Impero restaurant

A short walk from the Sheraton Ajman on the Corniche, Impero is a family-run restaurant whose signature move is atmosphere. The layout pairs an indoor dining room with a generously planted outdoor terrace, where potted trees and greenery screen the tables into something close to a garden. Shisha is a large part of the draw, and on cooler evenings the outdoor section fills with regulars, occasional live music and the slow pace of a proper after-dinner setting. The menu is Lebanese-leaning Arabic with broader international detours, and the cooking is more accomplished than the plastic-sleeved menu might suggest. Hummus Beiruti is the standout starter, served with fresh, warm, pillowy bread. Mezze extend through falafel, tabbouleh, and manakeesh (the meat and cheese version is particularly good), while mains cover shish taouk, lamb kebabs, mixed grills and a well-handled kabsa. Seafood, sourced from the nearby coast, is a genuine strength: fresh, cleanly cooked and balanced with herbs and spices. Muhallabia, baklava, kunafa and umm ali round out the dessert list. Portions are generous and prices sit comfortably below the neighbouring hotel restaurants. Service is generally warm and efficient, and the venue is built for families, with a supervised kids' play area and a ladies-only dining room for those who want more privacy. Valet parking is a practical bonus on the busy Corniche. The main caveat is breakfast: when promotional offers bring crowds, the kitchen has been noticeably overwhelmed, with long waits and orders landing out of sequence. Smokers and non-smokers should also take note that while ventilation is decent, shisha smoke drifts through much of the restaurant; a designated non-smoking room is reportedly in the works. For dinner, though, Impero is one of the more reliably enjoyable Arabic evenings on the Ajman Corniche, and it is priced accordingly.