Al Hadheerah

Emirati food, desert setting and touristy vibe at the Bab Al Shams hotel 18 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2011

Nestled in the desert resort of Bab Al Shams, this MENA restaurant seems to be a tourist’s delight, whereas any resident will find it more of a tacky spot, with the outdoor surroundings feeling more like Universal Studios than a tranquil authentic oasis of calm. The entertainment matches this vibe too, with every aspect of performance incorporated throughout the night, from dancers and deafening live music, to actors riding camels and horses, and a firework display to top the night off. In fact, it is all very over the top in every aspect.

This out of town spot only serves a pricey set buffet. A huge range of Arabic options are available, but it is all very average at best. The service here is on the rude side and combines an odd mix of ignoring you all night, with other staff pushing to get you out of the door as quickly as is physically possible. This Arabic restaurant is not somewhere to go out of your way to visit, and beware, if you arrive by taxi, then be sure to reserve one at the end of the night at least an hour before you leave, otherwise you can be left with a long wait.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 26 March 2011

• Previous reviews
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 November,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 14 April,2008- reviewed by Guy Dimond
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 27 June,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 26 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: Janette on 23 May ' 12 at 04:57

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• Best for: Romantic

I was on holiday from South Africa and was taken by my hosts. The ambiance was superb and the music and show was great, however, the music was loud. The food was authentic and enjoyable however, not 5 star standard. The downside was the photographer who was at the table continually when the performers mingled with the guests, and the whilte wine we ordered was not cold. Unforgivable on a hot night. As I was visiting Dubai I would not go back but it is a good experience for visitors.

Posted by: jane on 13 Mar ' 12 at 12:48

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

Excellent place- great food and entertainment

Posted by: Mai on 15 Feb ' 12 at 04:18

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

i went to Al Hadeera last month as we had the "entertainer" coupons, but even with those we still felt we got ripped off!

there is a large selection food, but below standard ! a shame for a five star hotel... then the music and the dancers were just horrible and reflected the Arabic tradition so cheaply..i was ashamed as an Arab to be sitting there and seeing such a cheap show. the singers were literally screaming their heads off, not singing!

it was one of the worst exeriences i had in Dubai!

Posted by: Javid J on 16 Dec ' 11 at 18:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Not worth 425 Dh (even with Ent. voucher)., unless you like loud arabic music.

Selection of food could be better for such a place, particularly for seafood.
Service is below average from waiters, though there was a guy who overlooked them, he was very attentive and nice.

Most brilliant piece of that place is when you drive back, make a stop on that dark road with no road lights. Get out of a car and watch the stars.

Posted by: Mohammad on 24 Jul ' 11 at 11:37

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

One of the best places to take visitors from outside Dubai. It's a very entertaining and fun place, even for kids. Food in buffets is usually horrible... This one I would for sure say is above average. The service was not very good... the staff make you feel that they hate the fact that they are stuck in the middle of the desert to service you.

Must look for some sort of a discount deal, otherwise paying 395 is way too much.

Posted by: Ahmed on 06 Feb ' 11 at 13:43

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

Very expensive 395 Dirhams with this money u can feed a family for one full month in a poor country. The food is v nice and the restaurant decoration is good but the price is v high just for one time food this is a huge price they should be in 200 s because all what they have is not worthwhile for 395 in a single shot.

Posted by: M on 05 Jan ' 11 at 20:58

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

Its one of the best restaurant ive ever been to.

the food the entertainment every thing was perfect to me

Posted by: Alice Short on 26 Sep ' 10 at 07:53

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

We went on Friday night as my parents were over and thought a weekend at Bab Al Shams would be lovely.

The service was utterly horiffic, we had to ask for more mineral water three times before getting any and resorted to getting our own. I don't object to getting my own at all but you need to decide if you are a self service buffet or a table service restaurant and stick to it.

The music was so loud that we could hardly hold a conversation adn thank god I had Entertainer vouchers because at 375 a head not including alcohol without them would definately not have been anywhere near value for money.

Overall I was incredible disappointed

Posted by: sorav on 19 Mar ' 10 at 12:46

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

Best restaurant in town

Posted by: Nadia on 03 Dec ' 09 at 04:29

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I went two times. The food was cold and far from good. The setting and the ambience are nice. But the music is way too loud, especially when you're there with small children.

Posted by: Kulsum on 30 Nov ' 09 at 21:24

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

No one to take care of the guest while we walk in!!! Can actually have a free meal and walk out... Food is col... no one to guide you through... complicated dishes.... and for all this paying so much... not worth it!

Posted by: Alex Christie on 25 Oct ' 09 at 05:03

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Dinner on 24 October 2009. A unique experience (why aren't there more places like this?), especially good for first-time visitors to the Middle East, buffet selection is impressive but overall quality of the food not outstanding. Would have given them more stars if the entertainment had been a little less "in your face" too (all through dinner we could hardly talk to each other because of the sheer volume of the sound system used by the entertainers). Although a unique experience, the quality of the show plus food unfortunately did not justify the high price.

Posted by: Mark on 26 May ' 09 at 07:27

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

Best restaurant I have ever been to food great, service friendly all together fun fun fun

Posted by: Jaber on 01 Apr ' 09 at 12:47

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Well, I did like the show. Especially the Arabian Caravan show with the horses, camels, etc.

But the food is what I was after, and the food was bad. Not bellow average, not bellow expectations, it was plain bad.

The variety was horrible, imagine when you are a person who does not like dates, and finds that the sweets buffet items are all (nearly) based on dates! I had to have Baskin Robins Ice Cream as my sweet!

The dishes are cold and you can get much better quality and taste in other restaurants in the town that would cost you WAY less than Al Hadheerah offers.

If you are after the show, try it out. If you are looking for good food, this is not the place.

Posted by: ahmed hussein on 01 Apr ' 09 at 10:14

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

Posted by: ghazi saad on 01 Apr ' 09 at 10:13

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

Posted by: talal nasralla on 01 Apr ' 09 at 10:12

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

Posted by: Kolin Jamil on 01 Feb ' 09 at 12:07

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes