Mandi is an extremely popular Yemeni dish that has successfully established itself as a staple food in the Arabian Peninsula and other countries like Egypt, Turkey, and the Levant. This spicy dish has a moist, dewy texture, which explains its name, meaning “nada/ dew.” Mandi requires a lot of cooking time, almost 8 hours, as the meat is placed inside a tandoor with a low flame. This is why you won’t find many authentic Mandi restaurants in Dubai that use traditional recipes and natural spices.
Mandi can be made from any meat, but most people prefer to eat chicken or lamb mandi, depending on their preferences. This dish is made of three components: meat, rice and hawaij (spice-mix.) The best mandi restaurants in Dubai often marinate their meat in hawaij for a long duration of time after roasting the spices for 2-3 minutes on the stove. The slow-cooked meat and rice often give mandi a smoky yet soft flavour, creating a harmonious blend of exotic spices and natural ingredients.
Bliss on A Budget: Discover the Best Mandi Restaurants in Dubai
Many restaurants in Dubai have started offering Mandis that are not made according to the original centuries-old recipe and are cooked on instant cookers instead of tandoors. Here is a list of 10 Mandi Restaurants in Dubai that have stayed true to their roots and spend hours preparing the delicacy.
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Zam Zam Mandi Restaurant
Credit: HiDubai
A pioneer in the traditional cuisine industry, Zam Zam Mandi Restaurant is an extremely popular chain of restaurants located in nine different cities in the UAE and Oman. Serving more than 24,000 customers daily, the restaurant boasts 22 branches, mostly known for their traditional Yemeni Mandi. The taste of each mandi varies region by region, but the most popular versions of the dish are- Chicken Mandi, Mutton Mandi and King Fish Mandi.
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- Location: The most well-known branch of Zam Zam Mandi Restaurant is in Dubai. Its official address is Zeenah Building, Ground Floor, Opposite Dubai City Centre, Deira.
- Price Range– AED 110 for two people
- Timing– 11:00 am to 2:00 am
- Contact Number– +971 54204 0749
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Maraheb
The Maraheb restaurant chain is the ultimate eating spot for Yemeni dish lovers, as its menu showcases each flavourful aspect of the cooking experience. The dishes from this chain are full of UAE spices and textures, boasting the traditional tapestry of Yemeni cuisine and giving a warm welcome to tourists from all over the world. The top Mandi dishes of Maraheb are Lamb Mandi, Chicken Mandi and Grilled Hamour.
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- Location: Of the 11 restaurants, the most popular Maraheb outlet is in Al Safa, Dubai. The official address is Al Rostamani Business Center, Al Safa, Al Safa 2, Dubai.
- Price Range– AED 175 for two people
- Timing– 11:00 am to 11:30 pm
- Contact Number– +971527001414
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Bait Al Mandi
Credit: Zomato
Bait Al Mandi is the second name of authentic Arab cuisine, particularly traditional Yemeni dishes. Its best-selling items include the chicken mandi, lamb madfoon, and fish mandi, cooked over a very slow fire and infused with exotic spices. Other than that, the guests also experience authentic Arab feasts by sitting on Majlis and eating their preferred seafood dish.
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- Location– While Bait Al Mandi has 7 branches, the Deira branch is the most popular one. It provides fine dining facilities and space for private events. Its official address is Al Muraqqabat Road, opposite J5 Rimal, Dubai, UAE.
- Price Range– AED 115 for two people
- Timing– 10:00 am to 01:00 am
- Contact Number– +97142629139, +97142629239
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Raidan Mandi
Raidan Mandi is one of the finest mandi restaurants in Dubai. It serves authentic Arabian dishes, such as chicken and mutton madfoon, made with old Yemeni recipes. Guests are served in a traditional manner, sitting on the floor on majlis in a separate family area. The restaurant is also known for its other Middle Eastern specialties, such as Chicken Madhbi and Cheese Kunafa.
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- Location– The official address of Raidan Mandi is- Ground Floor, Sidra Tower, Al Etihad Road, Al Nahda, Dubai.
- Price Range– AED 75 for two people
- Timing– 11:00 am to 01:00 am
- Contact Number– +97142388165, +97142388160, +971506964632
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Makarem Restaurant
Makarem, opened by three friends because of their shared love for food, has quickly become one of the most prominent Mandi restaurants in Dubai. This small eatery is known for its traditional Yemeni food, such as Chicken Madhabi, Kuafa, Chicken Madfoon, and fish. It serves authentic mandi with raw materials cooked in special Arabic spices inside a sealed oven. Some of these include the Mandi Half Chicken and Lamb Mandi, packed in a box with rice and soup.
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- Location– The official address of Marakem restaurant is Hessa Street, Barsha 3, near Saudi German Hospital, Dubai, UAE.
