Grilled chicken
Charcoal-grilled chicken is repeatedly praised for staying tender and juicy, with smoky flavour and balanced seasoning.
Zaffran Cafe
Bur Dubai
Zaffran Cafe is a small Bur Dubai cafeteria known for charcoal-grilled chicken and shawarma, with saffron tea as another recurring favourite. Reviews describe it as a practical stop for a quick, reasonably priced meal, takeaway or late-night bite.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
316 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Shawarma
Shawarma is a consistent favourite, with reviewers highlighting spicy sauces and reasonable rates.
Saffron tea
Zaffran tea is a signature drink that several customers specifically recommend.
Fresh service
One recent visit found the food served fresh and hot, with friendly service and a satisfying portion.
Economical
Reviews regularly describe the food as reasonably priced, especially the grilled chicken and shawarma.
Late night
The cafe has been recommended for late-night hunger, and one review says it delivers late at night.
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating is available, giving the small cafe an extra option for a quick meal.
Tips for a Better Visit
Order ahead. If you want to dine in at night, order before sitting or going, as one reviewer reported waiting for both a table and food.
Visit off-peak. The small seating area may fill up at night, so visiting outside the evening rush could make finding a seat easier.
Try tea. Add Zaffran tea to a shawarma visit; it is repeatedly singled out as a house favourite.
Choose grills. For a first order, consider grilled chicken or shawarma rather than biryani, which received a notably poor review.
Check delivery. For delivery, confirm the expected timing before ordering; one customer waited 1 hour 20 minutes and received cold food.
Plan parking. If driving, allow for the parking limitation mentioned by a reviewer, who found no parking available nearby.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Souq Al Kabeer - Dubai
Al Souq Al Kabeer, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Popular Mentions
Falafel roll
The falafel roll was one of the standout items in a review covering several sandwiches and rolls.
Charcoal awe3
A review specifically calls out the cafe's charcoal awe3 alongside its special shawarma.
Common Concerns
Inconsistent cooking
One customer received chicken that was almost burnt, showing that grill quality can vary.
Small seating
The sitting area is limited, with possible waits at night when tables are occupied.
Delivery delays
A delivery order took 1 hour 20 minutes and arrived cold, despite repeated follow-ups.
Biryani warning
One reviewer strongly disliked the biryani and suggested looking elsewhere for it.
Small portions
A reviewer felt the quantity was too small for the cost, while another found the falooda expensive for its portion.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Zaffran Cafe is a small Bur Dubai cafeteria built around straightforward comfort food. The clearest reasons to come are the charcoal-grilled chicken and shawarma, both repeatedly praised for flavour and value. Saffron tea is another signature order, while falafel rolls, burgers and some Chinese dishes also appear in customer recommendations.
The grilled chicken gets the strongest and most specific feedback: one recent customer found it tender and juicy inside, smoky, well-seasoned, fresh and hot. Shawarma fans describe spicy sauces and reasonable rates, and several reviews recommend the cafe for a late-night bite. Portions are usually described as satisfying or economical, although one customer found the quantity too small for the cost and another found the falooda expensive for its serving.
This is a compact place rather than a spacious restaurant. Outdoor seating is available, but the indoor sitting area can fill up at night, and one review advises ordering before going to sit. Parking may be difficult.
Delivery is less predictable than eating in: a customer waited 1 hour 20 minutes and received cold food, so confirm timing if you order remotely. Biryani is the main dish to approach cautiously; one reviewer strongly advised choosing another option nearby.