Taste Taste: Zaroob

One of my favorite cuisines is from the Levantine region with their abundance of fresh salads, countless hot and cold starters, and healthy grills. It all just tastes healthier. We were invited out to try Zaroob’s latest branch in the Dubai Marina for a Levantine street food experience.

What’s striking about Zaroob’s aesthetic is the artsy industrial feel of the place with the stacks of Nutella jars, Tabasco bottles, and Vimto boxes along with the massive open kitchen where you can see their chefs busily preparing the food. The tick box menus at the table make placing an order faster.

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We started with hummus and then opted for dishes we had never tried. The Alayet, or the potatoes and eggs, a popular breakfast item cooked in a mini skillet, were a nice blend of herbs and went well with the crunchy Fattoush salad. We also opted for Laham Fatteh—tender grilled sirloin in a yogurt sauce, garnished with fried Arabic bread. It was creamy and the meat went well with the medley of flavors and textures. Other dishes included my all-time favorite, Koshari, the Egyptian comfort food made of rice and lentils topped with pasta, tomato sauce, and chick peas, accompanied with crispy fried onions.

We also sampled their Ma’noushe with garlic chicken and another with steak and mushrooms. And of course, we HAD to try the famous Zaroob shawarma. We definitely weren’t disappointed as the chicken shawarma was loaded with lots of salad and big on taste. From their juices, we tried the Zaroobian—a fruit cocktail with chunks of fresh fruit and juice.

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For dessert we opted for the latest sweet treat recently added to the Zaroob menu, the Kunafe. It was served in a small dish and was cheesy and warm with delicate hints of rose. Then my absolute favorite, the gigantic cream and honey fateer—a gigantic, rectangular shaped toasted thin flatbread, drizzled generously with warm honey and cream cheese. This salted sweet dessert was the perfect ending to a delicious meal.

The Verdict: If you love Levantine street food, but prefer an upmarket, trendier ambiance coupled with speedy service, then you must try Zaroob. 

Contact: 800 Zaroob