Anar

Persian food at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah 1 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

While the relentless chirpiness of Persian synthpop inside may be suitable for a contemporary Iranian spot, it soon leaves you pining for the peace on the terrace. But, Anar serves some of the most definitively fruity kebabs in the city.

To anyone unfamiliar with Persian food, the menu can be a bit intimidating, but be sure to kick things off with a batch of maast khiar (an incredibly rich yoghurt) and a plate of mirza ghasemi. We like to think of ourselves as connoisseurs of this tasty eggplant dip, and Anar definitely delivers – perfectly warmed to a hearty temperature and a good rough texture, this might take the prize as the city’s best.

Mains are unparalleled in their fruitiness, with masses of pomegranate (Anar is Farsi for the country’s native fruit) laced through the saffron rice and succulent kebabs. The rice glows with saffron and is so sweet that, thrown together with a splash of maast yoghurt, will satisfy anyone who’s ever wondered what sets Persian food apart from other Middle Eastern chow.

But for all its foody merits, Anar has to be sampled alfresco. Be sure to book.

• Previous reviews
  • 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

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