Fresh preparation
Food is prepared on demand, giving the platters and individual dishes a freshly cooked feel.
Zagol Restaurant
Al Karama
Zagol Restaurant is a small Ethiopian restaurant in Al Karama, known for freshly prepared shared platters and a traditional, cozy setting. First-timers can try a mixed platter of meat and vegetable dishes, then finish with Ethiopian coffee served in a ceremony-style experience.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
733 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Generous portions
The meat platter was described as sufficient for two, while other platters regularly leave diners with leftovers.
Authentic setting
Low chairs, communal tables and colorful Ethiopian décor make the meal feel culturally distinctive rather than conventionally styled.
Vegetarian choice
The vegetarian platter can include lentils, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, green beans, beetroot and salads on one large shared plate.
Coffee ritual
Traditional Ethiopian coffee is a memorable finish, with one review noting that it arrived alongside incense and complimentary popcorn.
Good value
A reviewer reported that two people had a filling meal for less than 50 AED.
What to Eat at Zagol Restaurant 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 Zagol Restaurant, 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 Zagol Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 4
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Doro wat Net +2
“We splurged a bit and got both Doro Wat and Special Tibs with a mix of vegetable dishes and salad. We were hungry but we ended up having to take a good bit home because it was very generous. And we ate for several meals from the leftovers too - so the cost is actually more than fair! I encourage people to go with a group of four as everything was delicious! More than four, the competition could be too fierce for your favorites.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We splurged a bit and got both Doro Wat and Special Tibs with a mix of vegetable dishes and salad. We were hungry but we ended up having to take a good bit home because it was very generous. And we ate for several meals from the leftovers too - so the cost is actually more than fair! I encourage people to go with a group of four as everything was delicious! More than four, the competition could be too fierce for your favorites.”May 2025
“I loved Injera and Tibs combination but Doro Wat some what ok.. i'll recomend.”May 2026
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Meat platter Net +2
“Must try. Enjoy their meat platter which is sufficient for 2 people.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Must try. Enjoy their meat platter which is sufficient for 2 people.”February 2025
“We ordered the meat platter, it took about 45 minutes to be ready which wasn’t good but the food was worth the wait!”October 2021
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Special tibes Net +2
“We usualy take Zagol Special with extra Special Tibes and the food is consistently delicious, well seasoned and fresh. 10/10”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We usualy take Zagol Special with extra Special Tibes and the food is consistently delicious, well seasoned and fresh. 10/10”May 2026
“We splurged a bit and got both Doro Wat and Special Tibs with a mix of vegetable dishes and salad. We were hungry but we ended up having to take a good bit home because it was very generous. And we ate for several meals from the leftovers too - so the cost is actually more than fair! I encourage people to go with a group of four as everything was delicious! More than four, the competition could be too fierce for your favorites.”May 2025
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Telek erat b mesob Net +2
“We ordered the Telek Erat B Mesob (non-veg platter) that comes with a variety of meat dishes, along with a vegetarian platter and rice.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Telek Erat B Mesob (non-veg platter) that comes with a variety of meat dishes, along with a vegetarian platter and rice.”January 2026
“We shared a "Telek erat b mesob", a big plate filled with a bit of everything, from sauted vegetables to different meat dishes and sauces. We also added the dry tibe, beef cubes served in a sizzling pot and the special tibe, another beef dish with more gravy. The food has a rich flavor with lots of spices and the eating experience using our hand was something else.”February 2021
Honorable mentions (13)
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Beyenetu Net +1
“The Beyenetu and Teps come highly recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Beyenetu and Teps come highly recommended.”June 2024
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Chornake Net +1
“We also enjoyed the dessert called Chornake (Chornake is a popular Ethiopian snack made from fried dough. It is sometimes called pasty or pastini.)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also enjoyed the dessert called Chornake (Chornake is a popular Ethiopian snack made from fried dough. It is sometimes called pasty or pastini.)”November 2025
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Dry tibe Net +1
“We shared a "Telek erat b mesob", a big plate filled with a bit of everything, from sauted vegetables to different meat dishes and sauces. We also added the dry tibe, beef cubes served in a sizzling pot and the special tibe, another beef dish with more gravy. The food has a rich flavor with lots of spices and the eating experience using our hand was something else.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We shared a "Telek erat b mesob", a big plate filled with a bit of everything, from sauted vegetables to different meat dishes and sauces. We also added the dry tibe, beef cubes served in a sizzling pot and the special tibe, another beef dish with more gravy. The food has a rich flavor with lots of spices and the eating experience using our hand was something else.”February 2021