- Price Range– AED 190 for two people
- Timing– 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Contact Number– +97143852323 , +971502852798
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Madfoon Al Sadda/ Al Madfoon
Madfoon Al Sadda (also known as Al Madfoon) has four branches in the UAE, serving mouth-watering mandis and flavoured rice. Known to be the ultimate taste destination in Dubai, Mafdoon Al Sadda offers a quiet ambience and a large selection of food products, such as meat maroon, soup, and chicken. Its most popular mandis are the lamb and goat mandi.
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- Location– The most popular Madfoon Al Sadda branch is in Dubai, whose official address is- Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, UAE.
- Price Range– AED 135 for two people
- Timing– 12:00 PM to 12 AM
- Contact Number– +97143435544
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Halla Mandi
Halla Mandi is one of the most popular mandi restaurants in Dubai. It serves a wide variety of Khalleji dishes, chicken mathbi, and meat mandis at affordable prices. The restaurant makes authentic Middle Eastern dishes with a modern touch and the best quality original meat, including the madfoon and chicken kasba. People mostly prefer to eat a half-mandi chicken, half-lamb mandi dish, rice, and salad.
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- Location– The official address of Halla Mandi is Time Place Tower, Marina Walk, Dubai Marina, Mania, UAE.
- Price Range– AED 145 for two people
- Timing– 11:30 am to 11:30 pm
- Contact Number- 80042552, +97145515530
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Al Marhabani
Al Marhabani boasts highly skilled chefs and unparalleled services for authentic Arabic dishes like Biryani, Madhbi, Madhout, Mandi, and Bukhari. The restaurant currently has two branches, each committed to delivering exceptional services and food to its customers. The most popular dishes at Al Marhabani include Mandi Chicken, Grilled Supreme Fish, Lentil Soup, and Haneeth Shoulder.
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- Location– The official address of Al Marhabani is Jumeirah Street, Umm Suqeim 1, Opposite ENOC Station, Jumeirah, Dubai.
- Price Range– AED 180 for two people
- Timing– 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Contact Number– 043949888, +97143949888
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Al Yemen Mandi
Known for its affordability, Al Yemen Mandi is one of the most authentic mandi restaurants in Dubai. The eatery still uses traditional flavours and cooking techniques, which creates a rich aroma inside the restaurant. The place’s decoration also highlights Yemen’s rich cultural heritage. Some of the most popular dishes served in Al Yemen include Mutton Mandi, Chicken Mandi, Mutton Biryani, and Shari fish.
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- Location– The official address of Al Yemen Mandi is Street 24, Al Bait Building, Hor Al Anz, Dubai.
- Price Range– AED 100 for two people
- Timing– 09:00 am to 01:00 am
- Contact Number– +97142662207, +971504791047
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Noor Al Mandi
Noor Al Mandi boasts excellent quality delicious food prepared with love and natural ingredients. This small eatery uses only tandoor to achieve the perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture, mirroring the warmth of traditional Yemeni families. Some of the most popular dishes at this popular mandi restaurant in Dubai include the fillet hamoor, mandi ribs, meat mafdoon and madabi meat.
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- Location– The official address of Noor Al Mandi is Al Nahda, Road 2, 21 A Street, Dubai, UAE.
- Price Range– AED 120 for two people
- Timing– 11:00 am to 02:00 am
- Contact Number- +97142390700, +97142390600
Magic of Mandi Restaurants in Dubai: Recreating Traditional Yemeni Feast
From the smoky flavours of Halla Mandi to the rich ambience of Raidan Mandi, these 10 restaurants will enhance your every outing and take you back to simpler times when food was a cherished delicacy, not just a consumable item. These mandi restaurants in Dubai offer unique twists when creating Middle Eastern food items, providing a memorable dining experience and satisfying your taste buds.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Some of the restaurants that provide the best mandis in Dubai are the Zam Zam Mandi, Noor Al Mandi, and Al Yemen Mandi restaurants.
Some factors you should consider before choosing a Mandi restaurant include the cooking technique, ambience, hygiene, portion sizes, and quality of ingredients.
The technique of making mandi remains the same in each restaurant, but customers can choose the meat of their own preference, such as chicken, lamb, or fish.
Mandi itself is a fulfilling meal, but some side dishes that can be served along with it include salata hara, dahi, fattoush, and hummus.
Making a reservation before going to any of the restaurants mentioned above is not compulsory. Still, you can confirm the availability of seats by calling before planning your visit. Which restaurant has the best mandi in Dubai?
What other factors should I consider when choosing a mandi restaurant?
Are there different types of mandi?
What are some side dishes typically served with mandi?
Do I need a reservation?
