A Labour of Love & Family: Shahbadar Restaurant

Where Does The Name Come From? 

Shahbadar breaks down into two: Shahba is an old nickname for Aleppo, with a few origins, namely the reflection of the city’s bright white soil. Dar means home (not house, the sisters were quick to point out!) - so the name literally means ‘Aleppo home’, which you’ll find is very fitting once you’ve enjoyed a meal here. 

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Just What Is Aleppian Food? 

Put simply, it's the traditional food of Aleppo, Syria. At Shahbadar, it represents a few things: very generous portions, healthy, high-quality food (they even have the awards to prove it!) and traditional home-cooked dishes, all made fresh to order by Nour and her busy team. There’s plenty of protein, nuts, some dishes you’d recognise as Middle Eastern, but with a twist to make them uniquely Aleppian. It’s a very joyful dining experience from start to end, and the sisters’ ethos is to welcome guests into their restaurant as they would their home - filling it with warmth and food for the soul.

We tried a bit of everything - and yet can’t wait to return for another go-round of the menu. Lunch started strong - the kibbeh was the best I’ve had - after being put off by dry kibbeh at many an iftar meal, this was a revelation - and the moutabal was extra tasty as well. Try the majouqa (AED105) - a sort of stuffed meat, it’s ground lamb filled with mushrooms, cheese, bell peppers and nuts. Really moist and the filling really works.

After trying - and loving - Jordanian mansaf, we were very excited to try Shahbadar’s freekeh (AED118) - a sort of Aleppine mansaf. Freekeh and rice served with lamb shank or shoulder and nuts, paired with cooked yogurt sauce for you to drizzle over - it’s really, REALLY good. Guilty of over-ordering, we couldn’t pass up the yabraq (AED100), the stuffed grape leaves filled with rice and minced lamb, cooked in lemon and garlic sauce and served with tender lamb shank - these are so easy to eat, and the slight acidity of the lemon hits just the right note.

If you are looking for something fresh and light to complement your mains, don’t skip the Shahbadar salad - a rich mix of quinoa, green apple, lettuce, beetroot, walnuts and fresh pomegranate. Not only is this salad huge but it’s incredibly morish, the crisp green apple and pomegranate giving just the right touch of sweetness. 

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With way too much food to finish, the leftovers came home with us - and we can happily report that everything tasted just as good for dinner, and lunch the next day… and dinner the next night - when we say the portions are big, we mean it!

Excellent food, warm service and treating every diner like a guest visiting their family home has won the restaurant many loyal customers - and rightfully so. This was our first visit, but will also be the first of many - it’s exactly the sort of restaurant you’ll find yourself returning to over and over again, and taking your friends along to with pride - ready to impress them with this hidden gem that deserves every bit of praise it receives. 

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Shahbadar Restaurant 

Al Danah

Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Contact: 056 126 1379

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