Shabestan

Pricey but delicious Persian fare served in an enchanting setting 10 Reviews

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Guests are greeted by the sight of a baker slapping pizza-sized loaves of bread on the side of a fiery kiln. These are then brought by him to the table for guests to scoop up cucumber and raisin laban, alternating with the complimentary crisp lettuce, piquant lemon basil and mint, white cheese and perfect radish baubles. Entrees of note include a baked egg dish with eggplant and tomato sauce, while the main course of lamb cutlet kebab is cooked to perfection. Portions are as enormous as they are delicious. Shabestan shines for its complimentary additions – particularly the toasty halwa, which hits that thin slice of perfection between creamy and crumbly.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 15 April,2013- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 14 August,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 27 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 March,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
  • 27 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 January,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: central scrutinizer on 06 Aug ' 12 at 07:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

we were really looking forward to having dinner here. we had tried iranian food before at the iranian club and that sucked so we told ourselves we would try again. we are sorry we did. we started off with the mezze which was great and liked the fresh baked bread. however as we progressed the meal turned from bad to worse. we were expecting a lot from the meat but all of it tasted horrible and it smelled really bad just like at the iranian club. maybe this is what persian food is supposed to taste like? if it is i feel very sorry for iranians. we figured finally at least we can eat some dessert and it will make up for the horrible main courses and luckily it was okay. we tried a few desserts and they were all okay. the decor and ambience???? please it was tacky and old and the view???? get real you call that a view?

Posted by: Nicola on 08 Apr ' 12 at 13:58

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

Lovely Lovely Lovely

Posted by: adam on 19 Dec ' 11 at 15:11

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

After going to iran many times and eating at irainen restauants often, i was very disapointed with Shabestan. The food was cold and misrable, and the staff where rude. At least it it was looked good

Posted by: reem on 22 Sep ' 11 at 14:52

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: sahar on 11 Jun ' 11 at 08:30

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Moza on 21 May ' 11 at 18:19

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

One great experience, was highly recommended to me, and it's as great as I heard! Food is so good and prices are amazing!

Posted by: Shyster on 09 Sep ' 10 at 10:29

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I used to go here when I was younger because my grandparents would only settle for a top restaurant. It used to have a good reputation. Not today. When we went to the restaurant the hostess gave us a good eye roll as we told her we made a reservation. We interrupted her phone call with a friend apparently.

When we walked in the place was empty like Silent Hill. When we made our order from one of the four main courses the waiter did not even look at us while taking the orders, he was gazing through the windows at the busy Deira roads.

The main dish I ordered is Joojeh kebab which in iranian restaurants usually means boneless chicken cubes with rice. I got buffalo wings with rice. How this restaurant served buffalo wings to me is the clearest indicator that the restaurant has gone to the pits. At least the bread was good.

Never. Go. Here. Ever.

Posted by: shadia on 30 Apr ' 09 at 09:18

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

My choice for Persian food is a restaurant in Meadows Village , Emirates Hills . It has the best food , good Service , very clean, Lovely management and Value for money. This restaurant has in door and out door seats( Facing the Lake ,Traditional seats , Takht ). Serves Shisha. Persia is the name ! Try it you will like it ,specially Friday Lunch ,mmmm

Posted by: Reza on 12 Apr ' 09 at 19:27

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I went there the qulality of the stew and the Rice was very bad , but decoration is nice indeed, didnt like the food at all.

Posted by: Zalfa on 11 Mar ' 09 at 09:34

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Value

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

I love Iranian food but Shabestan is one of the most expensive restaurants in Dubai if you consider the small portion meal & the very expensive simple salads, garlic yugurt!
The service is very good, nice place but extremely expensive for their small portions!