Khoory is back! And they’ve got Feri Classic’s chef in their kitchen – which means Dubai’s best Kabab Koobideh is back too. Located around the back of the Al Mamzar Beach Park Restaurant Strip on Al Khaleej Road, next door to not one but two Iranian kabab specialist, Kabab Khodemooni and Kabab Achome, the new Khoory offers the ultimate experience in traditional Iranian dining – “sofreh khaneh” style outdoor dining day beds. I had never seen anything of the kind in Dubai until I came across this trio of restaurants, all offering the same, be it in very basic form. Eating and then lounging on carpeted day beds is as traditionally Persian as it gets. That said, my food buddies and I chose their only table to sit at for our meal.
A local lounging at Khoory 
A typical “sofreh khaneh” in Iran
First things first – the koobideh. Is it the same as the amazing koobideh at Feri Classic (my all-time favourite in Dubai)? Yes! Yes! Yes! And the fact that you can have those juicy koobideh kababs with freshly baked Sangak bread and Rayhoon (basil) transforms the experience into something nirvanic. The good news doesn’t end there, I found the rest of their kababs, especially the Limooi or Bahraini, extremely good as well. And on…they have the same, famous Feri Kasif sandwiches including the Brain and Tongue, Daffi and Sausage Bandari. And on…they also have Kaleh Patche as a permanent fixture on their menu.
Khoory is one of a handful of restaurants in Dubai which makes authentic Sangak.
The original Khoory had something of a cult following so I’m sure once Khoory fans find out about this new place they will find their way there. I’m also sure the food will not disappoint. I am, however, concerned about two things…starting with the lesser, which is the distance, although people will happily travel great distances for great food. My greater concern is that Khoory, like the Al Fareej restaurants, is all outdoors. And while that is all fine and dandy now, come “oh look Daddy, my hair just melted” season, things may not seem so cute. Perhaps they have plans to cover the area (fingers crossed). For now, though, let’s rejoice in the knowledge that one of Dubai’s lost legends is back. The new Khoory Special Kabab in Al Mamzar – well worth a detour.
#1 Food Blogger on Zomato Dubai – 2018, 2019 and 2020
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join his culinary journey on Instagram: @ravenousxerxes or reach out to him via email on xerxes@dellara.com.