Shoo Fee Ma Fee

Description:

• Moroccans may quibble about the authenticity of Shoo Fee Ma Fee, which translates from Arabic to "what's happening," but they will agree it's still one of Dubai's most enticing dinner spots. Tucked inside the souk area of Madinat Jumeirah, the trendy restaurant and lounge is designed to resemble a Moroccan majlis (traditional Arabian meeting space), although the lounge beats playing in the background clearly appeal to a more European clientele. The dining room includes three levels of rich woods and elegant cushion chairs, as well as a shisha-friendly rooftop terrace overlooking Madinat's winding waterways. The menu mixes Moroccan, Arabic, and other regional dishes, including exotic choices such as pigeon pastilla (sautéed pigeon with sliced onions, butter saffron, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon stick), roasted goat's leg, lamb couscous, and camel kofta. Service is friendly but not especially efficient, so you may need to wait for a while before your food arrives.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010