Bastakiah Nights

Idyllic location, but can the food impress as well? 2 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

The outdoor courtyard, oversized coffee pots and chorus of wailing evening prayers resonating from the mosques around Dubai creek certainly give Bastakiah Nights the atmospheric edge, luring many a wide-eyed tourist eager for a taste of ‘real’ Arabia.

Though the setting is beautiful, the standard of food is far below par. A glance at the menu reveals the ultimate foodie nightmare: the permanent set menu. Lebanese staples like houmous, tabbouleh and fried kebbeh are served with little or no fanfare and mains are disappointing.

The khoresh e bamieh, a type of lamb dish stewed with okra and tumeric, is decidedly underwhelming and lacks any distinct flavour, while Time Out had serious thoughts about sending back the house speciality; a so-called lamb kebab dish with aubergine and a distinct lamb deficit.

Bastakiah Nights is definitely a place to stop for a pomegranate juice while showing visiting friends and family the delights of the area, but for true food lovers it’s best avoided.

• Previous reviews
  • 14 April,2008- reviewed by Guy Dimond
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 27 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 15 February,2006- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 May,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee

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