One of the best Lebanese dining spots in Sheikh Zayed is Mays Al Karam! Go for an authentic Lebanese dining in an easy, laid-back and casual atmosphere in Majarrah open mall.
Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Signature dishes include the selection of Manouche, Special Baba Ghanouj, Mays Mix Grill, Freekah with Meat Skewer, Kebbeh Labnieh, Nutella with Halawet El Ghazal.
The extensive 15-page menu left us a bit overwhelmed with lots of deliciously sounding dishes to choose from. Taking the difficult task off our hands, the evening manager made the choice for us!
We started with a famed Mays El Karam dish, the Special Baba Ghanouj, and special it was! The light and creamy grilled eggplant mash was concisely formed and topped with a squeeze of lemon and a salsa, if you will, of pomegranate seeds, finely chopped parsley, chopped almonds and walnuts, and tart pomegranate syrup. Nicely planted into the paste were small eggplant chips. Each bite delivering sweetness, tanginess, crunch and smoothness.
Accompanying this was the Makanek, a true measure of the Lebanesiness of a Lebanese restaurant. Succulent sausages cooked in pomegranate syrup and topped with pine nuts. Just the right mix of savory and sweet.
Hard to top, but we followed with a Meat Tableye, chargrilled meat lovingly laid into soft and chewy house Tanour bread, accompanied with fries, garlic dip and hummus: a superb grill taste, and a sublimely light and fluffy garlic dip.
While waiting for our dessert, we quenched our thirst with a traditional cold Jellab presented in small individual-sized jugs. The drink is made with date syrup, tamarind, rose water, orange blossom, with some shaved almonds and pine nuts thrown in for crunch. This would make for the perfect beachside drink!
It was dessert o’clock by then and Halwet El Jebn came right on time! A dough-like roll stuffed with fresh cream, topped with orange-blossom-infused syrup and crushed pistachio. Now that was as Lebanese as they come! Traditional down to the level of sweetness, which is not too sweet. Served chilled, this dessert was the perfect palate cooler after the abundance of spices we had just devoured.
Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
Kafta Khachkhach in Yogurt, Fattet Eggplant and Kafta, and the Knafe in Ashta and Pistachio.
Beverage options include fresh juices, hot drinks, cold drinks and traditional Lebanese drinks like Jellab and Ayran.
Décor & Ambience
The spacious Mays Al Karam hosts two large outdoor areas where shisha lovers can while away the hours. A bright and colorful palate prevails, with comfortable mid-century seating in one outdoor area, and lounge chairs in another outdoor area. The indoor area is also colorful, with floor to wall shelves adorned in the quirkiest items and knick-knacks.
Clientele mix: Zayed residents, families, friends.
Price range: Affordable.
Contact information
Opening hours: 9 am to 1 am
Address: Majarrah, Sheikh Zayed
Tel: 0120 049 9606
Facebook/Instagram: @MaysAlKaram
