Net +1
“The food was excellent—everything from the appetizers to the legendary cheesecake was cooked to perfection, packed with flavor, and served in generous portions.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was excellent—everything from the appetizers to the legendary cheesecake was cooked to perfection, packed with flavor, and served in generous portions.”May 2026
-
Nachos Net +1
“Sat with friends for about 4 hours in Ramadan 🥹 food amazing, views amazing, service top notch. Worth going. Must try- Nachos & Tex mex rolls”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sat with friends for about 4 hours in Ramadan 🥹 food amazing, views amazing, service top notch. Worth going. Must try- Nachos & Tex mex rolls”March 2026
-
Pasta da vinci Net +1
“🍝 ‘Pasta Da Vinci’: our first pasta selection was this aromatic and flavourful combo of Penne Pasta tossed with Sauteed Chicken, Mushrooms 🍄🟫 and Onions in a Madeira Sauce. This was by far the best pasta we ever had because it tasted so UNIQUE and definitely drool worthy. The chef in me was trying to deconstruct what the sauce was about and I figured it had to be the caramelised onions used as a base for this dish. It not only tasted amazing it smelled so good!! I highly recommend this dish 💯- so invigorating!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“🍝 ‘Pasta Da Vinci’: our first pasta selection was this aromatic and flavourful combo of Penne Pasta tossed with Sauteed Chicken, Mushrooms 🍄🟫 and Onions in a Madeira Sauce. This was by far the best pasta we ever had because it tasted so UNIQUE and definitely drool worthy. The chef in me was trying to deconstruct what the sauce was about and I figured it had to be the caramelised onions used as a base for this dish. It not only tasted amazing it smelled so good!! I highly recommend this dish 💯- so invigorating!”April 2026
-
Pasta romano Net +1
“🍝 ’Pasta Romano’: a Spaghetti based dish tossed in their Marinara Sauce served alongside thinly pounded Chicken Cutlet coated in a crispy crust of Breadcrumbs, Herbs, and Pecorino Romano Cheese 🧀 topped with Marinara Sauce. This dish got us salivating because that chicken cutlet had all the right flavours and taste you could just have it on its own 🤤. The spaghetti was perfectly done with the rich flavours of the Marinara Sauce and a dash of sharpness from the cheese. Just typing about this is making me drool all over again 😂.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“🍝 ’Pasta Romano’: a Spaghetti based dish tossed in their Marinara Sauce served alongside thinly pounded Chicken Cutlet coated in a crispy crust of Breadcrumbs, Herbs, and Pecorino Romano Cheese 🧀 topped with Marinara Sauce. This dish got us salivating because that chicken cutlet had all the right flavours and taste you could just have it on its own 🤤. The spaghetti was perfectly done with the rich flavours of the Marinara Sauce and a dash of sharpness from the cheese. Just typing about this is making me drool all over again 😂.”April 2026
-
Pineapple cherry limeade Net +1
“We also had the Chicken Madeira [ would rate 4 of 5] and the pineapple cherry limeade was definitely refreshing!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also had the Chicken Madeira [ would rate 4 of 5] and the pineapple cherry limeade was definitely refreshing!”July 2026
-
Reeses peanut cheesecake Net +1
“The cheesecake are delicious like no other, the portion size is huge. Tried the Reeses peanut cheesecake and Hersheys chocolate cake, with Chipotle pasta, cranberry juice and cafe mocha.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The cheesecake are delicious like no other, the portion size is huge. Tried the Reeses peanut cheesecake and Hersheys chocolate cake, with Chipotle pasta, cranberry juice and cafe mocha.”April 2026
-
Spicy chicken chipotle pasta Net +1
“My favourite is the Spicy chicken Chipotle pasta!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My favourite is the Spicy chicken Chipotle pasta!”July 2026
-
Strawberry cheesecake Net +1
“Pratik was the best just like the strawberry cheesecake!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Pratik was the best just like the strawberry cheesecake!”October 2025
-
Tex mex rolls Net +1
“Sat with friends for about 4 hours in Ramadan 🥹 food amazing, views amazing, service top notch. Worth going. Must try- Nachos & Tex mex rolls”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sat with friends for about 4 hours in Ramadan 🥹 food amazing, views amazing, service top notch. Worth going. Must try- Nachos & Tex mex rolls”March 2026
-
Thai chicken salad Net +1
“🥗 ‘Thai Chicken Salad’: firstly look at that portion size, I honestly have never seen Salad being served this generously and by the looks of it I knew it is going to be yum! Delicious Strips of Chicken Satay placed on a heaping bed of shredded Lettuce 🥬, Carrots 🥕, Rice Noodles, Cucumbers 🥒, Bean Sprouts 🌱, Cilantro 🍃, Peanuts 🥜 and Sesame Seeds Tossed with Thai Vinaigrette. We loved the tangy and subtle sweet flavours going on here, it was sour with a bit of spice- we can taste the tamarind tones, the freshness of the produce and the chicken strips were grilled to perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“🥗 ‘Thai Chicken Salad’: firstly look at that portion size, I honestly have never seen Salad being served this generously and by the looks of it I knew it is going to be yum! Delicious Strips of Chicken Satay placed on a heaping bed of shredded Lettuce 🥬, Carrots 🥕, Rice Noodles, Cucumbers 🥒, Bean Sprouts 🌱, Cilantro 🍃, Peanuts 🥜 and Sesame Seeds Tossed with Thai Vinaigrette. We loved the tangy and subtle sweet flavours going on here, it was sour with a bit of spice- we can taste the tamarind tones, the freshness of the produce and the chicken strips were grilled to perfection.”April 2026
-
Tower cake Net +1
“We absolutely loved the Tower Cake (so good!) — and every dish we ordered was yummy and perfectly served! 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We absolutely loved the Tower Cake (so good!) — and every dish we ordered was yummy and perfectly served! 😋”November 2025
-
Chicken madeira Net 0
Mixed feedback
