Al Qasr in Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah, Dubai - Restaurant Reviews

Al Qasr

The restaurant’s décor is simple and subdued, with coloured tiles and off-white stones giving Al Qasr a distinctly Mediterranean look. 2 Reviews

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Al Qasr is what every Lebanese restaurant ought to be. While there are other venues in town that look more modern, and are perhaps less pricey, there’s no beating authentic Lebanese cuisine, flawless service, and that casual, attentive and charismatic host. He’s more than willing to bend the rules to accommodate diners, and his honesty is a rare trait in this business.

The restaurant’s décor is simple and subdued, with coloured tiles and off-white stones giving Al Qasr a distinctly Mediterranean look. Like most Arabic restaurants, there’s a live band and a belly dancer in the evenings, but it’s not the sort of music that shatters windows. For diners that are more keen to converse and eat than dance, the reasonably sized terrace overlooking the hotel’s pools is a gorgeous place to dine. Not only are the cushions comfortable, there’s a lady at one end of the terrace that makes the softest, thinnest bread (markouk) Lebanon has to offer. To test how good a Lebanese restaurant is, order the vine leaves; it’s one of the most difficult dishes to make and if the establishment gets this right, it’s a winner. Not surprisingly, the vine leaves here are mind-numbingly good. The kibbeh neih is equally good, and unlike most Lebanese restaurants, it’s not doused in olive oil to feign taste. The main courses are equally delicious: the marinated lamb chops, served on a bed of bread and grilled tomatoes are tender and tangy, while the kofta kishkhash, a house speciality, is cooked and spiced to perfection and an absolute must-try.