YABA Modern Iraqi

YABA Modern Iraqi

Jumeirah

Restaurant Open now 0 585 830 332

YABA is a modern Iraqi restaurant in Jumeirah, Dubai, combining familiar Iraqi flavours with contemporary presentation. Reviews point to the Black Salad, Quzi and generous main-course portions, with complimentary lentil soup, chips or Iraqi tea adding to the experience.

Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
5,208 ratings
5★
83%
4★
8%
3★
4%
2★
2%
1★
4%

Source: Google Maps

The Good Stuff

Showing 2 of 5
01

Generous portions

Several diners say main courses can comfortably serve two or more people, making the portion-to-price balance a strong point.

02

Signature dishes

Black Salad, Black Kibbeh and Quzi are the clearest recurring recommendations, while Smoked Dolma also receives strong praise.

Let's go!

What to Eat at YABA Modern Iraqi

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of YABA Modern Iraqi, 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

  1. The black salad Net +6
    “The Black Salad was one of the highlights. The waiter explains the story and ingredients behind the dish so well that you almost taste it before taking the first bite.”
  2. Dolma Net +5
    “The meat was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly the Dolma was also delicious, and the salad was my favorite dish the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was calm and enjoyable.”
  3. Lentil soup Net +4
    “Lentil Soup (complimentary) 8/10 🔥”
  4. Gus tacos Net +3
    “For starters, we tried the smoked kubba which had a nice crunch and good beef filling, and the Gus tacos, which mix Iraqi shawarma with hard shell tacos. Both were interesting, but overall the appetizers leaned too heavily on mayonnaise.”
  5. Red salad Net +3
    “Best dishes are the black salad, red salad, and quizi for sure.”
Honorable mentions (31)
  1. Barda plaw Net +2
    “The Smoked Dolma (9.3) and Barda Plaw (8.8) were full of flavor, and even the Chips Karrada were a perfect 10.”
  2. Black kuba Net +2
    “We ordered Quzi, Black Kuba, Gus Taco, and Wagyu Gus, and every dish was absolutely delicious.”
  3. Masgouf chicken Net +2
    “The Masgouf chicken had a great cooking technique and a delicious crispy skin. I just wish the flavor had penetrated deeper into the chicken itself. If they improve that, it could become an outstanding dish.”
  4. Qaimer ice cream Net +2
    “I didn’t have time to take photos of the full meal, but I did manage to take a photo of the Qaimer ice cream, and it was the absolute highlight. The texture is something else, somewhere between a mousse and gelato. Even when you’re completely full, you’ll still want to keep eating it.”
  5. Set menu Net +2
    “We went for Iftar and it was the best set menu I ever experienced, each dish was full of delicate flavours , nothing overpowering, the starters set the right tone for dining , the selection of main course are excellent and each of them created so carefully and keeping in mind the Iraqi traditional cuisine ! Will definitely go again”
  6. Smoked kuba Net +2
    “The black and smoked kuba are on another level, and if you’re looking for something completely new, the Gus tacos are fantastic.”
  7. Wagyu gus Net +2
    “The Wagyu Gus was also a good reinterpretation of a classic sandwich.”
  8. Alkarada chips Net +1
    “We were also served complimentary lentil soup, Alkarada chips, and their special chips dip, which was truly something else — incredibly tasty and unique.”
  9. Baqela bel dehin Net +1
    “We went for breakfast & it was so good! Baqela bel dehin was amazing.. Lahim ebajen is so crispy & basterma with eggs is delicious 😍”
  10. Basterma with eggs Net +1
    “We went for breakfast & it was so good! Baqela bel dehin was amazing.. Lahim ebajen is so crispy & basterma with eggs is delicious 😍”
  11. Beef taco Net +1
    “From the crispy, street-food-soul of the Chips Karrada to the dark and dramatic Black Kubba, YABA took us on a full Iraqi journey in one sitting 🖤 The Beef Taco was a bold fusion moment, the Komi Basra Mojito was refreshing and unlike anything we’ve tasted, ( must try)”
  12. Black kibbeh Net +1
    “Highly recommend ordering the black salad, black kibbeh and Ouzi.”
  13. Crispy chicken Net +1
    “The crispy chicken was excellent, perfectly done.”
  14. Crispy chips karrada Net +1
    “we even got a lentil soup on the house and some crispy chips karrada as a starter – such a lovely touch!”
  15. Kunafeh Net +1
    “Masgoof is a must try. It’s iraqs national dish. The black salad, rice, kibble, kunafeh were outstanding.”
  16. Lahim ebajen Net +1
    “We went for breakfast & it was so good! Baqela bel dehin was amazing.. Lahim ebajen is so crispy & basterma with eggs is delicious 😍”
  17. Lamb shank Net +1
    “My top recommendations are the lamb shank and the Wagyu beef shawarma sandwich.”
  18. Masgoof Net +1
    “Masgoof is a must try. It’s iraqs national dish. The black salad, rice, kibble, kunafeh were outstanding.”
  19. Masgouf fish Net +1
    “We had the masgouf fish very good and the truffle black kuba is a must try.”
  20. Masquf chicken Net +1
    “We had a variety of dishes including dolma, kubba, salads, sourdough bread, and the Masquf chicken, which was perfectly cooked, juicy, and had a rich smoky flavor that really stood out.”
  21. Smoked dolma Net +1
    “The smoked dolma was very good. It didn't completely blow me away, but it was definitely above average and worth trying.”
  22. Taco Net +1
    “I am currently writing this review before I even finish the food, this is the best restaurant in Dubai! The black salad the dolma the chicken the taco I am just out of words! Everything was really 10/10!”
  23. The black kibbeh with truffle Net +1
    “The Black Kibbeh with truffle is not for everyone. If you're not a truffle fan, I'd recommend skipping it. But if you love truffle, this is one of the most unique kibbeh experiences you'll ever have.”
  24. The rummaniyah Net +1
    “The Rummaniyah was excellent. You'd expect the meat to be the star of the dish, but for me, the rice completely stole the show. My only note was that it was a little richer and fattier than I personally prefer.”
  25. Truffle black kuba Net +1
    “We had the masgouf fish very good and the truffle black kuba is a must try.”
  26. Truffle kubba Net +1
    “Please don’t miss out on the truffle kubba, it’s magic.”
  27. Wagyu beef shawarma sandwich Net +1
    “My top recommendations are the lamb shank and the Wagyu beef shawarma sandwich.”
  28. Wagyu taco Net +1
    “Wagyu taco? Absolute star—rich, balanced, memorable.”
  29. Wagyu with iraqi brea Net +1
    “Main dish I had wagyu with Iraqi brea, was juicy and tasty.”
  30. Yellow Net +1
    “Yellow 7.5/10”
  31. Rumania Net 0

