Ask anyone who has spent a 3am taxi ride craving mixed grill and hummus where to go, and Aroos Damascus will come up before the driver has even pulled off. It is one of Dubai’s longest-running Syrian restaurants, the kind of place where the queue at midnight is as long as the one at lunch, and where locals will argue, cheerfully, over which branch does it best. This guide breaks down every current location, what to order at each, and what actually differs between them, so you can skip the guesswork.
A Damascus name that has stuck around Dubai for decades
Aroos Damascus (the name translates roughly to “Bride of Damascus”) has been serving grilled meats and Levantine classics in the UAE for what the brand itself describes as over four decades [VERIFY: exact founding year; the restaurant’s own site cites 1980, other listings are vaguer]. Whatever the precise start date, the reputation is well earned: thousands of Google reviews, a Deira branch that barely closes, and a menu that has not needed much reinventing because it was done right the first time. This is not a place chasing trends. It is a grill house that built its name on consistency, generous portions and prices that still feel fair for what lands on the table.
Every branch, where it actually is
As of writing, Aroos Damascus operates three branches across the UAE: two in Dubai and one in Sharjah. [VERIFY: branch count and status, since restaurant listings occasionally close or relocate a location; confirm against the official site or Google Maps before publishing walk-in plans.] Here is the breakdown.
Al Muraqqabat, Deira (the original)
Set on the ground floor of the Green Palace Hotel on Al Muraqqabat Road, this is the branch most people mean when they say “Aroos Damascus” without qualifying it. It is also the busiest and the one open the longest into the night, which is exactly why it built its reputation as a post-clubbing, post-shift, post-everything feed. Expect a proper crowd from around 9pm to 11pm; mornings are quieter and far more relaxed.
- Address: Green Palace Hotel, ground floor, Al Muraqqabat Road, Deira, Dubai [VERIFY: exact building/unit details]
- Hours: reported as roughly 7am to 4am daily [VERIFY: opening hours, as sources disagree slightly]
- Notes: street and paid lot parking nearby; the branch aggregators list as the highest-reviewed of the three
Al Manara, Sheikh Zayed Road
The newer of the two Dubai branches, and the one with the most amenities: a drive-through, a shisha menu and free parking, which the Deira original does not offer. Prices here run noticeably higher than at the Sharjah branch, which tracks with the Sheikh Zayed Road postcode. If you want the sit-down, shisha-with-your-shawarma version of the brand, this is it.
- Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Manara, Dubai [VERIFY: exact address/plot number]
- Hours: sources vary between roughly 6am–2am and 8am–2am daily [VERIFY: exact opening hours before visiting]
- Notes: drive-through available; shisha served; free parking on site
Al Qasimia, Sharjah
Technically outside Dubai, but close enough, and popular enough with Dubai residents making the drive, that it earns a mention here. This is the counter-and-table-service branch, with the most budget-friendly menu of the three and free parking.
- Address: Bin Rasheed Al Khoory Building, King Abdul Aziz Street, Al Nad, Al Qasimia, Sharjah [VERIFY: exact address]
- Hours: roughly 7am to 3am daily [VERIFY]
- Notes: counter and table service; generally the cheapest prices across the three branches
What to order
The mixed grill is the dish people build their whole visit around: a plate of kebab, shish tawook and grilled meat that easily feeds two. Beyond that, the menu leans hard into the Levantine classics done properly rather than a long list of things done adequately.
- Mixed grill: the signature order, and the one nearly every review mentions
- Lamb chops and mutton chops: a step up for anyone wanting to spend a bit more
- Hummus, mutabal and tabbouleh: the appetiser spread most tables start with
- Arayees (meat-stuffed grilled bread), a house favourite
- Shawarma: wrapped or on a plate, and one of the cheapest ways to eat here
- Knafeh and baklava: the standard sweet finish
Prices and the practical stuff
Expect to pay roughly AED 30–60 per person for a solid meal, more if you go for chops or shisha, less if you stick to shawarma and hummus. As a rough guide, a mixed grill has been reported at around AED 44 in Sharjah versus closer to AED 56 at Al Manara, and a mutton chop around AED 70 at the Sheikh Zayed Road branch [VERIFY: current menu prices, which change and vary by branch]. Shisha at Al Manara has been listed at roughly AED 75 for standard flavours.
Delivery and takeaway are both available. The restaurant runs its own delivery service, and branches also appear on Talabat and Deliveroo, so if a 2am shawarma craving hits and leaving the sofa is not an option, that route works too [VERIFY: current delivery platform coverage per branch, since app listings shift]. All three branches share one central contact number, +971 600 500022, rather than individual branch lines [VERIFY].
FAQ
How many Aroos Damascus branches are there in the UAE?
Three, based on the restaurant’s own site at the time of writing: two in Dubai (Al Muraqqabat in Deira, and Al Manara on Sheikh Zayed Road) and one in Sharjah (Al Qasimia). [VERIFY: this can change, so check current listings before you plan a visit.]
Which branch is open latest?
The Al Muraqqabat branch in Deira has the latest reported closing time, running into the early hours. [VERIFY exact hours, as they are not consistently listed across sources.]
Does Aroos Damascus deliver?
Yes. It offers its own delivery service and is listed on major delivery apps including Talabat and Deliveroo. [VERIFY coverage for your specific area and branch.]
Is there a difference in price between branches?
Yes. The Sharjah branch tends to run cheapest, while Al Manara on Sheikh Zayed Road is the most expensive of the three, likely reflecting its location and extras like the drive-through and shisha menu.
Do I need to book a table?
It is not typically required, but the Deira branch gets genuinely busy in the evenings, so arriving outside the 9pm–11pm peak makes for a smoother visit. [VERIFY current booking policy, if any.]
Aroos Damascus is not trying to be the fanciest grill house in Dubai, and that is exactly the point: it has stayed reliable, affordable and open at the hours other kitchens have already shut, which is why it keeps earning repeat visits from people who just want a proper Levantine feed without the fuss. Pick the branch nearest you, order the mixed grill, and go hungry.
