Al Mazaj

Very different from the famous Greek dish, the moussaka’s a pleasant cold stew of aubergine with tomatoes, onion and chickpeas Discuss this article

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2007

The first restaurant you pass upon entering Century Village might just lure you in with its combination of shisha smoke wafting through the trees, cosily ergonomic seats urging you to sink into them for the evening, and tables heaving with bowls of mezze and platters of grilled meat. Inside the restaurant it’s a bit empty and formal, so if you’re not there for the live music (an oud player and singer) you’re better off sitting outside.

The food, however, is fairly average. The fattoush is a fresh if functional dish of nicely lemony salad with breadcrumbs; the meat sambusak are a little too hot and soggy but nicely seasoned, and the hummos balila is a hot and garlicky portion of whole chickpeas. Very different from the famous Greek dish, the moussaka’s a pleasant cold stew of aubergine with tomatoes, onion and chickpeas. Then move onto the orali kebab, with tender pieces of beef with peppers and tomatoes sprinkled with parsley. In last year’s guide we complained that service was brusque and slow.

This no longer appears to be the case; we now find the service prompt and polite. Al Mazaj is lagging behind the city’s best Lebanese restaurants, but if you’re in Garhoud and the weather’s pleasant, it’s a good spot for a leisurely al fresco meal.

• Previous reviews
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by TimeOut Dubai Staff
  • 01 November,2004- reviewed by Matthew Lee

Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.