“We also had the Chicken Madeira [ would rate 4 of 5] and the pineapple cherry limeade was definitely refreshing!”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We also had the Chicken Madeira [ would rate 4 of 5] and the pineapple cherry limeade was definitely refreshing!”July 2026
-
Four cheese pasta Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“- Four Cheese Pasta was average and can be skipped.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Orange juice Net +1
“My friend and I stopped by for dessert and ordered the Basque cheesecake, an orange juice, and a caramel macchiato. The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture. The drinks were enjoyable, but the caramel macchiato tasted slightly watery for my liking.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend and I stopped by for dessert and ordered the Basque cheesecake, an orange juice, and a caramel macchiato. The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture. The drinks were enjoyable, but the caramel macchiato tasted slightly watery for my liking.”July 2026
What to Avoid (5)
Food 3
-
Bang bang chicken Net −1
“Food was below average across the board—overly cheesy, greasy, bland, and misleading (Bang Bang Chicken was sweet, not spicy, with no help from the staff).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food was below average across the board—overly cheesy, greasy, bland, and misleading (Bang Bang Chicken was sweet, not spicy, with no help from the staff).”December 2025
-
Chicken parma sandwich Net −1
“Previously also I ordered the chicken parma sandwich the sandwich came with a dry chicken rather than coated chicken and with no green sauce.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Previously also I ordered the chicken parma sandwich the sandwich came with a dry chicken rather than coated chicken and with no green sauce.”May 2026
-
Santa fe salad Net −1
“I have ordered a santa fe salad and it came full of lettuce and with no tortilla chips at all. You pay the full amount but you always get one or two ingredients missing.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I have ordered a santa fe salad and it came full of lettuce and with no tortilla chips at all. You pay the full amount but you always get one or two ingredients missing.”May 2026
Drinks 2
-
1000 Ml sparkling water Net −1
“- When ordering items like sparkling water, it’s a good idea to confirm the bottle size in advance, as the 1000 ml sparkling water comes with a soda-type cap and is served opened.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“- When ordering items like sparkling water, it’s a good idea to confirm the bottle size in advance, as the 1000 ml sparkling water comes with a soda-type cap and is served opened.”December 2025
-
Caramel macchiato Net −1
“My friend and I stopped by for dessert and ordered the Basque cheesecake, an orange juice, and a caramel macchiato. The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture. The drinks were enjoyable, but the caramel macchiato tasted slightly watery for my liking.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“My friend and I stopped by for dessert and ordered the Basque cheesecake, an orange juice, and a caramel macchiato. The Basque cheesecake was good overall, although I found the edges of the slice to be a little grainy in texture. The drinks were enjoyable, but the caramel macchiato tasted slightly watery for my liking.”July 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Reserve in advance for larger groups or busy evenings; one party of eight waited 30–60 minutes for a table.
Go early. For a shorter wait, try an early lunch or a weekday rather than Sunday or a holiday period.
Check menu. Read the menu before arriving, especially if it is your first visit; the selection and portion sizes can slow decisions.
Ask customisation. Vegetarian diners can ask whether a pasta can be customised; one review notes dairy-friendly vegetarian adjustments are possible.
Confirm bottle size. If ordering sparkling water, confirm the bottle size first; a diner specifically noted the 1000 ml bottle arrived opened.
Share portions. Consider sharing mains or ordering fewer starters, since multiple diners found the portions large enough for two or more.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Long queues
Peak periods can mean substantial waits: reviews mention 30–60 minutes, 40 minutes and even 1.5 hours.
Crowded seating
One diner found the restaurant noisy and cramped, with tables so close that personal space became uncomfortable.
High prices
Several reviews describe prices as high, even when generous portions make sharing better value.
Delivery omissions
A delivery order reportedly arrived without tortilla chips, while another sandwich missed its green sauce and had dry chicken.
Uneven dishes
Individual dishes can miss the mark: reviews mention salty soup, oily pasta, burnt broccoli and overcooked chicken.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
The Cheesecake Factory in Dubai Festival City is a useful pick when a group wants lots of choice and substantial American-style food in one sitting. Reviews mention the Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta, Chicken Madeira, Evelyn’s Pasta and salads, while the cheesecakes remain the main reason many diners save room for dessert. The complimentary bread and butter is another small but popular part of the meal.
Portions are consistently described as generous—sometimes enough for two—so sharing can make the higher prices feel more reasonable. A kids’ menu, spacious layout and celebratory visits make it a natural setting for families and larger groups. Outdoor seating and views of Dubai are additional draws, although the atmosphere can change sharply at busy times.
Plan around the queues. 5 hours, while crowded evenings can feel noisy and cramped. Going early or on a weekday is the safer bet, and checking the menu beforehand will help with the unusually broad selection.
Food quality is generally well received, but it is not perfectly consistent: some reviews mention salty soup, oily pasta, burnt vegetables or delivery orders missing ingredients. For dine-in, it is strongest when you want generous portions, cheesecake and a lively family meal rather than a quiet occasion.