Al Hallab started life way back in 1881 as a simple family bakery in Tripoli, Lebanon. The story goes that the bakeshop was a favoured spot among Lebanon's aristocrats and artists, and quickly gained a reputation for mouthwating sweets and friendly hospitality. Since then, little Al Hallab has grown steadily, eventually reaching Dubai as a full service Lebanese restaurant.
Today, Al Hallab has four different locations in Dubai, including this one in the Mall of the Emirates. With a wide ranging menu of traditional Lebanese dishes, Al Hallab is the perfect pitstop for anyone who has shopped until they've dropped, and needs picking up with some some comforting Middle Eastern classics. This menu has absolutely everything, from cold starters like hummus, labneh, baba ghanouj, moutabal and mohamara to hot mezze like mixed shawarmas, beef kofte, makanek sausages, and fresh, homemade falafel.
That already sounds like a lot to be getting on with, but the menu hasn't even started at that point. There are still Lebanese grills and kebabs that come smoking off the live charcoal grill, stuffed pastries and breads, soups, sandwiches, seafood dishes like grilled shrimp and lobster, and even a few international favourites like chicken supreme, fillet steak and chicken escalope.
Last but not least, save some room for the sweets that made the Al Hallab name all those years ago. The dessert menu features typical Lebanese sweets like mohalabiah (a traditional homemade milk custard), kounafa (a semolina dough stuffed with cheese), and baklawah, as well as homemade ice creams, fresh cream with honey and fruit, and a selection of cakes, available by the slice from the counter. You can reserve a table online, or if you don't fancy the trip to the mall, just order for online delivery.