Madfoon Al Sadda near ADIB on Jumeirah Beach Road in Umm Sequim is the Dubai branch of Ras Al-Khaimah mandi masters of the same name. It is one of the most elaborate mandi establishments in town, taking up the entire two story building it is located in. The upstairs is amazing, a cluster of colourful, little tents as opposed to the private dining areas one associates with the more upmarket mandi restaurants. Downstairs has a communal, floor seated dining area as well as table and chair seating. But I’m sure it’s the upstairs area you will want to dine in; it really is special and adds a special regional flavour to the dining experience.
The food is superb, easily one of the best in Dubai. I look for two things in a good mandi, the meat and the rice; both were excellent, the meat particularly so. And then there are the little touches, like the fried raisins and almonds, and the crispy fried onions which are brought to garnish and enhance even further the delicious food. I went through a bowl of each waiting for my guests to arrive, hmm.
If there is an element better than the food, it is the service. You are welcomed in, seated and then pampered in a style I have not experienced in a mandi restaurant anywhere – excellent. So too are the utensils in-which your meal is served, with the serving dishes and cutlery a cut above the rest.
Valet parking, always a much-appreciated bonus on hard to park Jumeirah Beach Road, is available so don’t worry if you can’t find parking on your own. Also worth noting is that the restaurant is wheel-chair compliant, with ramps and even a lift. And the washrooms are spotlessly clean. What else could one want?
So there you have it, Madfoon Al Sadda, highly recommended and well worth a detour.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.