Zauq E Dil Restaurant

Name: Zauq E Dil Restaurant
Address: Shop #2, CBD E04, International City, Dubai, AE
Telephone: +971568289830

International City

Pakistani restaurant 0 568 289 830

Zauq E Dil is a Pakistani restaurant in International City, with reviews focused on traditional dishes rather than a broad international menu. Chicken sajji, desi murgh and batair karahi are among the more distinctive orders mentioned, while a separate family hall suits group dining.

Reputation Score

4.4

★★★★☆

229 ratings

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The Good Stuff

Showing 2 of 5

Chicken Sajji

Chicken sajji is repeatedly described as tender, smoky and balanced in spice, with one reviewer comparing it to sajji eaten in Lahore.

Batair Karahi

Batair karahi stands out as a less common order, described as tender quail cooked in rich, balanced spices.

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What to Eat at Zauq E Dil Restaurant

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Zauq E Dil Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.

Food 7

Chicken sajjii Net +5

“we were exited for chicken sajjii , it was very tasty and spices were balanced nicely in such a way that even we took one for our family”
Desi murgh Net +5

“Awesome taste…zauq-e-dil special(desi murgh). Do try…it was lip smacking…would like to come again n again…Actually this was my second visit for the same dish all over from Ajman to International city.”
Chicken karahi Net +3

“I received the chicken karahi just the way I wanted, with extra chilies. The quantity was generous, and it's definitely worth the price. Although I missed having fresh salad with it, the taste of the karahi was really nice.”
Grill fish Net +3

“Authentic Pakistani Taste, Blochi Saji and Grill fish is grest”
Mutton karahi Net +3

“I must say, the food is always freshly cooked with amazing taste — especially their chicken saji and mutton karahi.”
Bbq platter Net +2

“BBQ platter is not to be missed for sure”
Garlic nan Net +2

“Garlic Nan is also must try😊”

Honorable mentions (28)

Baluchi sajji Net +1

“We just found a new tasty gem in Dubai! You have to try it. We ordered the Baluchi sajji and chicken kababs — both were super yummy! The rice could be softer, but no big deal… everything else was just perfect.”
Batair Net +1

“We ordered Batair and Desi Murgh Karhai, both of which were absolutely fantastic and delicious. The Chicken Seekh Kabab, however, were a bit dry. They needed to be softer, juicier, and less spicy. The rest of the service and everything else were absolutely top-notch.”
Batair karhai Net +1

“Just had the most authentic Batair Karhai and Desi Chicken Karhai in UAE, straight from the streets of Gujranwala! 👌 The flavors are spot on, and the spices are perfectly balanced. A must-try for anyone craving authentic Pakistani cuisine! 🤤”
Bbq handi Net +1

“We ate chicken sajji and bbq handi, it was delicious. Tasty same like Pakistani”
Chicken biryani Net +1

“The Chicken Biryani was very good and not oily at all, while the Chicken Malai Kabab was notably soft and juicy.”
Chicken charcoal Net +1

“We had garlic nan, chicken handi and chicken charcoal. Everything is delicious and serving with smile. Prices also affordable…A Must visit again 😋”
Chicken chatni roll Net +1

“We particularly enjoyed the Chatni Roll for its distinct, tangy flavor, and the Mutton Karahi had a very flavorful gravy.”
Chicken desi karahi Net +1

“- Chicken Desi Karahi: Zesty, aromatic, and perfect with hot naan.”
Chicken kababs Net +1

“We just found a new tasty gem in Dubai! You have to try it. We ordered the Baluchi sajji and chicken kababs — both were super yummy! The rice could be softer, but no big deal… everything else was just perfect.”
Chicken malai kabab Net +1

“The Chicken Biryani was very good and not oily at all, while the Chicken Malai Kabab was notably soft and juicy.”
Chicken sajji pulao Net +1

“Ordered chicken sajji pulao and batair karahi. Amazing flavor. Excellent quality.”
Chicken tikka masala Net +1

“On the plus side, the salad was fresh, the raita was tasty, and the Chicken Tikka Masala was decent.”
Desi chicken karhai Net +1

“Just had the most authentic Batair Karhai and Desi Chicken Karhai in UAE, straight from the streets of Gujranwala! 👌 The flavors are spot on, and the spices are perfectly balanced. A must-try for anyone craving authentic Pakistani cuisine! 🤤”
Desi murgh karhai Net +1

“We ordered Batair and Desi Murgh Karhai, both of which were absolutely fantastic and delicious. The Chicken Seekh Kabab, however, were a bit dry. They needed to be softer, juicier, and less spicy. The rest of the service and everything else were absolutely top-notch.”
Desi roti Net +1

“The quality of naan and desi roti is also top-notch”
Goll gappas Net +1

“roti was very nice made of pure wheat also we tried goll gappas they were crispy and fresh”
Handi Net +1

“Kebabs and handi is ultimate.”
Kebab Net +1

“While the kebab tasted good, there was no presentation, and the overall experience didn’t meet our expectations.”
Kebabs Net +1

“Kebabs and handi is ultimate.”
Mix kabab platter Net +1

“The next day, we even tried their Mix Kabab Platter with pulao rice, which was a delightful surprise.”
Naan Net +1

