Anar

Persian food at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah 33 Reviews

© ITP Images

This neat, posh and polished Iranian restaurant is sat right beside the Madinat’s waterways and boasts a great ambience. The smiling staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and will instantly grace your table with warm Iranian bread once you’ve placed your order. Just one bite of the Kofte Anar will have you planning your next trip here - the tender succulent pieces of meatballs are drizzled with a sweet, sticky and tangy pomegranate sauce. As the name states it, Anar (pomegranate) is a prominent ingredient in most dishes followed up by the saffron spice. Even Zereshk, the saffron flavored rice is dressed with a scatter of sweet-dry pomegranate seeds. If you think you have had enough pomegranate for one night the Faloodeh will keep you double guessing - the fine corn starch vermicelli frozen scoops are drizzled with a pomegranate sauce and rose water. Disregarding the price, this venue makes a fine spot a cozy evening.

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

• Previous reviews
  • 27 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by TimeOut Dubai Staff
  • 01 December,2004- reviewed by Matthew Lee

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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: Ramin on 20 Jan ' 13 at 12:13

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

As an Iranian I would not recomend this reataurant as the service is poor, the food is okish but over priced and I found the owner ver rude!
It is interesting that this restaurant have received poor rating for many years, nevertheless the management doen't look to care!

Posted by: Jabbar on 02 Dec ' 12 at 06:59

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

This has to be the worst run establishment in Madinat Jumeirah. Service is horrible and Prices are exorbitant while the portions are miniscule...what a RIP OFF!!! We went there on Dec 1st 2012, at around 1pm with only 4-5 tables in the restaurant and 4-5 wait staff...no one approached us for 10 minutes...so finally i walked up to the counter to get someone's attention and menus. Ordered soft drinks and a water while we checked the menu..drinks came after 15 minutes without the water which came separately..food arrived 25 minutes later and i was shocked to see the portions which are not proportionate for the price you pay. Food is average and the same plate which Anar sells for 150 goes for 35 at local iranian joints like Hatam or Pars...overall, worst service and prices are sky high..not worth at all..rip off, you are simply paying for the view.

Posted by: Daniel on 16 Apr ' 12 at 17:21

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Rejoy on 26 Mar ' 12 at 12:06

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Service was not great, food (except for the breads) was ordinary while prices were fairly high! 20 mins after placing the order, we were told that they were out of stock and we had to order something else. Quantity was minimal and ingredients old.

Posted by: jj on 20 Mar ' 12 at 18:12

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

We ate here in Feb 2012 whilst visitng Dubai. My husband is Persian, so we know the food well.. This restaurant was very good.. food was fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed the water view.

Posted by: Persi on 21 Jan ' 12 at 13:31

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

the service was absolutely horrible, the staff was inattentive and did not bring drinks till 20 minutes after ordered, the food arrived very late, although the quality was great, the service gave me the sense that I do not wish to return. The music and overall ambience was good, but the staff was very very unhelpful and unfriendly... the prices were way too high for the order, a small bowl of yogurt cost me 48AED!!! each meal costs a minimum of 120, without appetizers and drinks...

Posted by: Ekaterina Vinogradova on 12 Sep ' 11 at 13:21

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

Its one of my favorite places...I just LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: kamroz ato on 16 Aug ' 11 at 09:29

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

that food is very nice really thanke you for any thing number food is the best in uae

Posted by: kamroz ato on 16 Aug ' 11 at 09:25

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

that food is very nice really thanke you for any thing number food is the best in uae

Posted by: naina on 18 Jan ' 11 at 14:40

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

hi i am naina from pakistan i visited it.its good

Posted by: DORINA on 22 Nov ' 10 at 15:28

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The restaurant is good located but doesn't deserve this good location
Staff is rude, staff member smokes next to our table behind the staff back area door
Restaurant incharge chatting with other staff member loudly
Hostess was not paying attention to guests
Tables were dirty
Broken chairs
Ordered two different wines, none was available
Asian looked girl (Philppina) was rude and pushed us to pay and go

Posted by: Erika Vedsegaard on 06 Oct ' 10 at 10:15

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Posted by: monika on 06 Oct ' 10 at 10:11

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Mehrdad on 13 Sep ' 10 at 17:56

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am Iranan,I'm living in dubai almost 11 years, I went to Anar yesterday every thing was perfect. I have been in almost all the iranian restaurants, anar isone the best iranian restaurant in dubai. nice atmosphere good food excellent service.

