Rawabina Restaurant & Sweets
Dubai
Not the right spot to have a decent conversation with old friends, but perfect for sitting back while lip syncing the night away over a water pipe (shisha). Leave the kids at home.
A quaint and lively restaurant located in the heart of Dubai, attracting couples and groups on most evenings. The set-up is comfortable and spacious, so patrons won't feel crowded compared to similar Arabic style venues. This is usually a bonus when shisha is served.
The ground level is virtually a ghost town upon entry as it is the non-smoking portion of the restaurant. But the moment you take the winding staircase to the upper level, you are instantly met with a plume of grey shisha smoke and wait staff roaming the floor servicing nicotine-craved patrons. Rawabina's staff is friendly but not the most attentive, probably due to the loud music that screams from the stadium-grade speakers fitted in each corner. Food, however, is no joke at this restaurant. Main dishes are hearty and quite reminiscent of a well made home-cooked meal, while desserts are another no-miss venture.
Rawabina boasts a lively atmosphere, particularly when the live band is playing. However, the overbearingly loud speakers detract from the potential fun of the atmosphere, leaving you to wonder at times when the audio assault will end to spare your hearing and sanity.