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Signature platter Net +1
“I had their signature platter, more than enough for 1 person, and all the different foods on it were good though at the end it all gets mixed and wet.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had their signature platter, more than enough for 1 person, and all the different foods on it were good though at the end it all gets mixed and wet.”December 2024
-
Special tibe Net +1
“We shared a "Telek erat b mesob", a big plate filled with a bit of everything, from sauted vegetables to different meat dishes and sauces. We also added the dry tibe, beef cubes served in a sizzling pot and the special tibe, another beef dish with more gravy. The food has a rich flavor with lots of spices and the eating experience using our hand was something else.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We shared a "Telek erat b mesob", a big plate filled with a bit of everything, from sauted vegetables to different meat dishes and sauces. We also added the dry tibe, beef cubes served in a sizzling pot and the special tibe, another beef dish with more gravy. The food has a rich flavor with lots of spices and the eating experience using our hand was something else.”February 2021
-
Tasting platter Net +1
“Great place for trying Ethiopian food for the first time. Portions are generous, I got the tasting platter, it will easily feed two people, I couldn't finish everything alone.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great place for trying Ethiopian food for the first time. Portions are generous, I got the tasting platter, it will easily feed two people, I couldn't finish everything alone.”January 2024
-
Teps Net +1
“The Beyenetu and Teps come highly recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Beyenetu and Teps come highly recommended.”June 2024
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Tibs Net +1
“I loved Injera and Tibs combination but Doro Wat some what ok.. i'll recomend.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I loved Injera and Tibs combination but Doro Wat some what ok.. i'll recomend.”May 2026
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Veg beyaynetu Net +1
“We really enjoyed the traditional coffee, the veg Beyaynetu (Beyaynetu is an Ethiopian vegetarian combination platter that features a variety of vegetable and lentil stews served on a large piece of injera (a spongy flatbread). The name translates to "a bit of every type," and the dish is a staple during fasting periods and is enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Common dishes on the platter include lentil stews, collard greens, and cabbage with potatoes, all meant to be scooped up with the injera)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We really enjoyed the traditional coffee, the veg Beyaynetu (Beyaynetu is an Ethiopian vegetarian combination platter that features a variety of vegetable and lentil stews served on a large piece of injera (a spongy flatbread). The name translates to "a bit of every type," and the dish is a staple during fasting periods and is enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Common dishes on the platter include lentil stews, collard greens, and cabbage with potatoes, all meant to be scooped up with the injera)”November 2025
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Vegan bayaneta Net +1
“My friends and I shared a vegan bayaneta. Three of us are vegan, and we like to search for vegan spots. This place was a perfect meal. The food was delicious! It had tons of flavor, and super reasonable pricing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friends and I shared a vegan bayaneta. Three of us are vegan, and we like to search for vegan spots. This place was a perfect meal. The food was delicious! It had tons of flavor, and super reasonable pricing.”May 2018
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Vegetarian platter Net +1
“I always opt for the vegetarian platter which has every vegetarian dish on the menu, 3 types of lentils, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and green beans, beetroot and two types of salad, served in one huge platter that your party gather around to eat out of. Every single dish has a unique but explosive flavour.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I always opt for the vegetarian platter which has every vegetarian dish on the menu, 3 types of lentils, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and green beans, beetroot and two types of salad, served in one huge platter that your party gather around to eat out of. Every single dish has a unique but explosive flavour.”September 2023
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Zagol special platter Net +1
“We ordered zagol special platter and it was good. If you have tangy pallette you will love the food.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered zagol special platter and it was good. If you have tangy pallette you will love the food.”November 2025
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Zagol vegetarian special Net +1
“PRO for Vegan. I loved the food i ordered (Zagol vegetarian Special). Highly Recommended, its affordable and foods were Yum.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“PRO for Vegan. I loved the food i ordered (Zagol vegetarian Special). Highly Recommended, its affordable and foods were Yum.”August 2022
Drinks 4
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Ethipian traditional coffee Net +1