    Mixed feedback

    “Romania 7/10”

Drinks 2

  1. Tea Net +1
    “And the TEA - wow. That’s something I’d specially come back for. Amazing stuff.”
  2. Laban up drink Net 0

    Only neutral feedback

    “The Crazy Yogurt looked great but tasted like the regular laban up drink.”
What to Avoid (1)

Food 1

  1. Crazy yogurt Net −1
    “The Crazy Yogurt looked great but tasted like the regular laban up drink.”

Tips for a Better Visit

Showing 2 of 5
1

Try signatures. Start with Black Salad and Black Kibbeh; choose the truffle version only if you enjoy truffle flavours.

2

Share mains. Plan to share main courses: one review found each main enough for two or more people.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Vita Mall - Al Wasl Rd
Jumeirah - Jumeirah 1, Dubai
0 585 830 332
Mon8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tue8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wed8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thu8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Fri8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sat8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sun8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Get directions

Common Concerns

Showing 2 of 4

Mixed service

One review reports poor service and another describes waiters getting confused about who was serving the table.

Breakfast limits

A breakfast visit was let down by a limited menu, some under-seasoned dishes and slow service despite a quiet restaurant.

Customer-reported prices

These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.

215 AED per person

iftar

“I visited Yaba for iftar (215 AED per person), which includes a main course, salad, and dessert”
Google review · February 2026
DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

YABA is a modern Iraqi restaurant in Jumeirah where classic flavours come with a contemporary presentation. The most talked-about orders are the Black Salad, Black Kibbeh, Quzi and dolma; the Masgouf chicken and Wagyu Gus also appear in reviews as distinctive main-course choices. Several diners say the portions are large enough to share.

The setting is part of the appeal. Reviews mention a black theme, Cuneiform details, Babylonian touches and a carefully illustrated menu that explains ingredients and dietary notes. Staff are often praised for explaining the dishes and their background, while complimentary lentil soup, Chips Karrada, dips and Iraqi tea make the meal feel generous.

The atmosphere is repeatedly described as calm, clean and family-friendly. There are a few caveats. Breakfast feedback is mixed: one diner enjoyed it, but another found the menu limited, the food lacking freshness and service slow.

A few dishes have divided opinion, with comments about rich Rummaniyah, a less-flavourful Quzi, salty food, or chicken that was slightly burnt. Service is usually described as attentive, though one review found the team disorganised. For drivers, reviews mention paid parking nearby and mall parking.

An iftar review listed 215 AED per person and questioned the shared salad and dessert portions.

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