Posted by: Erika Vedsegaard on 09 Sep ' 10 at 12:44

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Did not believe that such a restaurant is located in Jumeirah Madinat!
Everything is below standard.
Have tried Iranian food in other Iranian Restaurants, I was really disappointed in Anar.
Hostess was not aware about our reservation
Tables were dirty although it wasn't busy.
Menus are black, under a small font, couldn't read even with my glasses
Staff doesn't understand or speak English
Food was over cooked and hair was found
Some wines were not available in the menu, but no one told us in advance
Staff couldn't open a bottle of wine (untrained)
Tall Male staff member was rude and unfriendly when we asked for more attention
another male staff member was chatting with a female staff member while next table is waving hands for assistance
Wanted to talk to the manager who was not on board, a staff member said that the manager is busy preparing the owner's food!!
Our food was delayed and not as ordered but no apology nor execuse

Will never be back

Erika

Posted by: Steven on 02 Sep ' 10 at 16:33

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

Anar is my favourite restarant in U.A.E. I am a regular costomer in anar, The food is perfect specialy the mixed grill and stews. Always when Iam in Anar I used to get a very good service, all staffs are very friendly. The prices are reasonable.
Definitely I'll keep going to this restaurant and I'll recomend anar to all of my friends.

Posted by: mohammed yosuuf khan on 10 Aug ' 10 at 15:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: mohammed yosuuf khan on 10 Aug ' 10 at 15:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: mohammed yosuuf khan on 10 Aug ' 10 at 15:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: monika on 01 Jun ' 10 at 15:16

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

wowwww....very friendly atmosphere and service and food was perfect for sure i will go back to ANAR and i recommend to all of my friends to visit and try pure persian cuisine.

Posted by: George on 20 May ' 10 at 14:26

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The poorest menu, service, attitude, taste, etc.
The place is not organised, a small starter costs more than 10$, mail course costs more than 50$. I was invited for dinner, I had a look at the menu and there was the shock. Neither me nor my friends liked the food.
Staff can't even speak English. A tall guy (seemed to be the Manager or supervisor) was taking the order and forgot one of the main courses which took another 15 minutes to bring it when the rest of the food got cold.
A dark skinned team member was joking and chatting with his buddy, didn't bother to have a look at our table.
The tables were dirty even before we sat down.
This was my first time and will be the last visit.
Don't be fool, don't book there.

Posted by: Patrick on 13 May ' 10 at 10:50

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The worest ever, bad and dirty food, slow service, dirty restaurant, 10% extra service charge although it is over in UAE. Overall experience is POOR.
Dine in Meat Co or Japengo, they have the same location and a lot more
I don't recommend this restaurant to any of my friends. I will never ever visit again even for free!

Posted by: Gerard on 18 Apr ' 10 at 19:54

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: behrouz on 16 Mar ' 10 at 08:30

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

As an Iranian I must say that I have had better Iranian food in smaller restaurants in Dubai.

Anar in Dubai and Abu Dhabi only charges you for their location.

The food is not what you would expect the staff have no idea about the menu.

All in all disappointing and too expensive

Posted by: Simon on 09 Mar ' 10 at 13:30

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

The worst of the worst.
Needs to be shut down.

Posted by: Neil Jones on 09 Mar ' 10 at 13:18

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

It's in a good location but so is every other restaurant in the area.
Service was the poorest i've ever had
Food was rubbish and so over priced even for dubai.
It was a the worst meal i've ever had and still makes me angry now.
Do not go.
Go to the many other restaurants in the area.

Posted by: Teresa Rowe on 25 Feb ' 10 at 16:19

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The only half decent thing about this restaurant is the location.
Service was almost non - existant.
Food extremely bland.
Prices very expensive.
This is nothing more than a tourist trap.
Do not go.
There are many other places to eat in the vicinity, all of which can only be an improvement on this terrible offering.

Posted by: Paul on 19 Feb ' 10 at 02:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

My family and I ate at this restaurant last night. I was very disappointed with the food. The service was slow and some of the staff struggled to speak or understand english. Food portions were small. I had what was described as a Pollow dish and I asked for an explanation before I ordered. What was described to me was not what turned up! Dessert of pear, ice cream and ginger sauce was poor. I was presented two small slices of pear with a bowl of ice cream with shredded ginger, not ginger sauce as described. The whole experience was disapointting and at 900 Dhs for 3 incl a bottle of wine it was very poor value! Give it a miss!

Posted by: Jane on 16 Feb ' 10 at 11:08

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

Posted by: Linda on 29 Jan ' 10 at 15:36

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

Posted by: Klaus on 29 Jan ' 10 at 15:32

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

Posted by: Rosa on 22 Jan ' 10 at 15:42

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

Anar is one of the best restaurants I have ever been
Everything was excellent, staff cared about us.
My children were very happy with the lovely view and the boats
The food was PERFECT cooked to our liking
We had to reserve a table to get a table, our table was ready upon arrival
We ordered a dish called Bagali Polo which was a lamb shank, just an unforgetable taste
The prawns were tasty
Everything was great
The crew is very friendly and smily
We were really happy with this experience, it was our first time eating Persian food and it will not be the last time
We will come back

Posted by: christian habermacher on 15 Jul ' 09 at 07:59

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I cannot see why such a excelent location should be spoiled by this nonsense restaurant.No system,staff not happy looks like,one european acting foolish running everyplace,food cold,very expensive.We maybe tourist but not foolish.I will tell all my friend about the bad restaurant ANAR