“This is my second time visiting Zagol.. the food is tasty, not too spicy.. the *bread* or the crepe has some sourness, which is the typical taste.. we ordered one big plate with sampling dishes and a separate dry meat dish. after that, we had Ethipian Traditional coffee, it comes with incense and complimentary pop corn.. the coffee was very nice,, a bit strong, but I like my coffee strong... the staff is very friendly and accommodating.. the restaurant is small but cozy..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This is my second time visiting Zagol.. the food is tasty, not too spicy.. the *bread* or the crepe has some sourness, which is the typical taste.. we ordered one big plate with sampling dishes and a separate dry meat dish. after that, we had Ethipian Traditional coffee, it comes with incense and complimentary pop corn.. the coffee was very nice,, a bit strong, but I like my coffee strong... the staff is very friendly and accommodating.. the restaurant is small but cozy..”July 2023
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Lemon mint juice Net +1
“We also ordered lemon mint juice which was refreshing!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We also ordered lemon mint juice which was refreshing!”October 2021
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Macchiato Net +1
“And to complete your meal, a macchiato is a must—it's the perfect way to ensure a satisfying finish.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And to complete your meal, a macchiato is a must—it's the perfect way to ensure a satisfying finish.”June 2024
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Traditional coffee Net +1
“We really enjoyed the traditional coffee, the veg Beyaynetu (Beyaynetu is an Ethiopian vegetarian combination platter that features a variety of vegetable and lentil stews served on a large piece of injera (a spongy flatbread). The name translates to "a bit of every type," and the dish is a staple during fasting periods and is enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Common dishes on the platter include lentil stews, collard greens, and cabbage with potatoes, all meant to be scooped up with the injera)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We really enjoyed the traditional coffee, the veg Beyaynetu (Beyaynetu is an Ethiopian vegetarian combination platter that features a variety of vegetable and lentil stews served on a large piece of injera (a spongy flatbread). The name translates to "a bit of every type," and the dish is a staple during fasting periods and is enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Common dishes on the platter include lentil stews, collard greens, and cabbage with potatoes, all meant to be scooped up with the injera)”November 2025
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
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Tibes Net −1
“Trying Ethiopian food for the first time. Name of the dish is Tibes. The soft bread that comes along with it was very sour . The beef dish was okay. Not worth the price though. Overall no satisfaction.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Trying Ethiopian food for the first time. Name of the dish is Tibes. The soft bread that comes along with it was very sour . The beef dish was okay. Not worth the price though. Overall no satisfaction.”December 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose platters. For a first Ethiopian meal, start with the mixed platter so you can sample several dishes in one sitting.
Allow time. Food is freshly prepared, so avoid arriving in a rush and allow extra time before the meal reaches the table.
Go in fours. A group of four suits the generous shared dishes and gives everyone a fair chance at the favorite items.
Order coffee. Finish the meal with Ethiopian coffee; reviews mention a strong brew, incense and complimentary popcorn.
Plan parking. Allow extra time to find parking in Karama, as availability can be difficult at times.
Plan the visit
Practical details
G Floor, Mabrooka 1 Building, 4B St, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Rd، Opp Burjuman, Al Karama
Al Karama, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Service delays
One recent visit reported drinks arriving after the meal and missing glasses and coffee cups, despite the restaurant having only four tables.
Slow preparation
Food is cooked to order, but several diners say the wait can be substantial; one meat platter took about 45 minutes.
Sour injera
The injera’s sourness is traditional but can be challenging if you prefer familiar or less tangy flavors.
Limited seating
This is a genuinely tiny restaurant, with one review estimating seating for only 10–12 people, so larger groups may struggle.
Parking difficulty
Parking around the restaurant can be inconvenient at times, especially in busy Karama.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
less than 50 AED
filling meal
“Price: Very very cheap, we 2 had a filling meal for less than 50 AED”Google review · March 2024
not even 350 dirhams
food, drinks and desserts
“The price is really cheap - our bill for all that food, drinks and desserts were not even 350 dirhams”Google review · February 2021
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Zagol Restaurant is a small Ethiopian dining room in Al Karama where the main event is a shared platter. First-timers can order a mixed selection such as Telek Erat B Mesob, while vegetarian diners can choose a Beyaynetu-style platter with lentils, vegetables and salads. Doro Wat and Special Tibs are also mentioned by returning customers.
The setting is part of the appeal: low communal tables, traditional stools and colorful Ethiopian art give the compact room a distinctly local feel. Portions are generous—one meat platter was described as enough for two—and reviews include a report of two people having a filling meal for less than 50 AED. Ethiopian coffee, sometimes served with incense and popcorn, is a worthwhile way to finish.
There are practical caveats. Seating is very limited, parking can be troublesome, and food may take time because it is prepared to order; one platter took about 45 minutes. Injera has a noticeably sour, tangy taste that may take adjustment.
Bring cash, since cards are not accepted, and consider arriving with a small group rather than expecting a spacious or quick dinner.