Trader Vic’s

Bar food and killer cocktails 14 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2008

Essentially this place is a happy idiot’s conception of a 1950s American tiki bar. Obviously, these joints are well known for their sugar-cane-derived drinkables served in a variety of outrageous vessels, ranging from ceramic skulls to barrels.

Ask for a table within viewing distance of the house band and wait for the food, which turns out to be a mixture of Polynesian with a bizarre fusion of takeaway Chinese, crossed with middling American steakhouse staples. The oysters are as fresh and plump as a cheeky walrus, but quite clearly shucked by a chef whose mind was wandering from the task in hand.

The appealing-looking gumbo of a chicken wonton soup is too thin, while the chilli beef with Chinese vegetables is plentiful, but overly salty, and the duck pancakes a little too chewy and tough. The prices, on this side of the meal, seem unfairly excessive – even bottles of water are expensive.

Still, the bonkers surroundings and unfailingly eccentric atmosphere make for a pleasantly genial haze. It’s a shame about the food, though.

By Jeremy Lawrence

• Previous reviews
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 18 September,2007- reviewed by TimeOut Dubai Staff
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai

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

User reviews:

Posted by: ANNIE on 25 Feb ' 12 at 08:38

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

its definitely the best place to chill and dance salsa :) ..

Posted by: Mala on 30 Dec ' 11 at 19:24

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Worst service ever!

I went here on the 28th Dec 2011 with a group of 8 friends. As there wasn't any space available at the indoor bar area, we got seated outdoors. We ordered our drinks and then started ordering our starters, when we were told by our server that we would be charged 50dhs per couple as a cover charge. We could avoid this charge (which worked out to 300dhs for our table) if we ordered four or five (the manager was vague here) main courses instead.

This info according to the manager was printed on the menu. When we checked it was printed in very fine print at the bottom of one of the menu's but we weren't told this when we got seated, or when we ordered our drinks.

As per my understanding, when one is charged a cover charge, one usually gets something for it. The Trader Vic's manager very rudely told us that if we had a problem with his cover charge, we could leave as he did not want our business and had plenty of other clients.

Basically, the management at Trader Vic's just want to rip you off/ make money off you. I'm fine with paying for my meal and dinks and tipping, but paying 50dhs for the privilage of being seaed outside is something that I do not agree with.

Give this bar a skip, unless you want to pay through you nose for just getting to sit down.

Posted by: perry on 16 Nov ' 11 at 22:23

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am there almost every nite. no matter what others says for me this is the best place in town.

Posted by: Marion on 23 Feb ' 11 at 09:06

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The worst service ever. Staff dont care at all about they are doing, they have no clue about whats going on. 4 years ago, was an amzing place with friendly staff but I would never ever go back or recommend this place again, just because of the service that we received that night. Rude ,arrogant and careless.

Posted by: Latika on 16 Feb ' 11 at 11:44

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Very lively and a great place for a special celebration

Posted by: yasaman on 03 Feb ' 11 at 22:31

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Roger on 03 Jan ' 11 at 17:40

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Value

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I have never had such a tasteless food in any of Trader Vics I had visited. Highly NOT recommended.

Posted by: samar on 28 Oct ' 10 at 10:06

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Fahad on 28 Oct ' 10 at 08:37

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: tania on 28 Oct ' 10 at 06:12

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: majdi on 28 Oct ' 10 at 04:19

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Roena van Houten on 25 Mar ' 10 at 12:05

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

very nice. just for me and him. dont forget to make a reservation though. we always go here to eat snacks with beer or wine. thats it.

Posted by: Dominik MJ on 03 Mar ' 10 at 13:22

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Trader Vics is suffering under an unsure identity! Built up in the 40's and 50's as family casual restaurant, it is now semi-fine and this is not a good thing.
The cocktails are really alcoholic, but far of good! The Tiki style [which is also made absolutely commercial - no craft bartending] is rather out - there is no sophistication, no refinement.
To get drunk with few drinks, it is good, but this is not what we are looking for, are we?

Posted by: Cat on 22 Jul ' 09 at 04:20

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I guess they just have the best cocktails in Dubai and that's why we keep going back. The food is nothing special and very expensive. But the place itself and the live band are great.