Al Ustad Special Kebab

"The hole-in-the-wall Al Ustad Special Kabab is a Dubai institution. You'd never guess that this unassuming restaurant in the Al Fahidi neighborhood of old Dubai has served its legendary kebabs to royals, athletes, diplomats, and celebrities."

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"Run by the Persian al-Ansari family who immigrated to Dubai 43 years ago, Al Ustad proudly makes classic Irani cuisine in the old area of Bur Dubai. The menu includes kebabs of mutton, chicken, and tenderloin, including some marinated in yogurt before being barbecued and others slow-cooked in mild spices and herbs like dill, mint, basil, chives, fenugreek, and tarragon. Dishes come with khubz (flatbread) or saffron rice studded with roasted dry fruits. Vegetarians should stop by at lunch for options like okra and eggplant. [$]" - Rahma Khan

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"Pop in and out of the trinket shops and cafés here before stopping for lunch at Al Ustad Special Kabab, a legendary Iranian grilled meat joint just a 15-minute walk from the Dubai Museum."

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"At Al Ustad, a 38-year-old kebab establishment, meals begin with a complimentary platter of vegetables and small bowls of yogurt with mint and cucumber. From there, the menu is short, sweet, and packed with flavor. There’s hummus and chicken soup, but the kebabs, which are all served with either rice or bread and a small dish of garlic sauce, are the house specialty. Try the Joojeh kebabs, which consist of cubes of chicken marinated in saffron, or the khorak bahraini, which is slightly tangy thanks to a marinade of dry lemon." - Dylan Essertier, Laura Ratliff