“The quality of naan and desi roti is also top-notch”
Roti Net +1

“roti was very nice made of pure wheat also we tried goll gappas they were crispy and fresh”
Saji with fried rice Net +1

“I highly recommend trying their signature dish (SAJI WITH FRIED RICE) — it’s bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The ingredients taste incredibly fresh, and you can tell the chefs truly care about quality and detail.”
Sajji Net +1

“After eating sajji in Lahore first time I tasted that same authentic flavour in Dubai The desi murgh was on another level”
Tandoori roti Net +1

“Enjoyed zauq-e-dil special (desi murgh) along with tandoori roti and Sadi roti….I liked softness of tandoori roti. Waiter was very humble and he gave me a complimentary tea.”
Tikka Net +1

“Really nice food in reasonable price… Kabab were so juicy, Tikka was fully tendered… serving size was good…”
Mash daal Net 0

Mixed feedback

“The mutton karahi was tender and bursting with flavor, the chicken karahi had just the right kick, and the dal mash was rich and comforting.”
Chicken tikka Net 0

Only neutral feedback

“We order butter chicken and its taste less and sweet and mint raita they serve in small disposable cup and and chicken tikka is average taste kabab was good ,”

What to Avoid (12)

Food 12

Afghani sizzler Net −1

“The biggest letdown was the **Afghani Sizzler**—it was unexpectedly disappointing. The quantity was very small, and the presentation was poor, which didn’t match the restaurant’s standard.”
Beef seekh kabab Net −1

“I ordered beef seekh kabab and mutton shinwari karhai. Beef kabab was totally tasteless with no Pakistani aroma.”
Butter chicken Net −1

“We order butter chicken and its taste less and sweet and mint raita they serve in small disposable cup and and chicken tikka is average taste kabab was good ,”
Chicken chilli dry Net −1

“We ordered two dishes. Mutton shinwari Karachi and Chicken chilli Dry. Karahi was very tasty but Chicken Chilli Dry was not upto the expectations but will give another try for sure.”
Chicken plow Net −1

“I ordered chicken plow but they sarverd Chiken Chana Plow.”
Chicken seekh kabab Net −1

“We ordered Batair and Desi Murgh Karhai, both of which were absolutely fantastic and delicious. The Chicken Seekh Kabab, however, were a bit dry. They needed to be softer, juicier, and less spicy. The rest of the service and everything else were absolutely top-notch.”
Chowmein Net −1

“I ordered desi chicken karahi, Chicken handi, chowmein, tandoori paratha and mint margerita. They just have an average food. I might get it better somewhere else. Honestly disappointed.”
Desi chicken karahi Net −1

“I ordered desi chicken karahi, Chicken handi, chowmein, tandoori paratha and mint margerita. They just have an average food. I might get it better somewhere else. Honestly disappointed.”
Desi murgh karahi Net −1

“Pathetic service Zero quality food (desi murgh karahi). Not happy for overall services.”
Mint margerita Net −1

“I ordered desi chicken karahi, Chicken handi, chowmein, tandoori paratha and mint margerita. They just have an average food. I might get it better somewhere else. Honestly disappointed.”
Mix veg Net −1

“The Mix Veg (not fully cooked) and Mash Daal didn’t quite meet expectations this time; perhaps the seasoning and texture need a lot of work.”
Tandoori paratha Net −1

“I ordered desi chicken karahi, Chicken handi, chowmein, tandoori paratha and mint margerita. They just have an average food. I might get it better somewhere else. Honestly disappointed.”

Tips for a Better Visit

Showing 2 of 5

Call Ahead. Call before travelling to confirm which dishes are available; one reviewer found several expected menu items unavailable.

Allow Time. Build in extra time or consider a quieter visit, as reviews mention waits of 30 minutes and more than an hour.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Shop #2, CBD E04

Warsan First - Dubai International City, Dubai

0 568 289 830

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Common Concerns

Showing 2 of 4

Slow Service

Several visits involved long waits; one table waited more than an hour despite the restaurant being quiet.

Menu Gaps

A reviewer found pulao, karahi, fried rice, dahi bhala and sweets unavailable despite expecting them from the menu.

DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

Zauq E Dil is a Pakistani restaurant in International City that draws people for traditional, strongly spiced dishes. The clearest starting points are chicken sajji, desi murgh, batair karahi and mutton karahi. Chicken sajji is often described as tender, smoky and balanced, while desi murgh has been compared with home-cooked village food.

Batair karahi offers quail in rich spices, making it a less routine order. Families have a separate hall, and reviews mention friendly staff, soft tandoori roti and impressive wheat roti. A wheelchair user also reported that staff made access convenient.

The food can be very good, but consistency matters: some diners enjoyed fresh, flavourful karahi and BBQ, while others found butter chicken sweet, beef kebab tasteless or rice reheated. Service is the main practical caution. Reported waits range from around 30 minutes to more than an hour, with missing dishes and delayed salad or raita on some visits.

Menu availability also appears changeable, so call first. Bring cash because the card machine was unavailable for one diner. Parking reports conflict, making a quick confirmation worthwhile.

Prices were described both as reasonable and higher than nearby restaurants, so value may depend on the order and service on the day.