Amwaj

Amwaj is a pleasant enough seafood experience, the decor welcoming, the food reasonably promising but it just lacks that extra oomph to elevate it into the very good category 11 Reviews

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While its serene atmosphere can be encroached upon by the noise emanating from Dunes downstairs, Amwaj is a serene and calm setting. The menu, meanwhile, is small but boats all the fishy favourites and there's a decent list of sides and sauces to perk up your order. For starters, it's hard not to overlook the seared scallops, which arrive on foam-cushioned shredded leaks.

However, the fisherman's soup lacks edge and sharpness, and the calamari is average at best. Mains can be equally unmemorable. The red snapper, paltry and overly delicate, disappoints, but the standout dish by far is the rocksalt seabass, which is carefully deboned before your eyes and deboned – the ace Amwaj’s sleeve. It's just a shame that the rest of the menu doesn't reach the same highs. Amwaj is good without being extraordinary, safe without being daring, and falls that little it short.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 14 August 2011

• Previous reviews
  • 21 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 05 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 22 December,2008- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 15 November,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 March,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 June,2004- reviewed by Rob Orchard

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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: gjbennett on 13 Jan ' 12 at 16:17

OverallDecorService

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

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

I'm inclined to disagree with the article... I've known this restaurant before and since its new chef joined - he's revolutionised the menu - much simpler now, and great value for Dubai - extremely well priced... some of the food is frankly superb. Only thing it lacked was atmosphere - there weren't enough people in there to create it- I suspect simply because no-one knows about this place. Dubai does steak in spades, but not so much fish - Is this Dubai's best kept secret?

Posted by: tuhin alam chowdhury on 16 Jul ' 11 at 00:17

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

i like it

Posted by: UAE Monticristo on 15 May ' 10 at 07:13

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

this restaurant is needs try to more creative with its menu and food as well. it fails to mathc it self to the chinese restaurant on the same floor.
which out ranks in many ways.

Posted by: jaber bin hamid on 22 Mar ' 10 at 16:58

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Nicole & Lars on 22 Mar ' 10 at 06:59

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FoodAmbienceValue

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

It was a perfect evening in Pisces, greetings to chef de cuisine!

Posted by: Aya on 06 Mar ' 10 at 17:32

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Posted by: Jennifer on 06 Mar ' 10 at 17:30

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Posted by: Warren Esma on 06 Mar ' 10 at 17:18

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Posted by: Genevieve on 06 Mar ' 10 at 17:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Posted by: James on 21 Nov ' 09 at 06:04

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

A group of 5 went for dinner on a Thursday.

The setting was very nice and what you would expect from the Shangri La. It is ideal for couples or groups.

The starters were cooked to perfection and all 5 of us had nothing but compliments. Mains were equally satisfying; the 4 different salts really complimenting the taste of the fish. A complimentary herbal sorbet between the starter and main was fruity and complex, without being too sweet. We opted out of dessert, though the complimentary date cakes offered were moist and not too sticky.

The wine list was comprehensive, however, like a trend within Dubai restaurants, the price seemed high (AED 865 for a bottle of 2007 Cloudy Bay - we didn't order this).

Overall, I was amazed that the restaurant was not full on a Thursday evening and I would defiinitely return here.

Posted by: Anju on 03 Mar ' 09 at 09:47

OverallDecorAmbience

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