Special Ostadi

Long-established Iranian Bur Dubai Reviews

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It would be difficult to hold on to a bad mood at Special Ostadi, unless, of course, you were really invested in doing so. Even then, it would be difficult not to smile at the manager’s efforts to track down your homeland’s currency (the venue has pasted bills from almost every nationality on the tabletops and walls). And if your heart wasn’t warmed by the pride the owners take in their establishment (on a recent visit they were eager to point out the various awards and write-ups they had received), then it might just be that you didn’t have a heart at all.

The restaurant – an Iranian dig that has been run by the same family since 1978 – offers meat, meat, and more meat. Carnivores are in luck, as the grill options we sampled were inevitably juicy nuggets, often infused with saffron, or marinated in yoghurt. We did find the menu a bit dizzying, which is why my dining companion and I settled on grilled meat, mix three, as it offered the largest sampling. I favoured the barbecued mutton, which my date eschewed due to a fear of the meat’s purported chewiness. She need not have worried: the morsels were oozing juice, and met my teeth with the utmost of ease. The accompanying shish kebab came out moist and imbued with thyme, garlic and a host of other ingredients, which helped the seemingly simple slab of meat achieve something transcendent.

In spite of its meaty focus, Special Ostadi is not a total exercise in animal flesh, as each platter comes with warm Arabic bread, a yoghurt mixture with tarragon, mint and cucumber, and a tray of assorted vegetables, all of which are sure to lend your meal a certain balance). As I visited the restaurant with a slightly weakened immune system, I opted to start the meal with a bowl of lentil soup, which had a nice garlic undertone and a throat-coating texture that worked well as a surrogate nurse.

The meal came to a mere Dhs58, and though no items on the menu ventured as high as Dhs30, the management still plied me and my companion with many complimentary goodies, including dates and mint tea. In every way imaginable the restaurant offered good value, but it especially excelled in providing a small slice of history in a city where it is often lacking.

The bill (for two)
1x Lentil soup Dhs12
1x Mix grill three Dhs24
1x Joujeh kabab Dhs22
Total (including service) Dhs58

By 0
Time Out Dubai, 2 September 2008

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

Details

    Location: Bur Dubai, Dubai
  • Tel: 04 397 1933
  • Travel: Al Mussalla Road
  • Cuisine: Persian
  • Times: Open Sat-Thu noon-4pm, 6.30pm-1am; Fri 6.30pm-1am
  • Price: Dhs1-50

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User reviews

ValueAmbienceService
DecorFoodOverall
  • Users voted this restaurant most suitable for: Family friendly
Posted by: Abhay on 02 Jun ' 10 at 19:22
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best Iranian food in town - can give any of the formal eateries a serious run for their money. The Kebabs are in fact some of the best I have tasted since the last 5 yrs I have been in Dubai. And Abbas, one of the manager chaps there, makes that extra effort to make you feel welcome. Try the Bahraini chicken there and the lentil soup (with chicken)

Love it

Posted by: Max on 18 Apr ' 10 at 20:51
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue

Looking back at my time working Dubai this was by far my favorite restaurant and I think I went there more than once a week on a regular basis! The food and value-for-money ratio exceptional as it is, the overall experience of the genuinely most friendly and coolest staff in Dubai made it my favorite eatery for over year! Even if you are not into Persian food, this place is worth just going for to have a chat with the 2 brothers and their dad (the owner) who work there! Absolutely awesome!

Posted by: mike on 24 Jan ' 10 at 23:36
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

its really very nice 2 be there.....the food is the best healthy food,good pricing,nice guys serving u around,u need 2 go there to know it....

Posted by: Girish on 03 Jul ' 09 at 09:46
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Simply outstandingly delicious !! yummyyyyy !!!! forget the value for money try getting the same taste anywhere else !!! kebab at its best !!

Posted by: Nasser on 17 Mar ' 09 at 09:35
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue

Very very good, the best Iranian food i have eaten in my life for the best value of money. With the owners always around, you will just feel like your home.
number 1.. definitely

Posted by: James Gleick on 15 Jan ' 09 at 11:11
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

One of the most exceptional eateries that can still make you feel so happy with the unbelievable value for money.. First went to this restaurant in 1995 and they have held up the quality and the values from that day. Try the Shorba (lentil soup with pieces of chicken), Joujeh Kebabs - ask for some onions, greens and chillies with them. If you are lucky, you will meet the old man or his son - who sings the latest Hindi songs and dont forget to ask about the currency collection - you will see it everywhere...

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